Ominous weather for kayak fishing Lake Erie

June 4, 2016 by Leave a Comment

CWF06042016yakbeachBAY VILLAGE, OH – Having a day available to fish is not an opportunity to pass up, even if the weather is less than ideal.  The forecast was just fair enough to make me feel comfortable hitting Lake Erie from the kayak, albeit not heading too far out.  Due to the weather being suspect, I decided to launch out of Huntington Beach (link here), part of the Cleveland Metroparks, a destination I have used a handful of times the past few years.

CWF06042016erieI started the day drifting worm harnesses on bottom bouncers and drop shotting artificial tubes.  My hope (better stated as my dream) was to catch Walleye and Smallmouth Bass.  Needless to say, neither happened.  I switched a few times before settling on attempting to troll crankbaits while paddling.  This turned out to be a great decision as the rest of the day I was routinely catching White Bass.  The size of the fish were good too, most falling between 12 to 14 inches.

While I don’t look happy in the photo, I was thrilled.  The serious face had more to do with conditions and trying to get the fish and equipment to cooperate for a picture.  Usually, my Lake Erie kayak fishing is tons of Round Gobies and a few Sheephead.  Throw in an occasional Channel Catfish and that is about all I’ve done.  To pick up a different species, and in good numbers and size, was fun and felt like an accomplishment.  Looking at the weather and how I was having success, I couldn’t help but think of the movie Caddyshack.  I just hoped it didn’t end with me getting struck by lightning.  This did cause me to come off the water earlier than I would’ve liked.

No complaints about the day, I enjoyed it far more than a beautiful day without catching fish.  Each time out I am trying new techniques and strategies, and my confidence is building as I am making more catches.  I also continue to do better with setting up the kayak for each trip with efficient packing and having the right items within reach while on it.  Right down to my loading and unloading of the yak, things seem vastly improved.  I can’t wait to get back out!

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Father and Son, summer fishing

July 31, 2015 by Leave a Comment

Although the time to post updates on the blog can prove difficult, there has been plenty of fishing this summer.  A lot of the fishing has been from shore with my son.  He is growing up so fast and it is amazing how each trip he can do more and more on his own.  I guess it is a lot like life in many ways, so I will treasure everything he still needs my help with.  The photos below are from a trip earlier this summer where we were catching Freshwater Drum, Green Sunfish, White Bass, and Channel Catfish.  Hopefully, I am grooming him to be just like me, in appreciating all of the species.

I love the look of Bryce’s intensity in this photo

One of the few times he let me net the fish, he loves having that job

Regardless of the fish, I love these father & son memories

Lippin’ the fish like a pro

I have to admit this entry is very self serving, no trophy fish photo, no awesome report, just a dad proud of his son and the simple joy of parenthood.  Days like this will be treasured and come too few and far between.  I pray he is old enough to remember them!

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Making the most of little time

May 3, 2015 by 2 Comments

Time is a commodity I don’t have much of these days.  Between a demanding career and family, fishing has been few and far between in 2015.  Along with very limited outings, getting the time to even do a brief write up has proven difficult.  On the up side, when I have made it out I have had some good success.  Most notably, I made it over to the Sandusky River White Bass run and timed it perfect.  It was non stop action with a real nice class of fish.  Plenty of bonus species also kept things interesting.

CWF05032015wbA 16″ Fish Ohio Award White Bass

The pond has been fishing well, and of course gets the majority of my attention as it provides a quick fishing ‘fix’ when there is no time to get anywhere else.  For the most part, I just have been working on my fly fishing and seem to be getting more proficient.

CWF05032015pumpkinPumpkinseed are quite beautiful

CWF05032015flybassA few Bass get to the fly before the Bluegill

Only a single trip was made to the various spring trout stockings and even on that day I didn’t have much time.  I was happy to at least get a fish, a rather decent 12″ Rainbow that under the circumstances, made my day.

CWF05032015troutInstagram trout selfie

I’m not feeling very worthy of calling myself a fishing blogger these days with so little time for fishing and writing.  I appreciate the folks that still stop by and/or follow on Facebook, even a small following makes me want to continue doing this.  I hope everyone out there is having a fun spring and making some great catches!

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First “Fish Ohio Award” of the year

May 24, 2014 by Leave a Comment

CWF05242014carpCall me crazy, I think it’s a nice looking fish

CWF05242014brycecarpThat’s my boy, never pass up an opportunity to get in a fish photo

 A trip to my parent’s home today, meant a chance for the family to do some fishing.  We were on the Sandusky River, north of Fremont, targeting White Bass with minnows.  The action was okay, but quite a bit slower than what I was expecting.  In order to generate a few more bites, I opted to use Nightcrawlers on the second rod.  I figured two different kinds of bait might get us a few more strikes.  This would be especially important to keep Bryce’s attention.  The decision ended up being a good one, as I ended up reeling in a rather large Common Carp.  The hard fighting fish took me about 7 minutes to bring in and went 30″ on the tape.  It has been quite awhile since I caught a Fish Ohio Award qualifying catch and it was fun that Bryce was right there getting to see and touch (actually hugged) the fish.

The carp was the showstopper today, but plenty of White Bass, Sheephead and White Perch also were caught by day’s end.  Bryce has gotten pretty comfortable around the fish and became increasingly insistent on being able to handle them.  Jill did a great job getting some photos of him trying to be patient and taking instruction from me.  He was very happy to hold a fish on his own and even throw it back in the water for his first ever unassisted catch & release.  His form could use some work but at least he enjoyed letting them go.

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURESAttempting to show him how to lip a fish, but he just grabbed it

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURESHe was fortunate the dorsal spines stayed down, or bye-bye smile

SAMSUNG CAMERA PICTURESThe release

So there you have it, a memorable day with the family on the Sandusky River.  I appreciate everyone’s tolerance as I am sure I will post every ‘first’ that Bryce does as it relates to fish and/or fishing.  What can I say, I love my boy!, and I know other dad’s understand.

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White Bass run starting on the Sandusky River

May 10, 2014 by 2 Comments

InstagramWBmay102014Well let me start by saying I apologize for the intro picture where I am shoving the fish down the camera lens.  I was excited to do an Instagram photo and just wanted to use a little artistic license.  It was a dandy of a White Bass, but of course it’s never easy to judge when you hold a fish out like that.  Please forgive me.

The Walleye Run is over by most accounts, but I was thrilled to be on the front end of the White Bass Run.  It seems like deja vu with 2013, no time during the Walleye, but a better schedule by the time the White Bass were showing up.  I ended up fishing north of Fremont, Ohio, with my friends Darrin and Leo.  Overall, the results were pretty good with plenty of White Bass, White Perch, Channel Catfish and a single giant Freshwater Drum.  A few carp and buffalo were inadvertently snagged into, all popping off before coming to the net.  The majority of the fish hit on Emerald Shiners on a 1/32 oz. jig, under a float.  The bite was best right at dusk and shortly into the night, right as we were leaving.  The next few weeks should be good!

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The White Bass Run comes to an end

May 26, 2013 by Leave a Comment

I had no complaints about the White Bass Run this year. It seems that in recent years I either couldn’t make it out, or if I could the conditions weren’t right. This year, I had multiple trips during the run that good numbers were caught with tons of bonus catches. The final trip to the Sandusky River before the end of the run, proved to be the best day yet.

I was joined by my friend, Leo, who made the fortunate decision to make the trip with me. After a slow start, the fish turned on and we were catching them at will. We only ended the trip when it was starting to get dark and the mosquitoes were getting unbearable. I have no idea what the fish count was by the end of the night, but it was a lot, and many different species. The highlight for me, was finally getting a “Fish Ohio Award” sized White Bass that just reached the necessary 16 inch mark.

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Spring fishing on the Sandusky River

May 18, 2013 by Leave a Comment

CWF2013MAY18Spring fishing on the Sandusky River is always good… this year it is exceptional. White Bass have been plentiful and so has just about everything else swimming in the river. The photo above is a pretty good illustration of what has been biting. Good numbers of White Bass and White Crappie, some very big Channel Catfish and even a few Buffalo. Also have brought a couple Yellow Perch, Bluegill, Pumpkinseed and Sheephead to the net. I’ve mostly just been using a live minnow under a bobber, with everything swimming in the water approving of the offering. It has been a lot of fun using 6 pound test that is plenty appropriate for the White Bass, only to have the rod double over and massive lengthy fights with a huge fish now and then. I think the White Bass will still be around longer, I highly recommend the Sandusky or Maumee River this time of year. No matter where you live, spring is just a great time to get out!

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White Bass running on the Sandusky River

May 11, 2013 by Leave a Comment

CWF2013MAY11bufwbTiming and conditions are everything when it comes to fishing for the Walleye or White Bass during the run. The past few years, I either couldn’t get out during the peak or conditions were poor when I had the opportunity to fish. Today, I was targeting the White Bass and was happy to find them somewhat willing to cooperate. Action was rather slow, but I caught enough to feel like the trip was a success. None of them were very large, just decent eaters if I would have been keeping them. The surprise of the day, was catching the pictured Smallmouth Buffalo on a minnow. I didn’t even know they would eat a minnow, let alone be able to get to it before the more abundant and aggressive feeding smaller fish. In the comings weeks, I will be heading back again.

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