It was supposed to be a break from reality, a day to clear their heads. After Aaron Ditty’s father received troubling news about his heart, the two decided to take a spontaneous day off and hit Lake Erie.
The pair ended up creating unforgettable memories—and nearly rewriting the record books—during an epic 14-hour fishing trip.
A Lake Erie Trip to Remember
They fished the western basin of Lake Erie, focusing on spots in 10-30’ with rock transitions and baitfish close by.
Aaron describes the day as perfectly timed.
“We saw the weather setting up for a good bite, and heavy winds were forecasted for the next week. We knew we wouldn’t be getting back out,” he explains.
Over the course of the day, they hauled in an incredible 83 smallmouth bass, along with 33 yellow perch, a couple of steelhead, and some walleye.
As night approached, things got downright legendary.
“We had the most insane walleye fishing we’ve ever experienced,” Aaron says.
“In just under four hours, we caught over 100 walleye throwing Lake Erie Lure Works swimbaits and jigheads.”
Gear Setup: The pair were throwing Daiwa Tatula rods and Tatula reels, both MH casting 7’ and 7’3” with 12-15lb seaguar Inviz X. They also used spinning tackle; 7’ to 7’3” medium and medium light setups with 12lb main line braid to 8-10lb seaguar Inviz X.
Catching a Monster Perch
While the bass and walleye bite dominated much of the day, one particular moment stood out.
Aaron recounts how his dad hooked into what turned out to be the catch of the trip—an absolutely massive perch.
“The bite was light, but we were in a flurry of smallmouth and perch. I was fighting a smallmouth when I saw the perch coming up.
I immediately grabbed the net. As I got it under the fish and he lifted it, the perch came off, but it landed safely in the net.”
Even after the chaos of landing it, they didn’t immediately appreciate the sheer size of the fish.
“Neither of us truly knew how big it was until we were putting fish in the cooler from the livewell,” Aaron says.
The next morning, after the fish had spent the night on ice, Aaron weighed it.
It tipped the scale at 2.90 pounds—just surpassing the Ohio state record of 2.86 pounds.
Aaron speculates the perch might have weighed 3 pounds fresh out of the water, especially since it had spit up shiners.
“We were shocked how big it was! It was only after cleaning the fish that we realized the state record was 2.86 and his fish weighed 2.90 on a very accurate scale.”
Regardless, it’s a personal best for his dad, and Aaron plans to have a replica mount made as a tribute to the incredible catch.
The Rest of the Haul
That record-class perch wasn’t the only highlight of the day.
In addition to the 83 smallmouth bass and the 102 walleye, Aaron and his dad also hooked into steelhead salmon and more perch.
Some of the smallmouths were real giants, with several topping 6 pounds.
Fishing Together—More Than Just a Hobby
For Aaron, fishing with his dad isn’t just about catching fish.
“He’s the one who got me into the sport and inspired me to start making tackle.
He’s honestly my best friend and my favorite person to fish with,” Aaron says, adding that they fish together often.
What’s Next?
The two anglers plan to keep fishing Lake Erie until it freezes.
Aaron describes the late fall as prime time for targeting walleye, smallmouth, steelhead, and lake trout.
“We catch giant lake trout late in the year,” he says.
Once the freeze sets in, they’ll shift to wading the river tributaries for winter steelhead.
However, Aaron’s dad has a heart procedure scheduled soon, which may sideline him for the rest of the season.
“He might be taking the rest of the year off,” Aaron says.
This remarkable trip highlights the deep bond between a father and son, built on a shared love for fishing. Whether it’s smashing walleye or catching a near-record perch, their time on the water proves that sometimes the best days happen when you decide to just drop everything and fish.
A Closer Look at Ohio’s State Record Yellow Perch
The current Ohio state record for yellow perch stands at 2.86 pounds, a benchmark set in 2016.
This impressive catch was made by David Berg, who was fishing in Lake Erie at the time. Berg’s record-setting perch measured 15.75 inches in length with a girth of 13.75 inches.
The fish was officially weighed and verified by the Ohio Division of Wildlife, cementing its place in the state’s angling history.
Yellow perch are a popular target for anglers in Ohio, particularly in Lake Erie, which is renowned for its abundant perch population. The species is celebrated not only for its sporting qualities but also for its excellent table fare.
The Ohio Division of Wildlife actively monitors and manages yellow perch populations to ensure sustainable fishing opportunities for both recreational and commercial anglers.
For a fish to be considered for state record status, it must be weighed on certified scales immediately after the catch, among other verification processes.
Nonetheless, Aaron’s father’s catch is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the quality of fishing experiences that Lake Erie continues to offer.
For more information on Ohio’s state fish records and fishing regulations, anglers can visit the Ohio Department of Natural Resources website.
