hourlate

Nice catch Paul...they were spotty in Holland.

Thanks Guys. I'll let everyone know how we did (well you all understand by we I mean how I do taking any fish off the kids hooks!). Hey just thought of another quick question for anyone. The place I purchased minnows last year closed. Anyone have a clue where to get minnows on the way to the DNR launch on Lake Mac?

I finally have a free weekend. I would like to get the kids (5 and 3) out to catch a few perch. Anybody hearing anything? I really don't think the boys would be able to handle a few hours out in 280 fow otherwise....

Sean, thanks for the update. The fishfinder in the box in the garage waiting to get the boat from storage is killing me as well. Read through the manual about 10 times already. Can't wait to get in on the boat...

I looked as well. That make 2 orders this weekend for Bethel Marine!

Thanks guys. I appreciate the information. Leaning more toward the Raymarine right now. One more source to check though.

Anybody have experience with that DS600X. I am looking for a new fishfinder in this price range ($300-$500) and had a suggestion from a guy to go with Garmin 400C Dual Beam. Any thoughts? Hard to pass up the raymarine if it is normally higher price... As long as it works well!

I had actually thought about that issue. Hope you all get a chance to make it out again with the busy schedules.

By the way, the water spouts were quite a site this morning. Plus, FYI heard quitea bit of chatter on the radio re: an impressive scum line at 115fow just south of the pier. Sounded like they did pretty well around it. The threat of rain with spouts and little kids did not sound like a mixture I wanted to deal with so we stayed away... Hourlate

Thought that the wife and kids (4 and 2) would try a little perching this morning. We set up north of the pier in 10-12 fow and could not find them. Tried the same south of the pier...same result. Little ones were growing impatient. Decided to head out to 50ft and try a little trolling with the rest of the boats. Which by the number of boats in holland and what I saw on the webcam for GH thought I would see a few more posts on here. Since no one wants to share, I will tell my sad tale. Got to 50ft ~10:30 fish on half core with JP Slammer NBK within 15 minutes. I let the wife reel it in. 1st time she has been trolling with me and the 1st she ever had on a line. Got near the back of the boat and it came unbuttoned. Didn't even have a chance to get the net in the water. Problem is after another 2 hours of trolling that was it... 0 for 1. I'll have to get her out next time for the early bite. Hourlate

Thanks for the info. That little gadget was sure handy. Doesn't make sense to me that something that easy and cost efficient would be removed from the market. But I digress. Please keep your eyes open and let me know if anyone finds something similar. Hourlate

I put this in the marine electronic forum as well, but wanted to make sure that it got coverage as I generally only review this forum and the fishing reports. I went out on a charter (Desparado) out of Grand Haven for a corporate event. By the way, I highly recommend Desparado for similar events it was a great time. Anyway Bob had a small handheld temp and depth sensor that just clipped to the downrigger ball. It was blue and measured ~1.5" wide and 2" long with a small digital readout and 2 buttons. When we retrieved the ball the first time and removed the gauge you press a button and it gives you water temp by depth in 5' intervals. Bob indicated he bought it at cabelas for ~70 or so. Seems more affordable to those on a budget than a fishhawk or similar with comparable results (minus obviously ball speed). Problem is that I cannot find it by google search or at the cabelas site. Does anyone know what the name of the device is or where I may be able to purchase one? Hourlate/Marty

Ok, I went out on a charter (Desparado) out of Grand Haven for a corporate event. By the way, I highly recommend Desparado for similar events it was a great time. Anyway Bob had a small handheld temp and depth sensor that just clipped to the downrigger ball. It was blue and measured ~1.5" wide and 2" long with a small digital readout and 2 buttons. When we retrieved the ball the first time and removed the gauge you press a button and it gives you water temp by depth in 5' intervals. Bob indicated he bought it at cabelas for ~70 or so. I cannot find it by google search or at the cabelas site. Does anyone know what the name of the device is or where I may be able to purchase one? Hourlate/Marty

I spend a lot of time salmon fishing, but thought with the perch report looking great, I may try that. Besides, I think it would be better to try that with the wife, a 4 year old, and a 2 year old before I try them trolling. Any recommendations to help catch a few?

We tried a little bit of everything. We had jplugs on the full core for a bit. We kept reading quite a few fish in the upper 35 - 40 ft of water so we changed out to a plug on a half core...nothing. We set lines~6:30 had the first fish in the boat within 20 minutes, the second fish ~5 minutes later and then nothing.

Went 2 for 3. All bites on riggers. Blue Dolphin and moonshine halfameal took the 5 and 8lb kings. 135 fow; 100+ feet down. Slow night. The radio and everyone at the dock had similar reports. Fish seem scattered right now.

any chance of getting an overview of that deboning technique?

I had Steve from KY back up here this weekend. Tried you all on the radio. Sorry we missed you. Great job. We managed 5 for 8 Sat morning and 6 for 9 Sat night out of holland. Hour Late