Fresh Erie Fishing Reports

We just got back from fishing the Canadian Tire Open up in the Niagara Falls region of Canada. It was a fun event and we stuck around the next day to fish another little tournament in the Buffalo area. We ended up cashing a check in both and taking lunker in the 2nd event with a 5.78 lb Lake Erie smallmouth. We got right back into it today, guiding back in Erie, PA, with our longest (and first 11 years ago) going client, and friend, Michael and his son Henry. The first cast of our day yielded a true trophy smallmouth and memory that none of us will soon forget, a 7.14 lb behemoth bass! We were all so excited and in awe for quite some time afterwards. It slowed down some afterwards, but we got on a great power fishing bite a bit later that lasted the rest of our trip and made for a really fun way to catch them. We still have a few dates left in November and 1-2 in October to cash in on some of the best fishing of the year for bass, walleye, perch, and lake trout. Truly, the best is yet to come! -Captain Destin DeMarion

Fish are moving deeper off Erie. We are still catching them. Get em before they are gone.

Is it really October? It sure doesn’t feel like it yet, but we’ve made it to one of the most exciting fishing months of the year in my opinion. Hunting season has kicked off, most tournaments have wrapped up, and with less boat traffic, anglers have more freedom to hit prime spots for bass, perch, walleye, and trout. Water temperatures are still hovering around 70°, so we’re in that transition zone between late summer and true fall. Bait and gamefish are on the move, and with more wind and cooler weather on the way (hopefully soon), the bite should only improve until winter finally shuts us down. We’ve been finding success by covering water and casting to active fish. For bass: drop shots, ned rigs, jigs, tubes, jigging minnows, and finesse presentations have been most consistent, with a few power techniques producing as well. We’re almost fully booked for October, but still have limited dates open in November for those willing to brave the chill. The colder it gets, the better the bite—and in my opinion, late fall is the most fun fishing of the entire season. Reach out soon to lock in your fall trip. Tight lines, Captain Destin DeMarion

2-4 person trips . Get in on the action while you still can.

We are still running trips weather permitting. Get some great tasting fillets while you still can.

Here's a great story that finally came full circle this past week. Gene from California found me and booked this trip probably 6-7 months ago. We checked in frequently as Gene was excited to chase some big Erie smallies. Gene is a veteran of fishing world-class fisheries out there, like Clear Lake. I, too, was very excited to show him what we have to offer here on Lake Erie. Ironically, my friend Danny was also flying in from the West earlier last week and coincidentally had a conversation with Gene while wearing his Phoenix Boats hat on the plane. Funny enough, Gene said he was fishing Lake Erie with a guide, and Danny said, "Are you fishing with Destin DeMarion?" To which Gene said, "Yes!" Such a small world. I was having some issues with a key accessory on my boat and unsure if I was going to have it fixed in time (it is fixed now). Thankfully, my good friend and Duke of Hamburg, Jeff, did not have a trip that day and let me borrow his boat to get Gene and his buddy Kerry out. Huge shoutout to Jeff! We had an amazing time out there with beautiful (albeit rare) calm conditions and, thankfully, some cooperative Lake Erie smallmouth. We still have a few dates available this September and in the prime fall season for bass, walleye, lake trout, and perch. We'd love to share our wonderful fishery with you! -Captain Destin DeMarion