| Juls |
Joe, why don't you start out by telling us a little about yourself and your fishing backgroung |
| Juls |
background |
| Juls |
dang....first to do a typo...well...that's out of the way...heheh |
| Joe Whitten |
I started fishing tournaments +/- ten years ago |
| Juls |
who are your sponsors.... |
| Joe Whitten |
Evinrude, Ranger Boats, Cabelas, Minn Kota, Humminbird |
| jimmyz |
Hey joe, what do u think is the most important part in trolling for 'eyes? |
| Joe Whitten |
direction, water clarity, speed, lure presentation |
| Juls |
How did you get interested in fishing big time tournaments? |
| Joe Whitten |
from your husband, Rick Lacourse |
| Juls |
really??? |
| Joe Whitten |
yep |
| .Steve.In. |
hello all |
| Juls |
Were you his boat "B" before I was?? heheh |
| Joe Whitten |
hi steve |
| sdhunter |
What are your top two baits early on L Erie? |
| Joe Whitten |
no I actually bought my first Ranger Boat from Rick |
| Juls |
i see |
| Juls |
what was your first tournament? do you remember? |
| jimmyz |
What is the key to catching big 'eyes? |
| Joe Whitten |
Reef runner, rip stick and husky jerk |
| Joe Whitten |
jimmy, water clarity plays a huge factor |
| Juls |
Ok, I'm going to leave the questions up to the guys here...they are starting to ask some good ones. Remember guys...there are no dumb questions, so feel free to ask anything! |
| Juls |
hi Ray |
| Joe Whitten |
Hi Ray |
| Ray Champine |
Hi everyone. |
| Juls |
when you say water clarity...could you explain? What do you look for on Erie as far as water clarity |
| jimmyz |
what's the best speed for pulling harness's with meat |
| Juls |
feel free to take as much time to type a response as you need Joe...we can wait. |
| Joe Whitten |
I like to see my cavitation plate (just above the prop) |
| Juls |
Why do you think the fish get lock jaw in muddy conditions? |
| Joe Whitten |
when i pull harnesses the speed is based on water temp. |
| Juls |
or are non existant in very clear water? |
| dtmg |
good evening |
| Joe Whitten |
I feel on Erie the fish are not a customed to clean water they have a tendency to move to the mud line |
| Ray Champine |
Joe, obviously colder = slower, but what's a good starting point? Say 1.0 mph? |
| sdhunter |
Do you ever find eyes in bottom of water column in the spring or are the biters in the top the column? |
| Joe Whitten |
correct 1.0 to 1.1 mph |
| Joe Whitten |
the active fish are definitely in the top one third of the water column |
| Ray Champine |
That would be based on say 45 to 50 degree water temp? Move higher from there? |
| Juls |
what do you like to do most in the spring Joe? Jig the reefs? Troll for the big girls? |
| Joe Whitten |
correct, if a cold front moves in then I prefer to go deep |
| Joe Whitten |
Definitely JIGGIN ha ha |
| Juls |
heheh |
| jimmyz |
ya! right |
| 620 |
when they are hitting harnesses at higher speeds at what point do u switch 2 cranks ? |
| Joe Whitten |
I'm not sure which end of the jigging rod to hold in the spring! |
| Juls |
LOL |
| Joe Whitten |
the fastest I will pull spinner is about 1.5 mph |
| reddog |
can you explain what Jiggin means to you. I know jjiggin mean alot of different things to different anglers. Verticle, pitching, etc. |
| Juls |
Do you pay a lot of attention to wind directions and currents Joe? |
| Joe Whitten |
verticle on the edge or on top of one of our reefs |
| Joe Whitten |
Juls, that is the most important thing |
| Juls |
what advice would you give to an angler new to fishing lake erie? |
| Juls |
hi Steve! |
| jimmyz |
Do u think 1.1 on a 8mile ice flow is good speed for walleye? |
| FreeByrd |
Hello |
| Juls |
LMAO Jimmy |
| Juls |
good one |
| Joe Whitten |
check coastwatch.glerl.noaa.gov. and check for the clean water areas before you head out |
| Joe Whitten |
hi stevey |
| Juls |
excellent advice :) |
| Joe Whitten |
jimmy tell me about your ice flow adventures! |
| FreeByrd |
JO JO - won't be long now for the non icefishermen |
| jimmyz |
no flows for me, I just built the bridge LOL |
| Joe Whitten |
I hope so, finally I have a boat that is ready |
| Joe Whitten |
jimmy, does it expand? |
| jimmyz |
50degrees and 30mph offshore wind, yes |
| jimmyz |
the crack that is |
| jimmyz |
not the bridge |
| Juls |
Joe...what tournament other than Erie of course, are you looking forward to the most this year? |
| sdhunter |
Will you be traveling more than one circuit this year? |
| Joe Whitten |
I'm glad I dont ice fish Erie to often! |
| jimmyz |
why do u think so many eyes congregate in tight in the winter |
| Joe Whitten |
I'm planning to fish all FLW events and maybe the walleye league with the possibility of an AIM tourn. |
| jimmyz |
What type of line do u use and what lb test? |
| Joe Whitten |
jimmy, probably because of the bait and current |
| FreeByrd |
Let me know if you have any interest in doing the Sandusky MWC event |
| Joe Whitten |
when I troll I prefer 10 lb Stren clear blue and lo-vis green |
| Joe Whitten |
whats the dates Steve? |
| jimmyz |
do u feel that big fish hang in the schools or are they more like nomads, roaming a little more |
| hot steel |
how long do you fish one spot before moving |
| Ray Champine |
As a newbie to fishing Erie, I generally fish with a bunch of other boats and we all share info on where the fish are. Without having that "crutch", How do you "disect" the lake and figure out where to start fishing? |
| FreeByrd |
May 29,30,31 (fish two days) |
| Joe Whitten |
good ? jimmy; there is always a big fish in a school on Erie. Sometimes it takes a different approach to entice them to bite. |
| jimmyz |
good? ray |
| Ray Champine |
Thanks Jimmy |
| Joe Whitten |
Ray, first of all I will not fish near a pack of boats! I don't like the company then you net a fish etc... If that happens I like to run to the border or around the islands just to get away from the pack |
| reddog |
What companies help you fish on a professional level? |
| Joe Whitten |
frrebrd, I will let you know by this weekend |
| Joe Whitten |
Evinrude & Ranger Boats has played a huge part. |
| Ray Champine |
Obviously, first we need to look for clean water (cavitation plate test). Then do you just cruise and check sonar, or do you have prescouted areas? |
| Juls |
ruh oh....steve and Joe fishing the MWC together? Should I just tell Rick and John to hand their money over to you now? LOL |
| Joe Whitten |
also, the City of Toledo with the budget problem they allow us to take time off with out pay pretty easy! |
| Juls |
hehehe good one joe |
| Juls |
hi db |
| Joe Whitten |
It could be worst with Mary putting shoe prints on our backs! |
| Joe Whitten |
Hi db |
| sdhunter |
What are your expectations at Red Wing as far as method and bite? |
| Juls |
Joe...what do you like to do when you hit the Mississippi River? How do you usually fish it? |
| Juls |
lol sd...we are thinking the same |
| sdhunter |
Scary!! |
| Juls |
good crowd tonight...thanks for coming everyone! |
| Juls |
hi Chris |
| Joe Whitten |
At R.W. I prefer trolling 14 / 6 fireline or handlining the break lines 6 to 20 deep |
| Joe Whitten |
hi chris |
| Chris K |
Hi Juls, Hi Joe |
| Juls |
what are your favorite handlining lures? |
| Juls |
same question for trolling fireline too |
| sdhunter |
Can you explain handlining? Is this like 3 way? Or wire? |
| Joe Whitten |
#9 and #11 floating Rapalas, when the bite gets tough I will switch to a # 7 |
| jimmyz |
sounds painful |
| Juls |
I'll email you an article on it sd...just email me at juls231@msn.com that would be easier than explaining it here |
| Joe Whitten |
Wire on a spooled cable. ex.Riviera reels |
| Juls |
well, that really doesn't explain it...lol |
| jimmyz |
what are ur best colors for erie? |
| Juls |
self retrieving reels...60# coated wire...shanks...clevises stratigically placed....two leads...on half the length of the other....blah blah blah |
| Ray Champine |
handlining is using an automatic rewind reel, generally filled with 60lb coated or uncoated wire. that is attached to a "shank" wirh clevised=s attaced at roughly 6" intervals then a sinker of varyibng weights 1 to 3 lbs. |
| Juls |
close enough |
| Juls |
:) |
| Joe Whitten |
when I troll firline I prefer shad rap baits #5 & #7 |
| Joe Whitten |
thanks Ray |
| Ray Champine |
The Lake St. Clair Walleye Association website has some good articles on handlining. Most of those guys definately qualify as "River rats"! |
| Joe Whitten |
Natural colors seems to work good in stained water I go for bright and chrome baits |
| Juls |
for sure...what is the website addy for them Ray...let's post it here |
| Juls |
I've read their articles...very good info |
| Joe Whitten |
Juls are you fishing at all? |
| jimmyz |
The water clarity in the Western basin seems to be getting overall clearer |
| Juls |
No...I'll be chasing you guys around with a camera and a tape recorder and video camera...:) |
| Joe Whitten |
cool |
| jimmyz |
do u think this will affect the walleye |
| Joe Whitten |
whats that jim juls with a camera |
| Juls |
? |
| Joe Whitten |
? |
| Ray Champine |
Here it is: Http://lakestclairwalleyeassociation.com/ |
| Juls |
see his question above |
| Joe Whitten |
thanks Ray! |
| jimmyz |
are u questioning me? |
| Chris K |
Joe, you must really be looking forward to this years FLW schedule as it looks like the stops/times and lakes should be good to you and your fishing style |
| Ray Champine |
No problem Joe. I hope the link I gave works. it's what I have bookmarked. |
| Joe Whitten |
I hope so. after the bad start on Erie last year I feel that I owe it one! |
| Chris K |
Are you fishing with the same team again? |
| Ray Champine |
Joe do you do any trolling with spoons? |
| Joe Whitten |
Chris not quite! |
| Joe Whitten |
I only use spoons for salmon or steelhead |
| jimmyz |
OOOH yea! |
| Juls |
hi Eric and Kevin |
| K Gonefishin |
hello |
| Juls |
hi eyebanger |
| Joe Whitten |
It looks like Eric Olson and Jason Przekurat will be my mates for this year! |
| Butterboy |
whats up Jo Jo?? Doin Good!!! |
| jimmyz |
nice name eyebanger |
| .Steve.In. |
hi eb |
| Joe Whitten |
Hi eric, kevin eyebanger |
| Chris K |
is Troy fishing this year? |
| Joe Whitten |
thanks |
| K Gonefishin |
what's going on joe |
| Juls |
wow...how long did it take you to memorize how to spell Jason's last name? lol im impressed Joe! |
| Joe Whitten |
no he had some work issues |
| Joe Whitten |
I know "secure its" name well |
| Juls |
Joe...how many times have you fished Bago? |
| Juls |
lol |
| Butterboy |
Shak man for short! |
| Joe Whitten |
once before and finished like 40th place |
| Juls |
will you be running the Evinrude wrap again this year Joe? |
| Chris K |
You have an awesome team, best of luck and I will be rooting for you this year. I think you are due for something big... |
| Juls |
was that the year Minnema won it? |
| Joe Whitten |
Yes, I plan on ordering my next boat in the spring |
| Joe Whitten |
I don't remember Minnema winning the FLW on Bago |
| Joe Whitten |
thanks Chris |
| Juls |
maybe he didn't...i know he was leading going into the third day....maybe he dropped the ball on that one...can't remember either |
| Joe Whitten |
K gone " quite" or dreaming of being on the water |
| Juls |
Kevin's shy...lol |
| K Gonefishin |
I've been dreaming since december I can't wait to get out!! |
| Joe Whitten |
I hear you! |
| K Gonefishin |
me LOL Good one juls |
| K Gonefishin |
Joe did you jump into the league event on 4-1 |
| Joe Whitten |
Chris the worst part of this year is I'm losing my roomate of six years! |
| Butterboy |
jo jo.. Hows the open water timing look for this year? late open or on time? |
| Juls |
on time |
| Joe Whitten |
"k" I didn't enter yet! |
| K Gonefishin |
I agree |
| K Gonefishin |
gottcha |
| .Steve.In. |
hi bb |
| Joe Whitten |
Eric definitly early ice is already cracked up! |
| bill-brown(Ind) |
hi guys |
| Juls |
barring another artic blast that lasts more than a week...:) |
| Joe Whitten |
hi bb |
| Juls |
Yo! Bill! |
| bill-brown(Ind) |
hi Juls |
| Juls |
there is a lot of open water out there right now |
| jimmyz |
yup! |
| Joe Whitten |
If you could only find a ramp thats open |
| Juls |
can't wait to see a sat. pic...but it rained all day here so it was cloudy...no pic |
| Joe Whitten |
Jimmy pay attention to the wind direction! |
| Ray Champine |
Still too cold! That would be like ice fishing! brrrr. |
| jimmyz |
ramps were open via quads 2 weeks ago |
| Juls |
two words Ray...Mustang Suit! |
| 620 |
juls could you post the link for that ? |
| Juls |
let me get it |
| Joe Whitten |
620 its the coastwatch link I posted earlier |
| Joe Whitten |
jimmy thats funny |
| 620 |
oh |
| K Gonefishin |
http://coastwatch.glerl.noaa.gov/modis/modis.cgi/modis?region=e&page=1 |
| reddog |
hey skis |
| Joe Whitten |
coastwatch.glerl.noaa.gov. |
| Ray Champine |
Juls, I work outside in all weather. Given the choice I'll stay inside during the winter! No ice fishing. Late March jigging, I'm there (All bundled up! LOL) |
| Juls |
http://coastwatch.glerl.noaa.gov/modis |
| Joe Whitten |
hi skis |
| FreeByrd |
I'll stand by my theory that "Ice is for mixed drinks"...actually borrowed that line from Sunshine Dennis years ago |
| 620 |
thx for the link K n Juls |
| Ray Champine |
LOL at FreeByrd :) |
| Joe Whitten |
good one freebyrd!!!! |
| Butterboy |
And nighttime is for sleepin' Freebyrd!! |
| Joe Whitten |
Steve your boat or mine |
| Chris K |
So are you going to room by yourself Joe? |
| Joe Whitten |
Chris not sure yet? I have a co thats fishing them all? |
| FreeByrd |
Doesn't matter to me - maybe have both available depending on conditions and what we would be doing |
| Juls |
throw the anchor KGone |
| Juls |
hi matt |
| Joe Whitten |
hi matt |
| matt |
wow, first time here. Thanks for the welcome! |
| Juls |
13 more minutes guys...get your questions in.... |
| Juls |
Joe...what is your favorite bead/blade combos for spinners? |
| K Gonefishin |
Braid or mono for pulling boards Joe? |
| Juls |
Do you make yours with trebles or single hooks? |
| Ray Champine |
Joe, What's your opinion of blade baits for jigging? |
| Joe Whitten |
I like pinks, purples,reds, chart etc. |
| Butterboy |
careful jo jo................;)) |
| Juls |
hi 169 |
| matt |
Has the topic of the new Aim circuit come up yet? |
| sst169 |
hi juls |
| Juls |
hey now Butterboy....lol |
| sst169 |
Hi Joe |
| bill-brown(Ind) |
wb |
| Joe Whitten |
I tie mine with 3 #2 Gam. hooks with the spacing favoring the bottom of the harness |
| Joe Whitten |
Hi sst169 |
| Skis |
Last time I fished out of Erie was in April of '06....Is the fishing better/worse now? |
| Joe Whitten |
K mono 10 lb stren |
| Joe Whitten |
definitly better! |
| Joe Whitten |
very little Matt |
| Skis |
Trying to get the guys from here excited about another trip out there (13 hours driving hard), especially with the lower gas prices..... |
| matt |
What is your opinion on that as of now? |
| reddog |
Electronics of choice, joe? |
| Joe Whitten |
Skis get a hold of me before you make the trip and I can keep you updated |
| Skis |
Thanks Joe |
| Joe Whitten |
Humminbird 1197 and 2 957 |
| Joe Whitten |
I'm for more than one curcuit. I might even try and fish the Green Bay event |
| bill-brown(Ind) |
lol |
| matt |
I've heard rumor that Lowrance is working on something... |
| reddog |
Cool. Can you tell us your thoughts on SI technology? |
| matt |
I'm very interested in seeing how it goes this year and how many people sign up |
| Joe Whitten |
Correct Matt, its when it will be availible |
| Joe Whitten |
si i don't use to much on erie. its great on a river system |
| Chris K |
Joe, how many miles were you running each day at Sharpe this year? |
| matt |
Assuming you have used Lowrance in the past, how does the down imaging compare on the Humminbird to the Lowrance units? |
| reddog |
and the reason you dont use it much on Erie is? |
| Joe Whitten |
For the FLW on Erie its sounds like we are low on the Pro side |
| Joe Whitten |
On erie there isnt the small rock piles etc... or a lot of good steep breaks |
| Joe Whitten |
Chris I was going as far as the fuel would allow me to go "the last bend before the dam" |
| matt |
I've heard a lot of complaints that it is difficult to mark fish with the side imaging....is this user error or is it that difficult? |
| Juls |
not so Joe...call Sonny. ;) |
| walleyeflats |
would si work on wingdams |
| Joe Whitten |
How does it look juls |
| Juls |
good |
| Joe Whitten |
SI would be great on windams etc... |
| jimmyz |
Thx Joe. for all the info. |
| Joe Whitten |
Using SI on structure its easy to mark fish. |
| matt |
I assumed it was user error! |
| Joe Whitten |
thanks jimmy |
| Skis |
The update will be for the HDS' |
| jimmyz |
|
| matt |
Dang, I wish I would have gotten here earlier!! |
| reddog |
Matt, my experience is that in order to see fish well, its all in the settings. |
| bill-brown(Ind) |
hi Jim |
| eyeman_1 |
hey there |
| matt |
Yeah, like everything |
| Joe Whitten |
???maybe the side distance was not set properly |
| matt |
I'm not sure |
| Chris K |
You must of almost been running on fumes when you put the boat on the trailer! |
| Juls |
SI works best at speeds between 2 and 6 mph with 4 giving the best "read" or "view" |
| matt |
I haven't used them at all, but I'm getting a new boat next spring and am seriously considering putting a couple 1197's on it |
| Joe Whitten |
I ran only at 4100 rpms; yes fumes is a good statement! |
| Joe Whitten |
Matt if you have any questions let me know |
| Ray Champine |
Matt, nice! Whatcha looking at boat wise? |
| Chris K |
Sure a far cry from where people fished 5 years ago eh? |
| matt |
I am a tiller guy and had an opportunity to test the new 20 foot Skeeter tiller. I was super impressed with how it handled. It's either that or a 620T, but that is about an extra 10k. |
| sdhunter |
Juls..how did co side look for LE |
| Joe Whitten |
Chris are you from Canda |
| Juls |
Ok, it's offically 8PM Central Time and time to end our chat with Joe. WC would like to thank everyone for coming tonight and especially for Joe to set aside time in his busy schedule to come and visit with us! |
| Skis |
Thanks Joe!! |
| matt |
Thanks Joe, I may have to get in touch with you on the Birds |
| Joe Whitten |
ok |
| Butterboy |
yea jo jo!!!!! |
| reddog |
Thanks Joe |
article search
