Early Summer Erie Report

As we continue to warm up and inch closer to summertime here on Lake Erie, the casting for walleye bite continues to get better and better. If you haven't experienced this way of targeting walleye, it’s a truly enjoyable experience. The smallmouth are still biting well and many are transitioning to the postspawn period on Lake Erie and Presque Isle Bay. Finesse fishing has been hot, with soft plastics dominating the bite lately. The summertime is a great time to cast and jig deep water walleye, as well as target deep water smallmouth bass and hone in your electronics game. Reach out to us, to book your memorable summer Lake Erie fishing experience. Tightlines, 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