WCO Report for Erie County 06/03/2009: Erie area, PA,
WCO Report Posted: June 03, 2009

Close-Quarters Jigging
This technique works well for big large mouths, so you will need a strong and stiff rod. You will also need at least 20-pound monofilament line. Use monofilament because it is less abrasive then other lines. You will be fishing in heavy cover. It is recommended you use jigs with nylon bristles. This helps prevents snags. Work the jig into heavy cover. Then jig it up and down several times. The heavier the jig the better.

Topwater Buzzing
Of all the top water baits available, the buzzbait is the most productive, versatile, and forgiving lures. It gets bass out of cover, and attracts them in open water. Most anglers fish a buzzbait too fast. Retrieve slowly so the blade just barely spins. This will catch you more fish. Keep the rod tip held high for best results.

Carolina-Rigging Soft Plastics
The Carolina rig requires a 3/4 or 1 ounce egg or bullet sinker. Assemble a Carolina rig by threading the main line through the sinker, followed by a 8mm glass bead, and tie off to a swivel. The bead protects the knot, and makes noise when it hits the sinker. To the other end of the swivel, tie a 3 to 5 foot leader and a 3/0 offset worm hook. The leader should be monofilament, 10 to 14 pound test. Carolina rigs can be purchased pre rigged also. Add a 6-inch lizard, or a worm, crawfish, tube, or other soft plastic.

Deep-Cranking Spinner baits
Fishing 8 to 20 feet of water with spinner baits can produce big bass. A heavier spinner bait is needed to get it down deep. A good color combination is gold and silver blades with chartreuse and white skirts. Position your boat in deep water, and cast over structure, ledges, or other bass holding areas. Let the lure sink to the bottom, then give a slight pull on the rod to start the blades. Maintain a slow retrieve to keep the lure near the bottom.

Twitching Floating Worms
This technique works well by structure near open water such as boat docks. A twitching action of pull, then pause, works well. It simulates a dying minnow or worm. The Banjo Minnow is an example of this technique. Normally you can see the bait and any strikes. If you can’t, be ready because fish on average will hit on the pause. You can cover good water with this technique.

Live Baits:
Shiners, night crawlers and crawfish are all good choices for bass.

Know Your Fire Extinguisher Before It's Needed:
As a boat owner, how well do you know you fire extinguisher? There is no question that in an emergency you'll have no better friend than a well-maintained, well-located U.S. fire extinguisher that meets Coast Guard regulations. Like any friend however, neglect it and your extinguisher may not be there for you when you need it most.

Staying on the best of terms with your fire extinguisher doesn't take a lot of effort. The most common type of fire extinguisher found on most family boats is the dry powder extinguisher. These extinguishers typically have an easy to read pressure gauge that you should check on a monthly basis.

When you check the pressure gauge also give the entire bottle a good look. Plastic nozzles can be easily damaged and may not function properly if they are blocked.

It is also recommended to give your dry powder extinguisher a thorough shaking at least twice a year because "the powder charge can settle and become compacted during long periods of disuse."

If you shake your extinguisher twice a year, then when you shake it for the tenth time it should be the last. The National Fire Protection Association recommends that non-rechargeable, powder-type extinguishers be routinely replaced after five years, even though they have not been used and appear to be in good shape."

For those boat owners with carbon dioxide or Halon type extinguishers, checking and shaking is not the way to go. These gaseous type extinguishers require periodic inspection and certification by trained and licensed service providers. "The tank must be weighed to ensure that it is still full. Those that have lost more than 10 percent of their charge must be recharged in order to be effective. Weighing should be a part of a semi-annual inspection.

Your fire extinguisher is required to be USCG approved for marine use and at least one extinguisher should be securely mounted within arms reach of the operator. Extinguishers are required on all boats with internal combustion engines with enclosed compartents for portable fuel tanks and boats with permanently mounted fuel tanks.

No matter what type of fire extinguishers you have aboard your boat, a little regularly scheduled TLC will go a long way to ensuring a long lasting friendship for you and your extinguisher. Ref. ICBM Inc.

Another Fish For Free Day If You Missed the First One:
Fish for Free Days allow anyone to legally fish for Pennsylvania's most popular fish without a fishing license. Each year the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission's Executive Director designates 2 Fish for Free Days. No fishing license is required to fish on Pennsylvania's waterways all day Sunday, June 7th, 2009. All other fishing regulations still apply.

Copies of the Anglers Summary booklet can obtained at most area bait and tackle shops and at the Walnut Creek Access office free of charge. The Pennsylvania Fishing Summary Book can also be viewed on line. The Erie area offers a wealth of fishing opportunities for the new angler and the seasoned veterans alike. Plenty of shore fishing is available to new anglers along the Bay Front Highway on Presque Isle Bay as well as much of the shore line at Presque Isle State Park. Fish for free days are the opportunity for the inexperienced angler to try his luck as well as a great opportunity for the experienced angler to introduce a friend to fishing. Fish for Free Days can be the start of many memorable family outings as well.

Local Weather:

Wednesday Night...Partly cloudy. A chance of showers in the evening. Cool with lows in the upper 40s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph...becoming north after midnight. Chance of rain 30 percent.

Thursday...Becoming mostly sunny. Highs in the mid 60s. Northeast winds around 10 mph.

Thursday Night...Clear. Cool with lows in the upper 40s. Northeast winds 5 to 10 mph...becoming east after midnight.

Friday...Sunny. Highs in the lower 70s.

Friday Night...Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 50s.

Saturday...Partly cloudy. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the upper 60s. Chance of rain 30 percent.

Saturday Night...Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Lows in the lower 50s. Chance of rain 30 percent.

Sunday...Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of showers. Highs in the upper 60s.

Sunday Night...Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of showers. Lows in the lower 50s.

Monday...Mostly cloudy with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 60s. Chance of rain 40 percent.

Monday Night...Mostly cloudy. Lows in the mid 50s.

Tuesday...Partly sunny. Highs in the mid 60s.