May 2014 — John Gillespie's Waters & Woods

May 2014

Episode 18
Lake Erie Walleyes
Show Date: May 3rd & 4th, 2014
Location: Lake Erie, Toledo, Ohio
Guide: Captain Paul Pacholski [1-800-798-1218 | eriehopper.com]

Late April and May is a perfect time to head over to Lake Erie and fish with our buddy and Charter Captain, Paul Pacholski. Spring is vertical jigging season, and Lake Erie is well known for its massive walleye population. We have a great crew with us, all of whom are fantastic sticks! We’ll need them, because we regularly catch our limit, and Ohio doesn't have a possession limit.
As stated above, we’re vertical jigging, mostly using hair-jigs or Vibratos. Captain Paul tells us that the fish aren’t feeding, they’re reacting to a disturbance in their territory. So making a commotion on the bottom will get these walleyes stirred up, and react to protect their area. We are catching all males, and they put up a lot more of a fight in open water than the females we caught through the ice. The jigs we use have no bait, which proves that these fish are extremely aggressive.

Episode 19
Great Day on the Bay
Show Date: May 10th & 11th, 2014
Location: Sand Bay Beach Resort - Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
Guide: Pro Guide Dale Stroschein [ 920-743-5731 | wackywalleye.com]

The bay of Green Bay is a blast to fish for many species; bass, walleye, muskie, whitefish, and others. This week we are here to find walleye, and to do it jigging is the most enjoyable to us. Dale is a master of presentation, and finding just the right technique can be the key to landing fish, as is demonstrated in this show.

Another key is having the right equipment, and Dale stresses that superfine (line that doesn’t have any stretch) to it, will increase your chances by about 50%. We are fishing in anywhere between 9 and 30 feet of water, so being able to feel the faint ‘tap’ on your line is crucial. Dale also tells us that if you can see the bottom, you are too shallow.

Episode 20
Willow Flowage
Show Date: May 17th & 18th, 2014
Location: The Willow Flowage, Oneida Co., Wisconsin
Guide: Pro Guide Jeff Winters [715-385-9313 | jeffsguideservice.com]

If you want to have a true north woods experience, you need to take some time out and fish the Willow Flowage in Oneida County. It’s beautiful scenery, coupled with the abundant wildlife, it’s a treat even if your not there to fish. There are very few structures on the shoreline, with only one private residence, you will soon feel as though you’re in the Canadian wilderness within a few minutes of leaving the launch. With free public campsites, and almost 6,000 acres of water, there is a lot to explore.

We are here of course to fish, and this fishery is a thriving ecosystem with walleye, pike, bass, and panfish. We are after walleye, but find ourselves catching northern pike as well, which are according to us, the best eating fish you may have never tried. Jeff is using exclusively live bait, and John is trying a little of everything (as usual).

We have two special guests with us; Ed, Jeff's son-in-law, and Gary; who was spent 30 years working for the DNR, and even appeared in one of our shows around 20 years ago. We had a great time fishing the Flowage again, and highly recommend it to any angler that wants to get away from city life for a little while.

Episode 21
Northern Wisconsin Spring Shoreline Fishing
Show Date: May 24th & 25th, 2014
Location: Vilas County, Wisconsin
Guide: Pro Guide Rob Manthei [715-477-2042 | robmanthei.com]
Accommodations: St. Germain Lodge [ StGermainLodge.com ]

We’re out with some great guys that won a fishing trip with us by contributing to Angel on my Shoulder, an organization that helps those affected by cancer. Learn more at http://angelonmyshoulder.org/

The late spring has pushed everything back, and we are on the look out for warmer water temps in shallow areas close to shore. Since the water temps have barely hit 50℉ on a few lakes, the fish are still in their spawning waters. Our guide Rob Manthei says that the wood near shore is providing them their primary cover. We are targeting walleye and bass, which in some cases are in the same areas.

We are using live bait as well as plastics, like the Kalin’s grub, and Sizmic Shad. We are using the MinnKota as well as an anchor to hover in the spots that produce fish.

We had a great day of angling, and want to sincerely thank Jeff and Andy Zweig for there contribution to a worth cause like Angle on my Shoulder.