Juls WFA Blog
22 More Days till Spring!! Woot! Woot!
by Capt Juls on 02/26/14
As more and more reservations come in for the 2014 season, I just want to take a moment to stop and thank all my sponsors for their continued support of my "LIFE". Without them, my dreams of fishing for a living would not be possible. So I extend a huge thank you to Ranger Boats, Evinrude, Minn Kota, Humminbird, Off Shore Tackle Company, Vic's Sports Center, EZEE Step Inc., LakeMaster, Reef Runner Tackle Company, and The Jewelry Mechanic. It's the most awesome feeling to be supported by the best companies, equipment, and people in the fishing world! I hope to make you all as proud of me, as I am to be on your teams...THANK YOU!
29 More Days Until Spring!
by Capt Juls on 02/20/14I just heard my first thunder since 2013. It's raining today, and raining hard. We are expecting 1.2 inches of the liquid stuff on top of the 8 inches of solid stuff that was already on the ground.
There is no where for this water to go, so I suspect there will be a bit of flooding in the area. Rivers will swell and become muddy iceberg flowing waterways...ugh.
Then, after a day of heavy rain, we are expecting strong gusty winds this evening...upwards of 50mph.
It's just a nasty day all around, so lets all keep an eye on our neighbors and make sure everyone stays safe today!
Freezing temps come back next week (Boooo!!!), so I'll check back in here when the temps warm and things start to improve here again.
Until then, I'll be keeping busy by replacing line on the reels, and making sure the tackle is all organized and ready to go for another successful season of fishing on Lake Erie. :)
Capt Juls
Just some winter reading while you dream about the open water just around the corner...
by Capt Juls on 02/05/14
Note:This was written by me many many years ago, when I first started using inline planer boards. I did a little bit of editing to update to the latest products offered by Precision Trolling and Off Shore Tackle in this article.
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Using in-line side planer boards for the first time can be intimidating to someone who has never tried them before. I know it was for me, the first time I used them. I was lucky though I didn't have to learn them on my own. I had two great teachers, who taught me how to use these boards correctly, right out of the box. One of those men, was Bruce DeShano, the owner of Off Shore Tackle Company, L.L.C., and creator of the Off Shore Tackle Side Planer Board, and the other was PWT Champion and RCL Professional Walleye angler Rick LaCourse.
Not everyone has the opportunity to be shown how to use the boards by such talented tutors, so I'm going to share some tips with you that I learned, and hopefully it will help you put more fish in the boat!
Planer Board SuccessThere are several different brands of planer boards to choose from, and whichever brand you choose, the following tips will help you. I like to use the Off Shore Side Planers, because they run true in the water, even in big waves, and can be easily seen even at a long distance out. The Off Shore brand makes learning to read boards easier too, because of some of the options available, like the Tattle Flag kit.
Having the right equipment can make trolling with in-line boards much easier. The right rods and reels for your style of trolling will make a big difference in your success rate.
Rods are designed for many different applications. A good walleye trolling rod would be a rod that is at least 7-10 foot long with a medium / soft action tip.
Purchasing several of the same rods will make learning to read the boards easier. By watching the rod tips you can determine if a fish is on, even if you can't determine that by watching the board. If you have different makes and models of rods set out, it becomes more difficult to read the rod tips, since their actions will impart different results.
A line counter reel, or a reel with an attachable line counter device is a "must have" while trolling. In order to put your baits in the strike zone, it's important to have an accurate line counter to get your baits to the desired depth. There are several different manufacturers who make a quality line counter reel or attachable device. Talk to your local baitshop, or retailer, for the reel that would best suit your needs.
The best "trollers" on the water will never leave the dock without a copy of the "Precision Trolling Book" in their boat. This book is what is often referred to as the "Trolling Bible". This unique book provides depth diving data for over 179 popular trolling lures. Each lure features an easy to read "dive curve" chart that shows anglers how to achieve target depths with crankbaits, diving planers, leadcore line, snap weights and other trolling aids. In addition, trolling tips for using planer boards, downriggers and other popular trolling methods are also outlined in this information packed guide.
EDITED:The latest edition of this book is now available as an iPhone App. (listed in the app store as "P-T-D") Or, you can try to find someone selling one of the old style books on WC, Ebay, or other websites, etc.
The number one reason side planers are used is to cover a lot of water fast. Another reason is that they will move your baits out away from the boat to catch fish that are easily spooked. Clear water lakes are especially good lakes to use planer boards on. The boards can be used in deep water and in shallow water. It all depends on what baits your running and where the fish are.
When you're open water trolling, what you want to look for on the electronics is a cloud of baitfish, with some "hooks" (actively feeding fish) underneath it. Make a mental note as to what depth the hooks are suspended at. Take the boat back around to make a pass over the fish, but have your baits in the water by the time you pass over them again.
One tip to making trolling easier is to have the waves following you while you troll. This allows the boards to run smoother, and makes it easier to control the boat while you fight a fish.
If the active fish are feeding 27 feet down, then I know that I want my baits to run anywhere from 15-25 feet down. Since suspended walleye forage on the bait they see above them, it's important not to put the baits below the depth you're marking the fish at.
Since I know what depth I want to run my lures, all I need to do is pick out a lure, and look it up in the Precision Trolling Book. The depth curve chart will tell me how much line I need to let out before attaching the planer board.
This is where the line counters are invaluable. The accuracy of your lure depth is dependant on how accurate your line counter is. The diameter of the line you're using and the speed of the boat are determining factors too. If you didn't know how much line you had out, it would be impossible to know what depth your lures are running at.
The Precision Trolling Book was written by testing all the lures using a 10 pound test mono line. The book has a conversion chart that will tell you what a different diameter line will do to the depth ratio. This allows you to make adjustments in the amount of line out to achieve the target depth.
Boat speed is determined by lure action, and by what the fish tell you they want. If the speed is too fast, some lures will "spin" or "roll", making them useless, and more than likely cause them to tangle with other lines. Watch the action of the lure at the side of the boat before you let it out. When you're happy with the action, that's the speed you want to stay at.
You can experiment with speed by making "S" turns while you're trolling. When you make turns, the boards will run faster on one side of the boat, while the boards on the other side will run slower. When a fish hits, make a note as to what side of the boat it hit on while in the turn. This will tell you what the fish want. They might want the lures faster, or they might want them slower. This is just a fast way to find out how fast you should be moving.
Off Shore Tackle Side Planers are designed to run on either the port side or the starboard side of the boat. The port side board is marked "left", and the starboard side board is marked "right". To attach the board to the line, simply squeeze the releases on the board and slip the line in between the two pads. There are several different releases that can be used on the Off Shore boards, so it's important to get the best one for your fishing application.
For anglers who like to use the super braided lines, the OR-18 release is the best one to use. Although it's expensive, it was specifically designed for this type of line.
EDITED: The Off Shore boards come with a orange (OR-19) release on the front arm and a red (OR-16) on the back. Both have the same tension, but the OR-16 has the pin in the center of the pad.
The Off Shore Side Planers come with a stationary flag. This flag allows the angler to see the boards better while fishing in bigger waves. The "Tattle Flag" is an upgrade from the stationary flag to a flag that has the ability to tell you when you're dragging a small fish around, or if your baits are junked up with weeds or other floating matter. Edit: You can now buy the "economy kit" for the Tattle upgrade, since the boards already come with a flag, there is no need to purchase the kit that comes with the flag...unless of course your original flag is old and worn out. The economy kit is much more affordable than the complete upgrade package.
The Tattle Flags are designed to move up and down, by setting a tension spring that matches the baits you're using, and is triggered when a fish hits the lure. When a fish bites, the flag will drop down towards the board, telling you that there is something there.
Tattle Flags can help an angler learn to read the boards faster too. They also help keep your "clean" baits in the strike zone longer. If a lure is junked up, or you're pulling a small fish around, the flag will go slightly back letting you know that something is out of the ordinary and you should check your bait.
Tattle Flag Tip: It's important to remember that in order for the flag to work properly, some slack must be left between the two releases.
Once the board is attached to the line, drop it over the side and let it float back. Once the board is back as far as you want it, engage the reel, to stop the freespool. The board will then plane out to the side of the boat. Set the rod in the rod holder furthest forward and proceed to set your other lines. Keep the boards running a good distance apart, a minimum of 15-20 feet, and it will help you keep your lines from tangling.
Once a person gets used to running boards, they usually come up with their own routines for setting and retrieving lines. A very common way to cover a lot of water, is to run the baits on the outside boards higher in the water column while running deeper baits on the inside boards.
Even if you're not marking fish high, it's a good idea to set some lures high. Reason being, if there are fish high in the water column and the locator isn't recognizing them, you will still have a chance to catch them. The fish caught that aren't shown on the screen are often referred to as "ghost" fish in this neck of the woods, and an angler can and usually will catch a few of these.
"A very common mistake anglers often make with in-line boards is the methods they use to reel in a hooked fish", says Off Shore Tackle's Bruce DeShano. "When a fish such as a walleye is hooked on an in-line board, the weight of the struggling fish causes the board to be dragged backwards in the water. Don't set the hook when you see the board jerking backwards. Jerking on the rod at this point is only going to pull the board out of the water and not pull against the fish. What often happens is the angler jerks the board, giving the fish slack line that allows the fish to escape." Instead of jerking on the rod when a fish is hooked, simply reel in the fish and board together using a slow and steady retrieve. "Set your drag so you can just gain line on the fish as you're reeling," advises DeShano. "If you set the drag too tight and the fish runs, the board may be pulled under water. The line may break or the fish may simply pull the hooks free."
"Here's another way to avoid problems when fishing with in-line boards", says DeShano. "When the board is getting close to the boat it will pull out of the water and become suspended on the line between the rod tip and the fish. If the rod tip is suddenly lowered, the board will splash down into the water and can dive in much the same way as a diving planer digs. Once the board clears the water, keep the rod tip up and don't let it touch the water again".
If you have a partner in the boat it makes it easier to reel fish in. While one person reels the fish in, the other will take the board off the line. The person who is taking the board off the line needs to make sure not to snap the line, as he/she lets go of it. This can cause a fish to become unhooked. Once the board is off, keep the line pinched between your fingers and follow the line up to the rod guide as your partner reels in the fish, then let go.
If you're alone, reel the board in till it clears the water and is about 3 feet from the rod tip. Swing the board towards you and unhook the board with one hand while keeping the rod tip high and the line as taught as can be. Once the board is off, reel up the line as you bring the rod tip down, keeping the line taught.
With practice and patience anyone can learn to use in-line planer boards. I only touched on a few basics, but that should get any first timer going in the right direction. There is a lot to learn, but it's well worth it....practice, practice, practice, and learn what works best for you.
Captain Juls
Only 45 More Days Until Spring!
by Capt Juls on 02/02/14January is past us and we're into February...finally! One month closer to spring!
The anticipation of getting the new boat is building, but it's completion date isn't set until March 17th...sigh.
Charters are being reserved already, and April is the target start for my services.
I am really looking forward to seeing and fishing with old friends I've made over the past couple of years, and to the new friends I haven't fished with yet.
I'm hoping Mother Nature is kind to us this year and we get all of our trips in. Hopefully, the old saying is correct, "In like a lion out like a lamb" will ring true.
This would allow Lake Erie's walleye to have a banner spawn like we had in 2003.
I've heard two different statistics for what the 2013 hatch did, and one says it was just above average, and the other states that it was better than the 2003. I tend to believe it was just above average, but I certainly wouldn't be disappointed if it were the later. :)
Only 45 more days to spring everyone! Don't let all this cold and snow bring you down...think spring!
Have a great Super Bowl Sunday and be safe....Go Broncos! lol
Capt Juls
Winter Doldrums Have You Down?
by Capt Juls on 01/27/14If the ever endless string of polar vortexes have you down, start thinking spring!
With the days getting longer it won't be long before spring is upon us. It's time to start thinking about reserving your walleye fishing adventure on Lake Erie's Western Basin.
Fishing in the spring on the Western Basin is prime time for a chance at a trophy sized walleye. I mostly troll for the big girls, but if you want to jig for them on the reefs, I offer that too.
Juls Walleye Fishing Adventures will begin running trips the beginning of April, so don't miss out...reserve your dates now!
There are still plenty of openings since I have decided to run trips 7 days a week this year. I have also added the option of fishing for smallmouth bass in the hot dog days of summer. I normally kept the bass fishing for my days off where my friend and I would go "fun fishing", but I've decided to share that fun with customers who would like to experience the fun fight of a powerhouse smallie on the end of their line too. :)
I am looking forward to fishing with friends I have made over the past two seasons again, and to fishing with new friends I haven't met yet.
One of the things that makes my trips a little more special, and different from the regular 6 pack charters, is the fact that I only take up to three people. This gives you more of a one on one experience, and a chance to learn how to properly set the lines and reel in all the fish.
It has been my experience that when the customer gets to participate in all aspects of the fishing experience, they go home with a better feeling of accomplishment and some very fun memories.
However, with that said, if you want a trip where I do all the work and all you do is reel in the fish, I can do that too! It's up to you. Just let me know in advance what you want out of your trip.
I also offer home baked goodies and pretty awesome lunches. No saran wrapped soggy sandwiches for my crews!
So don't let the winter cold get you down...start thinking spring!
Hope to see you soon!
Captain Juls
Another "NEW for 2014" addition for Juls Walleye Fishing Adventures is...
by Capt Juls on 01/24/14In the past, I have saved the excitement of fishing for smallmouth bass for my days off, fishing with my friend. But, this year, I have decided not to be so selfish and will now offer this type of trip to my customers who want to enjoy the excitement of this hard fighting fish too.
Smallmouth trips will be offered starting June 28th, as there is a closed season from May 1st to June 27th. While some other charters will offer to target this species during their spawn, I feel it's better to leave them alone, to let them do their thing. Taking a fish off the nest that its trying to protect is detrimental to the eggs in the nest in my opinion.
So, if you want to enjoy a day of fun fishing, great food, and a lot of laughs, try out some smallmouth fishing during the hot days of summer!
Capt Juls
NEW FOR 2014...
by Capt Juls on 01/20/14I will be offering charters SEVEN DAYS A WEEK this season! No more limitations and having to work around another work schedule. Yay!
This will allow me to give even more special attention to your entertainment on the water and be more creative with baked goods and lunches. Yummm!
No saran wrapped sandwiches for my crews!! lol
So? Who wants to go fishing? :)
Hope to fish with you soon!
Capt Juls
Cleveland Boat Show and Outdoors Show Jan. 16th-20th at the IX Center
by Capt Juls on 01/15/14
Looking for something to do this week/weekend? Why not check out the show?
Vic's Sport Center will have 20 beautiful boats to browse and drool over. They have also teamed up with me to offer a 6 hour guided trip this season, to the winner of a drawing at the end of the show for anyone that buys a new walleye boat from them this weekend.
Off Shore Tackle will have a booth set up to display and talk with you about their latest and greatest products for the 2014 season too!
I'll be heading their Sunday afternoon to check it out. Hope to see you all there! :)
Capt. Juls
On a side note....I had planned on being there all four days, but thanks to an unexpected appendectomy this past Sunday night, I am resting at home for the week, and getting a little stir crazy here. Thus the need to get out of the house for a bit on Sunday. :)
A BIG Thank You to Those Booking Trips Early!
by Capt Juls on 01/08/14Spring is only a few months away, and the prime walleye fishing in the Western Basin of Lake Erie will begin!
Reservations are starting to come in now, so if you're thinking of booking a walleye charter with Juls Walleye Fishing Adventures, it's a good idea to book early.
The best dates for trophy sized walleye are from ice out to mid June. Come the hot days of summer, the fish will move further east and the runs to them will be longer. So, my point is, if you want to spend more time fishing and less time running to the fish, get the earlier dates booked as soon as possible!
Can't fish on the weekends? No problem! I will be available 7 days a week to take you fishing. :)
I want to thank those that have already reserved their dates, and I'm really looking forward to fishing with all of you!
Come on spring!! :)
Capt Juls
Taking Reservations for Your 2014 Walleye or Perch trips Now...
by Capt Juls on 12/08/13
Once the ice goes out, we start fishing for the big girls, that are staging up on this end of the lake for the spawn.
This is your best chance for a trophy sized walleye from Lake Erie's Western Basin.
So, if you still haven't caught that fish of a life time, don't miss out on the great springtime walleye bite, by not reserving your date.
- 100.00 Deposit Required to hold each chosen date. Balance Due at Beginning of your Charter
- Cancellation 30 Days in advance and you will receive a full refund of your deposit.
- Cancellation due to weather at Captain's discretion; Another date will be offered, or get a full refund of your deposit.
- Guests are obligated to pay for all days reserved regardless of weather and fishing conditions unless the trip is cancelled by your Captain. (Loss of Deposit Only)
The 2014 Ranger has been ordered...:)
by Capt Juls on 12/08/13This years ride is the 2014 Ranger 620 powered by a 250 ETEC HO. I'll have pictures when she is built, but that won't be until after the 1st of the year.
This boat will be equipped with the following:
15 ETEC HO kicker
Terrova 101/US2/iPilot/LINK
1159c Combo on the bow
1159c DI Combo on the dash
1199c SI Combo on the dash
LakeMaster Mapping
Along with a plethora of Ranger options to make it a fantastic fishing machine. :)
I'm really looking forward to another great season of Lake Erie fishing!
Capt Juls
Something to be thankful for...:)
by Capt Juls on 11/25/13Well, it's official. I will have a new boat to use for the 2014 fishing season. The new ride is a 2014 Ranger 620 powered by an Evinrude 250 ETEC, and will have all the usual bells and whistles to make the fishing experience most enjoyable!
If you want to book your spring trips now, I am available to do that starting today.
Book early, as the spring walleye fishing in the Western Basin is the BEST on Lake Erie!
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! Enjoy!
Capt Juls
A Big Thank You to my 2013 Customers!
by Capt Juls on 10/16/13
Well, yesterday was my last charter of the season. I would like to thank all my clients that made the 2013 charter season a fabulous one. Lots of great fun and memories were made and I couldn't have asked for better customers! For that I am grateful.
I am looking forward to the 2014 season, and hope it's just as successful.
Still Perch'n....
by Capt Juls on 10/01/13I spent the last two days fishing with Greg and Mark who are from Elkhart, IN. They came down to go perch fishing.
Sunday was a tough bite for us. We moved around 5 or 6 times and only had one limit to show for it. I even kept them out two hours longer than their limited 4 hour trip. We started out by Kelly Island Shoal (south end of it), hit a spot south of Gull Island Shoal, ran up to the red can on the north side of North Bass Island, hit another spot I had success at this past Friday on the north side of South Bass Island, and ended the day out by Gull Island again.
The conditions were not that bad. It rained on us a little bit and the winds were 10-20 out of the SSW, but died down in the afternoon.
Yesterday was much better. They came over in the morning for homemade biscuits and gravy before we headed to the baitshop. Mark had used my computer to print out his one day Canadian Lic, so we would be able to head up to the NW corner of Pelee Island.
We set down in 32 foot of water and proceeded to catch perch right away. It was by no means and up and down bite, but it was fast enough to keep us in one spot all day. It was a beautiful day, but was breezy in the morning. But, by afternoon it was settled down and the lake was almost flat.
The lack of wind, for a change, let us see just how much algae was in the western basin near the bass islands. On our way back in the spray from my boat looked like pea soup. The satellite pictures were showing a large outbreak, but with the wind and waves the algae didn't have a chance to sit on the surface of the water like it did yesterday and it was hard to see just how much was out there. All I can say is, they need to do something or the health of this Great Lake will be destroyed.
Is this the reason that the walleye don't seem to be in this area right now, like they had been all season?
Anyway, I digress....
Mark and Greg limited out and we headed back in. After a nice dinner at the local Mexican restaurant I drove them back to my house where they had parked their truck and boat for the day.
We said our good byes and they happily headed back to Indiana.
I have another trip this morning with two older gentlemen, but we will be staying in US waters today. I'll be trying out from the airport on Kelly's, or the Kelly's Island Shoal, on the north end. :)
Capt Juls
Tuesday Sept 27th Perch'n
by Capt Juls on 09/29/13The perch are still biting on the west side and Northwest side of the islands. However, reports of better bites are coming from the Northeast corner of Kelly Island Shoal.
Friday's trip was successful in that we had a lot of fun and caught some fish, but we didn't limit out in the time frame of the trip.
We ended up with two walleye and 52 perch. My customers, Dad-Marty along with Kyle and Kevin ("K-1" and "K-2") were happy with the catch. Well, I should say that Dad and K-1 were happy. K-2 spent the entire trip trying to make the seasickness go away, so I had him laying down on the bow. He slept there for 6 hours. :)
Marty and K-1 had the good time.
Headed out again this morning with Greg Chapman and his friends for another perch trip, but this is only a 4 hour charter, so we'll see if we can find a fast biting pod of perch. If not, the count will be lower than a limit, I'm sure.
The weather looks pretty good today with South winds. The marine forecast reads:
.TODAY...SOUTH WINDS 10 TO 20 KNOTS BECOMING SOUTHWEST AND DIMINISHING TO 10 KNOTS OR LESS. ISOLATED SHOWERS. SCATTERED SHOWERS LATE. WAVES 2 TO 4 FEET SUBSIDING TO 2 FEET OR LESS.
Monday was a blow day...Tuesday was a fun Perch Trip!
by Capt Juls on 09/18/13My crew of the "3 D's", Denny, Dan, and Dave, came down from Wisconsin to spend a couple days fishing on Lake Erie. Monday I called a blow day due to strong north winds that formed waves 3-5 feet. My guys were understanding and didn't mind one bit staying on shore that day.
We were going to make Tuesday a longer day with both perch and walleye fishing, but we ended up just doing the perch'n since the walleye reports for the island area were sparse and the lake was roughed up due to an East wind making it hard to run around and search for walleye. I didn't want to waste their time or money on a game plan I didn't have for walleye.
On the bright side, we did manage to get a 4 man limit of perch in 4 1/2 hours 2 miles west of the south tip of North Bass island. We were the only boat in that spot, but there were head boats about a mile or two north of me, and a pack of boats between Rattlesnake and Green islands. Not sure how they were doing. We didn't have a lot of trash fish either...mostly perch. I like those kinds of spots...:)
When the ODNR checked our catch at the ramp later that afternoon he said that we had the biggest perch he had seen all morning. That made my crew happy happy happy.
My charters that were scheduled for today through Friday were cancelled due to my customer being in the hospital with a staph infection from a previous hand surgery. However, I received a text from him this morning that his meds are working and he is on the mend. That's great news!
So, I won't be out again until this coming Sunday.
Capt Juls
Tuesday-Thursday Sept 10, 11th, 12th
by Capt Juls on 09/15/13Perry Lake and his good friends Kim and Patsy came down from Wisconsin to fish for some perch and walleye for three days.
They rented a place that was on my way into town, so I just picked them up each morning and took them with me to the baitshop, and launch, and then to the fish cleaners in the afternoon each day.
That worked out perfectly as I was took off from work each of those nights and didn't have to hurry home to shower and get ready for work. (I'm not always that lucky and it makes for a very long day!)
Tuesday: We launched at Mazurik's and headed over to the Catawba area as that was the last report I had of a decent perch bite a couple days before from a friend.
The wind was blowing 10-15 out of the SW, so I thought it wouldn't be that rough over there. I would say it was 1-3's when I got around the corner at Mouse Island. I cruised around and didn't mark anything that would make me want to stop and drop lines down, so I turned the boat and headed back to the East.
I was on my way to the dumping grounds east of the Marblehead lighthouse when I heard "Pooh Bear" on the radio hailing "Co Pa"...two of the best captains on the lake. They were perching up by the red can north of North Bass Island. I said, "That's all I needed to hear", and turned the boat to the port and headed up there.
The conditions up there were much like they were down by Catawba...1-3's. The "spot lock" on the Terrova held us in place so I didn't have to mess with an anchor. I watched as a few boats pulled their anchors up and moved a couple times, because as soon as we arrived their bite had slowed down.....figures!
It was not a fast bite by any means, but the quality of perch was pretty decent, so we plugged away at them, but only managed a little over a one man limit between all the junk fish up there. We stopped at one of my other favorite perch spot near Gull Island Shoal and managed to catch some more decent perch there. Time was up and we headed in. We took the fish to the cleaners and I dropped them off to get ready for the second day of perch'n.
I want to add that the shiner size at all the baitshops around here right now is pretty pathetic. They are tiny little buggers that are easily stolen off the hooks, so buying enough to make it through the junk fish and swipers is a must. :)
Wednesday Sept. 11th, 2013
Not only was this a day that will live in history as a day we shall never forget, but it was Perry's Anniversary too. Did I mention that Perry came on this trip with his two friends, while his wife stayed home? She doesn't like to fish, so he came without her. In his defense though, he DID send her flowers that showed up while we were out fishing, which made her happy. :)
I had gotten on Facebook Tuesday night and through private messaging with friends for perch spot information I was able to come up with a plan of attack for Wed. morning. I would give the spot information, but since I didn't find it myself, and they wanted to keep it quiet, I feel I need to keep my mouth shut on the location. Let's just say it was out in the middle of nowhere between the islands and Vermilion.
The bite was a lot faster than the day before, but there was also a lot more junkfish to sort through. The seagulls ate very well that morning and we managed to catch their three man limit plus part of mine before heading in. It was not an "Up and Down" bite that I'm looking for. You know, where you bait up, send it down, and have a yellow perch on before you even set the bail. That kind of bite. But, we all had fun and they were very happy with their 33 pounds of fish at the cleaners that afternoon.
Thursday....the weather man was a little off...lol
The wind forecast was for 10mph out of the west, and a marine forecast of 2 foot or less, but it blew much harder than that and the waves kept increasing throughout the morning.
We started out in the same place as the day before, but there were more junkfish in the mix, so the yellow catch was slower. We caught a lot of nice sized perch, so that kept it interesting for them.
When the winds got a little stronger and I felt a need to get them to another spot that would be a little more protected, we moved in towards the NE side of Kellys where I spied a group of perch boats fishing. We set in to the south of the pack and picked up some more perch. It was time to go in now.
When the winds got a little stronger and I felt a need to get them to another spot that would be a little more protected, we moved in towards the NE side of Kellys where I spied a group of perch boats fishing. We set in to the south of the pack and picked up some more perch. It was time to go in now.
The winds had switched to the NW and were blowing pretty stiff. The slop chute between the main land and Kellys now had 2-4's in there. As I came around the SW corner of the island and saw what it looked like I said, "Well, I'm glad we didn't come to my other spot, because this is rough over here".
I just took my time and made it back to the launch with just a little spray from time to time from the crosswind. When we got on land Patsy gave me a hug and said, "Thank you for getting us back safely"! I just laughed and said, "You're welcome". The slop chute can be very intimidating to boaters, because the waves can come at you from every direction, like in a washing machine, and can make the ride a bit of a challenge. But, if you just take your time and pay attention, you'll make it back safely.
After dropping their fish off at the cleaners again, I took the trio back to their place and thanked them for a fun three days and bid them farewell.
It was time to take the boat home and clean her up again. The dogs were very happy that I was home too. However, they will not be happy this coming week, because I'm going to be even busier with charters and work.
So, I will try to blog each afternoon to keep it up to date, but I can't make any promises. I might not get to it until I have more time. :)
Capt Juls
Okay...here we go....Last week....:)
by Capt Juls on 09/15/13It was a busy week last week. Let's start at the beginning.
First I apologize for being late with my blogging, but there were priorities that had to come first, like my regular jobs, and that thing called SLEEP! :)
Monday....
I had a charter scheduled with Mr. and Mrs Wallace of the Cleveland area. They are an older couple in their early 70's, and were to meet me at Mazurik's at 8am...or, so I thought.
Turns out, Mr Wallace thought he was to meet me at my house and showed up in my driveway just a couple minutes before I was going to head out and get some bait. It's a good thing they showed when they did, because they had no idea where the launch was, and I would have missed them. I also don't think they have a cell phone, because every time I called to touch base with him it would just go to a machine. I had to chuckle, because they reminded me very much of my parents. :)
I had them follow me on our way to the launch, but I decided to pull into a parking lot to show them the radar I was looking at. I could tell that the Mrs was not too happy about the weather and she looked very tired. It turns out they had been camping over in the Breast Bay area in MI, and she hadn't been able to sleep and was up since 2:30 that morning.
I showed them the radar and the line of thunderstorms that were headed our way, and explained that by what I was seeing at the time we would be fishing in the rain and that there were chances of lightning associated with the rain. They were given the choice of rescheduling again or getting their deposit back.
They opted for the reschedule and I will see them again next Tuesday. I'm hoping the weather will finally give them a break as this was the second time they rescheduled hoping for a nice day on the lake.
Needless to say, the radar changed as soon as they left and the "storms" that were on the edge of us were dissipating as it hit the shoreline. The winds died down and the rain turned to just a little drizzle. It would have been a fine day to go fishing.
Oh well, I can only go by what information is given at a specific time and make my decisions based on that. With an older couple, I was not going to take any chances. Especially when they didn't have the rain gear to spend the next 6 hours in without getting wet. :)
Capt Juls
Sorry I haven't blogged lately...
by Capt Juls on 09/03/13It was a crazy weekend starting last Wednesday night. I took a friend out fishing on Tuesday August 27th, after a morning thunderstorm, and we struggled on the walleye, so we went perch'n. We caught his limit, but I didn't need any for the freezer, so we stopped after his limit was caught. So, you can see there wasn't much to report. lol
I have trips planned for Sunday thru Thursday of next week, so I'll be back to blogging next week. Today was yard work and tomorrow is housework...work...sigh.
Sorry everyone...I wish I had something to report for you.
Capt. Juls
Another Good Day at the Line
by Capt Juls on 08/21/13A four hour perch trip was changed to a 4 hour walleye trip with the men of the Pond family, since they said they wanted fish for a fish fry that night. I knew we could get some decent walleye for that in a pretty fast fashion and the boys would have fun. Dad, Rick, and his two sons, Jordan (19) and Chase (11) were my crew for the morning.
Just like the day before, I met them at Mazurik's boat access and we headed to the Old C Can area. The fish were still there and the trusty 1198 was marking them pretty good. I just followed my trail from the day before and with quick instruction on how to put crawlers on the harnesses and set the lines/boards out, we started catching fish right away.
Their inexperience in trolling, along with their excitement of getting out on the water, meant I would be explaining again and again how to do things, (I felt like a nag), but they eventually got the hang of it and were having lots of fun learning. So, at one point I went and sat on the bow and told them, "Now that we have your fish for the fry, it's all up to you now. You know what you're doing, so have fun!"
The fish were smaller than the day before, but we did get a few that were in the 4-5 pound range.
The one thing I never explained was how to use the big
walleye nets I have in my boat, because I had been netting all the fish that
morning.
You see, the nets I use have a very large basket on them, and if the bottom of the basket isn't held with one hand while also holding the handle before it enters the water, it will drift back in the water making it impossible to capture the fish. The netting will float back with the current and get in front of the basket opening, blocking the fish from entering it. Or, it will catch an exposed hook on the wrong side of the net and the fish will be able to shake free.
When Jordan grabbed the net to help his Dad land a fish, I instructed him to hold the bottom of the net like I explained above. With an obstructed view I watched him unsuccessfully go after the biggest walleye of the morning. When I could finally see what was going on I realized he was never letting go of the net when it entered the water. The walleye just bounced off the taught netting when he tried to scoop it on the third attempt.
The fish won that fight and swam off. As I explained how the net works, his little brother was giving him the “what for” and we all laughed. I told him that fish would probably be a 10 pounder by the time I blogged about it. Ha! He was a good sport though, and took the ribbing in stride. :)
It was a great morning on the water with three great guys. I look forward to fishing with them again soon. I was told Grandpa would like to do some perch'n, so that will be coming up in the next few weeks, I think.
Capt Juls
