hfitch

Hope you are doing well after surgery. We fish Port Sanilac all the time. We've been going right straight out of the harbor to 70 to 90 feet of water and doing good. Mixed bags are the norm all the time. The last time we went out, last Wednesday, we marked an aweful lot of fish just east of the bouy out there in about 75 ft. of water. We didn't stay long cuz I have an ear infection and that doesn't mix well with 2 to 3 footers! We've been getting our best catches off of spoons run anywhere from 25 ft. down to 55 ft. down. Blue diamond backs, Kevorkian, Michael Jackson seems like anything in that order has been catching fish. We haven't picked up any walleye yet this year, but heard boats were running mini divers and catching those. We were running into some large pods of big fish the finder was telling us. I'm wondering if those are kings staging for the fall. Like I said, we only fished for a half an hour and had to quit so we didn't catch anything. Forb the amount of fish the finder was picking up in spots I don't know how we weren't snagging them trolling thru. Hope this info helps.

I have never ordered from them, but I have been to the store quite a few times. The people in the store are very helpful and nice. If they run their mail order the same way, they'll be great! If you ever get up to Pinconning this store is a must stop at. They have the largest selection of fishing gear I have ever seen in 1 place. And the rest of the store is just as awesome. We bought a new boat this spring and went there to out fit it for fishing. Decided new boat=new stuff. We probably saved between $150 and $200 by shopping there. A definate "must shop" for fishing and outdoor gear.

I'm stopping into Port Sanilac Bait and Sporting Good next weekend and we're going to hammer this thing out. Will post when I have all the details. We're looking at the 1st weekend in October. Should be just in time for the king run so the smaller boats can get in on it too and not have to run offshore very far.

Not sure if there are any state rules or regulations regarding tournaments like this. All input would be welcomed!

Was wondering what you guys that fish the Port Sanilac area would think about a fun fishing tournament. Kinda like the ones where you pay, in example, 25 or 50 bucks per boat and you get a ticket. Then for every fish you catch you get an additional ticket. At the end of the tournament, winner is drawn from the tickets. 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. The entry fee per boat needs to be low enough so people can afford it. I could talk to the guys that own the bait shop in Port Sanilac as I'm sure they would be interested in maybe being the moderators of the tournament and take care of the checking of fish the tickets and the drawing portion. They're new in town, so a little added business would be welcome for them. Drop a post and we'll see how many are interested. Maybe this fall for the king run so even the small boats could get in on it close to shore. Any input would be appreciated!

even if the sun is up, don't be afraid to throw some glow in the dark spoons out there. Sometimes those get hit in the middle of the day when non-glow goes untouched. I just love my glow in the dark spoons I guess!! Good luck and welcome to the site. If you catch a fish in spot your trolling and are marking more fish on the finder, don't leave that spot! Troll thru it at all angles, zig-zag a bit. Keep track of what it was on and the speed you were trolling. Chances are if you caught 1 in that spot, more will soon follow!

WOW! Now that is cool!. Fried smelt for an appetizer while the laker is on the grill! Thanks for the story and the pic.

Now that's just gross!! But it made me chuckle!

Great Lakes Angler just had a nice write up on this subject in last months issue. It all depends on underwater currents. And water currents vary by depth, direction you are trolling in, wind direction. The only way you would know for sure is like the article said, by using a speed at the ball sensor, like a sub-troll. The article talked about having 2 of them and running on ball at one depth and another ball at a different depth. You have to adjust boat speed and the angles you are trolling at to get the lures to run true to each other without much affect from current. It was a really interesting read, but at over 400 dollars for the sub-trolls, I'll just keep guessing. I keep a log on the boat when we catch fish. Everything from boat speed, time of day, depth, wind direction, direction trolling, lure used everything. It helps, and paper is a lot less expensive.

Holy cow, I want to go fishing with you and your wife! Very nice pike!

We really need to get our butts up there on a charter! That's looks like a ton of fun, literally!!

at 99 cents a piece, I would stock up on as many as I could fit in my shopping cart! Each length of spoon has it's time and place. In the spring, most forage fish run a little larger as they haven't spawned yet, so magnums there. Later on in the season, you'll notice smaller fish in the stomachs of the fish, so you'll want to try smaller spoons. I've never personally run Erie-dearies, but everyone has their favorite brand, and who knows, this may become your spoon of choice! Good luck!

we went out tonight and went 0/3......ugh!! Had my dad out there and he has never trolled for the big ones. We were a little less than elegant on rod hand-offs with him so I totally take the blame. Marking some fish but they sure aren't as concentrated as they we before the north blow we had a couple days ago. It will settle back in within a couple days. Tight lines ya'll, and I'll take my own advice there, too!

good job! We opted not to go later in the evening, prior family commitments. We won't be going today either, have to fix a car. Oh well, supposed to get nasty later. Good job again

Where can I buy spoon blanks here in Michigan. I want to get into painting and making my own spoons but I can't find anything locally on the web. I really don't want to do mail order but I guess if I have to I have to. I want blanks for trolling spoons, not casting spoons.

beautiful salmon, Jonas!

Thanks for all the info guys. You've already made me decide to stay with steel. I will try those pancake weights, though. I never thought of the fleas and slime. God knows the slime is bad enough trying to get it off before it builds up and won't go thru the guide on the level wind. And if it doesn't age well, forget it. Rigger weights are too expensive to replace when they break off.

Was wondering what you guy's thoughts are on running a dacron type line off of downriggers instead of the good ole steel cable? Other than not being able to run a black box, I've heard the dacron runs a lot quieter (no hum) thru the water and there is a lot less blowback. What do you guys think?

Good job Umpqua! Not bad for a few hours of fishing I'd say! What port were you fishing out of to the north. I hear Rogers City has been just fantastic for kings.

We may be out Saturday evening and definately for sure Sunday, weather depending. See you out there!

Your right there Turfwrench! When you were out last week on Monday, were you pulling the planer boards off a mast? The one pic. you posted has that funky looking freighter in the background. We were out there that day, my husband, my self and my step daughter. Judging from the distance away, I think we were fishing about the same depth. We've got the teal and white Proline walkaround, 23 ft. You have a Thompson cuddy, right?

hmm... that's a nice box of fish. Should put a disclaimer in your post **results not typical**.. I will drive the extra 45min and go to Lake Erie

I've been thinking about this quote for a couple of days now. Of the 100's of salmon I've caught out of Lake Huron, from Port Huron all the way up to Alpena and in between, 2 have been stocked fish. And that was ages ago. Almost every fish I've caught had ALL of it's fins! I know this is just a humerous poke at Lake Huron, but I honestly think Huron is going to make a comeback. Sure, our numbers of kings aren't like Michigan, but our fish are getting healthier. A few years ago, all you would catch is 8 pounders. All head, no body. Now, I've heard reports and seen fish pushing 20 pounds! As long as we can keep the Asian carp out, I feel Huron will make it back to it's glory years once again! Give Lake Huron a shot, when you find the fish, you will be pleasantly surprised at how many you catch and how healthy these fish are. But then again, you can't beat our crowds over here!

hmm... that's a nice box of fish. Should put a disclaimer in your post **results not typical**.. I will drive the extra 45min and go to Lake Erie

I've been thinking about this quote for a couple of days now. Of the 100's of salmon I've caught out of Lake Huron, from Port Huron all the way up to Alpena and in between, 2 have been stocked fish. And that was ages ago. Almost every fish I caught had ALL of it's fins! I know this is just a humerous poke at Lake Huron, but I honestly think Huron is going to make a comeback. Sure, our numbers of kings aren't like Michigan, but our fish are getting healthier. A few years ago, all you would catch is 8 pounders. All head, no body. Now, I've heard reports and seen fish pushing 20 pounds! As long as we can keep the Asian carp out, I feel Huron will make it back to it's glory years once again! Give Lake Huron a shot, when you find the fish, you will be pleasantly surprised at how many you catch and how healthy these fish are. But then again, you can't beat our crowds over here!

Turfwrench....I seen that one picture of you on here with the funky looking freighter in the background. That was last Monday right. Judging from the distance away you were fishing in the same depth we were approximately. We have the white and teal proline. My husband, my self and my step daughter were out that night for a little while caught I think 3 fish or maybe 2. One was a really nice 14lb. coho. Were you running the planer boards off of a mast?

Got pics of the boat but unfortunately I go online using my phone. We need to step up to the future and get a computer again. But, who has time for a computer when there are fish to be caught! Thanks to everyone and hope to see you on the water!

hey guys and girls!! I reside in the Peck, Michigan area. We do a majority of our fishing in Port Sanilac, but have been known to wander to Harbor Beach and the Bay. I've been big water fishing for about 10 years now. I actually introduced this type of fishing to my husband. I've been fishing my whole entire life, though, whether out of a boat on a bank or wading a stream. We currently fish out of a 1994 23 ft Proline walkaround. Glad to have joined this site! From what I can see, most everyone seems to be very nice and helpful to everyone and I hope to see some of you out on the water in Port Sanilac!