My dad and I headed down from Kitchener on Friday afternoon. Didn't fish on Friday but got the boat in. The weather forecast didn't look good, but it was either now or never! Overall, high winds, snow and freezing rain made it a tough go! Surface temp. this am was 37.7 degrees.
Saturday morning headed over east of the ferry and began marking a ton of fish but unlike our trip last year, the fish were high (10ft) or low (50-60 ft). Threw us for a bit of a loop and I tried unsuccessfully to lure the deep swimmers. We fished Saturday and Sunday for these fish with only 3 takers. One was a 12 pounder though (my personal best) and my dad also picked up his personal best at 11.5 pounds. The 3rd was dad's at 10.5 pounds. I picked up mine on a Power Minnow (FT) and my dad was using a blue and silver Walleye Minnow for both. We fished only until dark on both Saturday and Sunday and were not feeling too proud of our efforts!
Monday we battled a snow storm and this morning, freezing drizzle. We decided on Monday at lunch, after battling strong winds and no luck fishing in them, to fish in the bay, and it was a great move!! We continued there this morning too. Between yesterday afternoon and this morning, we picked up 15 in the bay (14 by yours truly - so dad
) Most of the fish we marked were up high and most were taken on FT Husky Jerk and Smithwick Rogue (FT also I believe). We didn't fish many hours in the bay and the pace was great! Had a double header yesterday afternoon and I had three this morning in one pass down the chute! What a blast! All fish were proudly released to live another day (after a few photos). Size wise, we picked up a 12 pounder, 11 pounder, 10.5 pounder, and down - also one about 4 pounds and one about 5 pounds. Regardless of the size, each one was fun to bring into the boat. I also lost one fish in the bay, early in the fight though so have no idea of the size.
Once again we had a great time and I would like to thank all of those on this Board who help out less experienced fisherman like my dad and I. This year I tried out the Offshore Planer Boards for the first time and they worked well - after I put the heavier clip on (the standard clip that comes with the boards kept coming off). Thanks to many of you folks, we had some idea of what to try and where to try. Best of luck to those who get out in the next few weeks before freeze-up. Next year, I think I will be less stubborn and trust my fish finder and if I am marking fish at 10 ft, will fish up higher sooner!!