The Amazing Bachtel Boys

I took a look at the bluebird skies and sighed... I knew it would be a tough day of fishing. High clouds were moving in though, bringing with them a chance for rain and storms. If we were going to hook up the boat and go fish, I had to get a move on.

As I was locking the boat to the truck, the boys were picking out what rods to take and what tackle. We were going out to Portage Lakes to do some fun fishing, mainly looking for bluegills and redears, but I had crappie on my mind. It would prove to be tough early, but the end of the day was on. Big time. We stopped at the Fisherman's Shack on S. Main to pick up the bait. The warm greeting the owners yellow lab "SHACK" gives the boys is always a great time. We talked a bit and Nick dropped off another photo for the shop's "Wall of Fame". Three dozen minnows, a couple cups of maggots, 50 waxworms and we were off to the ramp. The excitement level in the boys was rising, the anticipation of hauling in a bunch of big fish growing. I was still looking at the skies.

We got the boat launched, and after some minor motor cleaning, we were off. We passed Matt from the Division of Wildlife along with his camera crew who I assume were shooting a Wild Ohio segment. We talked for a minute about the fishing and moved out. Where would it be, East or Turkeyfoot? The winds were blowing pretty good and that made the decision for me. Much easier boat control on East, so we started down the channel. As we passed Gene's old place, Sam was reminding Nick and I of all the great times he spent there and the fish he caught off the dock. Fishing memories of an 8 year old... Gotta love it. We all agreed on one thing as we passed. Gene and Teri, we miss you guys (and Cooper) a great deal.

Travelling around the lakes takes a little time, as it is pretty much all a no-wake zone. But on the way, there's a lot to look at. We saw several herons nabbing fish and the ospreys put on an aerial show. There was a screeching redtailed hawk in the distance that Sam heard. He said "Hawks are my favorite bird." He really liked the bikini clad cardboard cutout in the window of a house as we entered the Iron Channel. He said he wasn't looking, but I saw him peek. Then I told him it was OK to look and the rule of "what happens on the boat stays in the boat". As we cruised into East, the water got very clear and fish could be seen everywhere. The sight even got me a little pumped. Maybe it would be and OK day. The clouds were moving in...

We headed down lake and slowed down to look for the productive brushpiles I had found in the Spring. There they were on the fish finder and they were loaded with big marks. Over the side went some live minnows under a slip bobber. I had a hit, the slow dive of a slab crappie, but I missed. Sam had a hit. WHAM! It was a nice fish. He was cranking it up from the depths, a real nice two pound bass. The fish broke the surface and shook the hook loose, leaving Sam dejected. But it did get him excited for the rest of the day. We stuck it out on the deep brush, but the fish wouldn't bite. The marks were great, but you can't count those. We decided to move shallow and look for the bigger redears and gills. Moving to another spot, we found some scattered fish on a nice weed edge. They would hammer the pinmin/maggot combo and the bigger fish, would slowly sink the stick bobbers. It was great because after awhile, Sam would recognize the bite and know the bigger fish while they hit. Bluegill after bluegill came into the boat, some real nice 6 to 8 inchers, all decked out with bright colors. After we got the fish going, Nick got his flyrod out and started throwing a black foam spider with green legs. His casts were spot-on, and when the first fish came up and hit it, SLURP, the spider was gone and Nick was laughing.

I helped Sam keeep his hook baited up, and casted for him in the tighter spots. Then I was boat control man. Nick was in Auto Pilot with his flyrod and ultralite, catching fish after fish. There were lots of clouds rolling in now, some of them pretty gray, so we decided to call it a day. Heading back, we stopped at one last place to give it a shot, over in West Reservior. The spot always produces good gills and redears, so what the heck. You can say that when you're on vacation. There was a school of real nice bluegill there and they were biting well. Sam was catching them like a pro and he and Nick put the hammer to the fish. Then, out of nowhere, Sam got bit. His bobber shot across the water in a different way. "Set the hook" Nick shouted. Sam layed back and drove his point into the corner of the fishes mouth. Then the fish got mad. It was pulling drag and running, trying to get as far away from the boat as he could. This was definitely no bluegill. I grabbed the net in anticipation of a bass, but that wasn't it either. Sam was laughing so hard, I thought he was going to wet himself, and in-between his cackling, he would exclaim "MY WRIST IS KILLING ME!" Then back to laughing. Nick was there, giving him encouragement on the fight, and then I had a moment. One of those times when you take yourself out of the scene and just watch. It was the feeling. The reason why I like fishing with kids. They were having so much fun trying to get that fish in the boat, and I was there to see it. The catfish came up and winked at Sam, then I scooped it into the net. He was so happy to get that fish in the boat... "CATFISH!" he screamed. "It's the first catfish I ever caught", he went on. I showed him how to hold Ol' whiskers without getting jabbed but the fish was too big for his small hands. It weighed 3 pounds or so, but you would have thought it was a new state record. We took a picture and dropped him back into the lake, and then it was back to fishing. Sam is hooked forever now.

Later, after we got home and I had backed the boat in, I was putting gear away and he asked, "Dad? Can we get the picture we took of my catfish made into, like a real picture I can keep. When I get old I want to look at it and remember catching it because it was so much fun. Well, not really old, but older." I told him when he gets old he'll want to look at it too. I can only imagine the stories he'll tell his kids about that day of fishing and the whiskered monster he caught. I'll be making myself a few copies of that picture too. Great job Sam.

Six Months Later...

What a six months this has been! Surgery went well and things have healed up nicely. I can eat hot wings again! WEEEE! Anyway, the fishing has been nothing less than spectacular. Nick and I have had a great first half of the year, going after several different species. Here are a few high points...

The ice fishing season was cut short for me by the surgeon's blade, but we did manage to get out a few times. Don't tell the doc, as I wasn't supposed to be up and around, let alone walking out on a frozen lake. We hit Presque Isle Bay a couple times with marginal success. Actually had better luck at Nimisila catching nice redears and crappies. It was just good to get out.

After ice out and a recovery period, it was crappie time. Nick and I had one of our most memorable trips ever, travelling to PA's Shenango Lake. The slabs were on fire and we caught several fish over 14 inches. Thanks Ken Smith for showing us the way on your home waters. The Microspoons really work. REALLY! Never got to West Branch for the crappies this year, simply because the fishing at Portage Lakes was so damn good. Crappie after crappie, with an average size in the 11 1/2 inch range on the second most utilized inland waterway in Ohio made my Spring. Close to home with numbers of quality fish. The pictures I have taken will keep the fires burning in my memory forever.

As the Spring rolled on, had a curve ball thrown my way. Working weekends. But, as we have to do from time to time, adapt, adjust, and overcome. The fish bite during the week too. Had several great perch trips and very memorable walleye trips, one of which Nick caught his biggest walleye to date. 9.8 pounds and it's pictured above. He's definitely turned into quite the fisherman and outdoorsman. The walleye bite has been all kinds of hot lately and the freezer is full, at least for now. Lots of pictures taken and great times discussed on the radio show and outdoor shows we've had the pleasure of working.

Hopefully the next six months will be as much fun as the first. A lot of things on the horizon, I just have to get there. As I reach those goals, there will be more to come, that's for sure....

I'm Carl "Big Daddy" Bachtel and I'll see you on the water.

Happy New Year (?)

What a year 2008 was... As I look back and review, I have to tell you, there were very few bright spots. Maybe it's the time of year, the recent loss of a friend, or the approaching abdominal surgery, but for me 2008 really sucked.

What has kept me going has been the fishing. Whether it was on the ice, fishing the willows for crappie, Nick and I trying our hand in a few bass opens, the Erie walleye bite, or wading rivers for steelhead, it really helps me get away from all the other "stuff" I get served every day. The catching was great, that's for sure, but what really takes the pressure away is the friends I've made and people I've met. That's the important part of all this outdoors stuff.

Where it goes in 2009 is anyones guess. Top priority is getting my health back, then we'll see what happens. Life is what you make it and my resolution for 2009 is to make mine better. Man, do I have a lot of work to do....

Happy New Year everyone. I'll see you on the water....

Chagrin Steelies with Nick

Decided to head out this morning to the Chagrin to try our luck on the steelhead. Conditions looked great for a promising day. Didn't get as early of a start as I had wanted, but sometimes that warm bed is tough to get out of. Roused Nick up at 7 or so, grabbed a couple cups of coffee, and headed North. It was a tough decision. There are a lot of great steelhead waters in NE Ohio, but we decided on "Ol' Faithful". We've almost always caught fish in that part of the Chagrin. Easy access, decent amount of room, even if there are a few other anglers there. We got in the water just before 10AM.

As is more and more the case, Nick got the first fish. Click PLAY on the video above and you'll see the fight. It was a good 6+ pound hen steelie and she took a white Mini-Foo tipped with a few maggots. Fish was released to fight again.

I hooked into one a few casts later, but a BIG jump and it was gone... And I was left fishless for the day. Had a few other bites, but no catches. Oh well, that's why they call it fishing and not catching!

I like these trips with Nick. He's grown into a real good fisherman in his short 11 years. Looking forward to many more.

Tonight, starting at 12:01AM the 2009 Fish Crazy Fall Walleye Derby starts! Three weeks of intense walleye fishing action. I'm fishing with Walt again and hopefully all the luck wasn't used up in the Spring. Should be a lot of fun, if the fish cooperate!!!

Anyway, I'll report how that goes and anything else that comes up. I'll be back on the radio next week, hopefully, with Reno and who knows, we may expand our outdoors media coverage.... More on that later.

Off to gas up the truck and sharpen some hooks. Talk soon.

I'm Carl "Big Daddy" Bachtel and I'll see you on the water.

Happy Birthday to ME!

Another year GONE! But, at least I spent half the day on the water, perching with Nick and Cfish. It's that time of year. The yellow perch are coming in to get the Fall feedbag on. Right off Cleveland, there are tons of fish.

We headed out early, as the weather man said building waves and rain coming in the afternoon. I think he should check his watch! After stopping at Shine's Bait and Tackle on E.55th for bait, ice, and a good report, we headed down to Gordon Park to launch. Lake was beautiful, a nice light chop, partly cloudy sunrise. Great morning. A small pack of boats was out in 41 foot, just North of the breakwall, so we went and set up. Within a few minutes, the perch were coming in the boat. Anglers in other boats all around us were hauling them in too. After an hour or so, the fish slowed down. There were quite a few dinks we had to weed through, but we put 25 or so in the box. The pack seemed to grow a little North, and the waves were building, so we moved deeper.

The radio chatter was about the up and down action all along the Lakewood/Edgewater/E. 72nd/Bratenahl/Euclid area, with the fish coming in from 38 to 45 feet of water. Like I said, there were a lot of fish out there. Heck, "The Holiday", the "Linda Mae", and "The Express" all were reporting hot action, a couple of boats even reporting marks on the depth finder 20 feet thick in perch! Now is the time! we ended up in 45 feet of water and hammered the bigger fish. It was a ball.

And it's only going to get better. The perch are feeding voraciously and limits are fast in coming. We ended up with 77 fish between the three of us, but the waves chased us off before we could limit. The rains also came, and there we were, no rain gear.

No matter. With perch being so tasty, it just takes your mind off the misery as you're yanking them in. Going try something a little different with the fillets this time... Nick has the right idea at the end of the video!

It was a great way to spend a birthday, that's for sure. At least it was until I watched the Browns... Oh well. There are always more fish to catch and who knows, maybe they'll improve. Long season. Fishing season too!

Any questions, comments, whatever.... Send me an email at cbachtel@wkyc.com and I'll get back with you.

I'm Carl "Big Daddy" Bachtel and I'll see you on the water.

The Volunteer Spirit

When it comes to fishing, I consider myself a very lucky person, having the opportunities I do. But, and I know this may be hard to believe, I haven't always been the fishing legend(HA!) I am now. It all had to start somewhere. When I was a kid, it was fishing with my Dad and older brothers. In this day and age, with life keeping folks so busy, there may not be opportunity to get out and fish, or even, heaven forbid, a lack of interest. That's why passing the knowledge and passion of the fishing experience is so important.

For the past couple of years, I've volunteered in the Natural Resources Area at the Great Geauga County Fair. What an experience. They have a youth fishing area where the Ohio Division of Wildlife introduces kids to the joys of fishing. They stock the area with a variety of fish and provide cane poles, tackle and bait. Us volunteers, we help the kids and their parents, if needed, providing worms, helping get snags free, and taking fish off the hook. It's pretty much organized chaos and after working all day in the hot sun, it does tire you out, but when a kid catches his first fish, and you see the excitement, it makes it all worth it.

There were two kids that stood out this year. One young girl who caught a little sunfish. When she brought it in, I could tell she was excited about the fish. She was saying "I don't want to touch it, keep it away!" But I saw she was curious. I took the fish off the hook and held it for her to look at. I showed her all the different colors of the fish, the different fins and how it swims. She even touched the fish, then held it and threw it back in, all by herself. Later, I saw her do the same thing with another she had caught.

The second was a young man, about 3 or 4 years old. He was fishing with his Mom and Dad, and Dad was helping him out. His bobber slammed under and he pulled up a tiny, baby largemouth bass about 3 inches long. By the kid's reaction, you would have thought he caught a whale! He was laughing and doing a fishing dance on the shore. He just couldn't control his excitement. He was high-fiving everyone in sight and gave BIG hugs to his Mom and Dad. All coming from dropping a worm hooked on a cane pole into the water. It's that joy, that excitement, that feeling you get. It's what I feel when hook into a fish to this day.

I hope you like the videos. Look for more "On the Water" segments next week. Any questions or comments, send me an email at cbachtel@wkyc.com and I'll get back with you.

I'm Carl "Big Daddy" Bachtel and I'll see you out there.

Perch are biting!

August is almost over, and that signals a great time for us fishermen. The big perch will be moving in to strap on the Fall feedbag. I got out this past Sunday with my son Nick and buddy Walt. No walleye this day. It was a perch fest from the start!

We watched the wind and wave forecast again and the morning brought a Southerly breeze and nice chop on Lake Erie. After getting some minnows at Shine's Bait and Tackle, it was off to Wildwood State Park to launch. I had heard reports of perch hitting off Cleveland, all the way East to Conneaut. The magic depth was 52 feet of water, so out we went.

After a nice ride, I slowed to check the sonar. It read 43 Feet and man, were there marks! Great ones. We decided to toss the anchor and give it a shot. No need to go deeeper if the fish are in close. First couple fish were dinks. I mean small, probably last year's babies. After about 5 or 6 of them, and just as I said "maybe we should move", WHAM! A keeper! Then a couple more! Then a double! It was ON! Some big fish had moved in and the action was up and down. At one point we managed FIVE doubles in a row! It was awesome!

The whole time, we were all laughing, digging on each other, telling bad jokes, and most of all having a great time catching fish. It didn't matter they were small. We weeded our way through them and put together a nice 3 man limit of fish. Took about 3 hours and 7 dozen minnows, a lot of which were cut in half. The fish didn't care. They were HUNGRY.

It was a great trip. One of those we'll all remember for a long, long time. That's one of the reasons I love to fish. Sharing fun like that. With all the stresses of daily life beating you up all week, it's good to get out and have some fun.

With the Fall bite just getting started, there will be a lot of opportunity for more fun trips! I can't wait.

I'm Carl "Big Daddy" Bachtel and thanks for stopping by.

If you have any questions, shoot me an email at cbachtel@wkyc.com and I'll get back with you.

Catch a bunch!