I just got back from my first-ever walleye tournament—the Bay’s Edge/LEWT (Lake Erie Walleye Trail) Casting & Jigging Open—fishing with the Doc’s Tackle team out of Port Clinton, Ohio. I was brought on board for my expertise with electronics and artificial presentations from bass and perch fishing, and that knowledge paid off in a big way. We cracked the top 10, catching nearly all our fish suspended in the abyss using LiveScope.
Our crew—David (owner of Doc’s Tackle), Mike (i1 Baits), Jeff (Lake Erie Trophy Bass Charters), and myself—worked like a well-oiled machine to put together a solid bag of nearly 30 pounds of big Lake Erie walleye. We focused on deeper water females and postspawn giants, using a mix of jigs, raps, and plastics.
If you’re interested in targeting walleye this way, I’ll be offering Forward-Facing Sonar (FFS) walleye and jigging trips starting when the season opens and running through the Fall Brawl. I’ll have access to a larger, deep-hull boat to accommodate bigger groups, so whether you’re a seasoned walleye angler looking to learn a new technique or just want something different from the usual trolling game, reach out to lock in your date.
Lake Erie Fishing Update – Spring Transition in Full Swing
The last few weeks on Lake Erie have been classic spring transition. Here’s what’s happening:
- Perch have mostly finished spawning around Presque Isle Bay and are pushing back into the main lake.
- Walleye are migrating through the islands in the Western Basin, with postspawn fish heading east.
- Lake Trout are showing up strong near “the mountain” offshore, mostly caught trolling.
- Bass are sliding into Presque Isle Bay and other prespawn staging areas.
- Even a few steelhead have been caught near creek mouths—bonus catches while bass fishing!
Water temps are hovering in the low to mid 50s, with Presque Isle Bay warming slightly faster than the main lake. Some areas in the lake are still touching the high 40s. This variety in temps has fish in different phases: some spawning, some staging, and others still deep.
In the Bay, big females are getting ready to spawn in the shallows, while fat prespawners are cruising deeper looking for a few last big meals. On the main lake, it’s a mix—some fish are still in their deep winter zones, while others are transitioning to spring areas.
Trophy Season Is On!
This is prime time to land a true Lake Erie giant. My clients have already boated 24 smallmouth over 20 inches in the past few weeks, with many personal bests shattered. Whether you’re chasing that trophy bass or just want a fun day with good numbers, we can make it happen.
We use a variety of baits this time of year, including:
- Swimbaits
- Blade baits
- Jerkbaits
- Spoons
- Crankbaits
- A-rigs
- Hair jigs
- Tubes, Ned rigs, and more
Smallmouth School – Learn How to Break Down a Fishery
We’re now booking for May and June (some weekdays still open), and already looking ahead to summer trips, including a special Smallmouth School. This is a multi-day session where we take you to a fresh area, teach you how to break it down, find fish quickly, and dial in how to catch the biggest bass possible—all in real time.
Whether you’re a weekend angler or someone trying to step up to tournament-level efficiency, this is a fantastic opportunity to fish with a pro who’s done it at the highest level.
📅 Spots are limited! Message us to book your bass, perch, or walleye trip and come experience this world-class fishery firsthand.
Tight lines,
– Captain Destin DeMarion
Want to save on great ShredFin apparel? Use code “DEMARION15” here.
