I came back from the Ohio trip with my family. The fishing was phenomenal although I didn't manage any outstanding fish over 3.5 lbs. I had about 15 hours of total fishing time, but I'd guess I landed 100+ LM bass, which for me is really good. I can't even imagine how many more I would've caught out of my kayak. The theme of the trip was SB crankbaits smacked off rocks near docks in about 3-4 feet of water and soft plastic jerkbaits twitched along mid-depth weedlines. 

 

 

The biggest heartbreak of the trip was a 4+ lb bass choking a DT Fat crankbait. I got her close to the dock and I could see a little blood coming from the gills. Since she took the crank so well, I decided I wouldn't rush this one since I don't like flipping 3+ lb fish on medium powered rods. Right as I went to belly land the fish, the crankbait popped right out...

 

I learned a lot this trip, and I'm even considering buying a place for the weekends in this section of Ohio, the fishing opportunities are endless.

 

Here are a few pictures of the short trip:

 

 

Nice outing!

Awesome, I wade in the portage river often for smallmouth 

31 minutes ago, Dtrombly said:

Awesome, I wade in the portage river often for smallmouth 

I didn't catch a single smallmouth the entire trip. I figured that's all I would catch...

4 hours ago, stk44 said:

I didn't catch a single smallmouth the entire trip. I figured that's all I would catch...

That's funny because I've been fishing it for 10 years and never caught a largemouth. The areas that I fish are more of a creek though, tons of smallies, pike and gar

10 hours ago, Dtrombly said:

That's funny because I've been fishing it for 10 years and never caught a largemouth. The areas that I fish are more of a creek though, tons of smallies, pike and gar

 

Maybe I'll give that a shot the next time I'm in the area. Thanks for the info.

10 hours ago, stk44 said:

 

Maybe I'll give that a shot the next time I'm in the area. Thanks for the info.

No problem. Don't know how familiar you are with the area but right outside of Oak Harbor (heading towards Bowling Green) the river is shallow for about 15 miles. Very scenic and loaded with fish. 

3 minutes ago, Dtrombly said:

No problem. Don't know how familiar you are with the area but right outside of Oak Harbor (heading towards Bowling Green) the river is shallow for about 15 miles. Very scenic and loaded with fish. 

That was the first time I've been there, but I'm definitely going back next year! Sounds like the perfect water for a kayak. 

9 minutes ago, stk44 said:

That was the first time I've been there, but I'm definitely going back next year! Sounds like the perfect water for a kayak. 

It's not too bad, I've taken mine out a few times. It's very shallow in most areas so you'll definitely spend some time out of the kayak getting it over the rocks.