Rascal Trophy Fishing

Good deal fishing near bottom with flies, meat, and magnum spoons, keep j-plugs up higher. Fish will hang there if they are there looking to ambush anything above them.

Ed, if you see the temp. is same top to bottom, either move to another location, or try fishing near bottom all the time. Did you mark a lot or no fish? Fish are in temp. breaks 50 degrees +or-. or if no break, then usually near bottom. Water this late is still too warm, too many south winds yet.

Looks like an old Yeck, but I defer to others opinions too. Thanks.

Nice big healthy steelies, good job. Any spoon recommended?

Please paint the trailer jhh, thanks, lol.

Welcome to GLF Melissa. Ask your questions, these guys can help!

Wow, what's the story on this? In Ludington and am not close-by! Hope the news is positive and all survive. Thanks.

How was your surface and rigger temp. changes Ed? Great job on locating the fish, they are here, have to work harder than former years though.

Nice looking facility and marina. How's the fishing in that area? Thanks.

Boltman, not everyone has a high budget in mind for a fish boat, or they would get a 50' Tiara, like Blue Fairways up here, insurance man, lol. The newer diesels are a lot less fumey too, but very costly. All depends alot on the person's prime usage of the vessel. Most bigger boats 40' and over have diesels, and their weight justifies the expense, and moving that boat for cruising. If fishing and budget aren't a main issue, get the bigger diesel boat to cruise the whole lake, and fish if you want to occasionally. Just remember, bigger boats cost more to run, store for winter, maintain, operate, and insure. Not to mention dockage and electronics.

When the water is 68 from top to bottom over 100' FOW, what depth do you fish? Put rigger ball on bottom and bring it up to 3'-6' off bottom, suggest 20' leads. Lead core at 80' FOW up by point went 4 times with 8 colors, big paddle and short blue flies. Fish are deep until cold water from north flips the lake. Diver out in 80' FOW high 150', lows out 100', glow spatters w/meat plugs going. Sliders on riggers up 15' from main, flintstones and moonshines. Hoping for cold water, too much south winds, now high winds today.

Timeout, the scare factor #2 isn't an issue really. Gas vs. diesel is a factor. Most of the vessels in great lakes fishing are gas. Typically, diesel is for greater economy, and long trips offshore. When I say long trips I don't mean 10-15 nautical miles, I mean like ocean fishing 40-75 nautical miles offshore. Gas is usually your best choice for great lakes, and the cost is drastically less. I also personally don't like diesel fumes. You might want to befriend someone or take a test run on the boat of your choice to see what you like. I would recommend a boat in the 31'-35' range, makers like Sea Ray, Wellcraft Coastal, Chris Craft Commander, Silverton, Trojan International, to name a few. Pursuit and Tiara's are also nice, but overpriced imho. People this time of year are making bargain buys usually, if someone wants out of that big boat.

First good run starting Ludington right now. Big north winds would be ideal to push cold water up close.

Salmon are now starting a late run up the PM Lake and River. Should get stronger in the coming days. Luck depends on hard work and tactics, along with newer glow lures. Put that J-plug back 100'+ behind the ball, works.

Why not fish with a charter boat or river guide? This way you can learn on the field. Interview the capt. by phone first, and tell him you are a novice, and if you can ask many questions while fishing. If he sounds amiable and friendly, book him and go. Videos and books are also invaluable tools for beginners.

FOG = DANGER, SLOW DOWN. Prayers to the family of the deceased, and for those also hurt in this accident.

That 70-1/2 Z Camaro was a major style change in that car from the 1969 model. I don't believe Chev. introduced it until the new year instead of the previous fall. I had the same car in a rust color with white vinyl interior. Got a lot of looks and compliments on it for the 4 years I owned it too.

Welcome aboard Steve. Have fun on that charter.

Glad to see you're taking some nice catches there Mike, and keeping some nice sized eyes. Good job.

When you are fishing offshore for steelies, give it a try on every trip and see if you get results. I like the orange and red ones for steelhead, but yellow and blue also works on darker days. I also run them on a shallow rod like high line, or 2 color off the small planer boards.

Hi Tony, can you describe the particulars of the unit? Like range in miles, fixed or rotating base, year of mfr., post any pictures? I always wanted one, and also know others willing to buy quite possibly.

Blake, I'd try posting an adv. in the charterboat websites that offer space for that, or contact them to put in their newsletter asap. There are a few captains listed on the Ludington Charter Boat Assoc. website as captains for hire, not having their own boat. Ted Malt is one up here in Lud.. Good luck.

With regulations on captains changing yearly, it's hard to keep up. Having said that, I was talking about renewal captain licenses, sorry. Didn't know beginners still need it. Anyhow, that's the US Gov't. for you. Take another $150 or so for something that will not be needed again, and let the citizen pay out more, and do more work, basically, for naught.

Slower speed and heavier weights on the rigger will help. Also direction trolled to make wires straight down in the water without much blow-back. My lake trout speeds normally average .8-1.2 mph on surface, if that's what you usually target.

Haven't heard of the Russell Black Box Al. Can you elaborate on that unit and cost?