johnthefisherman
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Re: SMALLMOUTH IN THE BAY
2017/05/22 08:58:19
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Pretty slow out there this weekend. Saturday, some of the bay was too rough to fish, so we fished Marina Lake and then went out off the peninsula side when things calmed down a bit. Only saw a few fish bedding, got a few strikes from these but just couldn't find a good hookset, had one on that I'm guessing was around 4 lbs, we were trying to net it when it jumped one last time and threw the hook. Caught a few in some of the back bays on the city side and in the channel, nothing huge though. Sunday, it was a bit calmer, decided to try off the stacks, only caught one here, and had another one on, before the winds and rain picked up and made things tougher. I started having problems with my boat motor, and was pretty aggravated, so crawled back to the ramp, and we decided to go fish from shore on the tribs. Went to Walnut, a good number of smallies, and suckers there, and we probably had both Manchester and stop sign hole both to ourselves for the first time ever that I can recall. Need the weather to stabilize and stay warm for them to really start.
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Mountian Man
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Re: SMALLMOUTH IN THE BAY
2017/05/22 18:24:48
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Caught 14 in the Manchester hole.
Thread Killer Veni Vidi Vici...
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PooFLinger
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Re: SMALLMOUTH IN THE BAY
2017/05/23 04:18:19
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Mountian Man
Caught 14 in the Manchester hole.
Stillhed up to 79 its on
Gill em to kill em then Rope em smoke em
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pghh_flytier
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Re: SMALLMOUTH IN THE BAY
2017/06/03 08:01:35
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Finally got back up to do some shore fishing around Presque Isle. Wacky worms were successful for largemouth for me, and smallmouth for my friend. Tried several locations but never found a "honey hole". Had to work for every fish. Saw one exceptional Smallie caught by a young fly fisherman using a heavy rig with an unusual fly. In all, another great day fishing Erie, too bad its such a far drive.
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tribster
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Re: SMALLMOUTH IN THE BAY
2017/06/03 11:31:12
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Got 1 smallie at PI Thur evening. Picked off white pollen off line almost every cast and weeds are up now. Have been going up since April and it is just not going to happen big like past years. The boats are having some success but everyone I have spoke to has said that it has been slow this year. Excuses are cold weather lasting late into season, winds from the NE shutting them down, lake level up 2ft and timing. I can tell you I saw very few beds in shore.
There is always next year.
FISH ON
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shrodreel
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Re: SMALLMOUTH IN THE BAY
2017/06/03 12:16:35
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Could the smallies in the Bay finally be yielding to the intense fishing pressure ?? Must have been a hundred boats there the weekkday I fished recently..Saw many beds...no bass on them..The baits that worked for us in past years produced nothing..The few that we did catch were on very "unconventional" items..There's enough "cotton" floating on the water to knit some blankets..the stuff is on your bait and line nearly every cast..even had some stuck on my ham sandwich.. 
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workcanwait....
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Re: SMALLMOUTH IN THE BAY
2017/06/04 23:01:34
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Yeah wasn't at bay but cotton and mayflies have been thick last couple times out...I am no expert but I can tell you things aint normal cooler less bait and small walleye...still enjoyable.
WCW
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johnthefisherman
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Re: SMALLMOUTH IN THE BAY
2017/06/07 07:54:49
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Were gonna give it another whirl this weekend. Shtop shnaggin all the shmallies, darn mupheres and russians
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johnthefisherman
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Re: SMALLMOUTH IN THE BAY
2017/06/07 07:54:49
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Were gonna give it another whirl this weekend. Shtop shnaggin all the shmallies, darn mupheres and russians
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CAPTAIN HOOK
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Re: SMALLMOUTH IN THE BAY
2017/06/07 08:15:07
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That floating cotton is something else....what kind of trees are those that shed that stuff ? Bay really had a lot years ago and I guess still does by these reports. Unreal stuff.....nuisance to fishermen big time.
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BeenThereDoneThat.
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Re: SMALLMOUTH IN THE BAY
2017/06/07 10:24:27
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Captain it may very well be from Aspen, Poplar or Cottonwood trees.
The fluff is the seed which become airborne this time of year.
Definitely PITA!!!
Give a man a fish and you will feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you will feed him for a life time. ~Anne Isabella Thackeray Ritchie (1837–1919)~  Old fisherman never die; we just smell that way. 
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Dan Morey
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Re: SMALLMOUTH IN THE BAY
2017/06/07 10:38:37
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Those clinging cotton wads contain seeds from the eastern cottonwood tree, Brock. There are nearly 700 acres of them on the peninsula, and we get their fluff all over the city. When I was a kid I dropped a match in a yard of this stuff to see what would happen. Whole field of grass burnt to the root in about 30 seconds. Never pedaled my Huffy so fast. It's really not too bad this year. Usually looks like there's a couple inches of snow on the ground at Waterworks by now. Horrible how it clings to fishing line. Good time to head east. Avoid the cotton and bass boat armada. Here's one from Chautauqua that hasn't had 23 tube jigs dropped on its head in the last half hour. 
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Divemaster
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Re: SMALLMOUTH IN THE BAY
2017/06/07 15:44:52
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Nice one, Dan! As for the cottonwood seeds, June is definitely the worst month for them IME, and the worst month for mayflies, and the worst month for predictable bites... Which is why I'll only be up one weekend this month versus three or four. I've noticed the seeds definitely stick to thin braid and leadcore a LOT worse than they do to bulky mono and fluoro. When I flatline troll shallow in June, I'll only stick in rods with 25#+ mono and no braid or core rods. It still sticks to the mono, just not as bad. Think of them as "Erie water fleas" :). Just my two cents. The lake also seemed to warm up much, much faster than the past couple. Last year on Memorial Day we were crushing Lakers out in 120+ FOW, this Memorial Day they were nowhere to be found in 50-140'. No marks or anything. 47-50° surface temps last Memorial Day versus 52-54°+ this year.
post edited by Divemaster - 2017/06/07 15:46:08
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KHNC
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Re: SMALLMOUTH IN THE BAY
2017/06/07 16:18:39
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Maybe everyone will get discouraged and go home! lol. Ill be coming up this sat until the 17th as well. Seems all the online articles keep saying how great the smallie fishing is at Erie, then when you go it suckS! Hopefully we can still find a few schools to stick some hooks in. :)
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CAPTAIN HOOK
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Re: SMALLMOUTH IN THE BAY
2017/06/07 17:55:53
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That's a hog Smallie Dan ! Bronzeback is a perfect description for that beauty. Sounds like the Bay is over busy this time of year.
Cottonwood trees ....ok makes sense.
I remember Presque Isle being covered with that cotton many a year when I fished up there years ago. Looked like snow on hot weather windy days! Bet it does create some nuisance issues along the Erie shorelines for businesses and residents. It's something different to see !
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Dan Morey
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Re: SMALLMOUTH IN THE BAY
2017/06/07 19:57:14
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Thanks, Brock. Sean, I figured you must be taking an Erie break. Where you fishing these days? I know yer casting a line somewhere.
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Ironhed
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Re: SMALLMOUTH IN THE BAY
2017/06/07 20:18:30
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Divemaster
Nice one, Dan!
As for the cottonwood seeds, June is definitely the worst month for them IME, and the worst month for mayflies, and the worst month for predictable bites... Which is why I'll only be up one weekend this month versus three or four. I've noticed the seeds definitely stick to thin braid and leadcore a LOT worse than they do to bulky mono and fluoro. When I flatline troll shallow in June, I'll only stick in rods with 25#+ mono and no braid or core rods. It still sticks to the mono, just not as bad. Think of them as "Erie water fleas" :). Just my two cents.
The lake also seemed to warm up much, much faster than the past couple. Last year on Memorial Day we were crushing Lakers out in 120+ FOW, this Memorial Day they were nowhere to be found in 50-140'. No marks or anything. 47-50° surface temps last Memorial Day versus 52-54°+ this year.
Mayflies???? You mean midges? They are horrible this year. Laker fishing was good this year Memorial Day weekend.
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Dan Morey
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Re: SMALLMOUTH IN THE BAY
2017/06/07 20:41:49
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Yeah, the little guys that look like mosquitoes are midges, and they are ridiculous right now. They like to cover my van around dusk. When I open the door to get in I suddenly have a hundred passengers. Tried to eat lunch on the peninsula the other day, and found out they like turkey sandwiches. Ended up digesting quite a few of them. Pretty tasty, though not very filling.
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johnthefisherman
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Re: SMALLMOUTH IN THE BAY
2017/06/07 21:35:59
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How's the weeds looking on Chautauqua this year? We have a tournament up there in late July.
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pheasant tail 2
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Re: SMALLMOUTH IN THE BAY
2017/06/07 21:54:27
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I love smallie fishing Chautauqua. One of my favorite fishing destinations. That's a beautiful fish.
PT2
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Dan Morey
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Re: SMALLMOUTH IN THE BAY
2017/06/07 21:56:50
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Thanks, Pt2. Chautauqua is definitely a great smallie lake. John, weeds are still fairly low in the areas I'm fishing, but they won't be in late July. Don't know if the harvester has been out yet, but the one on Findley was sucking 'em up last week.
post edited by Dan Morey - 2017/06/07 22:01:45
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KHNC
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Re: SMALLMOUTH IN THE BAY
2017/06/08 09:22:34
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Maynard.G.Crabs
Those clinging cotton wads contain seeds from the eastern cottonwood tree, Brock. There are nearly 700 acres of them on the peninsula, and we get their fluff all over the city. When I was a kid I dropped a match in a yard of this stuff to see what would happen. Whole field of grass burnt to the root in about 30 seconds. Never pedaled my Huffy so fast.
It's really not too bad this year. Usually looks like there's a couple inches of snow on the ground at Waterworks by now.
Horrible how it clings to fishing line. Good time to head east. Avoid the cotton and bass boat armada. Here's one from Chautauqua that hasn't had 23 tube jigs dropped on its head in the last half hour.
Nice fish for sure! I decided last minute to change my trip saturday from PIB to Chautauqa. Be there 6/10-17. I will try not to crowd you. :) Last years trip to PIB wasnt the greatest. Hoping to get the kids on some better numbers this year.
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Dan Morey
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Re: SMALLMOUTH IN THE BAY
2017/06/08 10:26:49
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Good luck out east, KHNC. I don't think you'll be disappointed. Bass, walleye, musky, perch...all good right now. And no cottonwood fuzzies!
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KHNC
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Re: SMALLMOUTH IN THE BAY
2017/06/08 12:14:47
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Maynard.G.Crabs
Good luck out east, KHNC. I don't think you'll be disappointed. Bass, walleye, musky, perch...all good right now. And no cottonwood fuzzies!
THanks! if you see a blue/white bullet bass boat with Merc motor, stop and say hello! Rented a nice farm house in Mayville. May still try Erie a day or so around Dunkirk or North East. Kind of doubt ill venture to PIB this time.
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Dan Morey
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Re: SMALLMOUTH IN THE BAY
2017/06/08 22:50:15
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Well, I won't see you Saturday KHNC, unless you're fishing in my hedgerow. Got some clipping to do! Hit the bay for a few hours today: Bad news: After the dampening rains passed the cottonwoods really let loose. Looks like Christmas in June out on the peninsula. Good news: 1. Less midges. 2. Fish are hitting (lotta largemouth) if you can get under the cotton, or find some lint-free water. Smallmouth numbers still seem low to me, but there're enough around to keep you entertained. Even squeaked out a Presque Isle Slam with a last minute pike.   
post edited by Dan Morey - 2017/06/09 01:42:31
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KHNC
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Re: SMALLMOUTH IN THE BAY
2017/06/09 13:33:56
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Nice job! I wont actually get to fish til Sunday. Looks like you have them dialed in!
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Divemaster
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Re: SMALLMOUTH IN THE BAY
2017/06/09 21:24:47
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Maynard.G.Crabs
Thanks, Brock. Sean, I figured you must be taking an Erie break. Where you fishing these days? I know yer casting a line somewhere.
Yup, I've been fishing a lot around home not far from Pittsburgh. Fishing my local creek for resident Smallies, Hogsuckers, and holdover Trout and my local lake for Largemouth, Crappie, Sunfish, Bullheads, and Carp. Oh and slamming Creek Chubs of all fish in feeder Creeks, they've got to be one of my favorite species now just because of how abundant they are, had a 149 fish day on them last week. Turning into a bit of a panfisherman I guess haha. Although some of the Bass I've been catching aren't bad for waters not known for them, a 17" LMB a couple weeks ago and an 18" Smallie last night from a creek that rarely produces 12"rs. I never made a report on the fisherie page for Memorial Day but it wasn't that bad. Just a 24" eye on the boat but tons of panfish from our docks and slammed 13-18" Smallies in the Tribs. Oh yeah, and probably the rarest fish I've ever caught in Erie, a 14" Brook Trout in one of the Tribs, that made up the weekend no doubt. I'm hoping to get my one June weekend in Erie in on the 17/18th, if winds cooperate I'll be nearshore trolling for Drum, White Bass, and sockfish errrr I think they're called Walleye :).
post edited by Divemaster - 2017/06/09 21:33:31
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Divemaster
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Re: SMALLMOUTH IN THE BAY
2017/06/09 21:29:00
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Ironhed
Divemaster
Nice one, Dan!
As for the cottonwood seeds, June is definitely the worst month for them IME, and the worst month for mayflies, and the worst month for predictable bites... Which is why I'll only be up one weekend this month versus three or four. I've noticed the seeds definitely stick to thin braid and leadcore a LOT worse than they do to bulky mono and fluoro. When I flatline troll shallow in June, I'll only stick in rods with 25#+ mono and no braid or core rods. It still sticks to the mono, just not as bad. Think of them as "Erie water fleas" :). Just my two cents.
The lake also seemed to warm up much, much faster than the past couple. Last year on Memorial Day we were crushing Lakers out in 120+ FOW, this Memorial Day they were nowhere to be found in 50-140'. No marks or anything. 47-50° surface temps last Memorial Day versus 52-54°+ this year.
Mayflies???? You mean midges? They are horrible this year.
Laker fishing was good this year Memorial Day weekend.
Is that what they're called? Good to know, I'm not much of an insect expert. I saw your FB report, impressive that you put a dozen or so Char in the boat with those terrible water conditions, although something tells me if conditions were better everyone would have done better. We ran dodgers, bells, spoons, plugs in all depths and all speeds from 1.2-3.0, couldn't find one fish, other than a 24" walleye.
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pheasant tail 2
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Re: SMALLMOUTH IN THE BAY
2017/06/09 22:20:06
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Dan,
Interested in the weed conditions on Chautauqua? I won't be up that way for a couple of weeks. Are you fishing the south end of the lake?
Thanks
PT2
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Dan Morey
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Re: SMALLMOUTH IN THE BAY
2017/06/09 22:56:11
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Haven't been down south, PT2. Would imagine it's getting pretty weedy.
149 chubs, Dive? I'm calling you this winter when I need something to put under my tip-ups.
Knowing how intensely you study fish, I might be opening a Pandora's Box, but here goes: those mufflehead midges are Chironomidae. I want a full paper, by tomorrow noon.
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