Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Saturday Recap - Post 13

This one should be pretty short! Saturday, we got up, had our last brekkers on the Island and headed down to the classroom. We cleaned up the tables and work areas, organized the gear and put it away. Those who had borrowed rods / reels & tackle returned said items.

Once the room was looking presentable, we did our SEI's (yes - THE Ohio State University makes you do them, EVEN on the Island...), asked any final questions then began the exam.

Our exam was broken into a practical and written section. For the practical - we had to submit examples of our harnesses and rigs so that Prof. Snyder could see that we learned how to tie our knots correctly. The 2nd part of the practical was looking at slides and answering questions like: "what is this fish", "how do you catch this type of fish", "what is this item and how is it used in fishing", and similar questions. As soon as we were all done with that - we began our written exam. This asked questions on material we learned during the week - fish migration patterns, information about navigational tools, sonar, equipment, diseases fish in the Lake may be subject to, Lake Erie ecology, and the like.

Following the exam - we turned in our keys, grabbed our gear, and caught the water taxi to the docks on S. Bass Island where I hopped the Jet Express bound for Sandusky and headed home!

That was the last day on the Island!

I'll make one more post in a day or two with final reflections on the experience as a whole. Until then...

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Fri Recap - Post 12

Friday was our big day out, Trolling the open waters of Lake Erie for Walleye. Unfortunately, we got a late start on the day because of a storm that rolled in during the wee hours of the morning and we had to wait for the lightning to stop. Sooo... as 11:00a rolls around we board the boats with our guides - Tournament Pros from the Western Basin Sportfishing Association - and head out.

Unlike our usual boat, the Gibralter III, these were small, fast, low to the water fishing boats. Needless to say, as it was windy and the storm was dying down, it was a little rougher ride than usual!

We trolled 3 or 4 locations using Dipsey Divers, Rocket Divers, Spoons, Trolling Harnesses & worms. As with the rest of the trip, the fishing was a little slow. We caught a number of Sheepshead (again...), Mike and I both caught a Walleye each, and towards the end of the day, we each got a Catfish or two. The Walleyes and one of the White Bass were all we kept.

I guess one of the other boats did not catch any Walleye, and another caught 3. One guy kept his Catfish. So, it wasn't too bad out there!!! Our pros showed us how to filet the fish, and obviously - it's something they've done before... Make a deep cut behind the pectoral fin, turn the knife towards the tail, drag it along the spine almost to the tail, turn the knife around, go along the skin back to your original cut, lay the filet down & cut out the ribs, then freeze it up!

It was a good day on the Lake - tossing a line, kicking back, and getting credit for it!

I personally would like to thank our guides for this trip and extend the gratitude of the class to the anglers from the Western Basin Sportfishing Association - thanks for a great day guys!!!


Saturday, June 20, 2009

Quick Update - Post 11

Well - I'm back in Columbus and exhausted. I will try to post in the next day or two about the trolling trip on Friday, the last day on the Island, and my final appraisal of the week @ Stone Lab :-/

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Thurs Recap - Post 10

Perch fishing in Lake Erie. We started out not too far from S. Bass Isl. and had some moderate success, but the fishies were small. We moved to a few other places but met w/ limited success in each of those, before finally returning to our starting point.

I reeled in an 11" Yellow Perch (tied for the boat leader board w/ one of my classmates), another one I didn't measure since it was only in the 6-8" range... We started throwing the little ones back, since we were getting so many of them...

Most of the guys were catching more Sheepsheads - and promptly tossing them back. And a few White Bass were also hauled aboard.

This was also my first experience w/ keeping a fish I caught and cleaning them. I tried out a couple of techniques and have 2 fillets and 2 basically whole fish that were just beheaded and cleaned... I guess you snap out the spine and rip out all the rib bones once you cook them...

Friends are pouring in suggestions as to cooking instructions. We'll see how that goes.

Today was also our last set of lectures. Tomorrow we will be out Trolling for Walleye w/ some tournament pros. Should be a good learning experience and a chance to do something I doubt I would otherwise have an opportunity to pursue.

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Weds Recap - Post 9

Up early again and spend the day over around Kelly's Island. The Lake was pretty rough and tossed us around quite a bit on the way out there, but surprisingly - the bay we were in was nice and smooth. It rained off and on during the morning, but nothing too bad.

I managed to land another Sheepshead (Drum), brought in a 13.5" Smallmouth, and am top of the leader board in the Goby Derby - 5.5" (go me!).

The morning was a little more eventful with guys making some catches, but as the day ran on - it got slow and the boredom was visible from a few of the guys, myself included... We moved out over a shoal, but again, success was limited. Plus the water was fairly rough as we were no longer protected by Kelly's.

We came back and learned about the usefulness of GPS and SONAR devices - an interesting lecture with a lot of technical background (a little overkill for an EDU PAES class, but is useful knowledge nonetheless).

For dinner we had some tacos and the always amazing salad bar ;-)

Following that, John Hageman - the lab manager - came in to talk to us about Lake Erie Ice Fishing (again, mostly walleye). Great presentation, good overview of the gear and techniques, but just a little too warm to go out and try them!

In all - not a bad day.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Rough Day - Post 8

well - the fishing was no good today :-(

We went out for bass and tried a bunch of locations. Nothing doing... 3 of my group managed to hook smallmouth bass, but they all shook the line before getting in the boat. I reeled in the first one to the boat - a Sheepshead - nothing worth looking at, so as soon as he was de-hooked, he got tossed overboard!

The rest of the day was met without success worthy of discussing. We caught some more Sheepsheads and perch - which were given to our boat cap'n Al so he could bait his raccoon traps at home (???)

The lack of success obviously bored many of us and made for a pretty long day....

When we got back, we had a nice long lecture on Lake Erie's ecology, and lake ecology in general. Following that, we discussed year round fishing patterns and migration habits of Lake Erie sportfish and how to "Fish Smarter". This was all about using technology and information about spawning and feeding habits to our advantage (when combined with an understanding of basic fish biology, effects of temperature, oxygen needs, and underwater geography.

Really looking forward to a good night's sleep - so I doubt I'll be posting again today.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Quickie @ 0030 - Post 7

The $3 for the water taxi (per person, each way) is well worth it!!! The night life in Put-In-Bay does not disappoint and the band playing was AMAZING!!!

G'night kiddies!!!

Structure Fishing Recap - Post 6

I only have a few minutes so this should be fairly brief.

Not a lot of action on the Lake today :-( One of my classmates reeled in a 26" Walleye!!! (If I can get a picture from Prof. Snyder - I'll post it later). A handful of perch were caught and tossed in the cooler and a few Freshwater Drumfish (Sheepshead) were caught and promptly tossed back into Lake Erie....

There was a great breeze coming in from the NE and the temp was solid - I was comfortable. Sunny, mostly clear, mid 70s. Great weather to be out on the Lake.

We moved around quite a bit as we were not having the best of luck. Plus, some of the shoals we were trying to hit were pretty small and the current and wind made it hard to stay on top of them....

For lunch - we all just tossed some bottom bouncer rigs on, sent them over, stood up the poles, and hit the wraps, fruitcups, cookies, and chips. Not too bad of a lunch!

Heading back to the classroom in a couple and we're going to be tying up harnesses - which we'll get to keep and use as a reminder when we're back home thinking of Stone :-D

Monday Morning - Post 5

Today's going to be Structure Fishing for Walleye: reefs, ledges, and other formations... Stuff like that. Prof Snyder said that the message boards from other cap'ns aren't looking too promising - apparently everyone's having issues catching stuff right now. But there should be some pan fish catching, maybe a few walleye, and a bit of moving around trying to find something!

Come back and we have 2.5hrs to make up rigs and knots and stuff like that. Little bit of dinner then back out for small boat and shore line...

Expect a post tonight for a recap of the day :-)

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Arrival!!! - post 4

Well - i made it! The drive up from columbus wasnt' too bad, but it took longer than I expected... Ergo, i missed the 1145 ferry by about 15 minutes and had to take the 1345 ferry. This meant I was cutting it pretty close. Caught the last boat to Gibraltar and had just enough time to stow my gear in my room and head to the class building for orientation.

Orientation, row boat safety lesson, dinner, and our first lecture followed in quick succession. Following lecture we headed out to the docks and cast a few lines. Par usual, I caught a whole lot of seaweed... Finding myself not having too much luck, I decided to pack it in and head to the room to get a little better situated. Things are a little cramped and congested for my tastes :-(

There's 4 of us in a room. One other is in my class, the other two are in a global warming class. All 4 of us are older than traditional students, my guess is that's why the put us all together. Have to keep the old guys sticking together :-D

I'm looking forward to heading out tomorrow and getting in some deeper water. Hopefully - I'll meet with a fair amount of success!!!

Dinner was pretty solid, and I'm hoping the remainder of meals are as good. Little bit of chicken... lots of salad and fruit... chocolate mouse cake.... cheesecake... good stuff man!

Getting ready to leave - Post 3

Sunday mornign. Mostly packed. Still need a fishing license and to look at a map to plan my route up there... Having some mixed feelings right now, since I'll be gone all week and don't know how low-key the week will be.

The days are going to be packed! Up earlier than I'm used to everyday, begin @ 0800 and fish on the big boat until around 1400. Come back and have class for a few hours. Eat a bit of dinner. Head back out for small boat and shoreline fishing. Wrap up around 2200. Sleep and repeat...

Here's hoping it goes well!!!

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Quick Request - Post 2

I'd like to know if anyone is following this - so PLEASE use the "Follow" icon underneath my photo to the left to become an official follower of sportfishingstonelab09 - plzthx!!!

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Intro / Preview - Post 1

The basics:

Josh
29y/o M
Grad Student @ THE Ohio State University (Master of Public Administration @ The John Glenn School of Public Affairs)

The purpose:

Stone Lab would like students taking classes there this Summer to blog, tweet, & otherwise share our experiences and show others what life and courses are like on the Island.

The plan:

Since this is only a week long class - I will be trying to post more than the 2-3 blog per week minimum. I intend on posting 2x per day, when time allows. Some may be quick, a couple of lines and a few pictures. Others will be a little more in depth. Before arriving @ Stone Lab, I will post some information about the class and my expectations for the week.

In the meantime - SP exams beckon :-(