Day four was our first good weather day providing us access to the open lake. I declared it’s jerk bait time and after the first bite that is all we used. We fished mostly 18-22 fow. We had about 25-30 total smallies with 6 bass over 5lbs and one over 6 lbs at 6-4. Robert had a new PB at 5-8. Also had a bonus walleye which isn’t in season until next week after we are gone. We finished the day with smiles on our faces. 

Awesome bronzebacks Dwight. Some nice color on them too. 

Sounds like you had a great day on the water! Jerk baits can be real productive for smallies, especially in that 18-22 fow range. Next time, try mixing in some drop shot rigs with soft plastics – it might help to target even more finicky fish.

 

 

                   

What a trip!  Congrats on finding a way even when the weather was less than cooperative most of the time.  The Great lakes are special, but Erie is something else.

 

scott

 

Wow. Some of those are pigs. Love it. 
 

fishing 18-22’, what depth jerkbaits are you fishing?  10-12’ rated depth baits?  Anything less seems like you’re trying to call them up from too far but the proof is in the pudding. I don’t know jerkbaits so trying to learn from you and a-jay. 

Yes sir! Those are fine fish.

Way to go Dwight!!! What an awesome day!!! Congrats!!!

Lake Erie has got to be the best brown bass fishery on the planet.  I had the pleasure of fishing it two summers in a row and it was the first time I fished for smallies. We rented a home on Pelee Island and fished for a week each time.  Unbelievable!

8 hours ago, casts_by_fly said:

Wow. Some of those are pigs. Love it. 
 

fishing 18-22’, what depth jerkbaits are you fishing?  10-12’ rated depth baits?  Anything less seems like you’re trying to call them up from too far but the proof is in the pudding. I don’t know jerkbaits so trying to learn from you and a-jay. 

We were using suspending deep divers in lucky craft, smithwick & rapala. By using 10 lb braid with a mono leader you can get the baits down to 15-18 fow. They will come up a long way when you have good visibility in the water column. 

Looks like you’re having a good trip. Nice catching!

7 hours ago, Captain Phil said:

Lake Erie has got to be the best brown bass fishery on the planet.  I had the pleasure of fishing it two summers in a row and it was the first time I fished for smallies. We rented a home on Pelee Island and fished for a week each time.  Unbelievable!

I would be hard put to choose between Lake Onterio/Thousand Islands and Lake Erie as far as "best" for Smallmouth bass.  And don't forget Lake Champlain......

 

59 minutes ago, Kirtley Howe said:

I would be hard put to choose between Lake Onterio/Thousand Islands and Lake Erie as far as "best" for Smallmouth bass.  And don't forget Lake Champlain......

 

 

When I grew up, I was taught to believe the Great Lakes were a polluted mess.  I pictured them as oceans of oil and sludge. In school we learned about sea lampreys and heard about rivers catching fire.  When I was asked if I wanted to go fishing in Lake Erie, I didn't know what to expect.  To say I was shocked is an understatement.  The water is as clear as the water in the Florida Keys.  Fish are abundant and fishing was fantastic.  When I asked how this could happen, I was told about Zebra Mussels and Gobies.  I only fished there two summers.  The lures we used were Goby colored tube jigs.  We towed by buddy's Ranger up I-75 and crossed into Canada to take the ferry across to the island.  We fished the Glacier Groves around the Island in 15-20 feet of water and caught fish all day everyday.  It's was an amazing experience.

 

Having never caught a smallmouth before, I was surprised to discover them to be a different fight than largemouth bass.  They seem to jump more and threw the hook more easily than I was used to.  Their fight is strong, but different.  Largemouth are brutes that pull strong early on.  Smallmouth have more overall energy. 

Dwight's plan: "We'll catch big bass. Then more big bass. Then even bigger bass. By days end, our wrists will whimper at the prospect of holding up yet another beast. Got it?"