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Walleye Run

Sgt Fury

Sgt. Spellchecker
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its a blast I recommend it! We ferry them across to the islands and fish the leeward side! Very fishable and pretty safe but I always wear the life jacket. Sketchiest time was being on the exposed side of Gibraltar off the point when the wind kicked up and we got cross chop from the ferry, boat traffic, and the rocks thought for sure I was going for a swim.
What brand do you use? I’m thinking of going with either a Hobie or an Old Town Salty or PDL 106.
 

OO2

Well-Known Member
2,566
111
In the Uplands
What brand do you use? I’m thinking of going with either a Hobie or an Old Town Salty or PDL 106.
I have an Ascend 10T from cabelas with the upgraded seat, which in my mind is a must. I used to fish Erie with a sit-in pelican, they are night and day in handling, safety, and comfort.

The brands you listed are pretty reputable just out of my price range.
 
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Sgt Fury

Sgt. Spellchecker
I have an Ascend 10T from cabelas with the upgraded seat, which in my mind is a must. I used to fish Erie with a sit-in pelican, they are night and day in handling, safety, and comfort.

The brands you listed are pretty reputable just out of my price range.
My buddy bought an Ascend from cabelas a couple of weeks ago. Good looking kayak.
 
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Sgt Fury

Sgt. Spellchecker
I have an Ascend 10T from cabelas with the upgraded seat, which in my mind is a must. I used to fish Erie with a sit-in pelican, they are night and day in handling, safety, and comfort.

The brands you listed are pretty reputable just out of my price range.
Don’t want to hijack the thread but I have a question...how stable is the Ascend? I was going to get one but the cabelas in Delaware and Hamburg, PA along with the bass pro in Atlantic City and Harrisburg PA are sold out so I had to look at other models.
 
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OO2

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In the Uplands
Don’t want to hijack the thread but I have a question...how stable is the Ascend? I was going to get one but the cabelas in Delaware and Hamburg, PA along with the bass pro in Atlantic City and Harrisburg PA are sold out so I had to look at other models.
I cannot give a very in-depth review as I have only had it out on the water for one weekend. From what I saw in limited use:

I did not have any issues reaching behind me or felt at any time I would flip in the various wave conditions (1-3’) I didn’t try standing because I didn’t want to test my luck. I will say this kayak was the most stable (limited sample size) I have gotten into and out of onto a dock that I’m not beaching at. At the end of the day I felt stable. If you are in Vinton county in the spring (or sooner) and want to test it out let me know. I am down that way often for school/ turkeys.
 
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Gern186

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
10,171
201
NW Ohio Tundra
The walleye run seems fun. Can you get after the walleye in a protected part of the lake jigging?

asking for smaller crafts
Most of the jigging in April takes place inside of a mile or 2 from shore. Any calmer day or a day with a south bearing wind will provide access to smaller boats. Thats the nice thing about spring jigging. It gives almost everyone with a boat a chance at walleyes. I've seen plenty of 14 to 16 foot boats out there jigging. Charter boats are not going to quote....RUN you off a spot. There will be literally hundreds of boats out there. Most guys run above the packs and ease into fishing areas so as to not try and spook those fish. Keep in mind you are fishing in 10 to 18 feet of water. I would not recommend fishing from a kayak, at least in the primary jigging areas. You will be putting yourself in danger.
 

giles

Cull buck specialist
Supporting Member
Most of the jigging in April takes place inside of a mile or 2 from shore. Any calmer day or a day with a south bearing wind will provide access to smaller boats. Thats the nice thing about spring jigging. It gives almost everyone with a boat a chance at walleyes. I've seen plenty of 14 to 16 foot boats out there jigging. Charter boats are not going to quote....RUN you off a spot. There will be literally hundreds of boats out there. Most guys run above the packs and ease into fishing areas so as to not try and spook those fish. Keep in mind you are fishing in 10 to 18 feet of water. I would not recommend fishing from a kayak, at least in the primary jigging areas. You will be putting yourself in danger.
Do they still have access to the warm water outlet at Edison? That would be a place to take a kayak. It's been 20 years since I've been in that water.
 

Gern186

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
10,171
201
NW Ohio Tundra
I've never fished in that area. I would imagine there's current involved up there. Need to be moving slow. 0.5 to 0 8 mph for effective vertical jigging.
 

OO2

Well-Known Member
2,566
111
In the Uplands
Most of the jigging in April takes place inside of a mile or 2 from shore. Any calmer day or a day with a south bearing wind will provide access to smaller boats. Thats the nice thing about spring jigging. It gives almost everyone with a boat a chance at walleyes. I've seen plenty of 14 to 16 foot boats out there jigging. Charter boats are not going to quote....RUN you off a spot. There will be literally hundreds of boats out there. Most guys run above the packs and ease into fishing areas so as to not try and spook those fish. Keep in mind you are fishing in 10 to 18 feet of water. I would not recommend fishing from a kayak, at least in the primary jigging areas. You will be putting yourself in danger.
I appreciate the information. My comment about the charter boats comes from an isolated experience on buckeye reef with one.
 
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OhioWhiteTails

Senior Member
Supporting Member
8,482
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Flatlands
When do you guys start to think about giving the run a shot?
There's already fish being caught now. You may have to spend some time and work at them, but there's a small amount of fish in the river currently. The next time we get enough rain to bring the river up a couple of feet, the first good push of fish will be here and plenty of limits to be had. They're calling for rain and storms tomorrow, not sure on how much precip though.
 

Gern186

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
10,171
201
NW Ohio Tundra
Water temperature and flow has a big part in when numbers of fish will arrive in the rivers. There is already a few guys fishing the river with the good stretch of weather we have going. Traditionally from past experience of 30 plus years mid March is when you have a decent chance of catching a fish or 2. By the 3rd week of March limits are usually possible. This is a general rule and each year is different. Temperature and water levels have the largest impact on the amount of walleye in the river and when they will arrive. For this year I would say its shaping up to be an earlier run than average. If we get some decent rain Thursday that will raise water levels and bring a big push of fish into the river by early next week.
 

Bowkills

Well-Known Member
2,577
85
Nw oh
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