Ok guys, here are a few more things that I should probably cover…
Lake Erie is a fisherman’s dream. You can catch fish on just about any presentation imaginable. Drifting, Trolling, Jigging, Lindy rigging, Cranks, Spoons, Harnesses, they all catch fish.
In the spring there are two basic programs and areas that are used to put fish in the boat. I’ll try to explain each of them and give you an idea of what to expect.
The first program that A LOT of people fish is the area in front of the Davis Bessie power plant. The power plant is located west of Port Clinton by Fenwick Marina and Turtle Creek. There is a large reef complex that starts just offshore from the power plant and extends about 3-4 miles out into the open waters of the lake. Drifting this area with jig/minnow, lindy rigs, or blade baits should provide you with a lot of action and is good place for the small boat owners (17-18’) or someone new to Lake Erie. Most of the active fish in this area will be the smaller males; therefore the majority of the fish you catch will be in the 2-6lb range. The area is also frequented by spawning females, so there is a good chance that you will hook a fish of a lifetime….maybe even two or three!!
The second program is one that the majority of tournament and trophy anglers use. They fish the area north of the reef complex mentioned above out to Islands. There is a set of cans (buoys) that define the reef and firing range areas. They are labeled “a can” “b can“ “c can” etc… The area around these cans to just north and northeast of these cans is deeper and flat (25-30’ deep). The post spawn females go out there to rest and FEED. It takes a little searching but when you find an active school the fishing can be amazing and sometimes unbelievable. There are days that just about every fish you catch will be over 8 lbs. The most effective way to fish this area is trolling cranks or harnesses, either directly behind the boat or off the sides with inline boards. The hot bait of choice the past couple of years has been Reef Runners, the deep divers, rip sticks, and deep lil rippers have all produced big fish. Now, I’m not saying that they are the only crank that will catch Erie pigs, Long A Bombers, Husky Jerks, and Thundersticks work just fine too, BUT I would suggest you pick up a couple when you get here… When it comes to harnesses, big blades trolled slow with snap weights and bottom bouncers..
That’s enough about fishing; another thing that I want to cover is Erie safety.
If you are thinking about coming out here with a boat less than 17’ or one that has extremely low gunnels, please be extra careful and know/stay within your crafts limitations. If you do have a smaller boat and want to attend please try to arrange for a ride with one of the big boat guys for the first day. I would rather be crowded on my boat than have to go pull someone out of the 40 some degree water. Erie is one of the Great Lakes, not some little pond you can swim across. We have real waves and sometimes they get REAL big. Plus the water this time of year is less than 50 degrees…
VHF radio, I would suggest a fixed mount with at least a 4’ antenna. If you don’t have one, borrow one. A handheld is better than nothing, especially when you need it.
Life Jackets, make sure that you have a GOOD life jacket for everyone on board plus one extra. Wear them, at least when you are going faster than trolling speed. The water is less than 50 degrees, if you end up in the lake you will be glad you had on one…
Flares and Safety flag, make sure you have enough and that they are within the expiration date.
It’s a good idea to bring a 5 gallon bucket or a modified milk jug. They can both be used as a bailer incase your bilge pump fails or you take a wave over the transom.
Things to bring….
Warm weather, leave the cold Minnesota weather out there, its cold enough here for me already, we still have over a foot of ice on the lake. Just kidding!!!
Warm clothes and an extra pair of boots. If your feet don’t get wet on the boat, you will need them to walk thru all the B.S. fish stories at Friday night’s dinner….
Camera… You will need it; your buddy that had to work and couldn’t attend won’t believe the stories you are telling him. A picture is worth a thousand words…
BIG COOLERS…. See Steve’s picture above!! Enough said
I hope that my safety comments didn’t scare anyone off, that wasn’t my intention. I just don’t want to see any of my fellow EFN friends get hurt. I know a lot of guys that fish Erie in boats less than 16’ with almost no freeboard and manage to do it over and over without incident. It only takes one time!!! If you have a smaller boat and really want to attend, PM me and I’ll see what I can do to arrange a ride for you. I’m sure we’ll figure something out…
If the spring weather cooperates this is going to be an awesome week/weekend of fishing and I’m sure there will be some monsters and possibly a state record caught. I look forward to meeting you guys and hope that many of you will be able to attend and see first hand how awesome this fishery is.
If anyone has any questions or needs any additional info please feel free to post questions or PM me here at FTL….
Tightlines!!!!!!!
Jason
Just kidding baby! I forgot she reads this on occasion. 
