Stayed on Kelley's during the first week of May. Fished smallmouths for 3 days and walleye for 3 days. Water was in lower 50's and clarity was good enough to see bottom down to about 10 feet. Caught about 15 smallies, all but one in the 4+ lb range including I suspect a new PB. I've caught many smallies of this length size over the years but this one takes the cake (or should I say Goby?) for plumpness/weight. About half were caught on LC Pointers In 10-15 fow on windy shores also tried hair jigs, jig & worm combo and various swimbaits with no success. Rest were caught employing the trolling techniques that Dwight Hottle has been kind enough to share with us on this forum. I used deep diving Live Target smelt jerks in 20-30 fow. At a 1 mph troll I found that these lures would work down to about 19' using 15 lb braid.

 

This is my third year at attempting to get a monster spring smallie from Erie. This is my best year yet but I sure am anxious to get one of those 6+ lbers that swim there. My host at the cottage I stay at on Kelley's tells me to come backup in the fall as the fishing for smallies is better. Is he just trying to get another week outa me or what? 

Man, that fish is gorgeous!

 

 

 

 

 

Nice Smallmouth - and she certainly has the big frame that the Lake Erie bass are known for.

 

Good chance I'll be down there next week.

 

Congrats

 

A-Jay

Nice toad. Congrats on your pb Dave.

Nice looking smallie.

 

I have only fished the eastern area of Erie-Buffalo mostly.

 

Here are a couple from my last trip.

 

Caught on tubes in and around the Basin, mostly over on the Canadian side.

 

Awesome fish! Congrats!