Great Lakes Bass Fishing Forum

I couldnt fish the big NBAA event on this day so I decided to head out to Erie and pre-fish a little bit for the FLW event. I Launched the boat at 5:00am out of Erie metro park and headed to my favorite area on the north shore about 12 miles from the ramp.

Started on my favorite rock pile and couldnt get a bit. I could see lots of fish on my depthfinder, but no takers. Fished some shallow gravel bars in the area and caught a few in the 3lb range and worked my way back out to my rock pile. It is now 9:00am and I can see the first boats from the NBAA tournament finally making there way past me. I counted 15 in all on there way further east.

I get back to my rock pile and I am starting to reel in my McCarter drop shot gobie when a solid 4 1/2lber grabs it right near the surface. I keep fishing and a few casts later as I am reeling it in another fish over 4 grabs the bait as I am lifting it in the boat. I start to wonder if they are just following it up from the bottom or if the are suspended.

I put on a 1/16ounce drop shot weight and cast out and start reeling to the boat fairly quickly and get another over 4lbs. I am guessing they were suspended chasing the big clouds of minnows that were all over the area.

I wish I had brought some more tackle with me. I just cleaned out the boat and all I had with me was drop shot gear. I bet a suspending jerk bait would have cleaned them up in this area. I learned my lesson.

Fished a few other areas and caught a few more fish in the solid 3 1/2lb range and made it back to the ramp at 10:00am. I promised the wife I would be home by 10:00am. When she called me at 10:05 to find out were I was I told her I had boat trouble and would be home shortly. Now she is asking when I am taking the boat to be fixed because I have had alot of trouble latly. I hope she dosent catch on.

What color Kev?  Was it the one i am thinking of?  you know the one im talking about.  the sweeeeeeet one?

McCarter himself :-\'