Great Dayne

I did some work with the DNR a few years back. The only way to really tell how old a fish is is to look at the rings on the scale sample from about the mid back, larteral line up or to remove a vertebra and count the rings. You would need a magnifying glass in both cases. We had one fish that was a 17lb steelhead that was 17 years old and never reproduced , we also had a 15 lb steelhead that was 3 years old and had reproduced. I believe one of the state record steelhead was an 11 year old that was 27 lbs. It's all a matter of forage. Higher energy forage = bigger fish. Salmon and trout that eat smelt, and bloater chubs tend to get bigger than salmon that eat only alewife. Availability of forage also plays a role as well. Lk Huron has no alewife population right now. The salmon ate them all. Lk Michigan has a alwife population but we're missing two year classes. So in Lake michigan, the alwifes are about 2.5-3 inch long (04-05) or 6-7 inches long (99-00 year class).

One boat had Old Big John Srs. Two with fiberglass booms and solid cast Aluminum spools- loved them. Bought new boat with Proos. Almost sunk them in 3ooft of water because of switch and circuit breaker problems, plus the booms don't tilt up. Got rid of the Proos and bought Scotty's last year. wasn't too thrilled on the whole plastic thing but they are guaranteed for life except the spool. Had one minor glitch with the counter on one. Took it in, the repair shop gave me another rigger while they orderd a new counter-no cost to me, free repair and free part. They have been solid so far. The don't be afraid of the plastic! They are solid and I can pull a 20lb ball no problem. Clutch is idiot proof. and there is autostop on them. Hasn't been a problem yet- they're belt driven not gear driven like BJ's. I've been very pleased. Mike

Hello, I'm Capt Mike Dayne out of Ludington Mich. I'm a younger guy who has fished since I could hold a rod. I operate a 31' Tiara Flybridge- the Great Dayne. I grew up fishing for Lake trout near Petosky and Charlevoix in a 14 ft aluminum boat with monel wire, cowbells, and sewn minnows when I was about 10. I finally got my charter license last year. I have lived and worked in Ludington for 7 years. Probably actually fished Ludville for close to 10. Looking forward to this season. I fish the Gander Mtn tourney so if your here pop in and say "hi". See you in the water MIKE www.greatdaynecharters.com