Dr Hook

Got my first DNR Master Angler patch in the mail the other day for the 29 lb-er I caught back in August. Along with the patch and a nice letter, they sent a list of all the Master Angler qualifying fish for the past 3 years. The list also contained the method used to catch the fish. I have heard people say that meat rigs catch bigger fish, so I decided to put that assumption to the test since I really don't run meat. Breaking it down for the 35 fish over 30 lbs: 29 were caught by trolling. Of those 29, 3 were caught on flasher/fly, 4 on plugs, 7 on meat and 13 on spoons. No bait was listed for 2. My initial interpretation was that spoons showed up at the top because most spreads are probably spoon heavy; at least mine are. So I went a step farther. The breakdown for all 121 Master Angler Chinook: 111 were caught trolling. Of those 111, 13 were caught on flasher/fly, 32 on plugs, 25 on meat and 36 on spoons. No bait was listed for 5. So what does it mean? Don't really have a clue. Plugs kind of blew my initial conclusion. Only explanation I have for it is that people seem to run more plugs later in the year when fish are bigger. Also, goes to show the importance of sample size. From a scientific perspective, the next step would be to get 4 boats together and have each boat exclusively run a different type of bait on every rod in their spread for a season.

Ya looking to upgrade?

No marks coming through channel this morning and none in front of Holland pierheads so motored down to Saugatuck. Better marks there so set riggers and dipsey's with plugs and flasher/flies. Had first hit, 11 lb. king, in 24 fow just past north pier head on rigger with blue spatterback Captain's Choice plug 20 feet down. Made one more pass, before traffic got too busy for my tastes and picked up shaker coho on dipsey 45 feet back with UV Crush spindoctor and Big Weenie Last Brunch fly. Put boat on NW heading and trolled out to 165 fow without a bump. By that time we were just about even with Holland channel again, so pointed east and began trolling in. About 90 fow, got a big rip on 7 color with orange and lime yellow spoon from captain's pack at Big Red tourney and boated 13 lb king. First fish was more or less silver but second was darkening slightly. Neither had a fin clip.

Everything came on south troll except the last one came on a north troll while pulling lines. Speed was 1.8 - 2.0 gps though the steelie came when I was futzing with the throttle.

Lake is no longer rough but fishing sure is. Managed to finish 5 for 5 with 2 lakers, 2 kings and a steelhead by slowly picking away at them all morning. Had hits in 78, 102, 120, 152, and 170 fow. Set lines straight out of channel marking fish and bait on the bottom in 55 fow but no takers. 3 came on green/glow spindoctor with Big Weenie Pig In a Blanket on rigger 60 down. 1 came on blue splatterback Captains Choice plug off rigger 35 down. 1 came on Big Weenie mylar Proctologist on glow/dark green/white spindoctor off rigger 75 down.

If its on Doctor Hook is in.

Has anyone been checking upstream for big fish yet?

Fished same water as yesterday though started a bit further north but still south of channel and set up in 85 fow. Finished 4 for 5 with 2 kings, a steelie and a coho. Water changed little as far as temperatures since yesterday. 2 hits in 105-110 fow early and 3 in 120-130 fow mid morning on. 3 hits on 150 copper which was initially running a Captain's Choice chrome frog which was lost when leader snapped. Switched to Captain's Choice Michigan Shiner for 2 more hits. 1 hit on 225 copper with Captain's Choice Pearl Zebra plug. Moonshine RV blue flounder pounder on rigger 60 down.

Slow once again after first bite, finished 2 for 3. Set up in 70 fow, with hits coming at 75 and 85 fow. Both were kings 12 and 19 lbs. Braid dipsey on 3 135 back with Lightsaver spindoctor and Big Weenie Bushy Beaver. DW Gold Edgeacator spoon off rigger 60 down. Rigger 75 down with green/glow spindoctor and Big Weenie Pig In A Blanket.

Yep cold water is gonna be down and out

Doctor Hook is in. 21.4 and 29 lbs the last 2 weekends. If the progression continues I'll be due for a 44 lb-er on the 6th.

No, don't think you did. Would've made mention of it myself but didn't want to be "that guy"

Have your lines in the water at first light as fishing has been slow after. 80 should be good to start but colder water is moving in so consider starting a bit shallower. Could try out deeper once sun comes up. I haven't but its next on my list to try after bite slows. Straight out of channel has put me on them first light. Start slow, been trolling at less than 2 sog to start.

Had almost a carbon copy of last Saturday's trip except set lines at 90 fow and had all hits between 100-110 fow as water continues to cool down. Big flurry at first light then a couple of hits the rest of the day to finish 3 for 6 with kings 10 & 17 lbs and a small laker. Crush UV Spindoctor with Big Weenie Last Brunch on braid dipsey set on 3 140 feet back White/Glow/Green spindoctor with Proctologist fly 85 down on rigger. Green/Glow Spindoctor with Frosted Luke 75 down on rigger Bloody Death spoon on rigger 65 down Blue Moonshine RV Flounder Pounder on 150 copper

I tie an overhand loop at the very end of the leader that comes with the fly, but then I pretty much only use Big Weenie flies now. You're probably going to get a bunch of responses with different lengths again. If you catch fish with that length I'd stick with it.

Nice work in tough conditions.

You still in Indiana that far offshore?

What's keepin' you off?

Thought you were going out this evening?