Rascal Trophy Fishing

Nice buck sir, I also have a Mr. Brown Velvet in my yard, saw him 3 days ago with two does and 3 white speckled fawns with him. The passage of my vehicle on the driveway didn't even spook them. As for my red foxes, they aren't here this season, sad.

I like the tried and true older method of the rubber band too, but, I think I'll investigate the newer method too now for fun. If you run out of rubber bands/patience you can always free slide the second lure too, the boats forward movement keeps the lure in the desired place until a hit occurs. How many times have you guys caught fish on both lures on the same rod? Now that's really fun if two big fish hit, a double net at the transom. Thanks for the informative posts.

I'd say EdB is pretty much on track, the most and larger fish right now are south 20-25 miles from the Lighthouse in Ludington. Fish are still filled with abundant alewives so it's a lite bite many times. Although, I've also heard better fish are still quite deep, and the season is about to explode here when the summer and south fish come now in the next few weeks, running behind due to spring storms/temps.. Another year for patience, but it will pay off soon.

Good luck Sherm and Jon, I've had some problemos too with port engine this season, 2 water/oil coolers needed soldering/welding with new hoses and clamps, now carb acting up too. Ethenol most likely.........thanks USG for making gas a choker on marine engines.

I tried to get a sample/field tester and got refused. But, I think the system may work well, we don't use them much on Lk. Michigan to my knowledge, or at least in Ludington yet. I'd like to try them though, money is tight in the charter biz so......................maybe later?

Small lul going on right now Bill, try back again in a few weeks, it may change drastically, for the better. Try Ludington next time too.

I like the way Snowfish kicked it up a notch with the scallops idea........this sounds like one recipe that should be canned for public consumption.

Nailer is right, and the season here in Ludville is about 2-3 weeks behind, or more. The massive numbers and sizes of Kings to come is behind, and as such, the alewife explosion is not under control. This will pass is due time, and the lull in current catches right now will reverse. I note a 25# King was caught here on Saturday, 7/09 at the Boat Club tournament, and this is just the beginning of what could be an extraordinary season. Patience..........is a virtue.

Welcome Joe, this is a great forum for everyone, pros to novice, to help one another and have fun learning at the same time. Like any other sport, the more you go and do it, the more fun and wisdom accrued.

I like and agree with JWheelers take on this, it's a sickness that can't be stopped, do it all....lol.

Thanks for the excellent tip on the flea flickr line Hotdog71, I've been using it when needed and elsewhere for many years and it's a great product. As we can see now, many still don't know about it, and you don't need to suffer anymore when you use this product, it truly is awesome.

Sad story and just goes to show, these box fishing stores really are out of their field of expertise selling and trying to service new boats to begin with. I hope Phil gets the proper service and warranty work done by a competent dealer. Trouble is, all too often a dealer that hasn't sold you the unit doesn't want to service it later either, same as cars. Even though they are bound by the mfr. to do so whether they sold it to the person or not.

There's also cheap camp sites at the Ludington marina I'm at too, very near the slips. I'm in a quieter secret spot that isn't so heavily trafficed too. Thanks.

I just bought one of these new units too lately, but haven't used it yet. Glad to see the expense was worth it and has me wanting to try it now asap. Thanks.

That's too bad, but, it's early yet guys. I wouldn't mind a get-together in Ludington sometime yet this summer, maybe July, to try that famous fish fry of Terry's. We do have a tourney mid-month or later the fishing gets even better. The marina I dock at has open slips for transients, so contact me if interested in a good time. Thanks.

Welcome to the GLF, friendliest fishing talk forum known in Mi., and good luck with the new boat.

You guys can get a fairly regular report on Ludington's fishing by logging on to fish-ludington.com from me and the others posting. Sounds like the 55's south and a westerly line from the 33-38 line produced for Glen, but nothing on fire yet. Water temps and winds have been changing alot, add the vast amount of alewives being marked, and the fish aren't that aggressive and hungry. Note: there is a new weather buoy located in 90 fow on the 59 and 33 line placed around mid-June, don't hit it or get tangled in it, it has a 1.000# cement anchor I understand.

Good to see some charters are doing well this early, it's slow around Ludington with only a few boats going on weekends now. You guys don't forget the Offshore Challenge coming up shortly in mid-July, lots of great prizes and money awards to get. Thanks.

All ideas given are ok, I also like the assistance of the Michigan Sea Grant Coast Watch satellite report. It gives you the surface temps. of the entire portion of the great lake you are going to fish at. Seeing extreme temp. breaks of 10-15 degrees is not uncommon. If it's within a reasonable range from port, I try to go somewhere near as I watch the thermotroll on the way out. Marking bait fish and big boomerangs on the graph also get my attention to slow and set up. When fishing my port, check out one of the captains reports at fish-ludington.com for some hints and tricks we use daily.

Over the course of many decades, we've found flasher/fly combos. to work best at slower trolling speeds, 1.4-1.8 is my desirable speed. To do otherwise spins the flasher too fast and twists the line of the reel and fly into tangles more often than not. Naturally, fish hawks and currents also help adjust for errors in speed.

I strongly agree with Adam Bomb and Pitmaster's posts. Both make reel good sense. I am surprised though about the driver being required to have a license, that's pushing it for me, but as AB stated, it's the best investment for all. Anyhow, what's more expensive, the $75 fine, or the $7 license? Have fun and enjoy our fintastic waters.

Always good to hear from our neighbors up Frankfort way, another fav port of mine, fun to just drive over and talk to the guys too. Thanks for a sterling mid-day report.

Yes, they are exploring the multi-million dollar cost of such a chageover, and the ship isn't that profitable to date to make that change w/o grant or government assistance. Therefore, I do hope that the ship continues into the future, and the ppoliticians will not prohibit coal usage. It's not been proven detrimental anyhow.

Everytime I hear someone say they want a "cheap trick safety device" for their boat I just wonder...............what's the value of your life? And your crew's? Not to be a smarty pants but you should consider that you get what you pay for. Yes, hh radios run from $100-500, depending on submersibility/features/quality/wattage and the like. Just remember, your life may depend on this very radio someday, do what you feel is right, irregardless of money, that can always be replaced, lives can't.

That darn Ludington, always too many fish around der, nice job, good report.