EdB

Out of Ludington, I'd go west to the 37 line, set up and troll west. Spoon program like SeaCatMich said but I'd throw some spinners out on the low divers. I'd have some orange spoons on top for steelies. Hope I can get out there this weekend if weather cooperates.

Thanks for sharing them Brian.

I should add one more thing about this suggestion. You need to look what's on the other side of your immediate boat. If that guy has boats on his opposite side or the pier or breakwall pinching him from moving, no point in asking for room. That is when you tighten the drag down and hope for the best.

I keep my drags loose and use my thumb on the spool when needed to add pressure. This does not work for rookies who don't know how much pressure to apply. If you've caught a few kings, you can tell by the strength of the run and the fishes pull when to put the hammer down. Sometimes when a fish want to run hard, you have to let it go and hope for the best. That is better than a quick break off. Communicate nicely with the nearby boats. "I have a fish running your way, can you give me some room." 9 of 10 people will, 1 out of 10 will be an ahole.

Hope you have some great action this week.

Thanks for the report.

Nice smallmouth Jason.

Welcome Bill, you'll like it here.

Looks like you had some good fishing.

Nice job Mike!

Didn't go to Ludington this weekend so I hit the goose blind today. All I can say is...good shooting! The first 4 came in on a string, wings cupped and only 2 flew out. About an hour later, had a 6 pack working the dekes. I swing around and my gun unloaded 3 shells, 2 more birds splashed down. Got 4 down quick. About a 1/2 hr later, here come about 8 more, they are a bit high but going to pass straight over head. I pick out one bird, rock him with the first shell and fold him with the 2nd! And I get a happy surprise! I thought about sleeping in but sure glad I didn't. Got to love the bling. What a great start to the 2012 waterfowl season!

Nice catch Ken

Good to have your contributions here Ryan. My location and putting miles on the truck and trailer to go fishing is much like yours but I don't mind burning some gas every weekend.

It sure was a great season Aaron, thank god hunting season makes the end of fishing a lot easier. I had that wedding "problem" in June. I hope to get a couple more trips before it is done for us.

This is the best time of the year for running them.

19lbs is a great fish this season Bob.

Nice job Shane, you had a great season. That lemon ice plug you gave me took some fish for us Monday too, thanks!

That was a nice box to finish the season Tom!

Got to love that, nice catch!

Look forward to the blog Dave. I work in book, magazine and journal printing. The industry, magazines and newspapers especially, have really taken a hit in advertising dollars in competition with internet, Amazon, ebooks and other electronic media. The publishing/printing business is changing, I'm not sure for the best.

Thanks for the report Chris.

Nice catch Colin, good talking with you.

Nice job with the kids Mark!

Talked to some guys who fished the pier today and it was slow at Ludington. There is still a lot of warm water out front. There is a NE wind today and supposed to stay east tomorrow so maybe that will cool things off around the piers.

Had a nice trip today with one of my fishing mentors onboard, Terry from the Mermaid. Back in my greenhorn days, Terry helped me out many a times with tips on lures and locations. It was his last trip for this season and he is packing up his boat this afternoon and headed home tomorrow. It was a great way to finish for a great season. We started in the 00's and trolled north working 80 to 110 ft of water. Took it to the 06's and then back to the 05's and got our limit by 9AM. Caught the 11th fish pulling lines. We lost quite a few early or we would have been done real early. It was a steady bite all morning. Riggers down 75 to 95 ft with a moonshine razerburn, and green splatter back j plugs. Had a 150 copper with a blue bubble spin doctor and fly. A low diver out 180 with a glowblade/mt dew spin doctor and blue fairways fly and a hi diver out 200 with a moonshine green jeans. Later we put out a 300 copper with a chrome and green j plug and that took our 10th fish. We got cold water back to the north of Ludington with the break down 75 ft. Good seas for tomorrrow and I'm looking forward to getting back out. Time to get ready for our annual turkey fry. I'm deep frying 6 turkeys today for all my fishing buddies. They all bring a lot of food for a great potluck. Good Luck!