first time at erie

[arrowdog]

I am hoping to get out on erie Sunday. It will be my first time out there. How fast is too fast when trolling for eyes? I can run my trolling motor for a few hours before the battery dies. With my big motor I can only get down to about 2.4 mph. I am thinking about dragging a bucket or something behind the boat to slow it down. Any help would be appreciated. I have harnesses and bottom bouncers and cranks, it sounds like that is about all I will need. If I need any other stuff, let me know. Where is a good launch ramp. I am in Livonia near I-275. Thanks so much for your help.
Thanks
Norm

[POLARBEAR]

bolles harbor, i 75 and laplaisance rd. when you get off the ramp make a left hand turn and the right on the other side of the highway is the entrance to the launch. there is a regular brown dnr sign pointing the way. also if you stay to the right there is a bait shop on that side of the canal. very close to the highway and easy on and off. about 10 ramps at bolles usually moves good. bb's 2 and 3 oz firetiger harness being best.. lots of crawlers and 22 to 26 fow. a little north out of the harbor....... 2.4 might be fine, try going into the wind if it seems to fast, or dragging buckets. good luck:)

[GONE FISHIN(LARRY)]

norm,
I live in Livonia also,there are two good ramps,sterling state park at exit 15 off 75 and bolles harbor at exit 11. I prefer sterling for two reasons,indoor plumbing for womem and children,and street lights in the parking lot for putting stuff away when you come in after dark,they now also have a fish cleaning station.the disavantage to to sterling its about a mile to the park from the exit,and maybe another mile to the lanch,where bolles is right there off the exit.both are nice lanches,both have bait shops right there.
2.4 is probally o.k. altough this spring I've had my best luck trolling slow less then 2mph, so buckets might help.