Fishing Reports

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I made it out on the water again Saturday evening.  From 3:15 to 5:15 we caught 4 fish from 26.5 to 28" on ripsticks 50 and 60' back (pink lemonade and gold clown).  All 4 came from in front of Cranberry Creek in 25-26' of water.  These weren't as fat as Friday's fish, but they were still nice big fish.  We stayed out after dark, but couldn't figure them out.  Tried shallow at Sherod Park, shallow and deep on Ruggles, deep in front of Cranberry and very shallow at Old Woman's Creek.  We only caught one 24.5" fish in 4' of water at Old Woman's Creek on a spotted sunset ripstick 12' back.

I've been getting some more great reports from the weekend and today.  Some big fish were caught about 0.5 miles east of the Huron River in 25' of water on a mooneye ripstick 30' back.  Over at Lorain 5.5 miles NW of the harbor walleye were caught in 45' of water on reef runners 15' back and ripsticks 30' back (mooneye, blue/chrome, and wonderbread).  Today the 28/25 lines were hot on ripsticks 30 to 40' back.  The fish are a mix of 2003's and also some bigger fish.  The best speed at 28/25 was 1.2 to 1.3 mph.

A big front is in the forecast for Thursday with extended nasty-cold weather behind it.  Get out right now if you can.  This fishing is about as good as it gets if you hit some active fish at the right time.  I hope that some calm weather shows up after the front even if it is colder than it has been.  There is still time for some even bigger fish to show up if the weather lets us get back out.

The latest observation at the Vermilion weather buoy has 13 knot S wind, no waves, 50 degree air temperature, 48 degree water temperature, and steady barometric pressure.  It looks like the buoy was pulled this morning, unless there is just a transmission error.  The last reading was 10:50 this morning.

Travis

I had an awesome afternoon on the water today.  My father-in-law Ken and brother-in-law Jerry went out with me since they were up here for Thanksgiving.  Both had caught a few walleye in the past but they had not seen any big fish.  We got out on the water and started fishing by 2:30 or so and we came back in right as it got dark around 5:30.  We ended up landing 9 fish, but the quality was incredible.  Most reports on the water were also of sporadic big fish without many limits.

We made one pass from just east of the castle in 32' of water to just west of Cranberry Creek in 28' of water.  We landed 4 fish with the biggest being 25".  Our second pass was the good one.  We started in 36' of water east of the castle, but ended up finding some big fish in about 26' of water just NW of Ruggles Reef.  Our last 3 fish in the last 30 minutes of daylight were 29-3/8", 30-1/8", and around 27" (I didn't measure the last one).  They weighed 10 pounds 13 ounces, 11 pounds 10 ounces and 8 pounds 8 ounces, respectively.  All of the big fish came relatively high in the water column.  The smaller fish on the first pass came on Reef Runners 35 to 40' back and Ripsticks 35 and 50' back (trailer trash, white purple hot tiger, and a clear RR with prism tape in the middle).  The three bigger fish came on ripsticks 30, 40 and 60 back (pink lemonade, blueberry muffin and gray ghost).  All were on 15/4 braided line with inline planer boards.  Our speed was from 1.4 to 1.7 mph GPS speed over ground.

The coordinates of the two biggest fish were: (middle numbers)
24.285/27.848 (10 pound fish)
24.060/28.089 (11 pound fish)

Get out while this weather lasts.  There are a lot of big fish around.  Based on my limited experience this is the best fall since 2003.

Travis

Starting tomorrow (Friday) the fall walleye fishing should be at a peak.  Highs are predicted in the 50's all the way through next Wednesday.  On top of that the marine forecast calls for south winds from Friday through at least Monday.  This is a rare run of great post-Thanksgiving weather.  I expect to hear of quite a few trophies getting caught in the near future.

The last few days have been a little slow based on one report and some second hand information.  The weather has been decent, but the NE breeze has been less than optimal.  One report from the 25/25 lines produced five 2003 fish on reef runners 25 to 50' back at 1.4 mph with plenty of other missed hits.  Best colors were perch, blue/chrome, eriedescent and trailer trash.  It also sounds like fishing has been decent within a few miles of the Huron River and also west of the Huron River.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of the Denied readers and your families.  I'm personally thankful for a healthy, happy family.  2006 has been a great year both on and off of the water.  Here's to a great holiday season and a few more trophies before the ice shows up.  Thanks for your continued support of this web site through all of the reports and tons of web site "hits".

The latest observation at the Vermilion weather buoy has 7 knot N wind, 1.6 feet waves, 42 degree air temperature, 46 degree water temperature, and rising barometric pressure.

Travis

Forecasts are exactly that, predicted conditions based on the best available information.  Because of that we all know that they can be wrong.  That being said, if the next 6 days are as good as predicted, the fishing could be incredible.  With all the big fish around this stable forecast with extended south winds could kick off a legitimate suicide bite.  If you are considering a trip in the next week and the forecast holds up you need to get up here and take advantage of a great fall that might turn into a spectacular fall.

One weekend report came in from Cleveland.  A group went out of East 72nd street and fished the "east side bank".  Stickbaits trolled at night 20 to 30' back caught 24 fish up to 9 pounds.

The WBSA saturday night shootout this past week also produced some good fish.  It took five fish around 34 pounds to win and there was also an 11 pound fish weighed in.

The latest observation at the Vermilion weather buoy has 11 knot NW wind, 1.3 feet waves, 39 degree air temperature, 46 degree water temperature, and rising barometric pressure.

Travis

I looked back at the Reef Runner color patterns on the Xtreme Tackle website and realized that I made a mistake on Wednesday's report.  My best color pattern was "spotted sunset", not "sunspot".  Sunspot is yellow with an orange head and black dots.  Spotted sunset has a yellow body, green back, orange head and orange dots on the side and back.  I updated Wednesday's report to correctly say "spotted sunset".

A few recent e-mails have all reported good catching.  The best areas have been off of the Point Retreat condos (between the Huron River and Cedar Point) in 33 to 36' of water, the Huron dumping grounds, and from the Huron dumping grounds to the Castle in 39' of water.  Lures mentioned have been Reef Runners 60 to 80' back in trailer trash and chrome-blue at 1.2 mph, and also blue-hot tiger Reef Runners.  Another lure style mentioned was Nitro Shiners in Yellow Goby and yellow with a red head.  There are a lot of big fish out there.  Get out and chase them if you can.

The wind forecast has improved for Saturday through Tuesday.  The wind will definitely be fishable if the forecast is right.  The weather may not be summer-like, but this time of year you have to take what you get.

The latest observation at the Vermilion weather buoy has 19 knot N-NW wind, 2.3 feet waves, 43 degree air temperature, 45 degree water temperature, and rising barometric pressure.

Travis

After what seemed like forever Dad and I were finally able to get out and take advantage of the awesome weather yesterday.  The lake was flat and the temperature was comfortable for this time of year.  From 3:00 to 5:00 pm we caught 8 nice walleye north of Cranberry Creek in 31 to 34' of water.  The sizes were 23.0, 25.25, 19.25, 26.0, 28.0, 21.75, 24.0, and 21.0 inches.  The 25 and 26 inch fish could not have been any heavier for their length,  they were pigs.  We caught them in a relatively small area within the following coordinates:

North 23.948 to 24.542 (minutes)
West 28.235 to 28.707 (minutes)

Everything was caught on crankbaits from 1.6 to 1.9 mph GPS speed over ground.  Six of them were on a straight troll and two hit after we slowed down to land a fish.  3 lures caught the 8 fish.  White-purple hot tiger ripstick (3 fish, including the 28), spotted sunset reef runner (4 fish), and blue hawaiian ripstick (1 fish).  Spotted sunset is similar to firetiger, but has dots instead of stripes.  The ripsticks were run 30 to 50' back and the reef runners were 50' back.  All were caught on braided line (not mono).  The water was stained and I think that is why the spotted sunset worked so well.  This is the first time that I've had a firetiger-like patter be my best lure for walleye.  To me spotted sunset looks like an excellent muskie pattern, not walleye, but I must be wrong at least in stained water.

We stayed out after dark and didn't have as much success.  Around 10:00 pm we did catch 3 more fish, but they were probably all from 2003.  We caught them in 9 to 13' of water between the Huron River and Sawmill Creek.  The area was from the N24.708/W34.858 lines to the N24.667/W34.401 lines (minutes).  One came on a purple prism ripstick back 35' feet and the other two came on size 14 husky jerks back 40 and 50' (tennessee shad).  I did hear of one huge fish just under 13 pounds caught in the same area last night.

Right now the wind is howling and it's nasty again.  It looks like it could improve and the weekend might be fishable.

The latest observation at the Vermilion weather buoy has 23 knot E-NE wind, 3 feet waves, 46 degree air temperature, 45 degree water temperature, and falling barometric pressure.

Travis

The weekend wind was as bad as was predicted.  Today's weather is calm and the forecast has variable winds until sometime Wednesday.  If you're thinking about getting out I would do it soon because the second half of the week looks unpleasant.

One report from late last week came in.  Fish were caught NW of the Huron dumping ground, right around the Huron River mouth, and also around the deadhead between Huron and Vermilion.  I'm not sure of the current location of that deadhead, but it was just NE of the Huron River the last that I knew.  All fish were caught on Reef Runners from 25 to 60' back.  The best color was Mooneye Minnow 35' feet back.  The biggest fish was over 10 pounds.

The latest observation at the Vermilion weather buoy has 9 knot S wind, 0.7 feet waves, 40 degree air temperature, 45 degree water temperature, and falling barometric pressure.

Travis

Hi, this is Travis again.

No new e-mail reports have come in, but I've talked to some friends that made it out over the past week.  I have to say it stinks to have not made it out this week.  Since about mid last week the fishing has been spectacular at times.  As Marc mentioned it hasn't always been consistent, but for anyone that found the "bites" this fall is turning out to be a great one.  One thing I've noticed is that I'm starting to hear about high fish being caught.  Friends have mentioned using ripsticks anywhere from 30 to 100' back over 20 to 35' of water.  The high fish aren't the only ones biting, though.  Reef runners 30 to 50 and 140 to 150 back have also worked.  As always the key is to fill the water column with lures and narrow down where the active fish are.  A lot of the fish being caught are starting to come on crankbaits.

As for location, late last week and early this week most of the activity seemed to be from the Huron dumping grounds to Cedar Point, with the Point Retreat condo area being the best.  Depths ranged from 20 to 40' deep, but 27 to 30' was hot.  Recently more success is starting to come from the Cranberry Creek/ Ruggles Reef area.  Start in relatively shallow and head deeper to find the best marks.

The average size has been great, and the whole size range from 2003 walleye all the way up to 30" trophies are being caught.  I talked to Marc the other day and he says that in years like this, when big fish get caught in November, you can count on some real monsters in December if the weather holds up.

Even though I haven't been able to get out I did get the oil and plugs changed in my kicker.  It looks like some wind is coming through over the next few days.  Maybe next week I'll get out.

The latest observation at the Vermilion weather buoy has 17 knot S-SW wind, 1.6 feet waves, 49 degree air temperature, 46 degree water temperature, and steady barometric pressure.

Travis

I apologize for butchering yesterdays report. Bad grammer, spelling and words that didn't belong. I was in a hurry and didn't look at it when I was done.

The reports that I have had from friends that fished yesterday were repeats from Sunday. Lots of big fish caught and very few trash fish. Coolers of fish like this haven't been seen for a few years and it's fun to see a great bite again. That said, not everyone is having the same luck and some are struggling. The fish are moving around and it pays to move if you aren't having any luck. If you find a pocket of biters stay with them.

Editted for grammar and spelling on Nov 7. Marc

I finally got out this weekend for a couple enjoyable trips.

Saturday was slow for me but the quality was outstanding with  in few in the 7-9.5 pound range and nothing under 4 1/2 #. Deep crank baits ruled the day for us run 150 back off inline boards. We fished the area north of Cranberry first and when nothing happened there we went to west of the Huron dumping grounds where we caught the tail end of a good bite. The Cranberry bite fired up not too long after we left so it was just a timing error on our part.

Sunday the planets were alined and we got into fish right away at the 25/26 lines north of the Castle. Right off the bat we pulled a well over 10 pound eye on a Firetiger Reefrunner, on mono at 40 back and then 3 more nice fish on other cranks as well. Those fish quit on us after the 2nd pass and we then moved down off Rt. 61 in 15 FOW and trolled out to deeper water. When we got to 27 Feet the fish went into a feeding frenzy that kept us busy untangling nets, so we just started horsing fish up to 7 pounds over the back of the boat. It was fun while it lasted. We then trolled back to Vermilion after dark with only 1 03 to show for it. All our fish except the 1 after dark fish came on 800 Reefrunners at 15-65 back. Firetiger being the best overall color. Some of the charters are still running spoons and jets or dipsy's and are doing well with them but the crankbait bite has turned on and should keep getting better. Harnesses and weight forwards are also still catching fish for the drifters.

I did get first hand reports of good nite fishing west of Cranberry and also west of the Huron River in anywhere from 7-32 FOW. Husky Jerks (Size 12-14) and Ripsticks were the hot night lures all run fairly short at 25-45 back.

Perch reports were kinda slow around Vermilion this weekend but a 2nd hand report off 61 had several fish in the 14" size but no limits. A report from Nov. 3rd had pretty good success fishing the dumping grounds off Sandusky but they didn't have a fast bite. All their fish were 8-11".

I did have another steelhead on while fishing north of the Castle on Sunday so I look for that bite to get better. The Vermilion river produced some nice Steelhead this weekend so the fishing on the lake near the Vermilion harbor should fire up anytime.

Rumors are flying about the live fish transporting. As we get valid news we'll keep you updated.

Travis should be back in the next day or so and if the weather holds there should be more good reporting from the Huron bowl area of the lake.

Hope to see at least a few of you at the WBSA meeting on Tuesday evening.

Marc

Travis is being domesticated for a few days and will return around Sunday.

I added a cold weather fishing section to my tips page today and if you plan on doing some cold weather boating and fishing this winter you may find some of the info useful. If your an old pro at it and wish to share things that have helped you in the past please share it with us and we'll pass it on.  New perspectives and reminders are always welcome.

There hasn't been much to report lately with the wind and people pulling their boats but some Walleye are being caught around Huron and Vermilion and Kelleys Island. I'm surprised it's been as good as it has been with all the wind we had last weekend. I don't have specific numbers but around the Huron dumping grounds and west to Cedar Point have been most mentoned.

There have been fish caught from shore as well at night and it's shaping up to look like a decent night bite year. The bulk of the fish are 03's but some 8-9 pounders are showing up with them.

Perch reports are slow but with all the wind we've had it's no surprise. It's hard to anchor in 4-5 foot waves and be comfortable.

Wind and waves forecasts for the weekend look like it will be fishable but it's gonna be cold, especially in the mornings. If you go out dress warm and pay attention  and good luck. I have a charter Saturday and will be off Huron to start the day. If I have any luck I'll get on the radio and try to help out.

Marc