MIBowhunter
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Brutal weather can sometimes produce brute fish
By Mike Zielinski
You might just call this time of year, The Last Casting Call, until ice-up for many Lake Erie walleye anglers. Not only are some big fish moving into the shallows to feed at night, but also some of those 15- to 20-inch eater-sized fish are available, too. Both anglers and walleyes are in a race with frigid weather until ice brings this once-a-year angling to an end.
November on into ice-up provides some outstanding night shoreline walleye fishing all along Lake Erie. Anglers from Michigan to New York stand on piers, docks, beaches, and anywhere they can find access, tossing crankbaits into the shallows. Michigan fishers usually do well, but it’s a different breed of angler and requires a few special items of gear and adjustments to lures.
While warm weather seems to have stalled the late walleye run so far this year, when it happens, the shallow waters around Luna Pier, Bolles Harbor, and Sterling State Park on Lake Erie will produce for shoreline anglers.
These fish follow massive schools of gizzard shad, which are attracted to light sources near shallow-water areas. The walleyes follow them in close to shore at night and chow down in water depths often 3 feet or less.
There are some evenings when the marbleyes will get so shallow their backs stick out of the water.
Forget the live bait out here. The way to catch these fish is to “bomb” them, literally, with Bomber Long “A” and other large stickbaits like Rapalas, Thundersticks, and Cordell Redfins. At times, the jointed versions of these baits seem to produce better. Anglers also toss blade baits like Cicadas, Rattlin’ Shad, and Buckeye Shad.
“Part of the methodology is to tie these lures directly to the line with a small loop knot and don’t use swivels or sinkers as these type of lures will run better without them,” says Bill Dougherty of Bottom Line Tackle. “What generally takes the majority of the fish are slow retrieves. Because of this slow style of fishing, make sure each hook on your lure is sharp.”
Some anglers choose to drill holes in their solid crankbaits and insert split shot to make them heavier, allowing for better casting in windy conditions. Painting large luminous eyes on lures also seems to make a difference, especially in dirty water.
Anglers must dress not only warm but also windproof to stay comfortable.
You’ll be exposed to the wind on the piers and docks. Snowmobile-style clothing works well. Open-fingered gloves are handy for operating the reel, changing lures, and other tasks. Spinning tackle works best, since long casts are required with relatively light lures.
Line weights of 6 to 10 pounds will facilitate casting. Many anglers carry landing nets with modified handles to extend their length. This makes it easier and safer to net walleyes when fishing from piers and docks.
Recently, angling success has been sporadic, with the best bite being just after sundown and then just before dawn. On good nights, the bite will go all night long.
What are your chances for a really big fish while participating in this chilly version of polar poling? Well, maybe better than at any other time of the year. The Ohio state record walleye, a 16.19-pound, 33-inches long specimen, was caught after dark from Lake Erie by Tom Haberman, of Brunswick, Ohio in 1999.
By Mike Zielinski
You might just call this time of year, The Last Casting Call, until ice-up for many Lake Erie walleye anglers. Not only are some big fish moving into the shallows to feed at night, but also some of those 15- to 20-inch eater-sized fish are available, too. Both anglers and walleyes are in a race with frigid weather until ice brings this once-a-year angling to an end.
November on into ice-up provides some outstanding night shoreline walleye fishing all along Lake Erie. Anglers from Michigan to New York stand on piers, docks, beaches, and anywhere they can find access, tossing crankbaits into the shallows. Michigan fishers usually do well, but it’s a different breed of angler and requires a few special items of gear and adjustments to lures.
While warm weather seems to have stalled the late walleye run so far this year, when it happens, the shallow waters around Luna Pier, Bolles Harbor, and Sterling State Park on Lake Erie will produce for shoreline anglers.
These fish follow massive schools of gizzard shad, which are attracted to light sources near shallow-water areas. The walleyes follow them in close to shore at night and chow down in water depths often 3 feet or less.
There are some evenings when the marbleyes will get so shallow their backs stick out of the water.
Forget the live bait out here. The way to catch these fish is to “bomb” them, literally, with Bomber Long “A” and other large stickbaits like Rapalas, Thundersticks, and Cordell Redfins. At times, the jointed versions of these baits seem to produce better. Anglers also toss blade baits like Cicadas, Rattlin’ Shad, and Buckeye Shad.
“Part of the methodology is to tie these lures directly to the line with a small loop knot and don’t use swivels or sinkers as these type of lures will run better without them,” says Bill Dougherty of Bottom Line Tackle. “What generally takes the majority of the fish are slow retrieves. Because of this slow style of fishing, make sure each hook on your lure is sharp.”
Some anglers choose to drill holes in their solid crankbaits and insert split shot to make them heavier, allowing for better casting in windy conditions. Painting large luminous eyes on lures also seems to make a difference, especially in dirty water.
Anglers must dress not only warm but also windproof to stay comfortable.
You’ll be exposed to the wind on the piers and docks. Snowmobile-style clothing works well. Open-fingered gloves are handy for operating the reel, changing lures, and other tasks. Spinning tackle works best, since long casts are required with relatively light lures.
Line weights of 6 to 10 pounds will facilitate casting. Many anglers carry landing nets with modified handles to extend their length. This makes it easier and safer to net walleyes when fishing from piers and docks.
Recently, angling success has been sporadic, with the best bite being just after sundown and then just before dawn. On good nights, the bite will go all night long.
What are your chances for a really big fish while participating in this chilly version of polar poling? Well, maybe better than at any other time of the year. The Ohio state record walleye, a 16.19-pound, 33-inches long specimen, was caught after dark from Lake Erie by Tom Haberman, of Brunswick, Ohio in 1999.
