Destination: Lake Erie

EverStart Series Northern Division, Aug. 25-28

The last time the EverStart Series Northern Division visited Lake Erie, the field launched from Dempsey State Access out of Marblehead, Ohio. This season’s Erie event, slated for Aug. 25-28, will be headquartered out of NFTA Harbor in Buffalo, N.Y., roughly 200 miles to the northeast.

The change in location means competitors will be fishing entirely different water than in the previous two seasons, which should open the door for anglers to incorporate a wider variety of fishing techniques into their game plans.

“The lake is much deeper on that end and the structure is much more erratic, so the fish are going to be concentrated in small areas as opposed to being spread out along long ridges,” said Vic Vatalaro of Kent, Ohio. “Dragging and drifting with a tube could still be effective, but because of the way the smallmouths are going to be positioned, I think anglers are going to have to `fish’ their baits more.”

In addition to tube lures, Vatalaro thinks there could be some respectable limits caught on spinnerbaits, jigging spoons and drop-shot rigs worked at water depths ranging from 18 to 25 feet.

Lake Erie has a long-lived reputation for producing quality smallmouths, and anglers should not expect anything less this season. In fact, Vatalaro predicts that limits could weigh heavier than in previous tournaments due to the restrictive regulations currently in effect in Pennsylvania and New York. During spring, anglers are allowed to retain only one fish per day in those states.

“There are a lot of team tournaments on that end of the lake that are won with 14-pound weights – that’s two fish,” Vatalaro said. “We’ll be fishing in water where 7-pound smallmouths show up pretty frequently. In my opinion, it’s the finest part of the lake.”

Fine as it is, Erie also can be dangerous when the wind blows. According to Vatalaro, fishable waters around NFTA Harbor can be especially treacherous due to a lack of wind breaks.

“A lack of protected water is the only drawback,” Vatalaro said. “You’re open to punishment no matter where you go. Any wind can be bad, but anything out of a westerly direction can be brutal.”

Vatalaro said co-anglers should be aware that pros could legitimately venture into Pennsylvania and Canadian waters if the weather allows. So keep that in mind when you start arranging for fishing-license purchases.

Vatalaro’s Call: 30 pounds to make the first cut, 36 pounds to cash the biggest check.