Trollin' the Bay for Steelhead
Captain Pete Alex - Vision Quest Sport Charters
March 13th 2007
DOWNLOAD AUDIO OF PETE'S PRESENTATION
I. Introduction
II. Fishing results 2006 spring/fall brief. Dave Mull; Great Lakes Angler fishing magazine fishes Nov. 2006 in P.I. Bay. (look for future article)
III. Spring fishing starts when temps get 41 degrees plus.
IV. Water temp. is critical and usually dictates fish location and activity. Pay attention to birds, water temps and water color. After 48 deg.=slim fishing?
V. Trolling tactics: Speed 2.2-2.4, bump speed occasionally, use planer boards and inline planers for best success. In lines have better action and are easier to use. Use 17#-20# when puling in lines.
VI. Baits: use shallow running minnow or shad style baits. Nitro shiners, small Storm Thundersticks, J-7 and J-9 Rapalas, straight Rapalas, Thin Fins, WD Dreamweaver Spoons, Super Slim Spoons. Fish baits top 10 feet mostly but in deep water run some baits as deep as 14ft. down. One or two colors of lead core using a WD Dreamweaver Spoon can be very deadly at times.
VII. Downriggers: run 4ft. to l4ft down. Leads 25-50 ft. back. Use small spoons or shallow running plugs.
VIII. Dipsy Divers #1 size (NO RING): run on #4 setting 15-25 ft. back (according to depth you are in) use snubbers and small spoons. Use 6-8ft. lead Fluorocarbon 15# line.
IX. Colors: About 6-7 main players when it comes to color: chart., red, orange, silvlblack, silv/green, fire tiger, pick one.. Water color, clarity and sun helps decide what colors to choose.
X. Location: find warmer or colored water. Find bait fish or current. Fish boards near structure. Look for pockets of fish and stay on them. Try creek mouth¬splill-outs.
XI. Snaps-Snap Swivels: use Sampo #3 snap swivels for spoons or smaller. Run straight snaps for body baits (loop knots for Rapalas) for best overall action. USE quality terminal.
XII. Fish Commission stocks 50K-60K Steelhead in Bay annually-this means there should always be some fish roaming around. Plus we get some Browns. NO MORE COHO
Erie PA Sport Fishing Association
New organization that is doing some different things. Including a very informative website that has a fishing report. EPSFA will host (2) tournaments in 2007. $10.00 annual membership fee. Please consider joining.
Contact me for more information petealex@dreamsteelie.com