Erie April 13th weekend

[Randyinwis]

We'll be heading to Erie on April 13th. I'm looking for and tips on where I should be fishing, paterns, bait and so on. Thanks in advance. Email is you like to GRDG@chorus.net

[FreeByrd]

Randy,
Best advise is to continue to watch this board. Within the next week you'll start to see LOTS of reports on Erie. Where are you planning to stay on Erie - It's a BIG place. You'll get better info if we know that in advance. Mid April you should have your pick of fishing however you prefer. Jigging w minnows, bladebaits will be hot in the reef complex off of Davis Besse then. If trolling's your game, bring your boards and Reefrunners and hit the deeper water North and East of the reef complex. Don't be afraid to fish the top 5-15 feet. You won't markem, but trust me. It can also be productive along the beaches. Real key in April is if you have decent weather. The fish will be here. I'm picking my boat up from storage tonight to get it ready for fishing next weekend.
Steve

[Chris]

Steve, Let me know how things are going. we have a place in Marblehead and were trying to get our boat in next Friday. I heard that the Swedish Pimples tipped with minnows work very well this time of year. Any more info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,
Chris "Double B II"

[Lund_dude]

What size and style blades are the most successful? Are you vertical jigging the blades or casting. Thanx!

[Brownie]

As the previous message suggests, you have some options as far as presentations. I have not had much luck with swedish pimples after March, although you never know. I don't have a set up for trolling, so I typically try jigging in April. I like to use chartreuse and orange or chartreuse and green jig heads in the 1/4 to 1/2 oz. weights -- the deeper your fishing and the windier it is, the heavier you need to go. I also like the power bait curly tailed grubs in chartreuse or the brownish/yellowish color. Then, I tip it with minnows. I don't know if the power bait or the color matters all that much, but I have confidence it that combination. I see a lot of guys simply dragging the jigs along the bottom, but I prefer to work into the wind and work the jig back to the boat, particularly if you are right on top of the reefs. I would start with the reef structures, and work toward deeper water. If you are catching jacks on top, try off the seeds and move around for the bigger females. I'll be out the weekend before -- we're fishing April 6th, 7th and 8th. I'll post a message when we are done. However, as the previous message said, the reports will start flooding in within the next week or so, probably after this weekend. good luck.

[Gary K]

Berkley power baits have increased my catch ratio. Never used to use them until we had a guide fishing the same run and they crushed them and we couldnt hook a thing. A little tip if you can find a 4" finesse worm or curly tail 4" in pumpkin seed colour buy a bag, let your buddies laugh at that bass bait then sell them one for 5 bucks. Also have had excellent success on 6" worms during the summer months no bait just a stinger about an inch from the end. Sounds crazy but give it a try you will be pleasently suprised.

[Bottomfeeder]

We have been staying on Kelly's Island in April for a number of years but we missed the last two. We did great pulling large suspending Thundersticks with lead core(I am looking at a 12 pounder on the wall now). Has anything changed? Can you still catch those monsters pulling core with cranks in April off Kelley's?

Thanks
Bottomfeeder