village

2 hours ago, John's Tuition said:

It's a good idea. I think I will try it. Most of those days that I noticed better action with the big paddle, the paddle itself didn't get much love anyway but was probably just acting as an attractant.

That's what I figured the flie bite been slow but wanted to run a paddle so we dropped it below are spoons. 

1 hour ago, John's Tuition said:

I've had a day where I was getting bit with an 11" paddle on rigger and then took it off and they dried up. Put it back on and started getting bit again. I've also had days where I struggled to get bites and put one on and started doing well. Other days it doesn't seem to make a difference. 

Sounds like fishing. But figured today was a good day to try it. With only 6 rod down figured couldn't hurt the spread getting an extra attractor just below the lures. 

26 minutes ago, Salmon_slammin said:

I wonder though, if you put the paddle down why not put a fly on it? Can't hurt, and might pick up another fish or two.

No way for it to release and would count against your line total.  Different flasher but that is how we ran it this morning. 

We tried something new today. Added a 11" paddle straight to the back of the downrigger ball by itself. Not sure if it helped any. But we did pull 3 fish off the riggers once we added the paddle. 

Beautiful night on the Big lake. Started out fast than slowed right down. 3-6. Laker came on the first rod in the water. Maybe 5 minutes into the trip. 80fow. Worked out to 106 when the bigger king hit. Missed a couple fish. Last two hits cam on a double at 100 foot at about 10:45pm. Landed small king and lost a laker. Meat rig on a dippsy and riggers went tonight. Nothing came off of coppers. 

We mostly worked 118-125. 4-6. Broke off a nice fish on 200 copper HOLO frozen. Took one King on a 300 copper blue whale. Lost a big laker on a rigger white spin doctor and a homemade blue UV fly deep rigger. Other 3 fish came on blue spoons of the riggers. Set at 63 down and  2 came on the fixed slider 33 down. Took a friends 8 year old out put him on his first 2 silver fish. And tried to get him on the laker. He fought it for a while without gaining anything. 

Setup in 100 foot. Took first small king in 110. Than went 3-6 in 120-125FOW. Blue spoons took 5-7 Hits. Blue whale on a 300 went 3 times. Nitro blue dolphin once on a 225.  Modified halo blue dolphin took heck of a rip and came off as the broad came to the surface. 

Worked 40-50 first hr tonight. Marked bait and fish no takers minus huge sheaphead. Turned west. Marked alot of fish with only one laker on a 200 copper. 

We were out by port sheldon yesterday  radio was quite very few boats out. 2-5 270-280FOW. 

Also nicely done on the 12-14. 

Radio been quite except on fridays it seems. But 68 and 72 are still the channels. Friday morning we were getting radio chat in Holland south to south haven and north to Grand haven. 

Got a report from Port sheldon tonight Salmon were between  150-175 foot of water. 

1-4 out of Holland 5-29. Hard short strikes than nothing. 

Went 5-6 soho June 1. 3 kings 2 Lakers. 85-115 FOW 

2 hours ago, Tyeeplease said:

Sent from my iPhone using Great Lakes Fisherman Mobile App

That Blue whale spoon use to be my favorite.  Thanks for the report. 

I'm unsure if everyone is aware of this fact, but they now have "activatable" foghorn lights on most of the lighthouses in West Michigan. Very helpful for running in conditions of poor visibility and low light. To trigger the light go to VHF channel 79A and hit your microphone button 5 time

Thanks learn something new today. 

5 hours ago, Mega Byte said:

Nice video.  Is that taken with a Water Wolf?

 yes that is with the water wolf 4 ft leader on a 210 copper with a JP Slammer spoon

https://photos.app.goo.gl/pdcfmnCV57XjHNF17

https://photos.app.goo.gl/XwhogHHkK7M8zEWT8

First one is us hooking and landing a laker. 

2nd one nice size  fish wanting to hit it.  

10 hours ago, Deckhand Dan said:

sounds like your bite is just about to set up! Hang in there!

That's the plan will be giving it a go on Friday morning 

8 hours ago, Copilottruman said:

Fish about 10 times per year. My Trilene Big Game Lasted 3 years with no break offs. For $33 bucks you can get a big spool of 20lb. It’s strong, flexible, and knot friendly. Use it as backer as well. Great bang for the buck.


Sent from my iPhone using Great Lakes Fisherman Mobile App

Agree for the money on a fun fishing boat cant beat It. 

Nice. Thanks for the video. So far just Lakers for us out of Holland. 

Weather keeping the boat in storage longer than most years. Normally out 2nd week of March. Fishing by first of April this year probably be 2nd week of April. Start out on the beach and work your way out. 

I know the boat I fish off of would buy one if not 2 of them. 

16 hours ago, georgeb said:

Port Sheldon bubbler ?

Wouldn't be a bad spot to try. Coho and small kings be about 200 foot to 300 foot. Steelhead could be anywhere from 200plus to 30 foot just depends when there ready to hit the river. Browns should be inside to if you can find them. 

Not sure if it's to late just seen this post. Biggest complaints of plastic would be balloons. I think in total we landed 6 balloons on are line this season with others that missed the line. As stated above we also fish out of Holland mi. And this was a very bad fall. We never got one salmon inside a 100 foot of water.