November gales arrive with heavy winds limiting open water access

What anglers are reporting There are no fresh reports from the western basin this week as heavy winds have kept most boats off the open water. The last solid patterns before the blow had smallmouth feeding heavily on main-lake reefs and island points.

This week's outlook Expect water temperatures to be dropping through the low 50s after a recent cold front and a steady cooling trend. The story this week is the wind, with sustained blows from the west and northwest before a massive northeast gale arrives later in the week. Open water will be dangerous or unfishable most days. If you can get out, smallmouth should be grouped up tight to bottom structure on the reefs, feeding on gobies and emerald shiners before winter sets in. Largemouth in Sandusky Bay and the protected harbors offer a safer alternative, holding near remaining weed beds and rock breakwalls.

Where to start Look for smallmouth on the edges of limestone reefs and island shoals in 15 to 25 feet of water, specifically where rock meets sand, if the wind allows safe passage. For largemouth, target the riprap and harbor breakwalls around Port Clinton, Catawba, or Sandusky Bay where the water is somewhat protected from the heavy surf.

Bait box

• Silver or gold blade baits
• Deep-diving jerkbaits in emerald shiner patterns
• Goby-pattern tubes on heavy jig heads
• Paddle tail swimbaits on 3/8-ounce heads
• Squarebill crankbaits for harbor largemouth

This weekend Saturday brings 25 mph west winds, and Sunday stays rough with 23 mph westerlies. The open lake will be treacherous, so stick to protected bays and harbors for largemouth, or fish the lee sides of the islands if you have a large enough vessel and can launch safely. Watch the marine forecast closely and do not take chances with November gales.