Summer Bassin on the Big Water
by Capt. Dave Adams

Trout season shook the cobwebs out, walleye and pike limbered up the casting arm, now it’s time for that trip you have been planning all spring. After hours of driving in darkness on a Pennsylvania interstate, the entrance to Presque Isle State Park is a welcome site. You follow the signs past the administration building and launch your boat at Presque Isle Marina. You and a fishing partner are now motoring through the bay. Minutes later, the open water of Lake Erie greets you. Yet, you look east followed by a glance west. Then, as you are gazing straight ahead, the reality hits you - the curvature of the earth is permitting you to see nothing but water. Do not panic, you have arrived at one of the best waters in the world for smallmouth bass fishing.

The waters of Lake Erie have seen many changes; and, even though the zebra mussel and goby are inducing new changes, it still offers the Pennsylvania angler the best opportunity for summer smallmouth bass fishing. Any angler, boating on this big water, can still expect outstanding smallmouth bass fishing. Granted, Lake Erie does have a unique reputation among boaters. Nevertheless, this should not prevent you from missing out on this summer opportunity. How should you prepare to fish the big water safely and what tactics should you use? Here are a few tips to make your trip safe, productive, and pleasurable.

When fishing any body of water, in particular Lake Erie, expect waves from other boats, as well as, waves from the wind. With this in mind, the boat angler should follow all laws pertaining to personal floatation devices. In fact, follow the example set by most tournament anglers - always wear a PFD.

One boating regulation is specific to Lake Erie. Visual Distress Signals (VDS) are required for all boats operating on Lake Erie. Between the hours of sunset and sunrise, boats less than 16 feet in length must carry VDS suitable for night use. Boats 16 feet and over in length must, at all times, carry devices suitable for day use and devices suitable for night use, or devices suitable for both day and night. Approved day-use-only devices include orange smoke (hand-held or floating) and orange signal flags. Flares are approved for both day and night. If flares are selected, a minimum of three must be carried. All VDS must be USCG approved have legible approval numbers, and the expiration date must be current.

VHF radio, whether hand held or fixed mount, provides instant access to weather and the United States Coast Guard. The USCG monitors channel 16 and current weather can be obtained on channels one, two or three. Radio calls are initiated on Channel 16 and then both parties switch to a different channel. Furthermore, boaters, by law, are required to monitor channel 16 at all times.

The amount of fuel used by anglers fishing Lake Erie can be difficult to estimate. Starting the motor after each drift, distance drifted, distance trolled and the ride back are factors in the amount of fuel used. Follow this basic rule and avoid a costly tow charge for fuel delivery. It will take twice the fuel to return to port as it did do reach your fishing spot. If you used a 1/4 tank of fuel to start fishing, expect to use a 1/2 tank to return.

On the big water, fog or haze can sneak up on the bass angler at any time. With zero visibility and a long way between shorelines, a GPS unit is invaluable. Before leaving the boat launch, check your compass and set your home waypoint.

A boat does not exist that is big enough to handle the Great Lakes in bad weather. No boater should venture out unless an impeccable 12-hour weather forecast is available. The prudent boater will always look for a good 24-hour forecast. Lake Erie runs from southwest to northeast and wind direction is important. South winds generally allow boating with higher gusts; however, winds from the north typically create larger waves. With the wind playing such an important part on Lake Erie fishing, you will find that by using the numerous boat launches available at Presque Isle State Park, you will have a short boat ride though calm waters before reaching the open water.

Presque Isle State Park is located just minutes off the Erie exit of I-79. After exiting I-79, follow the signs on Route 832 to the park. Large and small boats can use the West Pier boat launch at the Presque Isle Marina. It can be found at the first road past the administration building. Smaller boats will find an additional ramp just pass the Perry Monument. This ramp is located in the Grave Yard Pond and exits into Misery Bay. In addition, boat anglers seeking quick access to the lake can find public ramps at the other end of Presque Isle Bay.

The Lampe Marina is located just off the Bayfront Highway at the Port Access Road. This ramp will exit directly into the lake, just east and south of the entrance channel of Presque Isle bay. At the far east end of the Bayfront Highway, the East Avenue Ramp will allow boaters to exit into the lake just yards from paper plant. During the summer months, the rocky shoreline of Lake Erie holds huge schools of smallmouth bass. After reaching the open water, available areas to fish will be within a few short miles of the entrance to the bay.

Location is the key. Three areas hold more than the average amount of large bass. The first location is situated in front of the paper plant and 100 yards east of Presque Isle Bay. Another location is four miles east of the bay entrance. At this area, two concrete pilings, situated approximately one half-mile offshore, can be used as a marker. Depending on wind direction, keep all drifts to the east of that marker. Farther east is the third location. Nicknamed the "W`s", for the water trails cut in the cliffs, it is eight miles east of Presque Isle Bay. All locations have gradual sloping rocky bottoms. Consequently, all the bass angler must do now is to decide whether to troll a crankbait or twitch a jig during a drift.

The smallmouth bass angler fishing from a boat would do best beginning a drift 20 yards off shore in the 15-foot depths. Stay in 15 feet of water and grab a white or green 1/4-ounce jig. Tip the jig with any minnow and drop it straight down. As your boat begins to drift and depending on the wind speed, allow the jig to drag the bottom. Occasionally spool out line and allow the jig to stop. Another good presentation is a 2 and 1/2-inch tube jig (brown or red). A slow retrieve with an occasional twitch is sure to entice a hefty bass.

True, tube jigs and minnows will catch bass, but the ribbon leech is king when it comes time to target trophy smallmouth bass. Combine a leech with this setup, a walking sinker followed by a size 12 barrel swivel, three foot leader, and size four hook. While free spooling the line, slowly work the leech along the bottom and occasionally stop the setup. Previous encounters with huge bass have taught me, large smallmouth will rarely strike the leech as it moves. Be prepared, when retrieving the line, any resistance could be a four or five pound bass. Occasionally, while working jigs or bait, nuisance fish such as the goby, will be caught more often than bass. During such a time, trolling crankbaits might produce more smallmouth bass than gobys.

From the beginning of June until the end of summer, many quality bass are caught on the big water. Nevertheless, crankbaits, in the colors of silver, blue, or orange, are undoubtedly the best for catching numbers of bass. Nothing can compare to a smallmouth bass as it hits a trolled crankbait and displays its aerial acrobats. Troll the shoreline from the entrance of Presque Isle Bay to the 'W`s'. When trolling in the morning, concentrate efforts in the 20- 25 foot depths. As the day progresses, move to 35-foot depths. Crankbaits need to reach the depth of 10-12 feet to be effective. The amount of line trolled behind the boat varies, but the farther from the boat the better. On a final note, weather permitting, be on the water at first light. The largest bass of the day are usually caught before the sun reaches high in the sky.

What can you expect from all this? When a three pound bass suddenly hits your jig or crankbait this will be only the beginning of a 30 fish day. Meanwhile, a five-pound bass interrupts the slow retrieve of a 2 and 1/2-inch tube jig. Welcome to Lake Erie. You probably just caught and released that smallmouth bass of a lifetime. Soon after, a spectacular sunset greets you, as you safely return to the entrance of Presque Isle Bay; and, meanwhile you are already planning your next trip to this ever-changing body of water.

Dave Adams
2005 Victoria Ave.
Arnold, Pa. 15068
(724) 339-8614
fisherie@bellatlantic.net