Hey everyone.  Just figured I would share and summarize (with pictures) one of the most amazing vacations I have ever experienced.

When I was asked to join my friend and his dad for a week at Lake Erie, I had to deny.  I just started a new job and I didn't think there was any way I would be able to get out of work for a week.  Well, my boss said she didn't mind so I made the last minute arrangements and was able to go.

We were staying on Kelley's Island and we used it to block the strong winds so we were still able to fish as much as possible.

I had never been to Lake Erie or ever caught a single smallmouth bass in the time I have spent bass fishing.  That all changed quickly.

We ended up drifting tubes and grubs all week in about 10-13 feet of water.  

First off, these things are everywhere.  If you got a jigging spoon or anything shiny for that matter, you will never be bored at Lake Erie.  I figured I would show you guys the Drum above because it wasn't a bad fish and because whenever we were experiencing down time, I would go to the pier and catch these things until my forearm cramped. Now for the fish you guys all love seeing...

This little beauty is among the first ever smallmouth I have ever caught.  Man, what a fun fish to catch they are!!!  This one inhaled a watermelon twin tail grub.

This fish was THICK!  I would guess it probably weighed around 3.5 pounds.  Some of the markings on these fish are unbelievable.  They sometimes look black in Eries clear water.

This is another short Erie football.  We probably caught close to 50 carbon copies of this fish.  

Below are the best two of the trip.  These were caught the first day we were there and they were caught extremely close to one another.

This fish weighed 4 3/4 pounds.  It was the second smallmouth I ever caught.  Needless to say, I am hooked.  I cannot wait to get back up there again

Same fish as the above.  I am pretty proud.

This bruiser weighed 5 pounds even.  This fish was a hawg compared to those I am used to seeing.  He always seems to catch the bigger fish.... :  

The pictures showcase a few of the many fish we were able to catch last week.  Needless to say, I definitely have intentions of returning to Erie and would love to do so very soon.  

Thanks for looking.

Wow!

That looks like a "Dream Trip" to me!

8-)

Looks like a blast!

Were they schooled up?  The last time I fished a good (and clear) smallmouth lake, you could watch 3 or 4 smallies follow the hooked fish up to the boat.  If you dropped a line down next to it, you could sometimes hook up.

They were schooled up pretty good.  There were instances of seeing multiple fish with the one that was hooked.  

It really is crazy how aggressive these fish are.  I had one knock the crap out of my tube 3 different times before I finally hooked up.  And another time my friends dad lost a decent smallie at the boat.  I dropped an identical bait down before it swam away and it turned and nailed it too.

When they are on like that, they can be one of the most fun fish to catch.  I need to plan another trip soon!

Very nice! Sounds like a great trip! You gotta love them smallies. 8-)

Dude... I am envious.  Did you say "a week" at Lake Erie?!?!?!?  I would love even one day in a boat, heck I'd fish from shore.

Man those fish get me stoked and ready for smallie action just looking at em' man.  Nice fish, glad to see your first smallie outing was one you will always remember.

Someday.... someday I will make it up there.

Good job bud!

Been waiting for you to post about your trip. I can see why you told me I needed to head up there. I think even Burley could pull some decent ones out of there.

I bet he could...lol

Its truly the easiest fishing I have ever done.  Drifting is the way to go up there.

Hey Tommy and everyone else. I'm the buddy that Tommy went with. The weird thing about the fishing is that it was probably the worst week we have ever had up there as far as numbers of fish go. I really think the goby's are hurting the numbers of smallmouth that are in the lake. The size seems to be bigger than ever though and that is one good thing.

Here are a couple more pics from the trip that I had on my phone.

16" largemouth off the pier

I forgot all about the largemouth.

Thanks Josh

sunset in the North Bay.  I was joking saying you know the fishing isn't great if I was taking time to snap a scenery picture.  It's a shame the white bass weren't running to their full potential.  I'd been telling Tommy about that and how he's never seen anything like that before.  The water looks alive with the millions of white bass breaking the surface.  As I'm sure you can tell, I have a soft spot in my heart for that place.  I've been up there 10 times in the last 11 years and don't plan on stopping anytime soon.

Big Tom I have also been waiting to here about your trip . I am very happy that you had a great first time at the big lake. Congrats!!!!!!!!

Man, I would love to go up there with you guys. It'd be neat if you could get your uncle's boat for a trip up there, assuming it could handle it. To tell you the truth, I was excited to just call and find out how each day went.