Fishing with Melinda and Caleb...7/8/2026

[Capt Juls]

There was no sleeping in this morning. At 1:30 a.m., Ella decided I had been asleep long enough, and it was time to get up and go out on the back deck. As soon as the blankets were thrown back, Alfie shot up and started dancing on the bed.....deep sigh. To be honest, I could have kept sleeping, but I was fishing today, so it was better to get an early start.

When the coffee was ready and the dog treats dispersed, we hit the back deck to check the weather apps. The forecast was calling for winds less than 10 out of the WSW, clear skies, and no rain. I was just hoping there would be no bugs this morning.

Caleb and his twin brother have fished with me several times in the past. Their Dad would drop them off at Mazurik's to jump in my boat, then launch us and park the truck. Then, they would send him a text when we were done and on our way back in, so he could meet us there and pick up the boys. Back then, they were in their mid to late teens, I think. I have taken them bass fishing a couple of times, walleye fishing, and perch fishing before. Their dad only went when we did the perch trip.
I was sad to learn that their Dad passed away from COVID a few years ago; he was a great guy.

Melinda and Caleb came up from Waco, TX to visit family in Lakeside. Caleb reached out to me last week to set up a fishing trip for his mom and him, so we landed on this morning to make that happen.

I jumped in the truck at 4:30 and headed to the gas station for some ice. It felt good to have my truck back. Matt Wieland put new injectors and spark plug wires in it yesterday, and it's running like a champ. There are so many new parts on this truck now that it's "newer" than the day I bought it in 2020 (it's a 2016 GMC Sierra). Anyway...it's running great, so I think she'll be around for a while.

I arrived at Mazurik's at 5 a.m., but wasn't expecting them until 5:30. I readied the boat and polished up the motors while I waited for them.
They showed up right on time, and off we went. If you read the previous report, you know where I went on Sunday. The plan was to go back there again, and hope the fish hadn't moved yet. I was concerned, because of the big storm system that came through here on Monday. Thankfully, as I approached the area NNW of Catawba, the marks on the Garmin started showing up. As soon as the Vexus came off plane, the screen lit up with good marks. It was time to fish.

I started out with the same program that I ran Sunday. The water depth right there was 25 feet.

The dispsies went out first. The zero settings at 20 and 23 back.
The three settings went out at 37 and 42 back.

Speed was 2.5mph on the FishHawk.

Bill Lewis PWC Lites with 2oz snap-weights ran behind the Off Shore boards. Two boards per side.
Colors on the port side were: "Green Tiger" and "Red Tiger"
The starboard side ran "Purple Tiger" and "Chrome Barbie".

On the port side, the outside board was running 50/25 (weight goes on at the 50 mark and the second number is how much additional line is let out before the planer board is attached. So, 50 (weight) +25=75 total line out.
Now, to make it confusing for you...some people, including myself, will sometimes write it 50/75...meaning, the weight goes on at the 50 mark and the second number is the total amount of line out before attaching the board.

Anyway...I digress...

Port Side:
50/25 outside board (75)
50/11 inside board (61)

Starboard side:
50/30 outside board (80)
50/24 inside board (74)

All took fish. We had our 18 in the cooler in about 2 1/2 hours. I didn't look at the clock. We caught some Sheephead, short walleye, and White Perch, too, so that kept us very busy. The bite slowed a little as the sun got higher, so we were all glad that we were able to get out early and catch the tail end of a feeding frenzy.

They asked about fish cleaning, so I told them to follow me into downtown Port Clinton, so we could drop the fish off to be cleaned there. I knew that they would be able to get them cut fast, because we got there within a 1/2 hour of them being open. There would be several cutters to help process them. They were done in less than 10 minutes. If you come in after the "Fishermn's Wharf" headboats get in across the street, you'll be waiting longer. They usually have a lot more fish to clean when that happens.

Melinda and Caleb had a great time, and said they will be back, and that makes me happy.

Looks like I have a two-week dry spell now; I'm not scheduled to fish until the 17th and 18th.
If I pick something up between now and then, I'll be sure to report.

Stay tuned....

Capt Juls

[Lucky Duck]

I dont think I have ever seen a sheephead that big before.

[Capt Juls]

I dont think I have ever seen a sheephead that big before.

This one was much bigger. Caught a few years ago behind Cedar Point in 8' of water. She went 36". I didn't weigh her, because I didn't want to stress her out. She had lived that long, so I wanted to get her back in the water before it killed her.

And, for those of you who like to kill them, because you don't like them...
I always say, "It's not their fault they were born a Sheephead. It's the 3rd best fighting fish in Lake Erie". And, besides that, I like fish that "talk to me".

[fishfinder]

Thanks for keeping us all updated Juls, I for one appreciate all the info I can get. I thought I caught a big drum but wow that is huge, I bet it was fun getting her in

[itsbob]

That is a monster juls.I knew they got big but I didn't realize they got that big.Now you know what kind of fish can break your line or stop you cold and unable to reel in.