Pier and River Fishing Discussion Latest Topicshttps://www.greatlakesfisherman.com/fishing-hunting-outdoors/forum/66-pier-and-river-fishing-discussion/Pier and River Fishing Discussion Latest TopicsenI am a student doing research on the US commercial fishing industry. Please take the time to fill out this anonymous survey.https://www.greatlakesfisherman.com/fishing-hunting-outdoors/topic/46230-i-am-a-student-doing-research-on-the-us-commercial-fishing-industry-please-take-the-time-to-fill-out-this-anonymous-survey/  https://forms.gle/hhszuyfTq9cRYE7FA 

The link will take you to a 16 question google form on the US commercial fishing industry. If you are skeptical about clicking the link here are the questions that will be shown:
Do you work in the United States commercial fishing industry?
What is your gender?
What age group are you in?
What is your annual income?
Where do you primarily fish?
To what extent is your physical health affected by your profession?
To what extent is your mental health affected by your profession?
Is the relationship between you and your coworkers (or employees) satisfactory?
Do you feel that the company you work for (or own) makes reliable changes that benefit employee wellness?
Do you feel content with your annual income?
Through your career, are your job goals attainable?
Are your knowledge and skills shown through your work?
Do you feel valued at your workplace?
How satisfied are you with your working environment?
Do you receive effective feedback from coworkers (or employees) that can help improve your job capabilities?
How would you rate your overall job satisfaction?

]]>46230Sat, 23 Jan 2021 16:07:50 +0000Advice to newcomber on salmon fishing from breakwaters/seawalls?https://www.greatlakesfisherman.com/fishing-hunting-outdoors/topic/46524-advice-to-newcomber-on-salmon-fishing-from-breakwatersseawalls/ I recently moved to Wisconsin and am hoping to try my luck fishing for salmon and trout along the jetties, seawalls, and piers in the Milwaukee area in the coming weeks. As a complete newcomer to this type of fishing, I was hoping to get some advice to point me in the right direction. Some questions that I have:

1. For the fall king salmon run, do people tend to have better luck with live bait (rigged baitfish, egg sacs) or lures?

2. As far as lures go, what size and style spoons tend to be the most productive? Will kings hit large, heavy spoons, or is it better to send small lures their way?

3. How line/leader shy are salmon? I know that steelhead are notoriously line shy (people use 2-4 lb test leaders for them), but is the same true for salmon? I have several saltwater-type rods that would be great for chunking bait and larger spoons off a jetty as I used to on the Gulf Coast, but would such tackle be appropriate for salmon?

4. Last, since the salmon aren't feeding during the pre-spawn and are just doing "reflex strikes", how important is presence of baitfish? For trout, a lot of people say that it's not worth fishing the west shore of the lake unless the wind is coming from the east pushing bait. Does that matter for the salmon?

Thanks for any information.

]]>46524Mon, 06 Sep 2021 21:10:04 +0000Stop waitinghttps://www.greatlakesfisherman.com/fishing-hunting-outdoors/topic/46564-stop-waiting/ Lines inF372BCA3-8BF0-4FD5-B267-C22912CAA166.thumb.jpeg.e5f35e09eee248f19e0477c2397b0a5e.jpeg

]]>46564Tue, 26 Oct 2021 18:15:05 +0000Manistee pier still dead, and yet…https://www.greatlakesfisherman.com/fishing-hunting-outdoors/topic/46518-manistee-pier-still-dead-and-yet%E2%80%A6/ 2A44EE32-6837-4173-A7AE-34B265121102.thumb.jpeg.a8c7df2629c3ad8722f67ee6951d5801.jpeg

 

but 60 feet down in 120 feet was el fuego….. bet they go by in a sprint this year.  No staging in reach…

]]>46518Thu, 02 Sep 2021 23:05:43 +0000Really sadhttps://www.greatlakesfisherman.com/fishing-hunting-outdoors/topic/46512-really-sad/ E155EDB1-7368-4B8C-B333-066E0216DB46.thumb.jpeg.a861b6a33faf014ccb0c0a45296752c3.jpeg
 

adult coho dying in the heat at Grand Haven

]]>46512Mon, 30 Aug 2021 13:00:56 +0000Pier fishing lake trouthttps://www.greatlakesfisherman.com/fishing-hunting-outdoors/topic/46487-pier-fishing-lake-trout/ 1. What size / type of spoons do you use casting for lake trout from piers? I heard little Cleos 3/4 oz but they look pretty big. Do 3/4 oz Cleos work for steelhead too? Anyone use ko wobblers or moonshine for lakers?
Are moonshine spoons more of a night time thing?

2. What pound line do you use? Are lake trout line shy?

3. do crankbait deep divers work for lakers? any favorites ?

]]>46487Mon, 16 Aug 2021 23:14:42 +0000Advice on gear/lures for first time pier/salmon fishermanhttps://www.greatlakesfisherman.com/fishing-hunting-outdoors/topic/45028-advice-on-gearlures-for-first-time-piersalmon-fisherman/ Hi everyone. Just joined. I'm starting to fish out at the pier for kings (or whatever bites). Haven't been pier fishing since I was a kid and went with my dad fishing for perch with cane poles. I'd like to use a spinning setup so I've been doing a lot of research on google for information and rods and reels. Watched a few videos on fishing for salmon on the piers in Lake Michigan, and I've also joined a couple Michigan fishing forums (including this one now) to get even more advice from all you seasoned big lake fishermen.

Anyway, I've narrowed the reel choice down to an Okuma Epixor XT 40, but I'm still searching for a good rod. I've got some KO Wobblers to throw around, but I could use some suggestions on other lures and bait. One old guy in a local tackle store was showing me this Ugly Stik rod for fishing with roe, but that thing is 10' 10" and seems pretty whippy for pulling in a big king. The longest rod I own is 7' 6", which is a Daiwa Aird X.

Any suggestions advice on a good salmon rod to go with the Epixor and some lures and tactics would be much appreciated.

Thank you.

]]>45028Thu, 19 Sep 2019 14:59:46 +0000Boardman river float fishing for salmonhttps://www.greatlakesfisherman.com/fishing-hunting-outdoors/topic/44987-boardman-river-float-fishing-for-salmon/ I see salmon in the Boardman river near traverse city & wonder if any one has tried float fishing... thanks nelsen 

]]>44987Wed, 04 Sep 2019 14:25:12 +0000Last minute help needed badly.https://www.greatlakesfisherman.com/fishing-hunting-outdoors/topic/44773-last-minute-help-needed-badly/

Hello all. 

You don’t have to answer everything. Any little bit of info helps. 

Accepted a last minute invite on a trip to the Thumb. Our campsite is in Port Hope. My buddy explained to me we will be fishing 6-7 piers and some shoreline around the tip of the thumb so I’m assuming caseville to port Austin. 

Besides that, I wasn’t able to get any Fishing info. These guys will throw a worm In and take pictures. Being an angler at heart that won’t suffice for me, these are my questions. 

1. What, if anything hits off these piers/thumb shoreline? I’m mainly set up for smallies because I doubt the piers are deep enough for walleye. My smallie fishing is limited to inland lakes and the Saint Claire spawn in May.  Is there anything different (Heavier line, leaders, etc) to Great Lakes smallies or should my tube set up be fine?   

 

2. I have Rods and reels up the wazoo. What combination can I put together that would work best for casting large spoons or hardbaits on these piers? I was thinking something longer like 7’6 but have no idea what line or leader or lb test swivel. 

 

3. Lake Trout, Steelheads, Salmon. All heiroglyphics to me. This time of year should I worry about going after any of that and/or anything off my radar. 

  

  

 Any small bit of info helps. 

]]>44773Fri, 12 Jul 2019 21:16:49 +0000Pier fishinghttps://www.greatlakesfisherman.com/fishing-hunting-outdoors/topic/41733-pier-fishing/

With the cold weather setting in has anyone been catching any walleyes closer to shore?

 

 

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]]>41733Tue, 31 Oct 2017 02:17:34 +0000Need some help. Pleasehttps://www.greatlakesfisherman.com/fishing-hunting-outdoors/topic/41815-need-some-help-please/ I used to own a boat, sold it bought camper.  Would like to get back into the shore / pier fishing again.  Would like some suggestion of beach and pier fishing poles for steelhead and salmon.  Not look to drop a ton of money.  I know that Northwood in Linwood michigan has good poles and feels.  Any suggestion would be helpful. Also medium weight or should I go to a medium light or medium heavy?   Thank you guys for any info...  PAUL

]]>41815Mon, 22 Jan 2018 02:50:56 +0000Fall runhttps://www.greatlakesfisherman.com/fishing-hunting-outdoors/topic/41681-fall-run/

Fished the Rabbit at Hamilton yesterday. River is about 2' low, and nothing is in just yet. Same story at the Holland pier. No action yet 9.20 or 9.21 Maybe I should have gone for turkey instead

 

Sent from my A621BL using Great Lakes Fisherman Mobile App

 

 

]]>41681Thu, 21 Sep 2017 23:29:09 +0000Fishing off Frankfort piershttps://www.greatlakesfisherman.com/fishing-hunting-outdoors/topic/41126-fishing-off-frankfort-piers/

So up for few days turkey hunting and brought my pole. Anyone been doing any casting from the south breakwall?

 

 

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]]>41126Wed, 19 Apr 2017 23:22:42 +0000Piershttps://www.greatlakesfisherman.com/fishing-hunting-outdoors/topic/40896-piers/

Thinking of hitting south haven pier this weekend, think itd be worth it? And yes i know any and all fishing is worth it. Water temps have been holding steady in the 50s

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]]>40896Thu, 03 Nov 2016 06:16:58 +0000lake trout from a lake huron pier??https://www.greatlakesfisherman.com/fishing-hunting-outdoors/topic/40670-lake-trout-from-a-lake-huron-pier/ Due to the government choking out lake Huron with hundreds of thousands of Lakers a year stocked into lake Huron and the government wiping out the remaining Chinook by doing so.. My question is.. Is it possible to catch a lake trout off a pier in lake Huron? I mean I know there closed sept 30th and I heard they arrive later in the year I have a piss load of ko wobblers and Cleo's I wanna put to use and am hoping its possible to catch a laker from a pier. I would hope so due to the millions in the lake one would think its simple lol. 

Any idea if you can get some off the piers on lake Huron. Approximately what time of the year? And I'm sure ko wobblers and Cleo's wud be deadly. Pretty sure if the Lakers are there so are steelhead and browns so one would not be speficallt targeting them cuz there closed lol. Just want to catch one so bad. Haven't caught one since 1997. Just want to see one. 

]]>40670Sun, 14 Aug 2016 22:19:37 +0000Lake michigan surfhttps://www.greatlakesfisherman.com/fishing-hunting-outdoors/topic/40801-lake-michigan-surf/

With the crazy waves we have had, along with the rain, do you guys think the fishing will be any good this coming weekend?

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]]>40801Sun, 11 Sep 2016 20:06:53 +0000Allegan damhttps://www.greatlakesfisherman.com/fishing-hunting-outdoors/topic/40768-allegan-dam/

Going there sunday, any tips?

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]]>40768Sat, 03 Sep 2016 03:15:06 +0000are moonshine CASTING spoons any good?https://www.greatlakesfisherman.com/fishing-hunting-outdoors/topic/40383-are-moonshine-casting-spoons-any-good/ Hi, i live along lake huron. I wouldnt say im new to fishing lol i catch tons of fish. But when it comes time to catching steelhead and salmon (coho and chinnys) off a peir i find myself a newbie. Please note i do not float fish ever. Dont know how, cant master slip floats cant afford float rods. Anyways i recently was given advice from a freind to use spoons. I recently saw moonshine spoons, They have 2 sizes..the short but fat 3/4oz ers and the longer but skinny 5/8 oz ers. Our fall salmon along lake huron barely avg 12 lbs if were lucky. Ive tried cleos off the peir for yrs, no luck on cleos! id chuck cleos for hours and hours on end wing out reel in. nothing!. i heard moonshines actually catch fish... but looking at the moonshine casting spoons 3/4oz the short but fat ones i dont think a 10lb salmon or even a steelhead could fit it in its mouth? same with the 5/8 oz casting spoon by moonshine, its longer but skinnier then the 3/4 size...but again looks to long for a salmon or steelhead to fit in there mouth?

please give me some advice on moonshine casting spoons what sizes actually work (the short but fat one or the longer but skinnier 5/8)

do i just wing these spoons out and retrieve soon as they hit the water or should i let them hit bottom, evident by my line dropping before retrieve? and during retreive do i simply reel in or do i reel then twitch my rod tip then reel etc.

do steelhead and other trout (lakers browns) hit moonshine casting spoons too? if so what ones?

should i use a good old fashioned swivel with the spoon, black or gold swivel? or should i use "snaps" with the spoon instead of a normal swivel?

sorry for all the dumb questions lol. its just ive always line ran my salmon but thats not fun to me, i wanna feel the thrill of a salmon or steelhead or trout smash it reeling in.

]]>40383Thu, 23 Jun 2016 22:31:18 +0000Whitefish are Coming!!!!!!https://www.greatlakesfisherman.com/fishing-hunting-outdoors/topic/39493-whitefish-are-coming/Sure hope ya got your eggs boiled/colored/scented.

It won't be long now.

Martin

]]>39493Tue, 20 Oct 2015 13:16:31 +0000Lake about to flip?https://www.greatlakesfisherman.com/fishing-hunting-outdoors/topic/39191-lake-about-to-flip/Guys,

I know I am a new member, but I have been very diligently checking the weather for prime fishing conditions from the pier.

As of about 6 p.m. today (9/8), the wind has shifted and is coming out of the NW at about 15 mph.

I would suspect that in a few days, if this continues, the fish will start coming in.

SO CLEAR YOUR SCHEDULES AND GET EXCITED FOR THIS WEEKEND!!

Spencer

]]>39191Wed, 09 Sep 2015 02:13:02 +0000Grand Haven Pier/ wheelchair/handicap accessible?https://www.greatlakesfisherman.com/fishing-hunting-outdoors/topic/39129-grand-haven-pier-wheelchairhandicap-accessible/Is the Grand Haven pier fishable from a wheelchair? Dangerous/risky, or should we be fine?

]]>39129Wed, 02 Sep 2015 17:27:22 +0000New Pier Fisherman in Holland areahttps://www.greatlakesfisherman.com/fishing-hunting-outdoors/topic/39097-new-pier-fisherman-in-holland-area/Hi there,

I am a second year college student and avid fisherman. I have spent most of my time fishing inland lakes and rivers.

I recently got a salmon/trout set up (8'6" rod and reel with good 14 lb mono) and I am looking for tips on targeting these fish!

Anything helps!

]]>39097Sun, 30 Aug 2015 19:09:21 +0000Season came to end end two weeks agohttps://www.greatlakesfisherman.com/fishing-hunting-outdoors/topic/37005-season-came-to-end-end-two-weeks-ago/At least for me. Better than last year.

post-3824-14498788102609_thumb.jpg

]]>37005Wed, 18 Mar 2015 02:31:50 +0000Bestie River Warm Water Blueshttps://www.greatlakesfisherman.com/fishing-hunting-outdoors/topic/35292-bestie-river-warm-water-blues/Betsie River Warm Water Blues (to the tune of Folsom City Prison Blues)

I hear them Kangs a comin’

They’re splashin’ across the sand

And I ain’t seen my bob drop since I don’t know when

Cause they’re stuck out on the sand flats, on a warm sunny day

And the snaggers keep a comin’, up the benzonia way.

When I just had a yellow rod, and I fished with yarn and lead

I simply didn’t care how many spawners would always end up dead

I’d snag them in the bung hole, and give them freezer burn

When I see them kangs a splashin’, I know that we don’t learn.

I bet there’s rich folks lining with fancy fly fishin’ gear

They’re probably smokin’ Cigars, and drinkin’ import beer.

Well I know we got it coming, especially those who fish gut

Those kangs won’t keep a comin’

I know that I’m not a nut.

Well if we could keep all the alewife

If we had some more high water year

I’d bet that they’d keep reproducing, just like the deer

Those far northwestern rivers, that’s where they’d stay

But I feel the collapse a coming, comin’ faster everyday.

:(

]]>35292Thu, 21 Aug 2014 01:33:43 +0000Questionhttps://www.greatlakesfisherman.com/fishing-hunting-outdoors/topic/35873-question/Dont here much about the lower grand like you do other rivers going on a look around trip launching at gravel pits sun just curious if its any good for steel not asking for spots have fished long enough to know what to look for just dont want to waste alot of time thxs

]]>35873Fri, 10 Oct 2014 21:31:13 +0000