Casting for Walleye on Lake Erie is Hot

Summer has been flying by, and Lake Erie has been producing some outstanding fishing. Our casting and jigging walleye trips have been a blast this season. Fish are spread across 40-100 feet of water, with the deeper water generally producing the better quality fish. Casting jigheads tipped with crawlers has been putting plenty of fish in the boat, and we even landed a bonus steelhead this week. Smallmouth bass continue to provide excellent action in 20-45 feet of water. Most days have called for a finesse approach, but the quality has been excellent with plenty of hard-fighting fish coming to the boat. As we head toward fall, the opportunities only get better. Trophy smallmouth remain one of Lake Erie's biggest attractions, and lake trout jigging season is just around the corner. The calendar is filling quickly, with only a handful of August, September, and fall dates still available. If you're looking for a more active alternative to traditional trolling, now is a great time to experience Lake Erie's incredible casting and jigging opportunities. I look forward to getting you on the water! -Captain Destin DeMarion

May was an outstanding month on Lake Erie, with excellent smallmouth bass fishing throughout Presque Isle Bay and the main lake. As we move into June, many of those bass patterns will continue, while the summer walleye bite begins ramping up as large schools move into the Central and Eastern Basins. One thing I'm especially looking forward to this summer is casting and jigging for suspended walleye. It's an active, hands-on approach that offers a fun alternative to traditional trolling and has become one of my favorite ways to target Lake Erie walleye. July through September are prime months for: • Walleye casting & jigging • Deep water smallmouth bass • Mixed bass/walleye trips • Learning modern electronics and fish-finding techniques If you've been thinking about experiencing Lake Erie this summer, now is a great time to start planning ahead. Tight lines, Captain Destin DeMarion Big Fat Bass Guide Service

It finally happened — the S-word. No, not that one. Snow. Mid-November around Lake Erie usually brings our first taste of winter, and this year was no different. Thankfully, the warm lake and ground temps melted it fast, and we’ll be back on the water soon — just in time for one of the best fishing windows of the year, if the conditions cooperate. The gales of November have been no joke lately. I’ve been glued to the forecast trying to line up guide trips between windstorms. I’ve fished in 6–8 footers before, and trust me, it’s not enjoyable. Whether you’re fishing with a Lake Erie guide service or heading out solo, respect the lake. This time of year, safety and planning are everything. Even though I’m a bass guy at heart, the crossover between smallmouth bass and lake trout tactics has made for some awesome multi-species days lately. The transition from targeting bass to lake trout or walleye is surprisingly seamless. When the wind lets us reach key areas, the Lake Erie smallmouth bass bite has been excellent. Power fishing remains our go-to, but slower presentations are getting more effective as the water cools. One of my favorite late-fall baits is the Fish Sense Binsky blade bait. It’s versatile — perfect for bass, walleye, and trout. Here’s a quick setup guide for anyone experimenting with where to put the snap on top of blade baits: Front hole: Best for horizontal retrieves Second hole: Great all-around for aggressive jigging or casting Third/Fourth holes: Traditional vertical-only jigging setups Mix it up — sometimes small changes in vibration or action make all the difference. The annual Lake Erie Fall Brawl is entering its final stretch, and weights continue to climb as trophy walleye fatten up. The tournament runs through November 30th, and my money’s on the Cleveland-to-Huron corridor producing the winner again this year, as that’s where migrating giants tend to stage. That said, we still have plenty of quality fish right here out of Erie, PA, and 10–12 pounders aren’t out of the question. If the weather holds, I’ll be getting out for another couple of Brawl days between Lake Erie bass, perch, and lake trout guide trips. It’s such a cool event each year and a great reminder of just how special this fishery is. The forecast shows a rebound this week, with normal late-fall temps likely to extend the open water Lake Erie bite a bit longer. I’ll be fishing until the lake locks up, so if you’re after trophy bass, walleye, lake trout, or yellow perch, now’s the time to get in a last trip before winter. We’re already booking into March and April for early-season Lake Erie bass and jumbolina perch adventures. That early window is also perfect for anyone wanting to dial in their electronics setup. Whether you’re running Humminbird, Lowrance, or Garmin (all brands I’ve owned and used a ton), I offer one-on-one boat sessions to help you maximize your investment — from sonar tuning to mapping and forward-facing sonar setup. If you want to experience Lake Erie fishing with a pro, I’ve be able to squeeze in a couple trips before ice-up — and we’re already booking for spring. Come enjoy a world-class fishing experience! Happy early Thanksgiving to you and your family — and tight lines this fall! Captain Destin DeMarion