Lake Erie Largemouth???
It may sound like an oxymoron to some. Lake Erie is where you go to do battle with brown bass, not green ones, right? The answer is both yes and no – while there is no doubt that a five pound smallmouth clamping down on a tube, stripping off 50 yards of drag, and then launching itself maniacally through the surface of Lake Erie’s clear waters four feet into the air will make the hair on the back of the neck of even the most seasoned bass angler stand on end, their underfished largemouth cousins may also deserve a slice of your angling time. Here’s why…
Before I begin, though, let me say I am not for a second going to try and convince any of you out there that you should forego Lake Erie smallmouths for Lake Erie largemouths. The smallmouth action is too impressive. However, getting intimate with Lake Erie’s largemouths, their locations and patterns will certainly benefit you as an angler, and it will provide you with yet another option for your fishing excursions.
The simple fact of the matter is, while we all know that Lake Erie’s smallmouth fishery is rivaled by few, if any, lakes in the country, that the largemouth fishery is phenomenal as well - certainly some of the best in Ohio, and in all likelihood some of the best in the upper Midwest. It is not at all uncommon to catch up to fifty nice largemouths or more in a day of fishing, with many in the two to three pound range, and good odds at a four pound fish. Occasional fish up to six and seven pounds are taken as well. Additionally, unlike the main lake, you don’t need a big rig or favorable weather to enjoy your day, and it provides a safe alternative for your fishing partners who are not as steel-nerved as you may be, such as your spouse or children. It also provides options for styles of fishing different than those of the deep, clear, main lake waters. So where do you start?
As far as location, your options are endless – nearly every river, bay, marina and harbor off Lake Erie is chock full of quality largemouths. Most of these have their own launch facilities capable of accommodating even the largest boats. Some examples would be the Portage River, East Harbor, Sandusky Bay, the Vermillion River and the Ashtabula River, however there are many, many more to choose from. You simply can’t go wrong. Pick the one closest to you and give it a try.
Being so plentiful, Lake Erie’s largemouths allow you to be successful with any number of techniques and patterns. Unlike the main lake, where a few certain methods generally dominate, your options for green bass are virtually unlimited. Additionally, the fish are generally much shallower and much more predictable, unlike their bronze cousins who are often “here today, gone tomorrow”. Let’s take a look at some of the more reliable methods of taking these backwater bass.
Flippin’ and Pitchin’ - For Lake Erie largemouth, you can’t go wrong with a decent casting reel mounted on a fairly stout 6’6 to 7’6 flipping stick, spooled with 12 to 20 pound test monofilament line and terminated to a 1/8 to 1/4 ounce texas rigged tube. Wide-bodied varieties provide the thick silhouette largemouths prefer. Dark greens and browns are always a good choice but don’t be afraid to try black, white or pearl as clarity and available baitfish dictate. Flip and pitch the package to visible cover – and there is plenty of it! Docks, rip-rap, weed edges, timber, pilings and seawalls are all available. Isolated cover, such as an individual stick-up or piling, often hold that big bass you are looking for.
A jig and trailer combination is a formidable short line bait as well. Compact varieties in black, brown and green color combinations fare well. A 1/4 ounce model is a good starting size; you can adjust lighter or heavier depending on conditions. A small chunk or craw makes an ideal trailer.
The key is to present the bait tight to the cover and to let it fall vertically – a swinging bait will yield far less strikes. Lake Erie largemouth are not touchy-feely about taking your bait when you get it in front of them – many times they will swim several feet with it and you must set the hook hard to drive it home. No need to finesse these bruisers in this situation!
Ambush Points - Many Erie largemouth chasers like spinnerbaits – usually some combination of white or white and chartreuse with colorado or colorado and willow leaf blades. While standard nickel and gold plated styles are effective, painted blades of white or chartreuse are known to produce. While you can catch fish just by covering water with spinnerbaits, you will significantly improve your success rate by finding and presenting to ambush points – places where bass position themselves to intercept forage. As you spend time pursuing these fish, you will soon notice what is almost a tidal effect throughout your day – strong currents pushing into or pulling out of the areas you are fishing. This is the ultimate situation for horizontally presenting to these fish. These pseudo-currents stack up the largemouths behind objects that block and deflect the flow, otherwise known as current breaks. Pilings, small points and rocks are examples of objects that will break these currents and hold fish. Cast into the current, beyond the break, and retrieve with the current. Fish will ambush your bait as it passes the object.
Spinnerbaits are just one option for fishing ambush points. Flat sided rattle baits such as the Rattletrap are a good alternative to the spinnerbait, and in some cases will produce as good or better. Be sure to use quality hooks and a limber rod when fishing rattlebaits, as they are known for their innate ability to let bass “quick release” themselves!
Funnels – The same currents that position the fish also create funnels in certain areas, such as in the mouths of channels or inlets. Narrow entranceways, harbor mouths and breakwall openings restrict water volume and increase current flow, forcing baitfish into the backwaters behind them. Look for largemouths here. Small bridges and culverts, prevalent in many of these waterways, are the ultimate funnel. Look for areas of slack water close to the current, and expect to find fish. Be sure to thoroughly cover these areas whenever you come across them.
Stickworm Skippin’ – Soft stickbaits, such as the Yamamoto Senko, are dynamite in Lake Erie’s rivers and backwaters. Their slow, quivering fall drives bass wild, and they can easily be skipped well under the numerous docks and overhangs you will find in these waters. Rig one up on your favorite spinning rod and skip it to anxious bass waiting for an easy meal. Try to put in places others haven’t – you will often be rewarded.
Stickworms also excel over and around the grass beds that
exist in many of the backwaters. Pitch them over the top, into the holes and
around the edges of any grass beds you may encounter.
In summary, I pose just
this one question to you – are you missing out on Lake Erie largemouth? If so,
I encourage you to pay a visit to one of the flourishing backwaters, bays,
harbors and rivers of Lake Erie – you wont be disappointed!