Georgian Bay 'Eyes??

[RANGER]

LAST EDITED ON Jun-06-00 AT 11:28AM (CST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Jun-06-00 AT 11:24*AM (CST)

Earlier this Spring I ran several posts asking for help in fishing Georgian Bay for 'Eyes. Had a few hits but would like to ask again. There seems to be a lot more anglers on the board now and maybe more answers.

It goes like this: I am heading up to Pointe Au Baril this Friday for a week. My boat is "Great Lakes" rigged i.e. - 18.5'deep "V", 9.9 kicker, 70 hp main motor, downriggers, Big Boards, electric trolling motor, GPS, VHF and CB radios etc., etc,. In other words - I can handle just about any suggestions/methodologies you may offer. Sure would like some solid feedback. This is the first time I will be fishing "The Bay" but far from the first time fishing 'eyes in Canada.

Any Help Here??

Thanks,

RANGER

"KEEP YOUR LINES WET, YOUR POWDER DRY and THE BEER COLD"!

[RANGER]

ANYBODY???

[SeaCat]

The last time I was to Georgian Bay was about 6 years ago in the Parry Sound area. It was the opening weekend of bass season and our target was smallmouth.

While fishing submerged islands and humps for smallies, we ran into quite a few 'eyes mixed in. Main baits were currly tail grubs (black and motor oil) on 1/8 or 3/16 oz jigs and small deep diving minnow baits like Rapalas, Rebels, and Baggly bang-o-lures.

My guess is that the fish location is really dependent on the water temperature. That was a relatively cold spring and the fish all seemed to be deep (15'+). I would start on the downwind side of islands and drop offs casting into the deeper water and work it back progressively deeper. That first major drop off can be dynamite with preditors waiting for easy meals struggling against the wind induced current. Drifting over the drop off keeping the jig in contact with the bottom is another good locator technique. Walleye action was more of an evening thing (as opposed to early morning) if I remember correctly.

Have fun up there! It was one of the more memorable trips I can remember -- 5 or 6 days straight of fishing with three other good friends. Had a couple real good days with catch and release of 100+ smallmouth each for the 4 of us (minus shore lunch and supper!). Cold Canadian water smallmouth and walleye grilled on an open fire -- mmmm, I'm getting hungry thinking about it. ;-)

Ryan

[RANGER]

Thanks for the info. My friends and I are REALLY looking forward to this trip! We'll check out the water temp and decide where to sink those jigs! I presume the temp will be down this year, too. I've heard it has been fairly cold this Spring as well.

Thanks, again

RANGER