eriequest
08-26-2008, 04:43 PM
With it's wide variety of glacial rock shoals, offshore reefs, contour points, and deep water...it is no wonder that the waters surrounding Pelee Island offer some of the best sport fishing that can be found anywhere in North America. I have to say that even during the hot summer days of August, a "limit" of jumbo Yellow Perch and world class Smallmouth Bass fishing is there for those willing to travel to these Canadian waters of Lake Erie.
On Saturday morning, the Erie Quest departed Catawba Island, only several minutes east of Port Clinton, for the 55 minute boat ride to Pelee Island. We stopeed at Scudders, called into Canadian Customs, got our Canadian fishing licenses for two days and then left this Canadian marina for deeper waters near the Canadian Shipping Channel. In these deeper waters, you will find the largest ships that travel the Great Lakes...designed to carry bulk cargo like coal, iron ore, machinery, steel and stone. It is not uncommon to see a 800' or 1,000' ship cruise right past our vessel...a daunting sight to see an 800 foot ship only 100 yards away from you on the water, as it passes by.
But, also in these waters near the deeper shipping channel, are roaming schools of large, jumbo Yellow Perch. We have been catching many Yellow Perch in the 12" to 14" inch range in these waters. On Saturday morning, we stopped at one my spots I have found near this Canadian Shipping Cannel, where there is a complex of scattered rock, zebra mussels, and concentrations of jumbo yellow perch. After 4 hours of fishing, we had boated 175 jumbo Yellow Perch and it was off to battle the feisty Bronzebacks.
After three hours of fishing a remote rock shoal and drifting-n-casting, Carolina Rigs tipped with a 2" softcraw...we had boated and released 29 Smallmouth, with two over 20" and 13 Bronzebacks over 18", or 4 pounds. It was fun and serene at the same time...experiencing world-class smallmouth fishing and not seeing another boat for miles. We had this large offshore rock shoal all to ourselves. Very nice!
Brian shows off his 20 1/2 inch Smallmouth, caught near Pelee Island aboard the Erie Quest, Aug. 23, 2008
http://img382.imageshack.us/img382/5615/002cq0.jpg
On Sunday morning, we enjoyed a home cooked Canadian breakfast of French Toast, Canadian Bacon, Western Omlette, Orange Juice, and Coffee and then departed to battle the Bronzebacks of Pelee. We would not be disappointed as we quickly found out. After running to another one of my favorite offshore reefs, and with no boats in sight for miles, we motored th boat into position and drifted with Carolina Rigs, 1/2 oz. slip sinker, and small softcraw. Only minutes latter..."spash...splash...fish-on" and then another set of "splashes" we boated 8 smallies on the drift. The largest being 20.25 inches and the smallest 17 inches. On the second drift we boated 11 more Smallmouth Bass and had a lot of fun. All Bass were released, back to be caught another day!
John displays his "Personal Best" largest Smallmouth Bass he has caught - 20.25 inch Bronzeback with Erie Quest Charters
http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/8097/013gs9.jpg
After two more drifts we had boated an additional 24 Smallmouth, and a trophy 21" Smallmouth Bass. A beauty of a bass!
Capt. Rick shares a moment with a 21" Smallmouth Bass "Pig" caught offshore near Pelee, aboard Erie Quest, Aug. 24, 2008
After 4 spiraling jumps, once leaping about 3 feet out of the water, this Lake Erie "Bronzeback" was caught & released!
http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/7243/027lw8.jpg
We ended the day with 69 Smallmouth Bass "caught and released," most of them being over 4 pounds. There were four fish that exceeded the 20 inches mark! They are really chunky, a result of eating the ever plenty emerald shiners, gizzard shad, and emerald shiners in these Canadian waters.
Reel Fishing Reports Rocks!
http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/9199/034fo1.jpg
Lake Erie - Smallmouth Bass fishing in the Canadian waters is world-class during August and September with Erie Quest Charters! Just see for yourself...
Capt. Rick
On Saturday morning, the Erie Quest departed Catawba Island, only several minutes east of Port Clinton, for the 55 minute boat ride to Pelee Island. We stopeed at Scudders, called into Canadian Customs, got our Canadian fishing licenses for two days and then left this Canadian marina for deeper waters near the Canadian Shipping Channel. In these deeper waters, you will find the largest ships that travel the Great Lakes...designed to carry bulk cargo like coal, iron ore, machinery, steel and stone. It is not uncommon to see a 800' or 1,000' ship cruise right past our vessel...a daunting sight to see an 800 foot ship only 100 yards away from you on the water, as it passes by.
But, also in these waters near the deeper shipping channel, are roaming schools of large, jumbo Yellow Perch. We have been catching many Yellow Perch in the 12" to 14" inch range in these waters. On Saturday morning, we stopped at one my spots I have found near this Canadian Shipping Cannel, where there is a complex of scattered rock, zebra mussels, and concentrations of jumbo yellow perch. After 4 hours of fishing, we had boated 175 jumbo Yellow Perch and it was off to battle the feisty Bronzebacks.
After three hours of fishing a remote rock shoal and drifting-n-casting, Carolina Rigs tipped with a 2" softcraw...we had boated and released 29 Smallmouth, with two over 20" and 13 Bronzebacks over 18", or 4 pounds. It was fun and serene at the same time...experiencing world-class smallmouth fishing and not seeing another boat for miles. We had this large offshore rock shoal all to ourselves. Very nice!
Brian shows off his 20 1/2 inch Smallmouth, caught near Pelee Island aboard the Erie Quest, Aug. 23, 2008
http://img382.imageshack.us/img382/5615/002cq0.jpg
On Sunday morning, we enjoyed a home cooked Canadian breakfast of French Toast, Canadian Bacon, Western Omlette, Orange Juice, and Coffee and then departed to battle the Bronzebacks of Pelee. We would not be disappointed as we quickly found out. After running to another one of my favorite offshore reefs, and with no boats in sight for miles, we motored th boat into position and drifted with Carolina Rigs, 1/2 oz. slip sinker, and small softcraw. Only minutes latter..."spash...splash...fish-on" and then another set of "splashes" we boated 8 smallies on the drift. The largest being 20.25 inches and the smallest 17 inches. On the second drift we boated 11 more Smallmouth Bass and had a lot of fun. All Bass were released, back to be caught another day!
John displays his "Personal Best" largest Smallmouth Bass he has caught - 20.25 inch Bronzeback with Erie Quest Charters
http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/8097/013gs9.jpg
After two more drifts we had boated an additional 24 Smallmouth, and a trophy 21" Smallmouth Bass. A beauty of a bass!
Capt. Rick shares a moment with a 21" Smallmouth Bass "Pig" caught offshore near Pelee, aboard Erie Quest, Aug. 24, 2008
After 4 spiraling jumps, once leaping about 3 feet out of the water, this Lake Erie "Bronzeback" was caught & released!
http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/7243/027lw8.jpg
We ended the day with 69 Smallmouth Bass "caught and released," most of them being over 4 pounds. There were four fish that exceeded the 20 inches mark! They are really chunky, a result of eating the ever plenty emerald shiners, gizzard shad, and emerald shiners in these Canadian waters.
Reel Fishing Reports Rocks!
http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/9199/034fo1.jpg
Lake Erie - Smallmouth Bass fishing in the Canadian waters is world-class during August and September with Erie Quest Charters! Just see for yourself...
Capt. Rick