East Harbor Lake Erie Kayak Bass Fishing Tournament Weekend - BKFT Camping & Fishing

One of my favorite kayak bass fishing tournament weekends of the year, this was the Buckeye Kayak Fishing Trail’s Lake Erie East/West Harbors tournament. East Harbor is one of my favorite places to fish with amazing bass and pike opportunities and this tournament draws one of our biggest camping crowds of the season (to East Harbor State Park Campground), so it is always a great weekend I look forward to! This ended up as a four-day trip (which is why the video is so long!) as I went up on Thursday to camp so I had all Friday out on East Harbor to pre-fish. As usual the bass were relating to grass edges and falling for a Jackhammer, but since the whole tournament field seemed to be fishing the north side of the harbor I decided to fish the sporadic grass patches on the south flats. Is it smart or stupid to not follow the crowd? I do believe that my areas and my patterns could have produced a lot more fish, but I failed to make the necessary adjustments when my chatterbait bite died around 12:30. I had specifically packed swimjigs to use as a "finessier" follow up to the Jackhammer incase the pressure got to the fish, but I never tied one on so that was a big mistake as swimjigs worked well for a lot of top finishers. But all in all it was a success in that I caught my 5-fish limit... everyone else just caught bigger fish. I had a great time camping with the group and it is always fun to challenge myself against these amazing anglers!
I need to send a "thank you" to Strictly Sail & Kayak for always being there for whatever kayak or fishing emergency pops up before a tournament, I am so lucky to live so close to their shop! If you want to support a small business and an awesome family, stop by the shop or you check them out online if you don't live near Cincinnati: www.strictlysa...
Check out Buckeye Kayak Fishing Trail on facebook or here: www.buckeyekay...

[@abidefishing]

That was a fun one to watch!

[@GirlGoneFishing]

Hahaha there is a 95% chance you fell asleep or left to check what's in the fridge somewhere in that 20 minutes! 🤣

[@SonjasSEAcrets]

Awesome job girl! I finally got my kayak out yesterday at East Harbor, had to first learn to kayak, haha, then 2 hours in, hubby gave me a pole and I reeled in a 17". On my way! Thanks again for the inspiration!😊

[@GirlGoneFishing]

Oh wow great job that much have been so much fun! I'm so happy for you!

[@wadesimpson7236]

Need a bigger car, kiddo 🤠

[@GirlGoneFishing]

Hahaha tell me about it! I'd love a camper van... and to become independently wealthy, quit my job, and live full time camping on the tournament trail! 🤣

[@wadesimpson7236]

@@GirlGoneFishingwealthy, bassfishing put the two together and by golly I think you might have the perfect life

[@martinreilly4845]

Melissa I just found your channel. My granddaughter and I saw you guys and was wondering what was going on. We live only about 20 minutes away from East Harbor and we usually fish there several times a week. My granddaughter caught her PB with a 3 1/2 pounder from the shore and she's just 8. She loves your videos and now wants me to teach her about kayak fishing. Keep up the great work and good luck on the tournament trail!!!

[@GirlGoneFishing]

That's awesome! I wish I had started when I was that age! Tell her I said "hi" and keep having fun fishing!

[@lowlifeangler]

I was there Wednesday and Thursday for a private event before the BKFT event. Really windy especially by the ramps. Caught 3 fish on Blue Rock 1099 black/blue swim jig dragged on the bottom while the wind was blowing me in. A bass boat caught same pike as you same spot by the birding lol I'm going enter the BFKT event Saturday. I know that lake better. Always enjoyed the vids! -TJ

[@GirlGoneFishing]

Cool thanks, good luck to you at Indian! I have only been there once back when I was in my sit-in paddle kayak, so this should be interesting!

[@lowlifeangler]

@@GirlGoneFishing I decided not fish the tournament this year but I was going to put the kayak in the canals right of the bridge at Moundwood. Travel north the canal, there's a huge lily pad open area. There's usually bass under there or travel west in those coves. I had small boat in there but not a kayak. My biggest bass was a 3lb at the by handicap fishing area at the end of the canal by the bathrooms across Moundwood. Caught on a Ribbit frog. I will on "Kayak Fishing Obsessed " podcast tonight 8:30pm-9:30pm from Wendell Fishing KZbin channel . Several guests talk about best 5 lures. Should be fun - TJ

[@OutdoorQuests]

Great job hammering out a limit! Looked like an overall awesome time between fishing and camping! I think I'm going to hop into kayak tournaments with my new kayak soon. I used to do them from boats, but I like the kayak format. Those dang GoPros! If you revert the firmware back, it'll resolve the battery bug, but you then can't use the phone app. Catch 22 there. But, you could probably use voice to turn the GoPros off/on? Again, great job and thanks for sharing your experience! - Cody

[@GirlGoneFishing]

Thanks, Cody! There are a handful of guys at the top of the national kayak trails who came from the bass boat scene and are doing really well in kayak fishing. With the payouts going up and the available technology expanding, it is going to be fun to watch the sport grow!

[@ChrisHarland-cy5su]

Hey Melissa! Wow, my first comment to you. I’ve been following your videos for at least a year now. I had been shore fishing for a couple years and really wanted to get out no the water. Largely due to you I bypassed the boat and trailer route and bought a Lynx 5 months ago. I’m from upstate NY and have been out on the water about 10 times now. I’m just obsessed with fishing now. I’ve been skunked a few days but recently have had a ton of success with swing head jigs rigged with creature baits (with lots of kick action) pretty much everywhere including heavy and deep grass. I’m having a blast on my Lynx and I really wanted to say THANK YOU!! Keep it going. You are an inspiration!!

[@GirlGoneFishing]

Wow that is really cool! I'm so glad you love your Lynx as much as I love mine!

[@fishingtimeletsgo598]

Hello Girl Gone always good getting your limit, too bad it was not 5 17 inchers like that last one, keep on grinding, tight lines and good hooksets🎣👊👍

[@GirlGoneFishing]

Thank you! :)

[@soldierofdirt81]

Love that you got a limit! Very happy for you and wishing you the best of luck in the next event Melissa!

[@GirlGoneFishing]

Thanks so much! Sometimes I feel like I'm getting there, but then the universe usually humbles me pretty fast. 🤣

[@scottbryant2235]

Please do a video on your gear. Do you have one of them $4500 Garmins? What are your rods/reels? Do you use Mono? Just so interested....

[@GirlGoneFishing]

Good idea! I'll work on that when I have a day free here soon!

[@MichaelCraig-bi3wj]

Check out Greg Blanchard's wheels he uses for his kayak, they are much easier to install. Good job getting a limit!

[@GirlGoneFishing]

Thanks! I'm getting better with the Hobie cart, but it is still a constant struggle... but I think the issue is my strength more than any problem with the cart... I just need to get better at my system!

[@ryanlinder1973]

Good job on a limit!! Reaching a limit is always my goal. Regardless of where it puts me in the standings, That's all I want is a limit..

[@GirlGoneFishing]

Thanks! That is how I feel, I have been working towards catching 5 bass a tournament and if the universe wants to start finally sending me 5 bass then I'm grateful... even if the winner of this particular one had 41 bass! 🤣

[@jackstein5486]

New subscriber. From what I can see you land most of the fish you hook. Nice job and thanks!

[@GirlGoneFishing]

Hello and thanks! :)

[@jaysonelam8321]

Great job! If you lose your Identifier you can write it on the back of your hand and hold on to the middle of the fish. That way it’s not an issue.

[@GirlGoneFishing]

That is true for some clubs, but this tournament was with the Buckeye Kayak Fishing Trail who requires you to use their identifier and write the code in a specific box on that identifier. My Cincinnati Kayak Fishing club doesn’t care where you write it.

[@michaelhumble9005]

Great video Melissa! Good job on the limit as well, tough tourney! I'm sure I will see you around at some point this season!

[@GirlGoneFishing]

Thanks! Good luck in your next one!

[@gregorybaker8047]

Hobie owes Melissa! She is the reason I bought a LYNX and I love it.

[@GirlGoneFishing]

I’m so happy you love your Lynx!

[@Hazel-Hill]

Very enjoyable to watch, thanks for including us.

[@GirlGoneFishing]

Thank you!

[@lisamarcum74]

Great job! Can’t believe you do it all by yourself - Girl power!! .

[@GirlGoneFishing]

Thanks! I've always preferred doing things my way so it usually works better solo! But the more I get into the fishing the more I think how cool it might be to have someone to travel and fish with, but what are the chances of ever stumbling into the right person? I'm content to just keep focusing on working hard and improving and having fun!

[@chrisdye1858]

Wow great job from the videos I have see also your getting better tight line😊

[@GirlGoneFishing]

Thank you!

[@Peaceonthewater]

You did so well! Limit + ! Great improvements.

[@GirlGoneFishing]

Thank you!

[@FishingwiththeOz]

You didn't get rained on and you put lots of fish in the kayak. That's a good weekend!

[@GirlGoneFishing]

Hahaha right, my checklist for success is pretty basic... survived the day, stayed floating, still had my wallet and keys at the end, caught a fish... yours is probably didn't get eaten by a shark or bitten by one of the many deadly snakes or spiders lurking in your area. 🤣

[@FishingwiththeOz]

@@GirlGoneFishing I don't see sharks but I see dolphins, the occasional manatee and alligators that are in certain waters but have never heard of anyone attacking a kayaker. One time, I did have a snake in the water that was headed right to my kayak like he planned to come aboard, but I scared him off just before I was about to thump him with a paddle. If you ever want to come down and try some inshore kayak fishing I will gladly be your personal guide.

[@benwilkey2060]

Was up that way yesterday! Lost 3 of my 4 best bites! 😝

[@GirlGoneFishing]

Oh boo, sorry! But hey, you got a beautiful day on a special body of water!

[@MrSteve280]

You must get home exhausted. I watched an earlier video of you installing gear on your Loon. You've had quite the journey in the last few years.

[@GirlGoneFishing]

It really has been weird and incredible how it has all escalated! Now I just need to learn to catch fish! :)

[@MrSteve280]

@@GirlGoneFishing Be sure to leave a little mystery. Figuring it out is like pulling the beard from Santa's face.

[@GirlGoneFishing]

Oh I have a feeling that the great challenge of fishing is that you never actually figure it out!

[@luckyandblessedfishing]

Great video and nice job getting your limit! I also was whacked by the Gopro update and only had one cam for my last trip out catching Snakehead! I need more video backup plans as well! Stinkin' Gopros haha!

[@GirlGoneFishing]

It is always something with them but I wouldn't have my Lynx without my GGF channel, so I have to love those darn cameras too! Just hoping there is new update soon that fixes that faulty last update!

[@luckyandblessedfishing]

@@GirlGoneFishing Yes GoPro is a love hate and for me.... a lot of user error :)

[@GirlGoneFishing]

Hahaha I don't think we are to blame, I blame the evil elves that screw up all of my electronics overnight (or maybe I'm just getting old). 🤣

[@luckyandblessedfishing]

Yes! I've been blaming "Gremlins" for all these years. 🤣

[@todddavidson5012]

Love Erie ❤

[@GirlGoneFishing]

I can't believe how many times a year I do the drive up 75 to Erie and those great northern Ohio lakes!

[@markskibo5159]

Awesome Blossom!!!!

[@GirlGoneFishing]

Thanks!

[@bryanreed8408]

You are doing so good

[@GirlGoneFishing]

@@bryanreed8408 Doesn’t feel that way after failing to limit at Indian this past weekend! But all we can do is keep trying and learning!