Posted on Leave a comment

Sunday East of Sandusky Dump

Sunday morning,
My buddy and I fished out of BayPoint on his fabulous Grady. We went out searching and found decent marks east of the DG. Caught 1 keeper about every 20 minutes and ended with 10 in box weighing 22 pounds at cleaners. Speed was 2.4-2.8mph over 27-34 fow mostly. Fish were scattered around. We went upwind, sidewind downwind and just kept triangle around the fish.

Spoons ruled the day but harnesses and bandit caught a couple too. We had a small board with bandit on each side, then spoon and harness in middle with lite bite divers catching from 55-75 back on 6.5 setting. Bottom bouncer and tadpole weight with spoons off each corner. I dropped a couple before the boat that looked like keepers. We sent back another 3 or 4 smalls and same amount of sheep and white perch. Great day to be out with cloud cover most of morning.

Rickerd

Posted on Leave a comment

7/12 report

Sorry for the delay in reporting, but if you have been following you know we have had distractions.

We went out of Huron to minimize the boat run for the guests with the uncertain weather.

We ran out to the NW to the 40 ft line and set up. The wind chop was not terrible out of the east, but there where residual cross rollers out of the North. We picked up 2 walleye and to sheep when I heard that familiar sound behind me. Eck, eck, you know the sea sick sound just before the big purge. So glad we have a wash down on the new boat.

Followed by the phrase I have heard a 100 times. “Sorry, I never get sea sick”.

So we pulled the spread and went back in.

The blessing was my finger was really throbbing and I appreciated the day off. Was sorry for the other 3 that did not get to fish.

Posted on Leave a comment

Fishing with Bill and Max Claassen… July 12, 2023

I wasn’t going to write a report, because of the late start today, but it wasn’t a usual day, so I wanted to share it.

The bad news is, there is a missing young man in the lake right now. His last known location was at the 36/53 line (near F Can). He went overboard last night around 10:45/11PM, and didn’t surface. I don’t know any details beyond that.


When we arrived at Catawba this morning, there was the Sheriff’s truck, and boat trailer in the lot, along with two other squad cars, that I assume were out there with him…searching.


The USCG had their orange helicopter out looking, and that big C1 airplane (is that what it’s called? I forget). That big plane that flies so slow, that it looks like it could just fall out of the sky…that one. The USCG also had one of their boats out near South Bass, too.


I listened to channel 16 the entire time I was out there, and as of 2pm, when we got off the water, he still had not been found. So, if anyone reading this is going to be near that area, please keep an eye out for him. If you have Side Scan on your unit…use it. It may just find him.


He’s 21 years old and wearing a white t-shirt, and khaki shorts.


I hope they find him soon, so his family and friends can get some closure.


Fishing Report:


It was rougher than expected this morning. It was 1-3s on the west side of islands, so we headed up to the “Triangle”, between the islands, to see if there were any fish up there, and to fish more protected water. I didn’t want Bill to be uncomfortable, again.


We set up at the south end of Middle Bass, and trolled north, over 31′ of water.


Mag 44s ran behind the Off Shore boards on both sides at 50-90 back. Blue Chrome, black/gold, and purple glass perch.


Dipsies were running on both corners again, and ran on the usual zero and three settings. I like those settings, because it is less likely to cause tangles, with that kind of separation. 🙂
Zero settings were at 30 and 40, and the three settings were at 65 and 70. Yeck, Scorpion, Stinger spoons ran on three rods, and the black/gold Ripplin Redfin ran on the 4th.


Speed was 2.2 on the Fish Hawk and 2.3-2.5 GPS/SOG.


We made one long ass pass, from there, to around the north side of Rattlesnake…down the front side of Green, and down to the F Can area.


We caught a fish here and there, but the the most productive areas were east of E Can to F Can, and F Can to Catawba.
The bite got better the shallower we got. The bite picked up over 27 feet and kept going and getting better as we entered into 24 feet. We also had a lot more shorts to deal with there, too. The eaters were nicer, however, so dealing with all the shorts was worth it.


One Mag44 was running on the starboard outside board at 60 back, and the “IB Infected” Bandit (DJ Custom Eye Lures creation) was running at 65 back.


On the Port side, two “Blue Shiner” Bandits (original blue shiner color/stock) at 70 and 80 back.


All of those caught multiple fish.


The dipsies were brought up to:
zero setting: 27 and 30
three setting: 43 and 47


The black/gold RR was replaced with another Yeck spoon.


Copper backs were best today. “Confusion” was a hot one.


We put our three-person limit in the cooler, but did a lot of catching today. We went through tons of shorts, one cat, several sheep, and a few white perch….oh, and two yellow perch, to get the 18 eaters, so it was a lot of work, today.


Water temp is 75.5 at F Can right now.


I’m going to cut this short, because my pup is climbing all over me, while I’m trying to write this, and wants to play….so, I must go play before I go to bed.


Tomorrow is the same crew….not sure what the plan is yet. I’ll decide that in the morning, when I know what the winds and forecast are.


Stay tuned…..


Capt Juls

Attached Images

   
Posted on Leave a comment

7/10 report

Sorry for the delay in reporting but you will see why. We had 2 supper fun couples from Southern Ohio and it was there first time Walleyeing.

We headed NE of Cedar Point to 40 ft of water to where we were catching before and ran the same program of Bandits to the Port and spoons to the Stbd and on the riggers. The Bandits back 100 to 120 started getting hit immediately and it wasn’t long until we were running Bandits Port and Spros Stbd and both were steadily working.
Spoons took a few keepers on the riggers but we had to swap Scorpions for Stingers to minimize shorts.

It was one of those magical days on Erie, weather was wonderful and the fish were biting. We were quickly filling the box trolling at 2.2 to 2.4 on the fish hawk. Then all excitement broke loose, every rod was popping. We had 3 on the floor, one in the net, and 2 more rods back.

Best colors were anything green.

Like they say, it is all fun and games until someone gets a hook in their hand. And it was deep. We had 24 nice eyes with 4 over 25, biggest was 27. not too many shorts, 3 sheep, and 1 white perch before going to the ER for hook removal. They said we were the 3rd that day.

We took today off and are watching the wind close and will decide on tomorrow in the morning. They want to fish again. They think it is always as easy as yesterday, lol.

Posted on Leave a comment

Fish cleaner

New fish cleaner located in parking lot of happy hooker. George coutcher who used to own coutcher fish cleaning is cutting fish. (George is a great fish cutter) Patricia is new owner and very nice to deal with. They do a great job cleaning fish. Have taken 2 limits of perch and no complaints.
Posted on Leave a comment

Fishing with Bill and Max Claassen… July 11, 2023

Bill and Max Claassen, drove in from Iowa yesterday, to fish three days with me. I picked them up at the Best Western at 5:15, and headed to the gas station on the west side of town. I had already gassed the boat and truck up the afternoon before, at another gas station, that saved me money. I only needed ice for the coolers, so it was a quick stop.

We went to Mazurik’s, to launch. We were in the water, and on our way back to where I fished yesterday, by 5:45. The sun was just peaking over the horizon, as we rode north, showing us what a blazing orange fiery ball it was going to be this morning. It was spectacular…the camera didn’t do it any justice at all.


When we reached the line, the Terrova was deployed and the baby Merc fired up. They steered and pushed us along at a speed of 2.3-2.5mph. Once the Fish Hawk was set down to depth, it showed a speed of 2.2mph. It was time to set the dipsies.
We ran the same program as yesterday, with the dipsies set on the zero and three settings.
The zero settings started at 40 and 50 back, but the 50 was less active, so I raised that one to 36 back, and put a gold/black Ripplin Redfin on, and it did better than the spoon at 50 back. The three settings were running at 65 and 70 back, and both were productive.


We caught a bunch of shorts this morning too, along with some Sheephead, and one White Bass.


It wasn’t rough when we headed out, but it got rougher as the morning progressed. Just 1-3s with some 4s thrown in for good measure, from time to time, so not too bad, but, it was a little too rough for “Papa”, because he started feeling seasick.


When we put their 12th keeper walleye in the cooler, I asked, “Do you want to move down south where it would be a little less rough, and try for those last 6? Or, would you like to go in?” Bill asked Max, “Max, what do you want to do?”, and Max replied with the usual reply of… “It doesn’t matter to me, whatever you want to do”. Without hesitation, Bill turned to me and said, “We can go in”. So, we packed it up and headed in.


It was a short day, today, but they still had a lot of fun, and are looking forward to going out again tomorrow. However, I will not be going back up to the line with the east winds that are forecast, (12-13mph…1-3s again), and will take them to the west side of the islands for a bit of protection, and smaller waves. I was over there three days ago, and managed to catch some keeper walleye, so I know we can put some in the cooler tomorrow, too. We just have to dodge some early morning scattered thunderstorms first, I think. At least, that’s what the TV Weatherman just said on the news, at noon.
It might be a later start in the morning…I won’t know until the morning, though, when I can look at my radar, and see what’s headed this way.


Stay tuned….


Capt Juls

Attached Images

   
Posted on Leave a comment

Need Help locating these Bandits, Please

I have had a ton of luck with the Bandit in the photo. I have been trying to find where to purchase some more. I cannot find them online or in any of the local Bass Pro or Fisherman Central stores. Please let me know if you have any idea on where to purchase. Thanks a ton!

Attached Images

  
Posted on Leave a comment

Fishing with Scott and Mark… July 10, 2023

Scott Smith, and his friend, Mark Delagarza, met me at Mazurik’s at 5:30, this morning. We launched shortly after their arrival, and headed up to the Canadian line, to see if we could find some fish. The Helix lit up with good marks, so we started setting lines.

Both, had fished with dipsies and Off Shore boards before, so little instruction was needed…just a refresher course, since it had been a while since they use different releases on their boards, than I do. I run the OR-18 (Snapper release) on the front and the OR-16 (red release with the pin in the center of it). They use the OR-19 on the front, so they can trip it, and release the front one.
They caught onto the dipsey program pretty quickly, and were very adept at not tangling any lines. 🙂


We ran Bandits behind the Off Shore boards, three on the starboard side and two on the port side, and two dipsies off each corner.


Bandit colors that did well were the Blue Shiner (Original one..not the foil one with the same name), Chrome Barbie, and one I can’t remember the name of, but it’s perch colored without stripes, and has a black “Shad dot” on it. “Green Shad”, maybe? I don’t know. Sometimes, I can remember the name, and sometimes it eludes me. lol


Anyway, we were trolling over 39 feet of water and had the Bandits set at 120, 85, and 65 on the starboard side, and 81 and 70 on the port side. Each one caught a fish, but the Blue Shiner was running on both sides of the boat, and caught 4 or 5 between them at 65 and 70 back. Chrome Barbie caught 2 at 81 and 85 back and the Green Shad caught one at 120 back.


Speed was 2.2 on the Fish Hawk and 2.3-2.5 on the GPS.


Dipsies ran on the usual zero and three settings….zero at 40 and 50. The three setting started out at 47 and 65, but both would be dropped to 70, eventually, and would catch their fair share of fish, too.


The grade of fish was pretty darn good for the island area, this time of year, so we were all happy to see that. We had a good number of young fish, too, that were carefully removed from the hook, and sent back with a kiss, and a wish, for them to survive, and grow up, to be big fish. 🙂


We had their two-man limit in an hour and a half, and then I reeled in 4 of my 6, when the bite slowed way down. I asked, “Do you want to grind it out for the last two walleye? Or, do you want to go try and find some perch?” They decided to go perch’n instead. Long story short…three spots (very good marks in all three spots)…all we caught were three perch, and a half dozen sheephead. It was a bust. But, it was relaxing, and there was good music and conversation, and the guys enjoyed themselves anyway.


I have a three day trip starting tomorrow with a father and son team. I’m not sure if I’ll get back up there tomorrow, due to the gusty SW winds in the forecast, but we’ll see what it looks like in the morning. Wednesday and Thursday’s winds look much better.


Stay tuned….


Capt Juls

Attached Images

     
Posted on Leave a comment

Conquest July 5th

Maylfies, high blue skies, variable winds, sparce reports and no recent voyages dimmed the prognosis conveyed to an anxious rooky walleye fisherman on respite from two young boys he has been raising alone. At 6:15 the 250 maneuvered the familiar route past numerous limp ” Old Glorys’ ” through West Harbor. An immediate right out the channels mouth traversed us south of casters on a glassy Middle Harbor Reef an open hazy horizon drew us past a now silent vacationland until boats were spotted initiating and educated 90* turn north in search of marks that the fisherman in the distance had most likely visited recently. 7 miles off mainland, 4 miles east of Kellys’ Dipseys dialed to 2 back 55-65 fallowed by spoons, boarded 40 Trus’ released to 45-65fashioned the same, unassisted Bandits behind boards back 90-100 all deployed at 2.6 mph. Just enough breeze aided the 4 stroke Whaler north unassisted North past drifters and trollers corralling assumed eaters as immediate action perused and the occasional net was flagged indicating success. 4 miles of line checking, real time training produced seven keepers as many juniors and a hand full of other beasts. The track was duplicated three times after brief runs south through the delicious morning air to cull the trips quota releasing as many shorts with few junk to enabling the crew to meet a predetermined noon reunion of pool craving kids with their new walleye enthusiast dad. MadMo Roys’ spoons, Blueberry Muffin stingers, Blue Chrome & Redhead Wonderbread Bandits with few swaps were best at original settings.