2006 Port Clinton

Walleye 101 "Spring Fling" April 20-23, 2006

Lake Erie, Port Clinton, Ohio

The first ever "Spring Fling" was held on Lake Erie with great results! Many new friends were part of the 59 anglers fishing from 25 different boats that attended our first spring trip on Lake Erie, and none of them went home disappointed as Lake Erie proved again why it is the "Walleye Capitol of the World".

Day 1 started with a fairly stiff East wind, but the short distances to the fishing areas were navigated safely and fishing begin hot and stayed that way all day long. At the end of the day 87 fish were caught with several around the magical 10 lb mark and the average fish being around 6 lbs! Crawlers and SLOW speeds were the themes of the day, as most of the fish surrendered to 1 ounce inline weights ran 40-60' behind a board or Pa's ran 50-60' back. Purple seemed to be the color of the day for most anglers, and slow speeds around 1 mph triggered the most fish.

Day 2 was almost a carbon copy of Day 1 with the wind dying a little by the late morning. By this time the gang had narrowed down the area holding the most catchable fish to a small box north of South Bass Island. If you were in this area and could keep your speed around 1 mph, you were catching fish. As we started to tighten up our trolling passes, the fish count increased, and by the end of the day the group had boated a total of 99 walleye. Like yesterday the average size was around 6 lbs and some beauties were caught. Some of the bigger fish came on bottom bouncers and spinners, but yesterdays patterns were still producing the best. Many anglers had their first experience fishing with Pa's lures, and they were definitely rewarded. Seems like I heard "Purple Pa's 60' back" on the radio every 5 minutes! The 1 ounce inline at 50' back also put a lot of fish in the boat. Dark beads, especially purple, seemed to work the best and the blade color of choice was gold.

Day 3 was a little rougher, but most of the boats headed out for a day of fishing before heading home. The radio was alive all day with fish being caught. Matt Bouza has 2 fish over 10 lbs in the boat by 9:30 am and our youngest angler, 13 year old Chris Merbler, caught a potential world record! (Click for details).

All in all our first trip to Erie in April was fantastic. I have already booked the hotel for the last weekend in April, 2007 and am looking forward to another great trip. Blue bloods and romantics may prefer Paris in April, but give me Port Clinton!!!

(click on a picture to enlarge)

Jim Aitken and Milt Pugsley	Bill Tucker	The Fish Fry!	Someone has to be the boss!	A little hot sauce.	I am Tired!	Bill Perch and Ray Wangler fished with Lance on Day 1	Al Van Brocklin with a "normal" Lake Erie Eye.	Bill Berwick
Jim Aitken	Bill Berwick	Matt Bouza with 2 10lb Eyes	Chris Merbler with the soon to be world Junior record Walleye!	A look at the Perry Monument	Let's Eat!	More catchable fish	Watches too much Food Network!
Harvey Bruner with a big Erie walleye	Ron and Chris Merbler	Milt gets in on the action	Rich Pugsley and Jim Aitken	Father and Son-Rich and Milt Pugsley	Rich Pugsley-Captain of "Freedom"	Another Father and Son team- Jack and Chris Kinzler with a 9 lber.	Ron and Chris with Chris' potential world record.	Catchable Fish!!
Brian Grant with a nice eye!	Bruce Mayrand	Fish on!	Lance looks for the perfect lure	Lance and Ken Broadwater with some "average" Erie eyes!	LOTS of catchable fish	Time for a bottom bouncer!	Some more fish prime for a bouncer	PLEASE Stop here and fish!
Mike Hengstebeck with an average Erie Eye	Walleye, baitfish and smaller fish!		Mark Van Kampen gets ready! Are those crankbaits I see??!?	Jim Broadwater with a nice walleye	Lance on point!	More shots of the fish fry