Just wondering how folks made out this past weekend? We tried to put in at Port Rowan, but it was flooded out. My buddy told me St. Williams was too. So we finally got in at Shady Acres trailer park. It was a zoo, but a beautiful double ramp and lots of parking for the standard $20. They had worms and leeches, but no minnows. So we grabbed some leeches and headed out. $8/dozen if you are wondering. Up north we get them for $6, but I am not sure if that is pretty standard around here. Not complaining though, just passing along info. $16 is still no big deal for my son's first bass opener.
It was rough in my 16 foot side console, modified V, Lund. Moderate winds too, which did not help. Plus, everybody with a big boat seemed to want to swamp everyone else out there. But we lived and managed 5 bass, some sunfish and rock bass, plus my son's first drum. It was only 3-4 lbs, but fought like they do and gave him a thrill.
The bass all came on plastic worms on a drop shot. So we went home with a dozen and a half leeches we will try to keep alive until we hit our trailer on Nipissing this weekend. I would appreciate suggestions as to how to do that too as a sidebar. 3 smallies in the 2-3 lb range and 2 largies in the 1.5 - 2 lb range. We don't keep much regardless of where we fish, so everything went back quickly in case they are indeed still guarding their nests as some folks suggested due to the late spring.
It was my 15 year old son's first time on moderately rough water and we both had that inner ear imbalance thing some folks get after a day on the water. It lasted all day, but was not too terrible. Overall, I am glad we tried it. I have not fished Erie much and will do it again. However, I will check the forecast more closely next time as I thought the bluebird day at home would translate onto the lake too.
Hope others had a safe and successful opener as well. Cheers.
