Sunday, November 26
Lake Erie can be an unfriendly place to fish, and today was no different. Brycen and his dad, Frank Burkhart, decided to risk the elements and try to catch a Walleye Derby Fish.
Fishing the downtown Cleveland area of Lake Erie, Frank and Brycen figured out the bite. Strong wind and strong current made their bandit lures fish improperly. Once they realized boat position , speed and angle made their lures fish properly, the bite was on.
The fish were biting extremely soft. Most times the boards barely moved. Frank was having a good day and had caught several fish, when Brycen noticed his board was slightly dragging. Several cranks on the reel, he immediately knew he had a good fish.
Brycen reeled the walleye to back of the boat when it rolled on the surface. Frank, who was ready to net the fish, immediately realized it was Brycen’s biggest walleye ever! The fish pulled some drag and made a final run. Frank netted and the walleye was on the deck.
The 10lb 10oz, 29in walleye is a true trophy and gives Brycen a lead in the Junior Division of the Walleye Derby