BLACKTOP CHARTERS on Lake Erie for Lake Trout, 22 May 2016

[Dog]

Yesterday we (me, Laural (my wife), Eric and Amanda (his girlfriend) took Blacktop Charters out on Lake Erie for Lake Trout.

As usual, Capt Ken and Doug were idling at the dock and ready to push off as soon as we arrived at O'dark thirty.
After a short 45 minute boat ride out to the fishing grounds, lines (downriggers, dipsy divers, planar boards) got deployed with an arsenal of tackle...

Most of the morning the weather was trying to decide if it wanted to rain, lay down a fog layer or burn off...however, before it had a chance to turn virga into rain, FISH ON!

The ladies got things started with a double header...


Amanda landed the 1st of the day


Then Laural landed her first...


Eric was up and the next bite went to him to land, which he did for his first


My turn and with this catch I checked off a Lake Trout from the list of freshwater fish I have never caught...


So that was a real solid start to the day for sure!... a few seconds of chaos followed minutes of relaxation
(it was a truly peaceful and calm day on the big lake)

Then the action picked back up and with it our blood flow to combat the early morning chill that was still lingering in the air...

Doug netting with Capt Ken giving some landing instructions resulted in Laural holding this...

BOOM!

Good night!!!

I'll let the remaining pictures do the talking... (in case that one didn't say enough)








(we both reeled this one in... it was starting to feel like work so we rotated on and off.. haha)

Then the sun started to come out... didn't matter










(Full Service)

So there you have the highlights of another epic 8 hours of catching on Lake Erie with Blacktop Charters... In total we had 36 bites and were able to get 22 to the boat, kept a few for some fresh fillets too.

Summary:
I can't imagine the service Capt Ken and Doug provide aboard Blacktop getting any better... They're professional and laidback (which probably comes from the fact that they know what the heck they're doing). They like to have a good time while working extremely hard to put you on the fish to make memories that will last you a lifetime. I know this trip will be stored in my memory bank right next to the previous two walleye charters with them.
Seriously, if you have not done this, what the heck are you waiting for... consider this report your invitation to call Capt Ken and schedule your charter.

I am now primed and ready for Canada... bring on the creatures that lurk in the depths of Lake O outside the Smith Pass Outpost Cabin!

[Jay Thomas]

Great report and pics Nate. Thanks very much for sharing. Looks like your better half landed the two biggest lake trout for the day. Great day for her!

Jay

[SgtCrabby]

Yep, it looks like the better half landed the better fish.

What Dog?  You didn't tell me this trip was in the wind, what a surprise tO fin this.

[RHYBAK]

Those are some really nice looking Lake Trout.

Great report.
Good way to start the blood flowing.

[puckster_guy]

 Looking amazing bro, What a day. Anyway we can stock some of those lakers in Kipawa?