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| Happy New Year! I don’t think anyone is disappointed in putting 2020 in the rear view mirror. Hopefully 2021 will be a much better year for all of us! Although there is some uncertainty on where this country will be with the pandemic come the new fishing season, I myself am preparing and moving forward as if it’s just another year. Baring anything unforeseen, THE TROPHY will be again in the water in Ashtabula Harbor come May and we will be open for business running exciting Walleye fishing trips! |
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| Last year we started the fishing season out with a lock down. Sales of out of state fishing licenses was shut down by Ohio’s Governor and THE TROPHY sat lonely and idle in the water. It was all so very sad. As things started to open up the damage was already done. Whether real or just perceived peoples fears of traveling really hurt all of the charter industry. I know my little business took a big hit. Cancellations started to roll in at a alarming pace. Fortunately by late June things started to level off and we finally got rolling. Through it all the fishing was excellent. The Walleyes were plentiful, much bigger on average then the year before and for those that braved coming out it was great fun as always and “just another day on THE TROPHY”! |
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| With the massive school of Walleyes from the record hatch of 2015 still dominating our daily catches it is amazing to see how much bigger they are each year now! Everyone was taking home really nice big valuable bags of fillets last year after fishing with us. To put things in perspective, check out this picture of what Walleye fillets were selling for last season! I happened to go into a local seafood market in Ashtabula last summer and this really caught my eye. Canadian Lake Erie Walleye for sale at $19 bucks a pound! Keep in mind these are the same Lake Erie Walleyes that we sport fisherman catch with hook and line. But ours is truly fresh as opposed to the Canadian Walleye which drowned in gill nets and were dead in warm water who knows how long before going thru the many stages of processing and showing up in their show case labeled as “fresh caught”! |
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| Here’s a picture of the average 4 mans charter catch that those that chose to have their fish cleaned at the marina took home last year! Truly fresh and skinned fillets unlike the fish markets fish on display. I think it’s safe to say almost everyone took home nearly the value in meat as they spent on the whole charter at those fish market prices! Ha! And if the trend continues, those bags of fillets will be even bigger this year! Mmmmm! Lots of GREAT fish fry's and great fun catching them to boot! So hopefully things will settle down again and this world can return to normal. Time will tell but I plan on fishing and I hope all of you do as well. We can do it very safely being outside in Lake Erie's ever present winds! But till then wear a mask, give everyone lots of room and don’t congregate! And don’t forget to book or confirm your dates with me! Capt. Walt Trophy Charters |
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