Yellow perch fishing
At times, Lake Erie can be more lake than the average angler can handle so catching fish requires the best possible fish finding equipment and fishing tackle, a "big lake" boat, the proper bait or lure, the most accurate and current information especially weather and a good measure of personal know how. The final tab can be a bit pricy. Relax, you have options.
When it comes to
Want to plan a trip - here's the drill!
The boat is docked at Dobbins Landing along Erie's Bayfront. Plenty of free parking is located nearby - just drop your gear and fishing buddies at the curb and then park the car. Don't be tempted to use one of the parking meters adjacent to the dock. You don't have enough quarters or luck to keep from getting towed. Try to arrive and be ready to go 30-minutes before departure.
You can take the trip from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. or the 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Most anglers want to catch fish early and then head for shore before the day's heat kicks in. The late afternoon and evening trip can be "fishy" too and you have the added benefit of the famous Lake Erie Sunsets. I like to go in the mornings and avoid a possible late afternoon summer thunderstorm, but both are great options.
Pack the necessities - fishing license, sun screen, insect repellent, hat, windbreaker, sun glasses, comfortable footwear and clothes - I like light pants rather than shorts. The sun on the water can be intense and insects seem to take a liking to my "lily white" legs. Take a cooler with snacks and beverages - there is plenty of room on board to store your gear. Pray it does not rain, but take the rain gear unless you are sure that the weather forecast is accurate. Take a camera - I never leave home without it.
You can bring your own fishing gear if you like, but if you and the other members of you party arrive at the dock with a license, comfortable clothes, a sincere interest in catching perch and nothing more - the crew of the Edward John has everything you need - rods and reel to rent ($3,) plenty of free bait, snacks, and beverages for sale and a helpful crew who suffer when people are fishless so they will provide plenty of free advice.
A light breakfast snack bar or bowl of cereal is okay especially if you are taking any sea sickness pills, but don't eat the eggs and sausage special before your trip. The waves are gentle, but some people are affected by the rocking boat.
If you plan to "party" all night, a perch fishing trip will not make your head and stomach feel better. Stay on land so the rest of us won’t have to see you turning inside out!
The boat holds 40 people, has plenty of room at the fishing railing that goes completely around the boat and a comfortable bench to rest and enjoy a snack or beverage. There is a "head" [restroom] on board - one size fits all and it is larger than the ones on most commercial airlines!
Kids are welcome, but use some common sense. If your little one drives you half-nuts when the two of you are in a confined space, a seven hour fishing trip will send you over the edge; not to mention the fun you can share with the other anglers on board. I believe that if they are in grade school and have a healthy respect [fear] of their elders, they will have fun and so will you. No casting necessary, bait the hook with an emerald shiner and open the bail and let it fall to the bottom. Ta Da!
I took a morning trip recently and learned what they advertise is exactly what they deliver.
The weekday group that climbed on board that day were two guys from Grove City who were playing hooky from yard work chores, an professional engineer from Erie who had a "use it or lose it" vacation day, two local guys who had the day off, a guy named Bob who loves polka music and was born with a fishing rod in his hand, Captain Laureen, Captain Chuck and me.
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Captian Laureen Domenic & Alijia Bob Brian & Don Steve
My seven hour charter was divided into four parts:
1. The three-mile, 1/2 hour ride to a fishing location where perch we reported to be. A relaxing boat ride is a great way to begin your fishing day. I sat back and took in the sites of the bay and
2. Hardcore fishing. Bait, cast, jig, watch, re-bait fish on, then fish in the boat and bucket. Everyone caught fish. Captain Laureen caught the only "double" - one line, two hooks catching two fish at once! Said it was her first for 2007. The guy in the first picture left side-hat on caught the largest fish and won a t-shirt. I think it was about 13" long and chunky! One angler caught his limit of 30 fish. Guess who? Yes, Bob. The guy catches fish, period. [I watched him and talked with him and he openly shared his fish catching techniques - watch the video.]
3. General "bull session" any topic was fare game. We had plenty of ideas about how to solve the world's problems but no one had a note pad so we just went back to fishing. Plenty of snacking and resting too.
4. Finally, the return trip to the dock and a fish cleaning/filleting lesson along the way.
You can watch the videos to see what I saw - more or less. What my videos lack in quality they make up for it in quantity.
Based on what I was told, we had a really good early season fishing day. Nice weather with small waves, everyone caught nice sized fish, good company and . . . I guess that is about all you need for a great day.
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Emerald Shiners Bait Old Equipment Nice Jumbo Double Average
From Blue Pike Days
Finally word or two from boat owner, Captain John Nekoloff
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