Our friend and popular guide on Lake Erie out of Ohio, Ross Robertson has been on somewhat of a terror when it comes to landing big fish from the big waters. Appropriately named, his Big Water Guide Service has been guiding and scouting the last week for upcoming trips. On two such trips in the last 8 days, Robertson has hit paydirt.
First he was casting crankbaits to rockpiles in fairly shallow water for smallmouths. Something he stumbled onto a few years back while guiding for walleyes. This time out he hit the smallmouth of dreams. His catch was an 8-pound smallmouth. The beast of a fish measured 22.5 inches and had a girth of 19.5 inches. The fish fell for a Reef Runner Ripshad 400.
Most folks will fish their whole life and never catch a smallmouth weighing more than 7 pounds. Robertson has done it several times now besting that mark with this 8-pounder. The state record smallmouth for Ohio was 9.5 pounds.
Most anglers would be satisfied with that accomplishment in a lifetime of fishing. Robertson went on to best his walleye mark as well. This past weekend he landed a 15.1-pound walleye on a Silver Streak spinner. The massive fish was 29.5 inches long and had a girth of 23.5 inches. The state record for walleyes is 16.19 pounds.
"I feel very fortunate to live and guide on a body of water where I can land more than 100 walleyes over 10 pounds each and every year, as well as some bonus toad smallies," Robertson said. "You have to wonder if karma plays a role in getting two near records in the same week. While I don't know for sure, I did help two old ladies across the street today! No matter how many giants make it to the net, it still gets me fired up, and yes a 15 pounder somehow takes it one step further. When big mama hit floor, I dropped the net put my hands up, and screamed, 'Welcome to the show!' I was just a little fired up."
When asked what he attributes catching two giants in two different species, Robertson had this to say:
"The political answer is one needs to fish the conditions and not memories. You really need to do things a little different when targeting big fish, specifically location, baits and speed. Most importantly stay away from boat pressure, it makes a huge difference. The crank that I caught the smallie on (Reef Runner Ripshad 400) is a walleye crank that has a distinct hunting action. I may be the only guy throwing it for bass. It's a bear to throw, but I've landed four smallies weighing more than 7-pounds on it in the last two years, and I only fish bass five or six days per year. I will however continue to help old ladies across the street just in case it's a karma thing."
Congrats on a great week of fishing Ross. Consider us jealous!
To book a trip with Robertson or see some more big catches, visit his website bigwaterfishing.com.
