WHAT IS THE PROGRAM FOR PORT CLINTON IN MID APRIL

[ARBOGASTER]

My uncle was banged up prety bad in a car accident a year ago. Since then he has not been able to get around well enough to hunt or fish much. He used to head for the Maumee around Buttonwood??? in the spring of every year and wade fish but those days are gone for him now. I am planning to take him and my dad to Port Clinton on the 21st of April. I have an 18' Lund and was planning on trolling HJ-10 Rapalas, Ripstick Reef Rnrs, and other large slow stickbaits. I have also heard that jigging minnows is a good way to get into the smaller eating size fish. I'm not looking to horn in on anyone's secret spot but this will be my first time trolling for walleye in the spring. Any hints or tactical advice would be greatly appreciated. Also any advice on a hotel in the area where we can crash Friday night and head out to a nearby ramp in the morning would be great as well.

Good luck this year to all
Keep up the great posts, I have been lurking and reading for some time now and the info sharing is great.

Best Regards,

Eric
aka Arbogaster

[Chad]

When I was there a few years ago it seemed that if there is stained water fish the fringe and clear. Stay out of the merky stuff. Dont be affraid to run the lures 5-10' below the surface.

We caught tons of males on top of the reefs jigging.

ChadM

[capt hook]

Done well in past, pulling HJ 14's as short as 10' behind boards out around c can, 32 to 34 feet.

[SS]

http://www.walleyecentral.com/dc/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=14&topic_id=41248&mode=full

[skeeterman]

Pick a reef in the basin and jig for your eaters with either hair jig, Vibee (blade bait), or jig with Gulp. Then head north to the basin and troll cranks.

I prefer the Reef Runners by that time. I like the Rapalas when the water is 38-42 degrees, anything higher I like the Reef Runners and Smithwick Deep Suspending Rogue. Try'em all and see what get's bit.

Make sure you get Precision Trollings Dive Curve book so you can set your baits at the depth's where the fish are hanging.

When you are there you will have to go troll out by Kelley's Island.

Good luck. I will be there the week before you.

Skeets

"Man, you shoulda been here last week"

[RonS]

Eric - I've got a rental condo and dock in Green Cove (next to Davis Bessie). This has quick, easy access to the reefs, and there is excellent April fishing "in close". It is perfect for 3 fishermen. Check out the details at: http://www.eriecondo.com

[ARBOGASTER]

That gives me a big head start and helps to narrow my focus. If the

weather cooperates I'm sure we'll get on some fish.

Thanks for sharing guys!

I'l see you out there

Eric

[FostoriaOhTodd]

By mid April the jig bite is generally at its best. You will need to get some purple hair jigs though. You will also need a good topo map of the reefs. One thing you will need to do is fish the reef that has the fewest boats fishing it. It seems like most guys head straight for the biggest pack of boats which is a mistake. When you have fish in 11 to 16 feet of water with 100 boats over top of them they tend to not want to bite. These reef fish generally aren't the biggest fish in the lake but when the bite is on it is a blast.

[ARBOGASTER]

Where do you get purple hair jigs? Any specific size or color? Do you jig with minnows or just the jig? I'm assuming a 7' medium action graphite spinning rod with 10 lb test would work pretty well for this? Thanks for the information

Eric

[FostoriaOhTodd]

I was just at Rickards last monday and they had them. I think you'll find them at most bait shops in the reefs area as long as they are not sold out , they are the hot bait.

[bob oh]

Purple was good last year but so was John Deere green, orange, pink, white, blue -- they all had their day :-) I had one of my best days on blue.

rod bender bob

[SUPERTROLLER]

This little tidbit of information does NOT surprise me at all. Blue is always a much easier color to look at,,, not at all like scarlet and gray! (LOL- just got back from a week in Cancun and couldn't let this one slide by! Good fishin to ya this coming year.)