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Posts: 158
Location: Upper Sandusky Ohio | For those interested soles who fish the big pond, the reef complex is just starting to heat up. Today several boats "slobberknocked" the males, with a few 8-9 pounders reported. In addition to the eyes picking up the program, the big Perch are "hot" right off the Marblehead lighthouse. If your thinking of heading this way for the "Monster Fish" it's time!! |
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Posts: 714
| Say Kevin, when you're talking about reef fishing, you really catch my attention because that is pretty much my bread and butter game. How do you fish reefs on Erie? Jigs, bobbers, casting cranks, what?? Also, what are the prime times to fish the reefs during the year? Where I fish, reefs are the best place to fish any time the wind is up and the waves are pounding into them. |
Member
Posts: 158
Location: Upper Sandusky Ohio | Jack, the best time fish the reef complex on Erie is pre-spawn, and during the spawn. After the eye's spawn the majority of the fish head to deeper water to rest a bit, and start heading East towards the Huron/Vermillion area, and North towards the West Sister, Middle Sister area. There are some fish that will set up residence around the reefs year long, but most will head out. The majority of fish will be caught on Jigs, Viberating blade baits, and some guys do throw slip bobbers on calm days. Another popular technique early is pulling big cranks like Reef Runners, Rogues,etc. After the spawn most guys try to stay on top of the schools, and follow them through the year. Live bait on the reefs after the water warms a bit usually results in battling Goby's all day. By mid May almost everybody is Trolling cranks, spoons, or harnesses, drifting harnesses off bottom bouncers, throwing weight forwards, or a rig called a weapon. This is a miniature worm harness that has 1 hook, and an inline sinker about a foot or so above the blade. It is also known as a mayfly rig. You can always pick up a fish or two on the reefs, but as it warms it gets tougher, and tougher. These fish here, follow baitfish schools most of the year, and really could care less about relating to structure. I would say the majority of Erie's eye's only relate to structure during the actual spawn, and spend the rest of the time in open water following schools of Shad, Alewives, Emerald Shiners, and young Perch. For those who have never fished here the pre-spawn fishery is awsome when the weather cooperates, but it can kill you in a hurry if you are foolish. This old girl can go from flat to 6' rollers in an hour, so for God's sake pay attention to the weather. No fish is worth dying for!! Another thing to keep in mind is that this place will spoil you. This weekend some guys from Iowa were fishing out of Wild Wings Marina, one of the guys in the boat caught an 8 pound fish for his first fish, and went nuts. What is amazing is an 8 pound fish usually don't even turn many heads. It takes a 10,11,12,13 or 14 pounder to really get noticed. I would bet a 15 shows up now and then. So in closing, if your looking for a time Jack for the reefs it's the earlier the better, and it depends on if you get clear/fishable water. If you get around here this summer give me a yell, and I'll be more than happy to share my boat, and spend some time on the pond with you. Take care folks, and be safe.
Edited by Trophy 3/28/2004 9:28 AM
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Member
Posts: 158
Location: Upper Sandusky Ohio | I'm not sure. I have not heard of it, but then again it does make sense. It would be similar to using large cranks. We are getting a lot of rain tonight, so most of the near shore water will more than likely muddy up, and how far out it goes will depend on wind. The rain is suppose to be on and off over the next couple of days. I almost got the boat out Sunday, but now I'm glad I didn't. |
