Looking for the long ball
Weather conditions expected to improve slightly on day two
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Editor’s Note: Due to weather conditions that changed drastically shortly after day-two takeoff, the second day of FLW Walleye Tour competition on Lake Erie was cancelled.
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PORT CLINTON, Ohio – When the 136 boats launched Thursday morning, the consensus among the field was that the conditions on Lake Erie were improving. While 329 fish weighing 1,309 pounds were caught Wednesday, many anglers described the bite as difficult.
They attributed the unusually tough bite to the miserable weather and lack of clear, fishable water. Lake Erie walleyes mainly search for food by sight, making clear water vital to angling success.
Two distinct patterns emerged after day one on Lake Erie. Many anglers chose to fish conservatively by jigging over reefs and searching for a five-walleye limit. Others sought the bigger, more scattered fish by trolling rough water.
Adding to the optimism is that the wind is expected to die down slightly to approximately 12 mph. Less wind will make boat travel easier, and anglers should be able to troll without restrictions.
That excites Green Bay, Wis., pro Tom Zollar. Zollar caught only one fish on day one and knows he has his work cut out for him the rest of the tournament.
“I’m going to try to get away from the rest of the boats,” said Zollar. “The water I’ll be fishing will be clear and the fish will be scattered down deep. Right now the fish are feeding on perch that are located on certain points.”
Zollar went on to say, “People are going to run because they need a big weight to get back in it. With that many boats trying to hit a home run, someone will bring in 36 pounds.”
Pro angler Pete Harsh strongly believes one winning pattern will emerge.
“The tournament is not going to be won jigging reefs,” he said. “You either come to win or you come to place. I show up to win, which means I sometimes take chances I shouldn’t.”
About his strategy for day two, Harsh said, “We’ll be trolling crankbaits today. It’s time to go for a home run.”
Which pattern was successful will be revealed today beginning at 3 p.m. Eastern time, when the anglers weigh in their day-two catches at Waterworks Park located on Perry Street in Port Clinton.
Thursday’s conditions:
Sunrise: 6:32 a.m.
Temperature at takeoff: 44 degrees
Expected high temperature: 52 degrees
Water temperature: 39-44 degrees
Wind: WSW at 12 mph
Maximum humidity: 68 percent
Day’s outlook: afternoon showers