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04-17-2004, 07:01 PM
Duo carves out fun through bass relief
04/16/04
D'Arcy Egan
Plain Dealer Outdoors Writer
Marblehead, Ohio- Steve Clapper and Joe Balog were not getting a jump on the spring smallmouth bass fishing Thursday on Western Lake Erie. They consider this chilly time of year to be prime time for trophy bass.
Few fishermen care to probe the reefs and rock piles for bass when the chilly waters of Lake Erie are still only two notches above frozen. Most area anglers believe bass won't chase a lure until the waters warm up in May.
"We really got into the bass last week," said Balog early Thursday morning. "You've got to go with us. The big ones are hitting and we've got some great spots to fish."
There is little doubt that bass fishing is in their blood. The duo tours the country to fish for largemouth and smallmouth bass and both relish the challenge of a bass tournament. Clapper, 53, of Lima, long has been considered the angler to beat in a Lake Erie tournament and for many years teamed with Bass Masters Classic veteran Larry Williams of Lakeview, Ohio.
Balog, 29, of Independence, once was regularly the youngest guy on the tournament trails. He's getting older, wiser and building his own reputation as a top bass angler. In winter, he talks fishing at angling shows and helps manage the Hawg Trough seminars at outdoor events.
When it comes to Lake Erie smallmouth bass, both Balog and Clapper are just a couple of kids looking to have fun. There was no Lake Erie tournament on the horizon Thursday, just the challenge of catching and releasing a slew of trophy bass.
"Steve and I caught a couple of 5-pounders and a 6-pound smallmouth bass last week," Balog said. "If the water is in good shape after the bad weather, the bass will be biting."
Northeast winds had rattled the shoreline windows along Lake Erie for almost a week and churned its waters into a chocolate milkshake. When the winds backed off on Wednesday afternoon, Clapper decided to head for Marblehead and the Mazurik Access Area launch ramp. Kelleys Island loomed to the north, one of his favorite spring fishing locations.
The fishermen declared the stained green waters of Lake Erie as "fishable" and backed Clapper's white Ranger bass boat down the ramp. The boat bristled with casting and spinning rods, and tackle boxes filled with spring bass lures were stowed in compartments.
Clapper wore a cold-weather flotation jump suit, the best choice for a spring fishing trip. Balog and I wore layers of fleece and wool, rain gear and life jackets. There is no way of staying dry while riding a shallow-draft bass boat on Lake Erie, especially with a driver eager to wet a line.
Clapper's first stop was a series of rock piles along a drop-off on the east side of Kelleys Island. While Clapper was casting a blade bait, Balog worked the chilly waters with a jigging spoon and I bounced an ISG Dream Team tube bait along the bottom. The surface temperature was a frosty 43 degrees, but the bass didn't seem to mind the cold.
Clapper struck first. A feisty 5-pound smallmouth bass put a smile on his weathered face.
"We needed that bass," Balog said. "Steve doesn't like to have his photograph taken with anything smaller than a 5-pounder. Anywhere else in the world, that might take a few days. But not on Lake Erie and not when Clapper is fishing."
After catching and releasing a few bass from the small collection of rock piles, it was time to move along. Clapper and Balog have an extensive milk run of hot spots. If one isn't producing, there is another just around the corner.
"When the water temperature reaches 37 degrees on Lake Erie, it's time to go bass fishing," Clapper said.
The anglers like to keep a few fish for dinner, as well. Bass are not on that list, but walleyes and yellow perch are at the top.
"We've got some shiner minnows to take along," Clapper said. "The perch have been biting pretty good and there's always a chance of catching a walleye on a bass lure."
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
degan@plaind.com, 216-999-6136
© 2004 The Plain Dealer. Used with permission. » Send This Page | » Print This Page
http://www.cleveland.com/outdoors/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/1082108094205800.xml
04/16/04
D'Arcy Egan
Plain Dealer Outdoors Writer
Marblehead, Ohio- Steve Clapper and Joe Balog were not getting a jump on the spring smallmouth bass fishing Thursday on Western Lake Erie. They consider this chilly time of year to be prime time for trophy bass.
Few fishermen care to probe the reefs and rock piles for bass when the chilly waters of Lake Erie are still only two notches above frozen. Most area anglers believe bass won't chase a lure until the waters warm up in May.
"We really got into the bass last week," said Balog early Thursday morning. "You've got to go with us. The big ones are hitting and we've got some great spots to fish."
There is little doubt that bass fishing is in their blood. The duo tours the country to fish for largemouth and smallmouth bass and both relish the challenge of a bass tournament. Clapper, 53, of Lima, long has been considered the angler to beat in a Lake Erie tournament and for many years teamed with Bass Masters Classic veteran Larry Williams of Lakeview, Ohio.
Balog, 29, of Independence, once was regularly the youngest guy on the tournament trails. He's getting older, wiser and building his own reputation as a top bass angler. In winter, he talks fishing at angling shows and helps manage the Hawg Trough seminars at outdoor events.
When it comes to Lake Erie smallmouth bass, both Balog and Clapper are just a couple of kids looking to have fun. There was no Lake Erie tournament on the horizon Thursday, just the challenge of catching and releasing a slew of trophy bass.
"Steve and I caught a couple of 5-pounders and a 6-pound smallmouth bass last week," Balog said. "If the water is in good shape after the bad weather, the bass will be biting."
Northeast winds had rattled the shoreline windows along Lake Erie for almost a week and churned its waters into a chocolate milkshake. When the winds backed off on Wednesday afternoon, Clapper decided to head for Marblehead and the Mazurik Access Area launch ramp. Kelleys Island loomed to the north, one of his favorite spring fishing locations.
The fishermen declared the stained green waters of Lake Erie as "fishable" and backed Clapper's white Ranger bass boat down the ramp. The boat bristled with casting and spinning rods, and tackle boxes filled with spring bass lures were stowed in compartments.
Clapper wore a cold-weather flotation jump suit, the best choice for a spring fishing trip. Balog and I wore layers of fleece and wool, rain gear and life jackets. There is no way of staying dry while riding a shallow-draft bass boat on Lake Erie, especially with a driver eager to wet a line.
Clapper's first stop was a series of rock piles along a drop-off on the east side of Kelleys Island. While Clapper was casting a blade bait, Balog worked the chilly waters with a jigging spoon and I bounced an ISG Dream Team tube bait along the bottom. The surface temperature was a frosty 43 degrees, but the bass didn't seem to mind the cold.
Clapper struck first. A feisty 5-pound smallmouth bass put a smile on his weathered face.
"We needed that bass," Balog said. "Steve doesn't like to have his photograph taken with anything smaller than a 5-pounder. Anywhere else in the world, that might take a few days. But not on Lake Erie and not when Clapper is fishing."
After catching and releasing a few bass from the small collection of rock piles, it was time to move along. Clapper and Balog have an extensive milk run of hot spots. If one isn't producing, there is another just around the corner.
"When the water temperature reaches 37 degrees on Lake Erie, it's time to go bass fishing," Clapper said.
The anglers like to keep a few fish for dinner, as well. Bass are not on that list, but walleyes and yellow perch are at the top.
"We've got some shiner minnows to take along," Clapper said. "The perch have been biting pretty good and there's always a chance of catching a walleye on a bass lure."
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:
degan@plaind.com, 216-999-6136
© 2004 The Plain Dealer. Used with permission. » Send This Page | » Print This Page
http://www.cleveland.com/outdoors/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/sports/1082108094205800.xml