FISHHEADS

It's gonna be a little while yet. Guys are fishing the river cuts with mediochre success. The Saginaw River has no safe ice as of yet. The Shipping season doesn't end till mid January; couple that with the sunken tug Ann Marie, ice breaking operations will be in full effect for a while. Won't be long, just need some cold weather without the gale force winds.

Thanks guys, I needed that! This year was tough. Fishing was awesome but a little "hairy" during ice season (weather and ice couldn't make up its mind). Spring- mid summer was great (easy limits). Late summer till recently was tough to say the least. Nice to see these fish again.

Thanks Nailer. It was a great day. But it was cold. BRRRRRRRRRRRRR At least when you're ice fishing, you've got the protection of your shanty. Btw everyone, water temp was a consistent 35 degrees. Won't be long

I'll try this a second time (the first report was abducted and taken to outer space- where the Walleye went this summer:grin:) Launched out of Patterson rd. (Saginaw rivermouth) tried the eastside first. 15 fow 1 fish pink glass Deep Husky Jerk size 10. Set back =65ft. speed =1.5 So that was our starting point. crossed the channel and head due west (15-17fow) trolled nnw 1.5-1.6 set our cranks a little deeper and it was game on! We were out a total of 4 hours got our 10 fish (that's fall fishing for you). Biggest ran about 4.5-5. smallest was in the 18-20" range. Folks, these fish ate good this summer they are fat. Best cranks were Deep HJ Pink Glass 85-100, Reef Runner Deep Little Ripper "Pink Lemonade" 90'. Out of our 10 fish these 2 lures took 6. We ran everything right on the bottom (that was the key).Water was surprisingly clear considering the winds over the last week. 1.5-1.6 was the speed of the day. I'm going to make an early prediction that this years "Shiver on the River" winner will push 13 lbs. Last years winner was 11.3lbs. Like I said earlier, these fish ate real good up north this summer.

I think some of the bay fishermen thought that the 2008 and 2009 seasons was the way it would always be. Those two years were cooler than normal and 2010 was hotter than normal. Fish are like humans, they want to eat and be comfortable. BTW We do send all the cranky fishermen South. I'm the only grumpy old guy up here.

Well put Frank, that's all most Bay fisherman needed to know in about four sentences. Alot of people panicked this year. Every bit of it had to do with the record book inner and outer bay temps (highest I personally recorded was 85 degrees surface 5 miles SE of Pt. Au Gres late July. I've heard everything from botched stocking efforts, overharvesting, etc. After today, proof is in the pudding those fish were up in cooler waters eating good, real good. (See report). Btw, when I'm on my way home from Tawas headed south, I immediatly get crankier once I pass Standish.

Thanks Frank, might just do that one day. Most of this summer once the fishing got tough on the inner, I was running most of my trips up your way. Nice to see everything back to "normal", there were alot of cranky fisherman down my way

Capt. Tim, A warm welcome aboard. I hope to see you on the bay some day. I think you will like it here. Holler if you need anything.

Frank, thanks for the welcome. I've seen your boat on my way up to Tawas over the years. Nice ride, I use to own an 89 myself. You do the same and don't hesitate to call if you need anything (seems like you usually have it under control though). Going out tommorrow if the wind/weather subsides. Will hopefully post some positive results. Name of the game =slow speeds+ long leads.

Hi Mike,

I run a charter boat out of Linwood (Saginaw Bay). Let me know if any advice is needed. I'll be sure to chime in on the ice reports as I'm out on the Bay and or River every fishable day.

Capt. Tim Bristol

Fish Heads Charter Service

www.fishheadscharters.com