Yeah, my kayak only weighs 40-some pounds, so it was a Nantucket sleighride for sure.
Out on Lake Erie these cats are super aggressive predators, so I target them accordingly. Big live bait, Erie Dearie spinners, jigs...this one hit cut bait on my favorite hometown jig...Someday Isle's Water Puppet. You can really make 'em dance and figure 8 down there in the deep!
Man, what a chunker. Congrats again on that gorgeous specimen, Dan! I regret not spending enough time fishing for Cats out there this year, they may have to be a primary focus next summer. Where do you get those water puppets that you spoke off, I assume one of the bayfront or eastside shops carry them?
You can still get into the cats, Sean. They're sticking pretty close to the perch right now, looking for big dinners. Of course, finding perch hasn't exactly been easy on Erie this year...seem to be schooling up a bit more now, though. You can buy water pups at East End Angler or Presque Isle Angler on State St. (the old Smitty's). Made in Harborcreek! Really want to try them out on the Lakers this fall, if I can get a day that isn't blowing 20 knots. Would love to pull one of those beasts onto the yak!
Good to know! Unfortunately, I think we’ll only have one or two more days on the boat this year. On the bright side, both of those days should* be in NY for Lakers!
And, speaking of which, you should most definitely try to get out for them this November! Launch out of shades and work the 20-40 FOW zone around Thanksgiving, there should be plenty there. I may finally have found a couple of folks with a boat to get out there with myself this fall, too.
Yeah, boat would be the smart way to go, but I want to get one on the yak. Lefebre tried it last fall and got blown off the lake. Typical weather that time of year. Just have to wait for the perfect day. Good luck in Dunkirk…saw you pounded ‘em last time!
Erie is certainly a fickle lake in the Fall, especially November. And thanks! We’re on our way there now, hopefully the fish and lake are cooperative today.
Comments
andy
Tue, 09/03/2019 - 09:03
Permalink
Wow!
That is a big channel catfish, and I bet it towed your kayak around for quite a while. Awesome catch!
Graceclaw
Tue, 09/03/2019 - 09:56
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Tubby Tugboat
Wow, what a chunky kitty! What were you using/targeting when you hooked into this beast?
Dan Morey
Tue, 09/03/2019 - 13:53
Permalink
Thanks, guys!
Yeah, my kayak only weighs 40-some pounds, so it was a Nantucket sleighride for sure.
Out on Lake Erie these cats are super aggressive predators, so I target them accordingly. Big live bait, Erie Dearie spinners, jigs...this one hit cut bait on my favorite hometown jig...Someday Isle's Water Puppet. You can really make 'em dance and figure 8 down there in the deep!
RoughFish
Wed, 09/04/2019 - 06:13
Permalink
Nice catch!
Nice catch!
Divemaster
Wed, 09/04/2019 - 10:55
Permalink
Man, what a chunker. Congrats
Man, what a chunker. Congrats again on that gorgeous specimen, Dan! I regret not spending enough time fishing for Cats out there this year, they may have to be a primary focus next summer. Where do you get those water puppets that you spoke off, I assume one of the bayfront or eastside shops carry them?
Dan Morey
Wed, 09/04/2019 - 14:27
Permalink
Puppets
You can still get into the cats, Sean. They're sticking pretty close to the perch right now, looking for big dinners. Of course, finding perch hasn't exactly been easy on Erie this year...seem to be schooling up a bit more now, though. You can buy water pups at East End Angler or Presque Isle Angler on State St. (the old Smitty's). Made in Harborcreek! Really want to try them out on the Lakers this fall, if I can get a day that isn't blowing 20 knots. Would love to pull one of those beasts onto the yak!
Divemaster
Wed, 09/04/2019 - 22:14
Permalink
Good to know! Unfortunately,
Good to know! Unfortunately, I think we’ll only have one or two more days on the boat this year. On the bright side, both of those days should* be in NY for Lakers!
And, speaking of which, you should most definitely try to get out for them this November! Launch out of shades and work the 20-40 FOW zone around Thanksgiving, there should be plenty there. I may finally have found a couple of folks with a boat to get out there with myself this fall, too.
Dan Morey
Thu, 09/05/2019 - 00:03
Permalink
Yeah, boat would be the smart
Yeah, boat would be the smart way to go, but I want to get one on the yak. Lefebre tried it last fall and got blown off the lake. Typical weather that time of year. Just have to wait for the perfect day. Good luck in Dunkirk…saw you pounded ‘em last time!
Divemaster
Fri, 09/06/2019 - 06:40
Permalink
Erie is certainly a fickle
Erie is certainly a fickle lake in the Fall, especially November. And thanks! We’re on our way there now, hopefully the fish and lake are cooperative today.