scgibby11

Ha! Yes, we crossed from MACKINAC CITY to the island......that would have been a long night all the way up Lake Michigan!

Scott

A million thanks to Steeliebob for fishing with us Saturday June 12 and for helping me make a plan of attack for fishing the straits.

The weather was a bit tumultuous on Friday night, which made for a challenging crossing from Michigan City to Mac Island, and a rough sleep on the boat during the wind, heavy rain, and thunderstorms. That made our 5am departure a bit delayed.

My son and I weathered the storm. Got some lines in the water at 6:30 AM, and hit a nice 13# king. We finally got in touch with Steeliebob around 8 or so, and we learned from his expertise for a couple of hours, hooking into another king that we unfortunately couldn't boat--he spit the hook.

The next morning we caught a couple more--8-10# and about 3-4# salmon. It was a very nice weekend after the stormy Friday, although we could have used a touch of wind on Sunday to limit the massive bugs!

Every single strike this weekend came on the riggers from 55-75 feet down, in 85-140 FOW between St. Ignace and Mackinac Island (St. Ignace side, north of the coast guard station). Every single strike also came on a stinger glow ghost, stinger size lure. Dipsies, copper were silent. They wanted the downriggers and only that spoon. No flies.

Surface temps were about 57 degrees, with temps 51-52 at the ball.

Thanks again, Bob. A picture follows, but I left the camera on the boat that has the pictures of the big one.....

Scott

Too funny. Yes, we were. We struck an unmarked reef near Todd harbor and had to cut the trip short. Weather stayed nice, and we just had a much slower crossing back to Houghton. It still was a fantastic trip--mostly diving, but fishing was nice too.

We took the boat and crossed to Isle Royale last fall and had a great, great time. What a place. Here are some pictures from our trip.

Scott

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Excellent. Keep 'em coming! Thanks so much

Hello all:

Feel free to move this if I posted in the wrong area.

I wondered if anyone has a referrence (or is willing to build one!) for the abbreviations that posters often use for spoon patterns.

I realize that some manufactures have pictures of their patterns with the name, but the abbreviations are not always present.

I've picked up on many--NBK (natural born killer), SOG (silver, orange, green), etc, but there are many others that I scratch my head about when I read posts.

Anyone have thoughts?

Scott

Man, work sure gets in the way of fishing. I've been scheduled to work the weekend of most every tournament that has interested me. Oh well. I still get to fish many other times, and that keeps me wanting more.

Looking forward to St. Ignace this coming weekend.

Scott

Very cool to have you here. Nice boat!

Oustanding!

I have several Craig's rod holders, and they are very, very well built. They are quite adjustable in many directions too.

Scott

Very, very cool. Great job!

Thanks so much! I sent you a reply back. I'll know more as the time approaches.

Scott

Thank you, guys.

I know where the municipal marina is in St. Ignace. I can't picture where the coast guard station is--it must be close to that?

Appreciate the help.

Scott

I will be heading to the straits for an "other than fishing event" the weekend of June 11, 12, 13. The good news is that my son is going with me and the boat follows along. We will have a chance to try fishing.

Fishing in the straits is new to me....I'm an avid diver and scuba there a lot, but I'm newbie to techniques there.

Would someone be able to guide me as to good locations or suggestions?

We are actually staying on the boat for the weekend at Mackinac Island marina. The boat can handle some weather and distance.

Thanks,

Scott

Got lines in about 4:30p and trolled until 8P

We shot out to 165 FOW and marked a lot of fish anywhere from 20-60 down. Much thinner deeper than that.

Surface temp out there around 52-53 and temp at the ball was 44 at around 60-70 feet down, and 48 at 20-30 feet.

We got hits on most everything except flies. Spoons were it for us

Big king hit a dipsey with superline on an OLD NP Nailer, silver with green dolphin type stripe--rod fouled and line snapped at the snubber.

Other hits were on a torpedo diver, 30 foot lead, 45 feet more after the torpedo. Several dipsy hits and rest on riggers.

Most hits for us were high--around 20-40 feet down. Wound up with 4 coho, and one 8# king.

Best colors: Anything with green, but not too loud.

Scott