Saturday, December 7, 2013

Next Year

Hard to think about next year since I just stopped fishing a few days ago...but the phone has been ringing with guys looking to secure a spot for next year. Bittersweet as we had a really good year, but after so much fishing I really could use a little break...I must be getting old! Prime dates and weekends fill up fast so get ahold of me.


ICE--I will be working several stops on the promo tour and selling some Walleye Trolling books before we get safe ice. Look me up to chat ice and some of the new goodies that hit the market this year.

BOAT--I still have my 2013 boat available. It is in extremely good shape, loaded and only has 112hrs on it. Message or call me for pics and specifics.


Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Long time no talk

Just trying to catch up. This fall has some very up and some very down periods. basically, when the weather sucked really bad it was down and when we could actually get our butts on the lake it was good. With that said the fall to this point has required me to be on my A game more than ever. Very slight differences in the program made a ton of difference...some days they would only hit a few colors of Reef Runners...kinda weird.


Trying to get all of the ice gear in tip top shape...Clam and Ice Armor really raised the bar this year with some incredible new gear. Make sure to check it out and look at all of the updates myself and the rest of the Ice Team pro's post at iceteam.com.They will have audio reports form all over the country starting this week.

My nearly mint condition 2013 Ranger 621 is still for sale. it has approximately 125hrs on it and loaded with top notch equipment and lots of custom gear. Emial or call me with questions or for more pics.  hogwalleye@yahoo.com or 419-283-7069

Ross Robertson   www.bigwaterfishing.com

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Boat for Sale

It has been a crazy year. The book has been a bigger success than we could have ever imagined and just a lot of other fishing chaos throw in the mix to keep me busy.

Due to an unfortunate set of circumstances the guy buying my 2013 Ranger 621 can no longer do so. It is the 45th Anniversary edition and in extremely good shape, professionally rigged and maintained with lots of custom extras.  It has approximately 80hrs on it and has a extended warranty on the big engine. Below are some of the included options.  Get a hold of me at hogwalleye@yahoo.com or 419-283-7069 with any questions.

 2013 Ranger 621 250Pro-XS & 9.9 Pro-Kicker

Equipment list: (in addition to standard equip)

101 Terrova AP/US—I-LINK w/ remote (NEW)
(3) Optima 31 series deep cycle trolling batteries
(2) NEW Style Smoothmoves suspension seats
(2) 60’’Bert’s custom tackle tracks on rear
One of a kind custom made console electronics mount---holds (3) 10’’ units without moving
6’’Bert’s custom tackle bow track for electronics w/ mount
(6) Rod holders, six mounts
Bert’s Custom Tackle Custom made troll motor Stabilizer
Humminbird 1198 GPS/Sonar/side Imaging @ console
Humminbird 1158 GPS/sonar @ bow or extra hookup at console
Transducer switch for SI and DI
Custom trolling motor bracket for shallow water and steep ramp launching
Flush mounted and lighted compass
3 bank Ranger on-board charger
2 bank Minn-Kota Precision charger (NEW)
Battery switch w/ 5th battery
5th backup battery—Optima 31 series
Custom travel cover and buckles
Sony Marine AM/FM CD player
Mercury stainless prop
Rear rails
Remote oil fill
Extra glassed in back up transducer
Flush mounted side imaging
Down imaging skimmer transducer
5 port ethernet box and cables run to each unit
3 folding and one bump seat
Bow electronics hook ups (GPS & MK US2 & ethernet)
Mercury extended warranty on 250
Custom straps to hold planerboards and landing nets
Custom cargo net below passenger console for storage
Customized  rigging tube from main 250hp engine
Bracket mounted to hold bow nav light
Static bracket
Dual console
Bow rod deck buckles
Mercury smartcraft guage (ability to troll w/ main engine)




Monday, July 29, 2013

Icast Recap and BIG walleyes

Sorry for the long delay.  This has been a crazy season...in a good way. Heck, the weather goes from 100+ degrees to needing a jacket in July...crazy!

Icast a few weeks ago in Vegas had some crazy new goodies for those tackle junkies.  Perhaps the biggest came from Humminbird and Minn-Kota. Humminbird has a new product out that is similar to Dr. Depth, but without all of the complicated procedures, expense, and uploading your waypoints to a "public" server. You literally can make a lake map of a small private lake or get a super defined map of a special area you have fished for years.  This is a game changer!

Minn-Kota wasn't to be outdone as they introduced a 12' talon that acts as a quick way of anchoring.  Tough to say shallow water anchor anymore when you can hit 12' with these bad boys.




Arguably the biggest thing for me was to see the newly designed 36volt trolling motors by Minn-Kota.  I've made it no secret that for years my go to piece of equipment that I literally can't be without is my Terrova auto pilot.  Now you have even more power and more efficient use of it. The newly designed head is shorter and slightly wider, which also causes you to experience less steering torque.

As far as fishing the bigger than normal winds we have been experiencing have kept me on my toes. Pair this with the warm lake temps and we have had to fish deeper than normal with both Silver Streak UV and non UV models as well as speed troll Reef Runners when the junk gets so bad we can't keep the spinners down.  Pink, Pink and Pink has been a good color to have on both the spinners and cranks.

Capt. Ross Robertson
www.bigwaterfishing.com

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Bitter Sweet

More than a little tired having fished literally everyday for the last month. Lots of big fish came to the boat and got a bunch of Jr. anglers some giant walleyes.
The end of the trip was bittersweet. I made a big big gamble and lost big time in the NWT tournament. With the caliber of fisherman in these events you can't stumble and if you want to win you usually have to take a risk. This is especially the case at a Erie event when it's almost always a slugfest. I was fishing a couple small rock piles that had been holding lots of big fish for more than a week and felt if I had them to myself I could win. These type spots are usually more consistent than those open water roamers, but after the cancellation and subsequent two days of a big blow they just flat out moved out of dodge.

 We were catching lots of big walleyes slow trolling a new prototype Silver Streak lure and speed trolling Reef Runners all week.

The obvious bug across the internet is that their was a few snags with the tournament aside from the weather forcing the director two cancel two days of the event in the name of safety.  When lake Erie roars you don't mess with it. They had some serious issues with the scales...it cost me 4lbs and what should have been a 35.5lb bag, but it didn't end up really mattering.

The good part of it is that my close friend and Bigwater Pro team remember John Gillman won the event trolling Reef Runners on one of these same types of rock piles...just about 60 miles away from where I was. When I showed up and the fish had moved it was too far to go and the chance of running out of both time and gas were more of a reality. Bigwater Teammate Bob Henton had yet another 10 ten finish as well.


Ross Robertson
www.bigwaterfishing.com

Friday, May 31, 2013

Big Fish...Even BIGGER Dude

We have continued to stay on the walleyes even when dodging thunderstorms, incredible downpours and often waves bigger than we need. The need to keep the spinners in a small window has been the difference between a bunch of fish and not so much. Silver Streak UV spinners with a little pink on them has definitely upped the odds the last five days or so. Another recent thing I have messed with is moving the weights in my Church TX-22 all the way to the back. This makes them much more "sensitive" and work better in rough water. I have a video on my you-tube page showing this.


I've had a great group of guys in the boat so far this year, but was surprised when I got a call from Marshal Yanda. I love football, but primarily watch college these days and didn't know who he was or even that he played football at first. Those big lineman don't seem to get the accolades that the backs do. What I did learn is that this pro bowler and super bowl champion loves to fish for walleyes...so much so that he has a Ranger 621 decked out very similar to mine. It shouldn't be too much of a surprise he did grow up on a dairy farm and attend Iowa. As a hardcore Buckeye fan i did resist the urge throw him over...you're welcome Marshal...smirk

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Grind em = Big Results

The bite this spring proves to be just plain weird.  It truly has been a bite that separates the men from the boys.  While I have had a few stumbles...we have been limiting daily with big fish in the mix daily. At the risk of sounding like a broken record...My Minn-Kota I-Pilot has been key to both keeping quiet and incremental speed adjustments.  Little changes in depth have resulted in lots of bites or empty hands. Look for the bite to really pick up with the temps creeping towards 60 degrees.

Ross Robertson
www.bigwaterfishing.com

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Over Due...but not to disappoint!

The weather this spring has been wacky...but unlike last year it has been a cold and windy wacky. In between giant blows, sleet and driving rain I have been quietly putting the smash down on some walleyes and even some MONSTER smallies.  I have had two scaled smallies over 7lbs come in the boat in the last few weeks, as well a pile of 5lb + specimens. I think the moral of the story is that if you wait for the perfect day or perfect weather you will never go and when you do get it, it tends to not make for the best fishing anyways.



The recent warm spell has jumped the water temp up to 50 degrees is most places I have been. This has caused the spinner bite to hit high gear and the crank bite to drastically slow down.  Look for some real good fishing to follow.

I just finished a episode of the "Local Catch" that should run in the next few weeks. A very down to earth and educational show I hope you enjoy.

PS--before anyone starts we released all but one smallie that went on the wall.  That even includes walleyes.

Ross Robertson
www.bigwaterfishing.com

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Real Custom stuff...

In Ohio this is the time of year where it requires a long drive to find safe ice, and a short drive to find a ramp that is locked in by ice. Lucky for me I'm overwhelmed with work from our new book, rigging the new boat, and prepping all of the gear for use in a few weeks.






Notice my buddy Pat from Bert's Custom Tackle.  It's work like this that truly allows them to have Custom in their name.  He is working on a prototype electronics mount that will hold both of my 10'' Humminbird units at the console.


Tuesday, February 19, 2013

My last ice stuff for this year

I'm not sure if your suppose to blog a blog...but this is a link to a interesting observation I had while fishing at lake Simcoe.  It orginally appeared in North American Fisherman's blog.

http://www.fishingclub.com/features/blogs/articletype/articleview/articleid/3771/practice

Ross

Thursday, February 7, 2013

GIANT SUMO PERCH! and a bunch of random stuff

Just got back from a trip to Simcoe. We managed to catch a bunch of perch but figured out some really innovative ways to catch the big ones.  Much like Lake Erie at times you have to figure out something to keep the little ones off and the big ones on.  More on exactly what I'm talking out soon...I'm already working on a piece for the Ice Team site detailing this.

I used a lot of new or prototype equipment and have been super pleased in the last month or so.  One that stood out was a new protoype Blood Run Ice line that will be coming out next year.  Much like the old original golden stren this opaque line allows you to line watch and make sure your not caught on anything, makes tying knots a world easier, etc. This stuff is super strong for the small diameters...we have been messing with 2, 3, and 4lb test with panfish and perch, but it has held up well with some larger incidental catches.

Look for a new episode of the "Local Catch" coming in a few weeks or less.  We caught some nice panfish and I make a fool out of myself a few times...funny stuff.

Lastly I'll be at several boat shows or seminars in the coming weeks.  I also will be doing a seminar/workshop sat Feb 23rd At Netcraft in Maumee OH. Cost is $20, but includes a gift certificate for 20 to Netcraft...win win deal!

We still have spots open for the Spring walleye clinic that Bruce Samson, Johnnie Candle and myself will be putting on...this is one of the best projects I have been involved with. http://www.hightechfishing.com/store/Lake_Erie_Walleye_School.html

Book is also available for sale on the bigwaterfishing site.

Ross



Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Walleye School...w/ Bruce Samson, Johnnie Candle and Ross Robertson


Below is a rough layout of what we will be doing this springGet a hold of me with any questions...this is a class unlike any offered before!!!


Lake Erie Walleye School

Johnnie Candle, Bruce 'Doc' Samson, and Captain Ross Robertson announce their first Lake Erie Walleye school to be held at Lighthouse Resort, Marblehead, Ohio located just a few feet from the shores of Lake Erie widely considered the walleye capital of the world. Dates for the school are April 11, 2013 - April 14, 2013.


Each of the instructors brings with them a special skill set that makes this one of the most complete fishing schools ever offered. 

Candle is a 19 year veteran of professional tournament angling and the 2010 World Walleye Champion. For the past twelve years he has been sharing his fishing knowledge via the Scheels Walleye University Series which he developed.  His seminars have been heard by thousands of people from coast to coast as he has presented in states from New York to Washington.

Bruce “Doctor Sonar” Samson is also a highly decorated tournament angler.  He has won 8 major professional walleye tournaments. He holds a World Walleye Champion title as well as an RCL National Championship title.  He is most well known for his DVD series on understanding sonar.  There is no better marine electronics expert in the country.

Ross Robertson owns and operates one of the most respected guide services on Lake Erie.  He has become known as the expert when it comes to targeting trophy walleye on the big pond.  His articles have been seen in In-Fisherman, Field and Stream, Outdoor Life and several other national magazines.  Ross can also be found hosting various TV shows including his own and through his book and DVDs on walleye fishing.

This school will utilize the skills of each teacher as you will learn to build a game plan to break down the water and locate fish quickly.  Your electronics will make much more sense when you leave.  The techniques for catching trophy walleye will no longer elude you upon the completion of this class.  This is one you will not want to miss.

Testimonial from a previous school

“I learned more in short 4 day weekend than in 30 years of teaching myself: presented in a  true classroom fashion on a premier walleye lake!.....An outstanding value, the best money you will ever spend on fishing!”  R.J. Theil, Champlin, MN

Lake Erie Walleye School Agenda

Thursday April 11
1-5 pm:            Check-in, registration
5-6 pm:            Supper
6 pm:               Introductions and course overview
6:30 pm:          Building a Fishing Game Plan with Johnnie Candle
7:30 pm:          Understanding Sonar with Bruce Samson
8:30 pm:          Lake Erie Tactics with Ross Robertson

Friday April 12
7-8 am:            Breakfast with discussion on location and tactics
8-9 am:            Rigging and instructional session in boats
9 am – 5 pm:   Fishing
5:30-6:30 pm:  Supper and Social Hour
6:30-9:30 pm:  Review fishing results/discuss fishing data, plan for Saturday’s fishing.

Saturday April 13
7-8 am:            Breakfast with discussion on location and tactics
8-9 am:            Rigging and instructional session in boats
9 am – 5 pm:   Fishing
5:30-6:30 pm:  Supper and Social Hour
6:30-9:30 pm:  Review fishing results/discuss fishing data, plan for Sunday’s fishing.
9:30 pm:          Awards Ceremony

Sunday April 14
7-8 am:            Breakfast
8 am-1 pm:     Fishing
1 pm:               Lunch and Wrap-up


Registration:  $690 Class size is limited.
Deposit requirement: $100/person