Visiting Avon Ohio

[Karloutdoors]

Looking for some help. I'm a Lake Michigan angler (live/fish in Chicago) who fishes more for salmon these days than anything else because Im 7 miles from the launch and enjoy the convenience. I post on the GLA Salmon boards. I've only fished Erie once, a year ago in may on a charter from Sandusky. We generally fished the Kelley's Island area, all casting/jigging, Ill be visiting a friend for a three days or so in Avon Ohio. Id like to squeeze a day maybe two on the water for walleye. Can anyone help me out as far as preferred launch for this time of year. Should I return to launch in Sandusky to fish the Kelley's island area again or would my time be setter spent launching/fishig closer to Avon? I'm totally unfamiliar with the area but would not rule out fishing closer? I'd consider trolling and or casting if anyone would suggest either or both to be preferred. I've seen spoons are popular for walleye on Erie. Ive never used them for walleye. What sizes are most common/preferred. Something similar to a spring coho sized spoon.
Any help would be greatly appreciated. If nothing else, a recommendation for a reliable bait and tackle shop in/near Avon/Vermilion/Lorain etc. for the same info. Ive got no problem supporting a local business understanding one hand washes the other.
Thanks a bunch,
Karl

[Juls]

Trolling crawler harnesses around the 40/23 area (known as the "weather buoy") has been a good bite for months. A charter friend of mine said they had their limits pretty quick and played with over 100 eyes between his three boats yesterday.

I'm headed there this morning and will report back this afternoon.

As for launches over that way, sorry, I can't help you there. There are nice launches in Vermilion and Huron...Huron's is free and very nice.

Juls

[Rapscallion]

Talk to Craig at Erie Outfitters 440-949-8934. He is located very close to Avon and can fill you in. There is a public launch ($5 i think) in Avon Lake - the Miller Rd ramp. You can google to get directions from where you'll be staying. You probably be better to head west a few miles to Lorain and launch at Hotwater's or the Black River launch. It would be a shorter boat ride from there to the sandbar/buoy area.

[Juls]

Fished the weather buoy area today and had a slower than expected bite, but it was steady enough to keep us interested, so we stayed there.

Program was 2oz Tadpoles in front of crawler harnesses 55 & 65 back. Blade colors that did the best were anything with pinks and purples in them.

Fish were all "eater sized" fish. No real big ones to speak of today. I think the biggest was only 23 inches.

It's a haul out there, but the lake was pretty calm today, and the stereo was jamming some great classic rock, which made the ride.........well........ fantastic!

Good luck if you get out there...

Juls

[Bordy]

Launching at the water treatment plant in Lorain is easy and free. It's often called Hot Waters as there is a bait shop there by that name. That is the closest launch to the weather buoy. But is is still about 15 miles to the buoy area. That's a long haul. Public launch near the bridge in Huron is very nice and free. But it's a longer haul. You could also launch off Avon Point, which might actually be closer than Lorain. But I don't know the launches there.

There are other reports of catches in the "sand bar" that is closer in. There is another good message board to follow for Lake Erie at walleye.com. Here is the url to the Western Basin reports: http://community.walleye.com/forumdisplay.php?f=6

Good luck and be safe,
Bordy

[Karloutdoors]

Thanks for the input. I believe this is the buoy you're referring to 41.677 N 82.398 W (41°40'36" N 82°23'54" W)? Pretty much the northern tip of the sand bar (aka dumping grounds)? Just trying to get on the same page with various names/references for the same landmark. sounds like it'll be my first target. Looking at the map Juls posted on another thread, this sandbar is 10+/- miles long?

Just two nights ago for an evening troll for salmon in Chi town we covered 19 miles each way so the buoy option is certainly open in my book pending of course the obvious. Should the winds/waves get dicey for such a long haul, any near shore options/suggestions if not for eyes, then perch?

Thanks again,
Karl

[Hombre Robusto]

That's the bouy. It's been hot lately, so you should see a pack of boats working the area. If there's a strong south wind, hit the skinny water west of the Hotwaters ramp. 16-24 FOW with cranks always produces walleyes for me. You'll have to put up with a bit more non-desirable species, but you'll catch walleyes. You'll see a four story building on shore. That's the water plant. Troll that west to the mouth of Beaver Creek (you'll know it when you see it).

[Karloutdoors]

Wouldn't you know it. You guys give great info on good fishing conditions and today I get told Im having surgery on Tuesday. Hopefully it stays laparoscopic. If they have to open, my boat sits on the trailer till mid Oct minimum. If its only the scope Ill be on the water next week. That would dump on my fishing and early bow hunting.
Thanks again for the info. Its certainly appreciated regardless of whether I get out or not.

Karl

[Karloutdoors]

HALLELUJAH!!!!! Medical issues and canine conflicts slowly fading in my rear view mirror (but not totally out of the picture just yet) Im going to get out of the house this weekend and make that trip to avon we've been postponing for 2 weeks now. Im leaving in the morning to visit friends in Avon and the boat looks like its wants to follow my truck all the way there. Though it may only get me 2 days on the water I'm excited. Going to hit the water friday and sat. out of Loraine.
Any update on action/techniques. Im still thinking harnesses on riggers and leadcore or snapwieghts. any thought on minnow baits or spoons?

Thanks y'all
Karl

[Karloutdoors]

Sorry for the late report... Fished friday only with a friend from Avon. Waves and weather were keeping us from heading all the way out to the buoy so we decided to take the advice from Craig at Erie outfitter and fish for perch off avon point near the wreck. We did well sorting through a number of fish to keep 24 fish >10" before my partner succumbed to sea sickness and cut or trip short. It was rather rocky out there and we were bouncing around pretty well. Only a few junk fish in the mix. No real annoyance though. Shiners on perch rigs worked just fine. Caught fish in 27-35' depths with fish hugging tight to the bottom as most were caught on the bottom hook of the rig. surface temps were 73 with winds variable from west to north about 15-20 knots and passing showers as well. Thanks to all who offered help on this site to an out of towner not familiar with erie. The recommendation to see Craig at Erie outfitters was a good one. He was also very helpful. I'd pass on that recommendation as well. I certainly plan on returning to spend more time in Avon and on the water when I can put the information found here to better use.

Thanks again.
Karl