East of Vermilion

**CaptKen** · 05-13-2026, 09:25 AM

All,

Launching out of Vermilion this year.

5/12 I decided to take a buddy out for the first trip of the year.

Clearing the breakwater we headed East at a modest speed towards Lorain looking for marks. Wow, tons of marks from 13 feet to 45 feet on the Simrad.

Started trolling with Bandits at about 35 feet water depth. Quickly figured out the pattern that would get us both limits of fat 20 inch fish before noon.

They wanted those Bandits 100 back unassisted with planer boards well out from the boat, like 75 and 50 feet out after the 100. I'm thinking the sunny day and my wide 29 foot cruiser had something to do with that. Speed was 2 mph plus or minus a little with help from a large trolling bag.

Experimented with deeper and with a spoon but no dice, they wanted that specific pattern.

Favorite colors were purple back with white or yellow belly. And chrome. Blue chrome and yellow chrome.

Back at the marina, I had my first experience with a Rapala R12 electric fillet knife. I need to work a little on finesse but I will say the Rapala got thru those 12 walleye in good time.

Going back next week with a different buddy. Hope we have similar good weather. Pretty sure those post spawn males will still be hanging around.

Cheers

**rexles** · 05-13-2026, 04:06 PM

Hey CaptKen.. Those Rapala R12s are the cats meow for a fillet knife. Buddy of mine bought me one for Christmas.
I have cleaned probably 50 fish and never changed batteries. Runs faster speed than my older Rapala knife and I would have to change batteries when we were cleaning more than 6-8 fish.

**fishfinder** · 05-13-2026, 07:56 PM

That is a very nice friend you have, it takes a long time to grow an old friend. I have the Bass Pro XPS and I have cleaned a lot of walleye with it and never had a problem but I am sure if I compared it to the Rapala I would realize what I have been missing lol

**cheeseheadinohio** · 05-13-2026, 08:54 PM

Originally Posted by fishfinder

That is a very nice friend you have, it takes a long time to grow an old friend. I have the Bass Pro XPS and I have cleaned a lot of walleye with it and never had a problem but I am sure if I compared it to the Rapala I would realize what I have been missing lol

BIG question will be how long the gears last on any electric, cord or battery. Plastic gears wear out eventually. I'm still using a corded Rapala (3rd) but next one will be cordless. Bigger fish, harder on the gears.