Erie, PA Sport Fishing Association FALL TROUT Challenge

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Congratulations to Captain Paul Snyder and Team Ditch Chicken who beat the competition with 6 trout weighing a total of 38.65 pounds!

We asked Captain Paul to give us some insight into the weekend and he was happy to fill us in

Prior to the Fall Trout Challenge we pre-fished Thursday and Friday all day, with little success. However, all water west of Elk Creek and east of 4 mile was eliminated. 

Tourney day we made the trek from Presque Isle Bay to Elk creek. Upon arrival we found two other tourney boats already deployed and fishing. Since we arrived after the official start time, we set-up east and trolled west.  We deployed 9 mono boards rods pulling a variety of stick baits. Our first pass yielded 2 bass and two large steelhead. Our second pass was equally productive as we landed two more steelhead. By 9:00 am we already had 5 steelhead in the box and only one needed upgraded. We proceeded to go on a 0/3 streak and I had to bench a team member until we got the sixth fish in the boat. This is not the NBA where you are encouraged to shoot your way out of a slump. 5/8 and need one more for our six. Our call is answered around 10 am with a solid fish. The next steelhead is not an upgrade and immediately released unharmed. The bite was still going, with drive byes becoming more frequent. We still managed a 3/8 streak with two upgrades. 

With our bite coming to a screeching halt and the log jam of boats in front of the creek mouth,  we decided to move out to deeper water where our fellow competitor had been working all morning. We deployed a new spread for a pass and a half with zero results. We pulled and ran to fish off the point, which was our back up plan. We were at least headed in the right direction, back towards port. The amount of bait and birds were incredible and felt confident we could upgrade at least one fish. We managed to go without a bite in the last 1.5 hours and headed to the weigh-in with a good box, thinking we have a shot!

We did not know weight of our big fish, but knew that fish 2-4 were close in size.  As long as our big fish was competitive with the field we felt pretty good about our chances. We were the last team with six fish to weigh and Team VQ put up a score 37.90 lbs. Our big fish weighed in at 7.55 lbs and our box came in at 38.65 lbs edging out Team VQ by 0.75 lbs to finish in first place. 

I would like to thank my teammates for two great tournament days and the EPSFA for putting on these fine events. See everyone in April!

Congratulations to Captain Ken Rodland and Team POKERFACE who beat the competition with 6 trout weighing a total of 37.50 pounds!

We asked Captain Ken to give us some insight into the weekend and he was happy to fill us in

10-18  Pre-fishing with the birthday girl, Dozer, and Tony Gerg (Captain of Team Necessary)  We had to blow the cobwebs off, being this was our first trout trip and first day out since September 22nd.  We left home port around 7:30 and started deploying gear.  The bite was on fire and we struggled to get 6 rods in the water.  This was a good sign!  We had a few tourney boats down our way and wondered if we would have company for the weekend?  We went through the day dialing in our best set ups going 19/26.  Then a birthday song, and pumpkin pie before calling it a day.  Happy Birthday to my wife and first mate Rhonda!!

10-19  Fishing the Ditch Challenge with the Pokerface Team.   We departed at 7:15, with everything ready to go for the 7:30 start time.  We all stood in awe looking at the completely flat glass lake conditions.  Trout were rising and crashing bait all around us.   We got going and went 7/9 on our first pass.  Good deal!!  Confident in our area we released all fish that weren’t tournament grade.  Releasing fish before you have your initial 6 in the box??  Who even does that??!!  It was a great day with constant action.  We dropped two very nice fish, which would have changed our outcome.  We were still happy going to the scales with a good box to finish a solid third place. 

10-20  Game day and we were stoked to say the least.  The early morning was spent talking with Team Necessary at the dock.   (Capt Tony, my daughter Rylee, Tony’s Dad Steve, and friend Bob, both of which was their first time fishing in a tournament).  The talk about the strategy was a really cool deal for me. Getting more people to join EPSFA just to fish this tournament, was also a bonus.   Rods in at 7:30 and we got going.  It was the biggest fish class bite of the weekend, going 4/11 on the first pass.  Those big boys sure have a way of getting the best of ya.  The morning was also filled with shouts of joy and hooting and hollering by Team Necessary, who was within earshot most of the morning.  Almost seemed like they were out fishing us!!  Proud Dad and coach moment for me!!.  I can’t remember an EPSFA Trout Challenge where the weather conditions and lake were perfect, or a time where the struggle was to not limit out too early without a good weighing tournament box.  Congratulations to my team Rhonda, JB and Dozer!!

Congratulations to Captain Joe Nemet and Team Nemesis who beat the competition with 6 trout weighing a total of 38.45 pounds!