My Weekend in Port Clinton, Ohio
First off, the reason for going is six clients were going to Put-In-Bay, Ohio which is an island off the coast of Ohio. I picked them up at 5AM thursday,on the northwest side (6-3-10). We arrived in Port Clinton before noon. Dropping my clients off at Jet Express Fairy Boat - 3 North Monroe Street.
So off to find some food. Jolly Roger Seafood House - 1737 Perry Street - Port Clington, Ohio. Ordered 1/2 grouper boat - 1 walleye sandwich - hughpuppies and a pepsi. The grouper (deep fried) was the seafood fix that I was looking for - very nice flavor. Hushpuppies were great with little onions inside. Sweet walleye sandwich was great also. The tarter sauce had a nice yellow tint to it - Great Stop
Heading west on Perry Street there is a nice public beach here with a park, a pavilion and picnic tables - looks like a nice sopt of stop later. Taking a right on Lake Shore Drive and going over a bridge and then a left into Drawbridge Marina - 247 Lake Shore Drive - Port Clinton, Ohio 43455 - 419-734-9999. I am going to book a spot(shore-nuf charters) on a "head boat" (40 person fishing boat) for Friday, 7am - $36.00 for a day on a boat on Lake Erie. Part of the fee covers your fishing license. Things you will need on the boat: fishing pole and tackle, small cooler (for pop, water, snacks, sandwiches, etc.) - you might need a big cooler for the car if you catch alot fish?
It has been a long day so I am going to grab a quick dinner and call it a night.
McCarthy Irish Pub - corner of Perry and Madison - had their shepard's pie and a bowl of chowder. There was not much going on, on a Thursday night (I was glad) up early for fishing.
Friday, (6-4-10), up about 5:30am to check in and buy live bait and ice. Once you have your ticket to get on the boat you can grab seat. Getting a good seat can be key on catching a fish? Seats are bench style with room for your small cooler, tackle box, and pole are all in arms reach. Today, there were about 20-25 people on board. Myself, I like the back or near back on the right side of the boatr. 7am and we are off to Lake Erie. I got a spot on the right back side next to a regular on the boat - 3 times a week. Sam, had headphones on and would sing (outloud) the songs that were playing - it must have been the 80's station. I caught some great fish that day. Three keeper walleye and some White Perch. I got off the boat about 2:15pm and took my fish over to the cleaning house. They will filet your catch for a small fee. I had about 15lbs before fileting. One of the walleye I caught was 7lbs and 26" long. They will also keep your fish on ice until you are ready to head home. A great day on the water. There is a Captain on the boat and a First Mate (First Mate works for tips). He will also help thoughout the trip - taking fish off if needed. So tip him well. They do work hard. Being in the sun and a little wind can make you tired - so off for a nap before going out to watch the "Hawks" game.
I had asked the First Mate - Greg - for his recommendation on somewhere to watch the "Hawks" game - he suggested: Mr Ed's; it is just next door for the Drawbridge Marina. Mr Ed's is attached to Commodore Perry Inn & Suites. 255 W. Lake Shore Drive. So about 6:30pm I make my way to Mr. Ed's. I ordered southwest spring rolls to start and a bowl of french onion soup. The "Hawks" game starts and the place is packed with Chicago people to watch the game. At 9pm the Friday night band is starting to warm up - so it is getting loud - until one guy asked the manager if the band can hold off until after the game. So they did for an hour until the "Hawks" game was over. Cheers to the manager. Hawks lose (aw!)
Saturday, 6-5-10: breakfast at Travel's next to Jet Cypress - eggs and cornbeef hash, pancakes instead of toast. It is cool to watch the boats come and go and the drawbridge to up and back down.
I was looking in a local paper for a place to go "Cheesehaven" - 4 miles east of Port Clinton, corner of Rte 163 and Rte 53. Great stop - picked up some smoked salmon and English Stilton Cheese & the JUG bbq sauce all outstanding. So heading back west on Rte 163 pass the public beach - I see a BBQ sign and a pit. So I pull in the parking lot to get a closer look. The truck has on the side Bar-B-Que Traveler. So I go and talk to the pit master. He has chicken and ribs going and the "cook" is for a fundraiser - for Port Clinton's Lion's Club. They are selling to go boxes. 1/2 slab spare ribs and 2 sides and a roll for $9 - chicken, 2 sides and a roll $8. So I gave him a $20 and donated the change to their cause. Ribs were spot on and the chick was great also - a great stop. Bar-B-Que Traveler - Pitts Family - 419-635-2050; 28 years of BBQ cooking. Time for a nap.
So what's for dinner? I go to Mr. Ed's and ask a few people who has the best pizza - consenus say Bell Mell on Fulton St. & 3rd st. - 419-732-7337. So I walk 1 1/2 miles to Bell Mell's. You can eat there in the lounge or restaurant side. For the area this is the best pizza. I tried 2 others in the area and this was a great stop.
So.... trip highlights for me is seafood at "Jolly Rogers Fishing" at Drawbridge Marina and Bell Mell's for pizza. Bar-B-Que Traveler - for BBQ and Mr. Ed's for sports bar and restaurant.
Thanks to the Pitt Family; Michelle and Ashley at Mr. Ed's and Greg from the charter boat (shore-nuf.com).
Sunday, 6-6-10: Slept in and picked up the crew at 9:45 am and headed home.
pic s are here
http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/sha ... s-_-Sharer
philw bbq cbj for kcbs &M.I.M. carolina pit masters