Juls WFA Blog
Fishing With Mike...5/19/2025
by Capt Juls on 05/19/25Said, "Good bye" to my sister and brother-in-law, this morning, as they were leaving to head back to Wisconsin, and I was leaving to go pick up Mike at the White Caps Motel. It was time to get back to work, after having a nice relaxing visit with my family over the past 4 days/nights.
The weather at 5:30 AM was a chilly 50 degrees, with a NNE wind at around 10 mph. The sky was cloudy, but it wasn't supposed to rain. The wind was to diminish around 9:00-10 AM, to around 5 mph.
The water temp was at 58 on the surface, and 60 degrees down at 18 feet.
Mike was here from the Chicago area, and was originally supposed to fish with a good friend of his, from MN, and someone who I used to fish against in the FLW and PWT tournaments, Kevin Kraft, but the April date was a blow day, so they had to reschedule. Kevin couldn't, but Mike still wanted to come.
Mike is an intelligent fellow, and he easily keeps the conversation flowing. He's 75, but looks like a man in his 60's, and claims it's "good genetics". :)
We stopped for gas and ice, and then headed down the road for some crawlers, at Hi-Way bait. Fisherman's Central has them, but they don't open until 7 AM. It would have been more convenient if they had been open, though, because it's right next to the gas station I use in the mornings. :(
We launched out of Catawba, due to the wind direction, and planned to go up the west side of the Bass Islands, to fish calmer waters. Capt Sam, (PorkChop Express), had left Catawba before me, but headed NE on the east side of the islands. He would text me later to tell me that it was rough on that side....3-4s.
The Garmin had marked fish all the way from the point of Catawba, all the way up to Rattlesnake. The water got muddier the further north we went, so I turned the Vexus around to head back the way we came.
The Ulterra and the baby Merc were deployed, and set to 2.0-2.1 mph on the FishHawk. We ran Bandits and a Flicker Minnow on 4 of the Off Shore boards, and ran one dipsey off each corner...on the zero setting. The port side ran at 28 back and had a worm-burner on it. The starboard side ran on the zero setting, too, and was set at 40.
"Pooh Bear" Bandit ran at 120 back and was the first to catch a fish. The worm-burners caught, but a spoon didn't. The "Fire Tail Hot Perch" Flicker Minnow 11 at 47 back caught, too. Bill Lewis Lites didn't take any this time, and neither did a few Bandits that I changed out several times. We switched it up to running crawler harnesses, since the cranks weren't getting the attention I thought they would, with the marks we were trolling over.
A pink bellied BadMo Arrow blade caught a couple, Pink Squirrel, and some others with gold bellies, along with gold, green, red, and black on the back side, caught fish.
2oz inline at 25, 30, and 40 caught fish. Worms were missing at 50 back, too.
Speed during the harness pull was 1.5-1.7 mph.
We only went 5 for 8 today, but we still had fun. Mike said he learned a lot, and enjoyed it, so that makes me happy! He said the little 3 pounder (biggest of the morning) would be considered a "Giant" where they fish on Lake of the Woods, so he as tickled pink with it.
We dropped the fish off at Port Clinton Fish Co., so Mike didn't have to clean them, and then stopped at Jolly Rogers for lunch, while the fish were being cleaned, so he could get a perch sandwich. He'd been craving one since he got here.
After picking up the fish, I took him back to his Motel, so he could hit the road back to Illinois, and I could go home and feed my beastie best friends, who were patiently waiting for me.
It's supposed to start blowing again...surprise-surprise...deep sigh. I'll be rescheduling trips this week....again. (insert eye-role here).
Stay Tuned....
Capt Juls
Fishing with Vito and Neal....5/15/2025
by Capt Juls on 05/15/25I first met Vito in 2016, I think. He hired me to take him fishing, and teach him how to run Off Shore boards more efficiently. He's been fishing with me once or twice a year since. He also bought my 2017 Ranger, so when he does come down here, he usually brings it with him, so he can stay and fish a couple more days.
We were supposed to fish this coming Sunday, but the forecast is calling for another big blow for Saturday and Sunday....so, when he contacted me via text saying, "Hola Juls. I'm on my way over to do a little fishing before we fish", I took that opportunity to ask him if he could change his date to Thursday, since he would already be here. He agreed after seeing the forecast.
The person he would be taking fishing is a co-worker from Michigan, and I asked if I had to be on my best behavior, or if I was allowed to swear...( I swear a lot...sorry!) Laughing, Vito said, "Oh, you're good....you can be you...I wouldn't have it any other way", and that made me happy! :)
They were meeting me at Mazurik's at 6:15, so after picking up ice and getting some big fat crawlers from "Hi-Way Bait", I hit Mazurik's at 5:30. While I was getting the boat ready, I thought to myself, "Vito knows me too well....he's probably going to show up any minute now, so we can get an earlier start". And, sure enough, at 5:35, they pulled in. :)
I finished getting rods out of the rod locker and putting them in the rod holders, for the ride out, hit the bathroom, and off we went. It was 65 degrees, cloudy, with a chance of rain. The forecast was calling for 7-8mph out of the SE, water temps were 55 on the surface and 57 20 feet down, and there were small ENE rollers still coming in from overnight.
We headed to the north side of Kelly's to start, and set up with Bandits on the port side, and Hit Stick 12s on the starboard side. I kept hearing how well people were doing on the Hit Sticks, so we put some out. They didn't do diddly for us, so we replaced them with Flicker Minnow 11s.
The best color and lead for us, was "Pooh Bear" (purple body with a chartreuse head...painted, not chrome) Bandit, at 120 back behind the Off Shore board. It caught at least 1/2, if not more, of our total catch today.
We would eventually remove a few board rods and replace them with dipsies....running two off each corner. The inside rods were on the zero setting and the outside rods were on the 3 settings.
We caught 7 on the north side of Kelly's, before I told the guys we were going to pick up and move, to find better marks and water clarity. The north side of Kelly's was pretty clean, and the fish marks that were there a few days ago, are gone.
We moved to the west side of Middle Bass and picked up the rest of our fish in that area. There were only a few boats in there, but they were far enough away from us, that we didn't have to keep dodging anyone, that would have had the right-of-way.
"Pooh Bear", worked its magic in that area, too...but, the bigger fish came on worm-burners off dipsies. The 3 setting at 60 was best. The zero setting was set at 30 and pick up a few, too.
Speed was 2.1 on the FishHawk.
We all caught our limits, and headed back in to Mazurik's, where there was a back up of boats launching, and loading out, because they have started work on repairing the pavement at the launch, and the parking lot.
Two of the 4 ramps were blocked off, and the pavement was ripped out already, so it was a little messy....doable, but messy. It will be nice when it's all done, though.
So, if you plan on using Mazurik's, know that that is happening, and expect delays.
My next trip won't be until Monday the 19th. I have family in town for the weekend, so I'll be entertaining. Have a great weekend, everyone! :)
Stay tuned....
Capt Juls
Fishing with Gene, Nick, and Brian...5/10/2025
by Capt Juls on 05/10/25Gene Piscitello, his son Nick, and Gene's friend, Brian, drove in from Hudson, OH, this morning. They were to meet me at Mazurik's at 6:15, so we could be launched by 6:30.
Much to the chagrin of my two dogs, I left the house at 5:15, and headed through town, and got some ice at the gas station, before heading to Mazurik's, to set things up before they showed up.
It wasn't too busy yet, but it would be. It's Saturday, and one of the nicer days we have had lately.
The wind was forecast for 10-15 out of the WSW, the skies were clear, and the air temp at 6:30 was 50 degrees.
The water temp had dropped 4 degrees from three days ago, when I was last out, and went from 58 degrees to 54. The NE wind we had on Thursday and Friday blew the colder water in. The sunshine today should help warm it back up again pretty quickly, though.
My crew showed up right on time, and we launched by 6:30. While I was there waiting for them, I decided that we would be running crawler harnesses on the port side, and Bandits on the starboard side.
I had heard that a slow Bandit was still chewable, so I figured why not run both at 1.5mph.
I pointed the Vexus to the NE and went up the east side of Kelly's, but ended up on the north side, due to wave direction, and where I wanted to start...using the waves to our advantage. The water clarity was the perfect "mix" of dirty and clean.
Well, a long story short...it worked. Both sides caught fish this morning, with crawlers taking the early lead. Just when I thought to myself, "Crawlers should be on both sides"...the outside Off Shore board, pulling a "Pooh Bear" Bandit sank back out of line. We left the Bandits running all morning, as they didn't disappoint, from that moment on.
I should mention that the speed was determined by the FishHawk, which was often much lower than the surface speed....ie: SOG 2.0 ....undercurrent speed was 1.4-1.5. We often hit "ribbons" of currents that had the FishHawk going up and down all on its own, without help from the Ulterra, or the baby Merc. It's kind of neat to watch what happens down there.
Colors and leads that worked for the Bandits were:
Pooh Bear at 120 back
Khaki at 97 back
Geneva at 80 back
We tried different colors on the inside board at 57-65 back, but none took a fish.
The BadMo spoon with a pink underside, and different colors on the back took a lot of fish with 2 oz at 40 back.
other leads that worked with 2oz inlines were 20, 25, 30, 35, 45, and 50 back.
It was a fun morning, with the guys learning how to run the Off Shore boards. "I've only run two boards before, not an 8 board spread before", said Gene. But, they listened, and by the time we were done, they had done great! I know they would be able to duplicate what they learned today, on Gene's boat, and run more than two boards.
They all said they had fun, learned a lot, and were happy to finally get this trip in, and that makes me happy!
Gene had been trying for a few years now. Mother Nature had a target on his back, because every time his trip was coming up, she would throw a tantrum and we would have to reschedule. They were supposed to come this past April, too, but we all know how pleasant April was. I'm just glad we were able to put 20 fish in the cooler this morning. I was expecting less, due to the bright moon that was out last night. Thankfully, they are hungry!
Tomorrow, was supposed to be the reschedule of Dave and Danielle's trip, from this past Thursday, when it blew, but it appears from he forecast, that it is going to blow from the NE, again. Since they are my neighbors, we can just check the weather in the morning. Fingers crossed that we can get out, but 15-20 NE isn't fun, so we will reschedule, if that's the case.
Stay tuned....
Capt Juls
Fun Fishing with Keith Scheuer...5/8/2025
by Capt Juls on 05/07/25Mother Nature has not been nice to me this season. When I have no one scheduled, it's nice out, and when I have a trip scheduled, she turns the fans on "High"!
So, with that in mind, when I was invited to go fishing on a friend's boat this morning, I said, "Yes". I wasn't going to let another nice day get away. The lake is nice only so many days of the year, so you have to take advantage of them when you can.
It looks like my trip tomorrow will be moved to Sunday, because Old Momma Nature wants to blow from the NE again tomorrow (17 to 23mph). Luckily, my customers are my neighbors, so it's easy to reschedule with them. It's neighbor, Dave's, birthday tomorrow, so it would have been fun to go tomorrow, rather than Sunday, but hopefully, Sunday will be nicer...and, it's still close enough to his birthday, to celebrate it. Should I make him a cake? Maybe, I will....we'll see. :)
My friend, Keith Sheuer, runs a Ranger 620, and wanted to get it out and run it... so, we were fishing out of his boat today. We launched from Catawba at 7am.
I go through a real adjustment, mentally, when I'm not in control of the boat, but Keith did a fine job, and I learned to relax and have fun, but by the time I relaxed, it was time to go in...(it's a big adjustment...lol)
We were fishing west of Green in 26 feet of water, and there was no one around us...that we could see, anyway, but that's not saying much, since it was pretty foggy out there for many hours. Once it did lift, we could see boats a mile to two miles away.
Our speed was 1.8-2.0mph
Water temp was 58.3 degrees
We first set up in the dirty stuff and pointed the boat in the direction of the cleaner water, so we would pass through several shades of water clarity. The fish were holding mostly in the kind where you can just make out your cavitation plate.
We went 10 for 13 before heading in.
The tally was:
Flicker Minnow 11s in "Flashy Chartreuse", "Firetail Hot Perch", and "Firetail Chrome Candy" caught at 47 (3), 72 (1), and 74 (2) back.
**(#) depicts how many fish were caught at that distance back.
Bandits caught at 37 (1), and 57 (2) back. "Fruit Dots" at 37 back caught one, and had a hard pull back, but it came off.
"Bumblebee" at 57 back caught two, and had a pull back/lost fish, too.
A baby "Spro" caught one at 85 back. I don't know the name of it...sorry. It's the goldfish color with the red head and painted dots all over the sides.
We had one more pull back on bandit at 90 back, but it came off.
We got off the lake at 12:30, and headed back through town, so the fish could be dropped off at Port Clinton Fish Co., to be cleaned. It was only going to take them 15 minutes, so we hung out until they were done. I bought a chest freezer last month, so now I can keep a fish or two from time to time. My kitchen freezer is very small, so I couldn't fit any, if I tried. Now, I can, and that makes me happy...:)
I invited Keith to stay, when he brought me home, and fried up some of that fresh walleye for lunch. It was delicious!
I have a trip scheduled for Saturday, with Gene Piscatillo, and it's looking decent right now, with winds forecast for 10-15 out of the west. That's doable. :)
Stay tuned....
Capt Juls
Another 2-Day Cancellation for this Weekend...5/3/2025
by Capt Juls on 05/03/25Well, Mother Nature has decided to be nasty again this weekend, so I had to reschedule my crew that I had lined up for today and tomorrow. NE wind gusting to 28 with on and off rain for today, and gusting to 35 out of the NE tomorrow. Ugh...
Yesterday, I finally got my new phone, and my number attached to it, so at least that is working again. It was a quiet week for me, with no phone calls...lol I was able to get my yard in shape before it rained.
My friend and I installed the LiveScope on the boat yesterday, too. Then, we launched the boat, so we could make sure its working, and it was! Yay! I'll be utilizing that for perch fish'n.
My next trip isn't until the 8th, but will probably be out on the 7th to prefish for that trip, since I haven't really been out since a week ago. :(
I just wanted to check in here, because I know many of you check this blog often. I apologize for the lack of reports, but it is what it is....sigh.
I have a lot of trips in June, but May is lacking, so if anyone is looking to get out in May, give me shout. :)
Hopefully, soon, I'll have a good report for you guys.
Stay tuned....
Capt Juls
Fishing with Bob, Toby, and Josh (changed up crew)....4/24/25
by Capt Juls on 04/24/25This morning, I still had the same group, but different participants. This time, I had Bob, who was with me yesterday, Josh, and Toby. We launched out of Mazruik's again, but this time headed NE, up to the line.
We started closer to Middle and worked our way out. The water temp near the island was 53 degrees, and a few miles east it was 49 on the surface, and 47 at 18 feet down. Yes, that's right...I have my FishHawk back. Yay!
We marked spotty fish, and caught when nothing was on the screen.
When I noticed the temp change getting colder, we turned back around and headed SW towards Kelly's Shoal. The fish marks were much better, but they were deep and light hitting, when one did hit. We lost 4.
Good news is....dipsies and spoons will work now too!
I had 4 dipsies in the 12 rod spread, running spoons. An orange spoon (front and back) took two walleye and one sheephead. We ran the zero setting at 45 and 54 (over 42' of water)...both of those caught. The three setting was at 70 back, and caught one....same color spoon.
Speed was 1.9-2.1mph
We changed out cranks from time to time, but the crank bite was slow. Bandits caught 3. "Daydream" (a stock color) caught two, (but one was a white bass), and Chrome Marvin caught one. Daydream was running at 120 back, and Marvin was running at 70 back. The last walleye, number 6, was on a Spro Madeye 120 at 70 back...I don't remember which color it was, though.
It was a tough day for us, only going 6 for 10 on the walleye with one sheephead and one WB, but we had a lot of laughs in the boat, so that made it bearable. I'm going to throw some crawlers in the boat and see if those finicky fish want some meat tomorrow, instead.
Sorry there's not much to report...other than it was tough for us.
Hoping their last day with me will be better...fingers crossed!
Stay tuned...
Capt Juls
Fishing with Jim, Bob, and Jim....4/23/25
by Capt Juls on 04/24/25My crew from Nebraska came in with 5 people, Papa Jim and his twin boys, Jordan and Josh, and two friends, who are brothers...Bob and Jim. I would be fishing with Jim, Bob, and Jim. Jordan and Josh took their boat out themselves.
I picked my crew up at 6am, and we headed to Mazurik's to launch, while Jordan and Josh would be launching from Catawba to go find some jig fish.
We left Mazurik's at sunrise, around 6:45, and headed north. I wasn't exactly sure where I was going to go yet, and just looked at the water color on the way out. I eventually decided, that the west side of Middle Bass would be a place to check out, so we cut through by Ballast Island and set up on the SW corner of Middle Bass, to start. The water color was a nice mixing color, and to the west it looked muddier, so we trolled over to it, and then turned and went back.
Water temp was 48 when we started there and it was 50 degrees by the time we left, so these sunny days are helping to warm up the lake. Yay!
We picked up a few fish in that first pass, with the "Slick Purple Bengal" colored Flicker Minnow 11 at 97 back, so I put another one of that color out, and pick up another one, so I put on a third one at the same depth.
The port side ran Bandits....RC Crush, Khaki, Chrome Fruit Dots, and Red Headed WB. RC Crush at 120 back, and the Chrome Fruit Dots at 75 back took three fish. But, it was the Flicker Minnow that caught the most.
Best speed was 1.8mph.
I thought maybe it was a size preference, so we tried replacing the Bandits with Bill Lewis PWC Lights with snap weights, but they didn't take any fish.
We would end with only 12 fish, but according to Papa Jim, that's the most big walleye he's ever had in one day's trip, so he was happy, and that makes me happy.
We will be fishing for two more days, so hopefully, we can have a day on the lake like everyone hopes for, and I can show him what a "good day" on the lake looks like. Fingers crossed!
Stay tuned....
Capt Juls
Fishing with Jim and Lisa McDougle....4/22/25
by Capt Juls on 04/22/25Yay! I finally ran my first trip of the season! lol
I told Jim and Lisa, who came over here from Syracuse, NY, that I would pick them up at 7:30, since the wind forecast the night before was showing gusts to 20 at 8am (that didn't happen and was around 10-12 out of the wsw this morning).
I had heard the water around the islands was really muddy, and fish were stacked in it, but wouldn't bite, so we headed east to launch out of Huron, instead. It was a good decision. The water close to the river was mud, but it was pretty good further out. I could see the cavitation plate, and make out the prop, which to me is perfect mixing water.
We were trolling Flicker Minnow 11s on the starboard side, and Bandits on the port side. We were over 13-15 feet of water, and not marking a lot, but managed to catch 15 of the 18 that hooked up this morning. The "Slick Purple Bengal" color took every fish on that side, while the Khaki Bandit and RC Crush did their jobs on the other side.
Leads were:
Flickers....35 / 27 / 23
Bandits....35 / 25 / 15
The 35, 27, and 25 leads were best.
Speed was 1.8mph
Water temp was 49.82 degrees
Jim and Lisa had a lot of fun, while I whined about not knowing how to change the iPilot mode on the new "Advanced GPS" remote for the Quest Ulterra. Thankfully, I figured it out after we got off the water.
Let me tell you though....you don't want that in the "Locked Course" mode, because it will have a mind of its own, and you can't take your attention off of it.
I can't imagine why anyone would want to use it in that mode, but I guess there are people that want it, so it's there. It was making me crazy.
Another bummer was that the black wire (one red, one black) on the battery pack that sits inside the FishHawk probe was severed, so I couldn't use it. Weird, how you get used to using something, so when it's not available you really miss it.
I emailed them right away, and got a speedy response with a link to the battery pack replacement, so I ordered one for 14.95 and paid 30.88 to have it delivered here tomorrow. So, I'll have to go one more day without it. I really-really like that little gadget. :)
Other than having to tighten the throttle handle up a little bit, everything is running great. The throttle is too loose and is very touchy, making it harder to drive in wavy conditions....too fast, too slow....you know what I'm saying. :)
Jim and Lisa said they had a great time, and want to come back and do it again, sometime, and that makes me happy!
Tomorrow, I have a new group...I think from Iowa, but don't quote me on that.
There are 6 of them, and they are bringing one boat out here to fish, and I'll be taking half of the group, while the other half follows us out.
We will be launching out of Mazurik's in the morning, since the water where we were this morning will be too clean. You could see the clean water moving further and further in towards shore, with that WSW wind. And, I'm thinking that the mud that was around the islands will be settling some overnight, and might be a perfect mix tomorrow....fingers crossed!
Stay Tuned....
Capt Juls
Still Sitting on Shore...Doing Stuff....4/16/25
by Capt Juls on 04/16/25This month just won't play nice with me. I've cancelled 12 of 22 trips so far.
I had a trip scheduled, for this past Monday, Tuesday, and today, and yesterday and today were going to blow, so we cancelled. All the trips were multiple day bookings, so while it was only a few parties involved, it was a lot of days to lose.
All but one, rescheduled for later in the season, so it's not a total loss, unless Mother Nature messes with their trips again.
Tomorrow was scheduled off, to clean the boat up after a three-day trip, and before Friday's trip...and, now it looks like Friday is going to be canceled, too, due to gusty winds and rain the weatherman keeps talking about. Another whole week of not working...deep sigh. Mother Nature is not happy...:(
The forecast for tomorrow looks like a great day to go fishing, but who doesn't get to go? Yeah....that's right....me.....again.
Reason being, my neighbor's good friend asked me if I would be around on Thursday, to sign for a desk he was having delivered to my neighbor's house (Neighbor Jerry is turkey hunting, so he can't be there). I said yes, before I saw the forecast...uffda!
So, I have been spending my idle time, helping out over at Fisherman's Central, talking fishing with folks that come in, and helping them pick some Bandit colors to use while they are here. FC's custom color selection is almost depleted, but the stock colors are filling the pegs, right now (I take it upon myself to keep restocking them, for them, because its the easiest thing I can do to help, while they are busy doing other "store stuff", and I'm just hanging out). It gets me out of the house, so the dogs can get used to me being gone "to work", for the season. :)
Then, besides the usual stuff with the dogs...walks, playtime, food...etc, my biggest challenge, lately, has been trying to find a way to keep my cat out of my garden, who thinks it's a big kitty-litter box. I can't plant if he gets in there and digs everything up, or covers them up.
So far, and, this is the latest try... I have laid chicken wire over the top of the raised bed, blocked the corners, and made it very difficult to get in there. And, if he does, the wire that is 8 inches off the dirt, would make it very uncomfortable for him to walk through...at least that's my thinking and plan. Wish me luck. I've run out of ideas other than a building a greenhouse with a door...and, I'm not doing that.
The next trip would be with a couple of my regulars on Sunday, if Mother Nature decides to play nice, that is. They are both older gents, and don't like the rough stuff. I don't blame them. It makes it difficult for them to move around the boat. So, if the forecast that is showing right now, which is 19-23mph out of the NE, doesn't change...there is no way we are going out with that forecast.
I'm sorry for those of you who follow my blogs, and check in for the latest fishing reports, and I don't have any yet. I did manage to get out this past Sunday for 4 hours, but only had 4 pull backs on the Off Shore boards, and all came unbuttoned, before they got to the surface, so I had nothing to report.
One of these days I'll be back on the water....and remembering how to catch fish again....deep sigh.
Stay tuned...
Capt Juls
Still Haven't Been Fishing....deep sigh...4/10/2025
by Capt Juls on 04/10/25It just never ends...
I apologize to all of you who check my blog before coming out here, or while here because I have nothing to share yet.
My trip yesterday, with my regulars, was set up...and, canceled, due to a medical reason, so instead....I sold my 2023 boat.Yay!
So, the day wasn't a total loss. I also gave a test ride to a "Fisherman's Central" customer, who is looking to buy his next boat, and at least got on the water to zip around in the boat for a little bit.
The wind just doesn't want to quit here. One day here and one day there, we get a nice day, but most of them are days with gusty winds changing direction on the daily.
My Father and Son trip that was scheduled for this Saturday and Sunday, is being rescheduled, due to the north wind forecast for Saturday (the father is 73yo and doesn't like the rough stuff). So, I have made plans to get out on Sunday with a friend to do some fun fishing and get the cobwebs off the rods. :)
Looking ahead at my 3-day trip that is scheduled for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, it appears that that trip might be a loss too. Big winds are expected again, for two of the three days, but it's still too far out to call yet. Right now, it's calling for:
Monday: 11-21 SW with rain
Tuesday: 16-30 WNW
Wednesday: 15-30 NW
I don't want people driving from states away, to only sit on shore and look at the lake, so I try to make the best call I can, at the latest possible moment, before they would leave.
Sometimes, that bites me in the ass, but I think that's what I would want my guide to do, if the positions were reversed.
Anyway....just an update on why I haven't been blogging any reports yet. I just don't have any yet. Hopefully, Sunday!
Stay Tuned....
Capt Juls
Uffda! Stupid weather....lots of rescheduling happening...4/3/25
by Capt Juls on 04/03/25Well, just like last April...the weather is keeping me from working. I had to reschedule today's through Saturday's trip with my MN client, due to the wind and rain forecast for the weekend. They decided to try in the fall, so have moved their dates to October.
Sunday's trip, with a repeat customer, is moving to April 27th.
Then, yesterday, my farmers from Iowa, who had to reschedule from last year, called me, and we discussed the forecast for Tuesday through Thursday next week, and after he told me that he was looking at a charter for the Detroit River, I gave him my blessings to go on that trip, where they can fish in the forecasted winds.
The lake muddied up from the previous NE winds two days before the storm last night....and, the rivers will be dumping mud and debris after this torrential rain. Being farmers, they only have a window to go fishing, and I didn't want them to not come and experience the spring walleye fishing we offer.
He said, "Thanks for working with us", and would be booking me this summer, when the farm work slows down a bit, so sometimes good deeds are rewarded. :)
So, with that said....needless to say....I'm off for a while yet, unless I get out fun fishing, or my two regulars who are chomping at the bit to get out....get out. I'm looking at next Thursday for them, but we'll see how the forecast works out next week.
Mother Nature needs to settle her ass down....soon! Last April was my worst one to date, and this one is starting out just like it. grrrrr.....
Stay tuned....
Capt Juls
Yay! Finally Got the Motor Broke In....3/28/2025
by Capt Juls on 03/28/25Good morning....
Yesterday, was a sunny day with light winds out of the SSW, so I was able to finally get the new Vexus out for her initial run, and to get the first two critical hours on the 400 Verado.
We launched at 10:30 and just drove around, changing the RPMs every two minutes (between 2500 and 4500 rpms). Once the two critical hours were achieved, we opened her up for a short run at wide open. The boat got up to 68 mph, with a little more to go (with trimming), but that's just too fast for me. I don't see a need to go that fast....ever. lol
I was most impressed with the hole shot of the V-10 Verado...it is definitely stronger than the old 400, and should easily get the boat up on plane with 3 big guys in the boat. The old one did the job, but it was slower out of the hole.
All the toys were checked to make sure they are all working, and I'm happy to say, everything was. I just have to get in my boat today, while it sits in the driveway, so I can play with the new Garmin units, and get the settings set up the way I want them. People are telling me they are very user friendly, but I can tell you, the menus are not as intuitive and user friendly as the Humminbirds....but, I'm sure once I start figuring out their menus it will be easy, too.
The good news is, after loading out, I pulled the plug, and zero water came out, so I was very happy to know I once again, have a very dry boat. :)
My Sunday trip has been cancelled, by my customer, due to the weather forecast...(rain and wind), and will reschedule for another time. He has been trying for the same weekend since 2021, but Mother Nature just didn't want him to fish with me, I guess. She ruined his weekend every year. He would just reschedule for the same weekend the following year, instead. But, this time, he gave up. "Maybe I should just try another weekend", he said. I agreed.
So, the next scheduled isn't until the 3rd, 4th, and 5th of next week, unless we have a good weather day. Two of my regulars are chomping at the bit to go, so they will get the first call if that happens.
Stay tuned....
Capt Juls
Boat is Home Again....Let's Try This Again! 3/25/25
by Capt Juls on 03/25/25I couldn't go and get the boat yesterday, because I had forgotten about a grooming appt for my Golden, and if you use a groomer...you know, how long you have to wait to reschedule a pet. Since it was very windy yesterday, I opted to keep his appt, and go get the boat this morning.
I hit the road at 7am...hit the gas station to get some air in a tire that was too low for my liking, and then headed east to New Franklin, where the main "Fisherman's Central" store is located, and where they have their service dept. The sky was clear this morning, so the Sun was blinding at times, until it got high enough to stay behind the truck's visor.
After hitting town, I stopped at the car wash to get the dirt and dust off my truck. I didn't want a dirty truck pulling a showroom clean sparkly Vexus down the highway, when I headed home. ;)
The store opens at 9am, and I had timed it perfectly....somehow... I arrived at 8:58.
I brought the boat home again, and will attempt to break in the big motor on Thursday, when the next wind forecast looks decent enough, to go put two hours on it.
I may not have been fishing, but I am happy to say, that I did get all my gardens ready for planting, so at least that's done. My body is very sore, but the task is done. Yay! :)
Stay tuned....
Capt Juls
Just an Update....3/22/25
by Capt Juls on 03/22/25Well, the good news is the leak has been fixed, but I won't get the boat back until Monday....the service Dept is closed on the weekends. :(
But, it's windy, and more wind for the weekend...through mid week, next week.
Nothing like pushing the time line to the last second, before I start running trips! My stress levels are up, but I'm battling that stress by getting my gardens ready for the season, so at least something is getting done. lol
Anyway....just wanted to let you all know why you haven't seen any reports from me yet. Soon though....very soon. Thank you all, for checking in! :)
Stay tuned...
Capt Juls
First Splash Didn't Happen on the 14th....3/19/25
by Capt Juls on 03/19/25If you were wondering....
Last Friday, I went to the launch to take the new Vexus out, so I could break in the 400 mere with a couple of hours of running around.
Unfortunately, while the boat was still sitting on the trailer (thankfully), and I was firing up the big motor and letting it warm up, before backing off....the bilge pump starting shooting so much water out of the hole that it looked like a rooster tail. That meant there was a ton of water coming in from the backend someplace.
Yes...I had the plug in and it was tight. The leak can only be coming from another fitting back there, that didn't get connected properly.
So, my boat finally went back to the dealer yesterday afternoon, for them to fix.
I'm hoping to have it back by Friday morning, so I can get out Friday, and get those break in hours on the motor.
My first trip is scheduled for the 30th.
With my permission, it wasn't water tested before I left the dealer with it....my bad.
However, it will be water tested before I bring it home this time. :)
Anyway....I'll start reporting as soon as I can get out.
Stay tuned....
Cant Juls
First Splash of 2025...3/14/25
by Capt Juls on 03/14/25Good news! The new Vexus is in the driveway, and this morning will be the first launch of the season.
I'm not fishing today, but rather, doing the necessary job of breaking in the big motor, before taking clients out.
The first two hours of operation are critical in making sure the engine runs efficiently for the rest of the season, with no issues.
So, for the first two hours, the RPMs will be adjusted every two minutes at variable speeds, up to 4500 RPMs. Then, the next 8 hours of break in can be done when I'm actually guiding out there.
The weather will be chilly this morning, but warming up nicely this afternoon. A high of 70 is expected today. This weekend is calling for some wind and rain tomorrow morning, with gusty SW winds. Luckily, it's an offshore wind, so that shouldn't muddy this side of the lake up any.
I'm running new to me electronics in this boat, so I'll be playing with that today, too....to learn it. I'm going from Humminbird to Garmin's EchoMap Ultra2 126, so if anyone has one of the those and has any tips for me...I'm all ears. :)
I didn't schedule any trips until the last weekend in March, due to not knowing when the boat was going to show up, but I do have some regulars that are looking to get out, so I could be getting out before the last weekend...weather and their schedules permitting. :)
Stay tuned....
Capt Juls
It's Been a Long Winter! Time to Dust the Cobwebs Off...2/26/2025
by Capt Juls on 02/26/25It's been a long winter, and it's now time to start thinking spring!
I got word that the new 2025 Vexus DVX22 is sitting on a truck, ready to make the trip up to Fisherman's Central, in Ohio, as soon as another boat is finished and is loaded up, too. Hopefully, it will ship early next week.
There are only a few things that will be added/rigged at the store, since everything else was rigged at the plant.
The iTroll, a dedicated H'Bird for mapping only, and some Cisco products, are the only things I need to add, I think, so it shouldn't take that long.
I'll be running Garmin Electronics on the boat, this season...so, that's going to be new to me, but other than that, it will be basically set up like my last Vexus.
Looking at yesterday's satellite picture, it shows the ice diminishing, rapidly. It will be cold again this weekend, but it's only a two-day cold...and, then, it warms up again, next week. Hopefully, it will stay in the warmer temps throughout the rest of the month, so we can get on the lake by mid-March. I purposely didn't schedule anything before the last week of March, right now, due to not knowing exactly when I would have the new boat up here.
The big motor will need to be broken in, before I start taking clients out. But, that's only a day's worth of driving around on a nice day. Fingers are crossed that we get some nice days of open water in during mid-March, to do that.
My 2023 Vexus DVX22 is still for sale, and is on the showroom floor at Fisherman's Central...(in their Port Clinton, OH store). She's all cleaned up, rigged, and ready to go.
Both of the motors had their 300 hour service done this past fall...even though there was only 272 hours on the 400 Verado...(saving the buyer a 2200.00+ bill). You're welcome. :)
I'll be in Huron March 1st, at the Huron Fishing Expo, with the Off Shore Tackle display, so stop on by and say, "Hi", if you're going too! It opens at 9am and goes to 5pm.
On March 8th, I'll be over at the South Shore Marine Seminar/Charity event, too.
It won't be long, and we'll be fishing open water again. My fishing blog will be more active then, too. Thanks for being patient, and coming to check in. I appreciate you all!
Stay tuned....
Capt Juls
Fishing with Craig, Scott, and Joe....11/24/2024
by Capt Juls on 11/24/24Craig won this trip at the South Shore Marine Charity Event, this past April. We initially had a spring date set, but good old Mother Nature decided to blow, so we rescheduled. It would happen one more time, on the alternate date they had picked in early summer, so we waited until Fall. The first fall date was a blow day, too. We were scheduled to go yesterday, but again...it blew. I told Craig that today was the only option left. I told him, "Due to the weather coming in, I'm not running any later this season.
I need to clean up my Vexus, and get her on the market. I'm only cleaning it to showroom clean, once, so I'm done for this season.
I got to Mazurik's 45 minutes early, this morning. I asked them to meet me there at 7:15, since sunrise is at 7:32. But, while I was getting the boat ready, I realized my FishHawk was back at home, in the "Fishing Room". Aaarrrgghh!
I had cleaned the house last week, and moved it from its seasonal home on my desk, to the room.
I sent Craig a text, telling him that I was at the ramp, but had to run home, and would be back asap. I made it back at 7:17, so there was still plenty of time before we launched, so I got the boat ready again.
We headed towards the SE corner of Kelly's, where I had seen loads of walleye this past Friday, while perch fishing. The wind was out of the WSW at around 9mph, when we launched, but would pick up after we set up. The waves were 1-3s all morning.
The water temp was 48.7 degrees with mud, tight inside. We didn't have to go far offshore to find cleaner water. The marks were decent, so the FishHawk, Terrova and Baby Merc were deployed, and set on a course to the ENE at 2.0mph.
These three friends all fish together, and know how to troll already. They also use Off Shore boards and dipsies, so my job was quite easy today....and, that made me happy! :)
The dipsies were targeting 18-24 feet down in the water column, running two spoons and two Yaleye shallow divers in the "Baby Walleye" color, on each side. The walleye hit the cranks twice, and the spoons, once. The rest of the fish came on Bandits, a Dead Eye, and Bill Lewis PWCs (big ones), behind the Off Shore boards. I had smaller profile baits on for a while and they did nothing, so they came off.
I don't know the names of the colors other than the Red Headed Wonder Bread (Dead Eye), but the hot color was a Bandit with three sections/two colors....the head and tail were Chartreuse, and the middle was dark purple, with two dots on the side. (I think there's a picture of it in the post) 120 back unassisted was best. Other leads that caught were 110, 100, and 90.
The starboard side was slow, while the port side caught most of the fish. The starboard side caught only two...maybe, three.
We only ended up with 17 walleye and one big sheephead, for our efforts in that area. But, they really didn't need the fish...Craig said he wanted to learn some tips and tricks, but I don't know if I taught him anything, because they all seemed quite adept, and fished pretty much like I do. :)
It was a good day on the lake, and a good day to end my season. The cold weather is coming in by the end of the week. For those of you still going out....good luck and be safe! No one wants to lose a family member during the holidays.
Happy Thanksgiving! ;)
Capt Juls
More Thoughts on Another Cold Day...11/22/2024
by Capt Juls on 11/22/24It should go without saying, that there is no perfect boat set up, for trolling, because what works for one boat owner, might not work best for another. After 24 years of working out of a boat, I have had the experiences, to help me know what I like, and wanted to add to my boat. I'm sharing these thoughts, in case it helps someone else.
I do know, I like to keep things simple. I'm sure you've all heard the acronym "KISS"...meaning, "Keep It Simple Stupid", right? Well, that's how I like to do it.
The least mentioned, but probably the most important add on, that I would never want missing on my trailer, is the EZEEStep system. These steps have made my job of loading and unloading, so much easier, safer, and faster. I can't even imagine going back to a boat/trailer without these steps.
They have nice grippy non-slip steps, (but, don't do them barefoot!), and can hold up to 450 pounds. They are easy to install, too. They are custom fit to each individual boat/trailer, and boat owner's preferences...check them out, if you haven't already.
We all know why a bow mount trolling motor with iPilot or Autopilot is a necessity, and how it works, so I don't need to explain that one. It's a good'n! :)
The "Baby Merc", as I call it, is responsible for providing power, while the bow mount controls the course. I keep the bow mount on power level 4 to 5, and adjust the kicker's RPMs, to dial in the speed, so the bow mount's batteries can last all day. (I do increase the power level to help get through turns, quicker).
I used the iTroll product, for the first time three years ago, when I ran one in a previous boat. I liked it, so I put one in the Vexus, too, and relied on it a lot these past two seasons. I've already received the new iTroll for the 2025 boat, too. But, the new one is an upgrade, and has the wireless capabilities, which will be nice.
I have mine mounted under the throttle, so when a customer was sitting in that seat, I always had to say, "Excuse me", as I reached down to turn the dial. Then, I would have to reassure them that, "No", they are not in the way...lol
Now, I'll be able to keep the remote on my person, and make adjustments from anywhere in the boat.
"How do I know what speed I want to dial in?", brings us to the next add-on that I'm really happy I added. It's the FishHawk speed/temp probe. I use the X-2 model, and run it the same way Mark Romanack is running it in his YouTube video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nofjc147Yl8&t=21s
It has shown me how different the surface and under currents can be from each other, here on Lake Erie's Western Basin. Adjusting my speed to what the FishHawk is showing me, has helped me catch more fish, and understand the lake's currents, better. The speed at the bait, is what is important, and the FishHawk just makes that easier.
When I wasn't using one, I would get the SOG to what I thought it should be, and then drop a bait over the side to see the action of it, in the water. If a speed adjustment was needed, it would be made. The FishHawk just takes all that guesswork away, and tells me what speed my baits are running at....all the time.
(This is where adjusting the RPMs on the kicker comes into play). I base my speed off the FishHawk, and not the GPS's SOG. I'll try different speeds until I find one the fish like best. Then, mostly keep it there, but also speed up and slow down using "S-Turns", from time to time....just to keep them honest.
Everyone has their favorite rod holders, too. I like the Cisco rod holders, on their long track system. Vexus improved their gunnel strength to accommodate the track, by putting a metal plate along the underside of the gunnel. Allowing the Cisco tracks to screw down tightly to the gunnel. I have never found a screw coming out, like I did when the tracks were only fastened to fiberglass. I also don't have to worry about customers using the rod holders for balance purposes anymore, since I know they can't do any damage. I used to have to say, "Please don't lean on the rod holders". :)
I used Cisco's hybrid tube rod holders for the past two seasons, and really like them. The main reason being, due to their design, the reel is always facing inside the boat. It's a little thing...but, it's my thing.
SmoothMove Seats were add-ons, too, and worth mentioning. I have the "Air-Ride" on the passenger's side, and the manual seat on the driver's side. I have them that way, because once you set the manual one, for the weight sitting on it, you don't have to adjust it again. I also keep my seat firmer, so that I can feel what the boat is feeling, when running on rougher days.
I have found that the Air Ride will lose air, especially if it's cold out, so pumping it up can be done easily with the 12V plug-in, that they provide.
So, for the comfort of your passenger...look down and make sure they have enough air in their pedestal, when the boat is running across the lake. :)
I can't think of anymore add-ons at the moment....so, as you can see, I keep it pretty simple.... Find fish....fish for fish....and, hopefully, catch those fish, using the tools I have at my disposal. :)
Capt Juls
Running Off Shore Boards Set to Release...11/21/2024
by Capt Juls on 11/21/24For years, I ran my Off Shore inline planer boards so that both releases were attached to the line on their way in. This past year, I tried running them the way I learned on Mark Romanack's YouTube Channel, "Fishing 411".
I've always ran mine with the OR-16 (red release with the pin in the center of the pad), on the back, and the Snapper release on the front arm.
Mark runs his with the OR-19 (orange release that is the same tension as the OR-16, but doesn't have a pin in it), and the Snapper on the back.
The idea is to make 4-5 twists in the line via a little loop around the setter's finger, and then clip the OR-19 on the twisted part. Then, attach the Snapper on the back, with the closing lever pushed forward (away from the board), so that the pin falls in front of the line, keeping the board from detaching on its own.
This allows the angler to detach the front release with a flick of the wrist...(if a fish hits, but it doesn't disengage the front arm on its own, you'll need to manually detach it), and bring the board in, with more ease.
Just point the rod tip straight at the board, tighten down the line, and give it a flick of the wrist. That's usually enough to pop the line from the release.
The main advantage to having the front arm release, and stay attached to the rear end, is so that the board can flip around, and come in without resistance. It won't cross all the other lines inside of it...and diminishes the chances of tangling on the way in.
The board will float back, and out of line...then, it centers up behind the boat...allowing a person to bring that fish in, tangle free.
It's definitely making my life easier out there, so I hope this helps someone else, too.
I was running Sunline Supernatural 20# test, for years, but had to switch it out, to use the release method. It didn't hold up, and would break. A friend told me to try the Trilene Big Game 20# test, that he had been using for over a year, and really liked it. I trusted his judgement, and bought a 7800yd spool, to spool up 10 trolling reels, for the season. I didn't know when I bought it, how long this line holds up, compared to the Sunline. I didn't have to respool as often as I did with the Sunline.
Even though the Sunline was closer in diameter to the line used in the Precision Trolling Data, the Trilene Big Game is close enough for me. I don't try and do math in my head when I'm out there, to get within inches. The regular settings do just fine getting me in the strike zone, so I don't worry about it.
One note for those that have never used a Snapper Release. It can close two ways, and only one way is acceptable in this application....for good reason.
The Snapper has a lever type closure, and can be pushed forward, or backwards. In the backwards position (lever facing the board), it can release from the line, but in the forward position, it puts the line behind a pin, so it can't come off the line.
Since we are already releasing the front arm, we do not want the back to be set to release.
Losing a board is a pain in the butt. If the board comes off, you would need to pick everything up very quickly, and then go and try to find a little 12 inch board, that floated a 1/2 mile away from you. It's not fun. Especially, when you assign someone to keep an eye on it, while the rest of us pick up lines, and you look over to see him looking at us, instead of where the board is. I lost two boards last season, and even with my name and phone number on the boards, they were never returned.
Another note, of what I learned using this method is, that the loop should be kept small, so it can't catch on the locknut holding the release on, or the spring on the Tattle Flag. Larger loops tend to do that more, making it so it can't release. This is easy to keep from happening, by just keeping the loop no bigger than the tip of your finger.
It's simple fix to those struggling with bringing boards in, that are still attached to the front arm, like I used to do. It's a game changer, for sure!
Give it a try. The boards come with the OR-19 on the front arm and the OR-16 on the back, so they are set up right out of the box, to run like this. The only reason I do not use the OR-16 on the back, is because I let customers set lines too, and sometimes they are not the best at making sure the line gets behind the pin. The Snapper is much easier for my customers to use.
Hope this helps....:)
Capt Juls
