times two

Mark, I absolutely think the migration is early. We pretty much agreed last year that the ohio fish never quite got to Dunkirk, as the water for most of the summer last year was 7-8 degrees colder. That quick warm up this May certainly helped. Between Fri, Sat and Sun, we boated 51 walleye, and I'll bet 40 were in that 3-4 lb range. Great eaters, quick to clean. From what I heard last night, the guys that stayed offshore a bit more had a lot less fish, but the ones they did get were big. As long as the weather holds up, I can see this being good right into later September, just like it was 3 years ago. Ray, have you considered a job in Marketing? How'd you make out that day you called me last week? John

Day 2 of the New York Walleye Association Derby. We did 12 fish today; 11 could have been identical twins in 4lb range. We were first group today, which meant 7-2 pm fishing. At 1 pm, we pretty much figured we'd be weighing 5 fish for 17 lbs.....but we managed to hook a 7lber clearing rods off the downrigger....bumped us up to 22lbs, not good enough. Finished in the middle of the pack with 52lbs for 10 fish.....Top boat was 79lbs. 10 color went dead on us today....we figured 10 fish on it yesterday, but only 1 today. We had cold water move in on the western end of our loop from yesteray...8 degree break between 50 and 55 feet.... Chattersticks were again good and we actually had better luck with the 5" today. Mojo WD stayed hot off the riggers. I think it might have been too calm today..... Fish fry to end the night....bacon wrapped walleye, deep fried walleye, and we did a pan fried with a crushed jalapeno pretzel crust that was awesome! John

Another great day on the lake.....wasn't sure we were even going to make it looking at the radar at 5:30 am; but the storms held out for us.... Day 1 of the New York Walleye Association Derby. We did 23 fish; again most in the 4-5 lb range. We were second group today, which meant 8-5pm fishing. At 2 pm, we pretty much figured we'd be weighing 5 fish for 20lbs.....not to good....but things changed for us big time in the last hour and a half, as we upgraded with several fish. Ended up at 30.08lbs for 5 walleye...sitting in 29th out of 79 boats, but we're bunched up with quite a few others. Capt. Bud (Alibi Charters) is sitting in 3rd after today...great job! Pretty much a little bit of everything again, but the 10 color rig with a 5" green Zman Chatterstick was our best. Also took some on the slide divers, jet divers and the riggers and even 1 on a small slide diver off the boards. I'm tired......need a big Day 2..... John _________________ Capt. John Forbes Times Two Charters

Another great day on the lake.....wasn't sure we were even going to make it looking at the radar at 5:30 am; but the storms held out for us.... We did 16 fish by 12:30; again most in the 4-5 lb range. Great eaters....only had 1 over 6 lbs; and we kicked one that was too small. Pretty much a little bit of everything with some on 10 color, slide divers, jet divers and the riggers. Zman chattersticks were good again...3" in red or green; 5" in green and off the rigs the WD's (Dreamweavers) were good in mojo, and purple sunrise. Also took a smallmouth that went just over 5lbs. John

Lineman...the GPS speed will vary, but I try to stay at 1.6 -1.8 at the ball; using a depth raider. Haven't run the lite bites yet...but I've heard they work really well. John

I agree on the boards, they can be a pain, but it gets us more lines in the water. As far as dipseys/slides, both can be great. The real difference is the line goes thru the slides, so you can set long leads behind them. John

I was hoping to get a bunch more reports out, but Mother Nature killed that last week with 4 days of blow. Hopefully out this Fri-Sat-Sun..... Wooleye, you can run the chattersticks behind anything your run your harnesses on. Check them alongside the boat before you run them to make sure they look good. I was running them off the 40 jets, big slide divers (3 inch) and I like a big 5" off the 10 color. I've also run them from time to time off the riggers. Support your local tackle stores, but if you can't get them, www.zmanfishing.com. John

After the 4 day blow of last week, the fishing over the first part of the fourth of july weekend was challenging, but it really lit up yesterday! We did 17 fish by 12:30; most in the 4-5 lb range. Pretty much a little bit of everything with some on 10 color, slide divers, jet divers and the riggers. Zman chattersticks were good again...3" in red or green; 5" in green and off the rigs the WD's (Dreamweavers) were good in mojo, racecar and alibi. Looks like a great summer of walleye fishing! John

Spent Mon-Thurs waiting for Lake Erie to calm down. Had hoped to be fishing almost every day this week, but......... July 2nd was tough fishing. Not surprising considering the 4 day blow, and the hangover effect of the full moon. Last week was a very late bite, and this too carried over. We did get some big fish, though, boxing 2 over 8; and another over 9lbs. Mixed bag of chattersticks on the 10 color and slide divers; and WD (Dreamweavers) off the riggers. The red chatterstick has been really good of late....

Chris... you were not alone. A.m. bite was tough in the Dunkirk area both days. And both days, from what I've heard, it really lit up after noon. Not unusual with the full moon to have that late bite. We've been parked since Sunday waiting for the winds to let up...not looking good for Thurs either, but the weekend looks promising!

We're running Covector 30d's with 30lb Power Pro. In order to get the level up, you need to get backing on as Jimski said. I use 30lb Gamma flouro on the business end. John

I'm on "E". We were right out in front, and also went a touch east. I'd say we never got west of Point Gratiot, and never east of the Purina Tower. Talked to a guy tonight that did 9 fish today, pretty much same general area, on harnesses. I've really kind of moved away from using them much of the time, especially if the worms at Walmart are running small ! Planning on heading out tomorrow afternoon, and probably Saturday. I'll post if we do any good. John

Thanks. I did like how the boards track, so I guess I just play around with not having as many clippers on the tow line. If I went back to the offshores, that would solve that problem, but I do like the clippers better. Always something! Ray...bite has started....if this holds true to the norm, we should be looking at a smoking hot july and august! John

Anyone running Paul's planners? I have a set that I ran for the first time the other day. Using the braid as supplied, and they track awesome. I minor glitch, and looking to see what others may have done. On my tow line, I have about 20 clipper releases. On the big boards/tow line, we never really noticed that the tow line was affected by the weight of the releases, but with the braid, it seemed to be. My mast is 6ft, and is up on the bow. So to alleviate the issue, we used a pinch pad release to "hold" 14 up at the mast. Took care of the issue, but on a busy board day, I don't want to have to keep going up front to let more releases go. Anyone have a tip? John

FINALLY got the boat in the slip on Friday. Had heard some good reports, so I headed out solo to try my luck for the first time this year. Ended up with 4, running Zman Chattersticks off big slide divers. Black/silver, 3" Didn't fish Saturday but heard it was pretty steady out of Dunkirk, and smoking hot west of Barcelona. Headed out today with a couple of friends. Didn't get going until after 7:30: and off at noon. Light NE winds, and on/off light rain. Sounded like most guys were in the 4-5 fish range, slower than the last few days. Did talk to one friend in double digits. Ended up with 4 again and a bunch of junkers (problem with fishing inside). 60-65 fow, pretty much right out in front. Zman chattersticks again the lure; off the slides at 125 on "3"; and we also took several shots, and landed 1 off a 5 color down the chute with a 5" John

Ray: I was up in Canada on my annual trip last week (SPANKED the pike), and then spent 3 days hoping Lake Erie would lay down over the weekend so I could get my boat in. Now aiming for Friday am! Anyway, from what I'm told, the big warm up bumped the temps up, and that there were good numbers of walleye in the 55-65 fow range not far from the harbor. I also heard from a reliable source that the walleye from the western end are already on the move! Hoping, weather permitting, to give it a shot Fri pm with my son, and over the weekend with the "Two" crew.....I'll post if we do anything worthy..... John

Thanks Mark. My thought was to have a second radio/second antenna to have the ability to monitor 2 channels if I wanted too. I have a 23' with the antenna mounted on one side of the hardtop....but I'm obviously leary about mounting a second on the other side due to distance. Shakespeare rep told me today all I need was 3 feet (but said obviously more is better). Just hate to go out and spend the $200 and find out it doesn't do it. Guess I'll ponder this a bit more..... John

Looking at the possibility of adding a second VHF. Wondering about how close I can mount 2 antenna's without having interference issues. If I keep the 2nd one in a similar location to the first antenna, I've probably got about 3.5-4 ft. Is that enough? John

Not sure what your price range is, etc....and I have no affiliation with the listing, but go to walleye.com; under boats for sale there is a 7000lb tandem trailer for sale for $3K. John

Rustyhook: I'm only up to the Oak for a short bit in August...most of my time is here on eastern Lake Erie. When we have been there, it's been good for us, but I bet there are lots of guys on this board that could give you more detail. As far as 4C's goes, they have nice places...but choose your time early, the tend to fill up at certain times of the season. John

Gene: We've stayed with 4 c's the last 5 years or so when we go up in August. No complaints at all,plus walking distance to the Black North! John

I have a 23 Striper that I've had for the 2 seasons, and I did fish on a friends 21 a few times before that. Overall...very happy with her. If you want to discuss, I'd be happy to via email or phone. John

Couple more questions...single screw? Engine(s) hours? Thanks. John

East wind today got things moving....lots of water from my window in Dunkirk.

Still available? I'd be in for 2.... John