Well, its been a crazy few weeks, but the Spring Walleye hunt has been in full force. So I apologize for not posting in a few weeks, but it’s been awesome chaos!
It started off end of March chasing down the prespawn females in the can areas of the Erie Reef complex. The “G” and “F” can area have been hot for a month or so, and will continue to be. The key is finding the water color that is about 1-2 foot visibility, where you can just barely see the cavitation plate, and start pulling Husky Jerks. Faster speeds up to 1.6mph have been working good.
Jigging has been a little on and off on the reefs. Tousaint, Crib, Cone and Niagra have been best for me, with a 1/2oz Northland Whistler Jigs tipped with a 4″ Berkley Gulp Minnow has been my go to. I like the Chartreuse Minnow color best. Of course its never a bad idea to drop a purple hair jig down too. Slow drift and 2′ hops have been key.
Detroit River this year has been the best I’ve ever seen. 2 weeks ago for the the MWC, a team weighed 49lbs for 5 fish, incredible! For whatever reason, it seems like a huge number of the Lake Erie walleyes have decided to make the river their home for the Spring. My best bait, as usual there, has been Northland Eye Ball 3/8 oz orange jig and a live minnow. Super slow lift and drop, with the jig slightly angled downstream from the boat. And hang on! No where else in the world can you catch that big of fish consistently with rod in hand techniques. The 6’6″ Abu Garcia Verdict Medium action rod that I use really helps you feel out every little nick and tick of that river.
The great thing about this year, is if you get a big blow or the lake gets ripped up for a day or so, our rivers are still loaded with steelhead and you can always take a float down a river or go on a walk and wade excursion for some late season chromers. Most of the fish are drop backs, but are still a blast. That is exactly what we did when I had long time friends and former TRFA guest Jay and Charlie from New Jersey in town for a few days of NE Ohio fishing!
Stay tuned for some video footage coming in the next few days. I have an Off Shore Tackle Board rigging video I am uploading as I type. And I plan on heading out to the islands on Saturday for an all day filming session of some Erie Hawgs! Could it be the first spinner bite of the year??? 65 and sunny, water temps in the high 40s, I think so…
I have my May schedule with same days open, call soon if you are want to book a trip!