News For 2008:
Bo-Kay Fishing Charters

Hi: Guys & Gals

My back surgery went well and I am recovering slowly. My legs are still a bit of a problem but I should be OK for the 2008 season, God willing!

The walleye fishing was great this year, as some of you know. The throwbacks from 2006 were keepers for 2007 so we limited quite a few times. All those great aggressive walleyes were hitting everything they could get their mouths on, maybe that's why it was tough for the bigger fish to be caught. On a good day we were catching customer's limits in about 4 to 5 hours. We did manage boat limit a few times though. I don't expect the walleyes to change their feeding habits this season so we will probably have some great fishing this year too.

The outlook for the 2008 season looks very good, partly because the ones that got away will be just that much bigger in 2008. We have had three years of fair to good reproduction, which is great. There will be some smaller fish joining the pack and the ones that we released will grow, and by spring they should be another couple of inches longer. We didn't see too many big ones this past year; I only gave the taxidermist 6 fish to mount that were over 10 pounds. We have had three years of a fair to good hatch so we shouldn't be bothered too much by shakers this next season. Besides, there are still a lot of big ones out there from past years hatches.

What does all this really mean to us fishermen? Good question! I just wish I had all the answers. This year the water temperature came up slowly and the walleyes stayed in the area through September. We did catch a lot of 24-29 inch fish and we lugged many 110-pound coolers up the dock to be cleaned. Great walleyes throughout the season which makes happy campers out of smelly fishermen! This was a tough year for perch fishing, partly because we had trouble getting emerald shiners. When we found the emerald shiners, the perch fishing was great. So, when asked if I guarantee they'll catch big fish and lots of them , I always say that I can't guarantee you'll catch big fish, I can't guarantee you'll even catch fish, that's why they call it fishing, not catching! And what is more fun than fishing-they say catching! There you go-that's my job!

I tell everyone that the prime time for Walleye if from mid-June to mid-August, last year it was from mid-May to mid-September. We have had three years of the best fishing that I have seen since the 80's. The Steelhead season, what there was of it, has been two weeks either side of the Fourth of July, and again in October, depending on water temperature. Confused? So am I!

Like to fish for Perch? The time for good Perch fishing is May to mid-June; the fish are a little lighter in weight in the early season, but not that much. The fishing picks up again in late August and just keeps getting better through October and into November. The late season problem is not only the weather but also the supply of emerald shiners. Plan to book early so you can have your choice of dates.

This year after the boat was pulled, I stayed home and fished for Steelhead in the rivers around the Lorain and Cleveland Area. I also took it easy for a day or two after surgery! The first of June will find me in Petersburg, AK for a week of Salmon and Halibut fishing.

Limits for 2008 set by the ODNR are 6 Walleye; 30 Perch; 5 Smallmouth, 5 Steelhead except in the winter when it is 2. That is for those of you that keep Steelhead in the winter, I don't.

Reminders: Please be aware that if you are enjoying a Walleye dinner in some nice restaurant you are helping the gill netters in Canada which in turn hurts your Walleye fishing in Lake Erie. You can NOT sell game fish that are caught in the USA waters off Ohio; however, there are some privately raised fish that can be sold. Regarding fishing licenses, if you are on the boat you are considered to be helping someone fish, so you must have a license. All kids over 16 must have a license. And last, only persons living in Ohio can get the senior free or discounted license.

Call Me, Let's Go Fishing!

Capt. Bob Schmidt
Bo-Kay Fishing Charter
1715 W 26th St
Lorain OH 44052-4331
1-888-551-0440

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