Imagine four walleyes coming in at over 40 pounds. Sounds like a dream, but this could be a dream could come true for the participants of the first Wal-Mart RCL walleye tournament of the 2001 season. Lake Erie, especially off Port Clinton, Ohio, is known for giving up monster walleyes in spring, and this tournament, to be held April 11-14, looks as it could be prime time to find them.
The outlook is great throughout Erie
With the weather forecast giving the Lake Erie region average air temperatures in the mid-`60s for the week prior to the tournament, the warming water temperatures will likely be the key factor for this event. The walleyes, with the majority now in a pre-spawn mode, are in the process of moving hundreds of miles from their deepwater haunts, to one of the many spawning areas. The low water that is still plaguing the entire Great Lake should not have any effect on walleye location, however some caution may be needed for participants piloting their boats around the increasingly shallow water.
Could one of the major river areas that dump into Erie produce the winning catch? Water temps have been cooler in the northwest section of Lake Erie, where the Detroit River dumps what the still semi-frozen Lake St. Clair can give her. However, big numbers of small males have been showing up in the 36- to 39-degree water, along with a few of those elusive 10-pound hens.
Hordes of local anglers have invaded the Maumee, Portage and Sandusky bays and rivers, as those areas are warming to prime walleye spawning temperatures. If these areas are producing the big eyes, then it will be bumper boats for the pros and co-anglers fishing these hot spots.
With the current surface temperatures still cool at 49 degrees in the main lake, even locals anglers are waiting for the prime-time water temperature of 54 to 56 degrees, which could be happening during the four-day event.
Other areas to watch
There are many reefs throughout Lake Erie where the walleye congregate this time of year, and at least 10 within a few miles of the Port Clinton launch site. These could be extremely important areas if the spring winds keep Erie seas dangerously rough. Erie is known for high, steep, breaking waves when the winds howl, and this could keep tournament anglers close to home port for a day or two during the event. And, with an estimation of at least 40 million walleye in the spawning age class though out the system, there should be plenty of giant eyes, even close to home.
Techniques that could bring it home
The hop, hop of a ball head jig tipped with a big blue or spot-tail shiner jigged vertically under the boat is the most popular for the weekend and tournament angler alike. Some prefer casting jigs bulked up with plastics and a minnow onto the shallow main lake reefs, and slowly working them down the gravel wall. Both have great potential for taking some big fish.
Tournament anglers who are masters of trolling crankbaits could bring home the big check with their techniques. Cranks slowly trolled along the outer rim of the reefs and bouncing along the rock bottom could wake up a lethargic hen walleye of 10 pounds plus.
With the warming temps and congregating schools of fish, this is sure to be an unforgettable tournament and a great way to start the season for the Wal-Mart RCL Walleye Circuit.