Don't Forget the Smallies

We primarily target walleye in Ohio's Western Basin, but also chase those exciting jumpers when we get a chance or customers want to test their skills.

The Western Basin not only features hot walleye fishing and a good perch bite, but it also has the biggest reef complex in the lake and the famous Bass Islands where the smallmouth roam.Kelleys Island and the shoals nearby are also hot smallmouth locations even though some argue that Kelleys is not in the Western Basin. But, who cares, it is still a great bass location. LOL

A favorite fishing method is to troll search baits like Shad Raps until you locate the smallies and then switch to drifting and casting tube baits for some fast action on light tackle.

Others like to anchor up and cast tube or crank baits or turn to "soft shells" on slip sinker rigs.

A lot of the rocky shoreline in the western basin and the "cliffs" at Catawba are prime smallie haunts also.

Finally, anglers can head into Canadian waters and try the humps around the Sister islands or the Hen and Chicks or go a bit further east for some famous Pelee Island fishing.