Wheres Joe

Got a bit of a late start and launched out of Grand Trunk (Launch Full) around 7:30 AM   

Steamed out to where the fleet was hanging about (120 to 170 FOW) and proceeded to wash tackle for the next 3+ hours.

No nets waving and reports on the radio were fishing was very slow and spotty.......  

Back at the launch boys were bringing back many pounds of un-used ice.  Along with the always sage advice:  "They were killing them here last night(yesterday)" 

Hope to have better luck next time...   

NIce!   I went up to Manistee 1 day later  (the 2nd)  Wave report when I left GR was 2 to 4    two hours later when we got to the launch it turned into Small Craft Adv and 3 to 5's    Told my buddy no way we were going out, then spotted a guy trolling the channel and said we can do that!  Did that AM and PM with a stop at North Chanel Brewery in between.  Also spent some time out on Manistee Lake , where there were a few people out there jigging.  We did see a couple fished hooked by the folks doing the jigging thing.  Of course all my spinning gear was home!   So best we could do was drag our DR deals trough the middle of the pack.   Had a couple of releases that I would like to think were hits....  but that was all we could muster up.  Planned on fishing Thursday but based on our previous days results, went to breakfast, the tackle store and then home.   As your report highlighted we "should have been there yesterday"    

Fished Friday 8-14  AM & PM:  Most boats hanging between 120 to 215 FOW and we did the same.  Went 0 for 2 on the AM Trip and did not see or hear of a lot of fish being landed.  

Friday PM was a different story as we joined the fleet in these same waters doing a north to south or south to north troll.  Had a rigger go off about 45 mins before Sunset about 75 down

After about a 30 sec fight it somehow broke off the 30lb test between the SD and fly.  Rigger went off again about 15 mins later with better results.  Same rig SD & Fly, which seemed to be the 

most popular setup being used by the fleet as well.  My son landed this 27.5 King just after sunset, crew and captain were quite happy to have her on board.  Fish cleaning station at the Launch 

had a ton of guys with fish around this size (Less then a 20 lbr was considered perch fishing)    Went out Sat AM but got blown off as 1 to 2's turned to 2 to 4's and building in a blink.  

Awesome trip!  

Thanks Guy,

I might try the Petty's Bayou this weekend if the weather cooperates.  Like with everything else 2020 seems to be a tough year! 

I gotta get my Kicker running 1st.  Hope to see ya on the water soon!  

Nice  Job!  

Where did you Launch?   

Fished about 7:30 PM till sunset out of Muskegon.  Stayed between 120 and 140 FOW.  Had one hit on a Dipsy about 145' back for about 10 seconds.

Nada other than that.  Reports on the radio were indicating the same.  Nice night but could have been better...   

Thanks for the update!  

Anyone know what kind of shape the Harbor Island Boat Launch is in these days?  

I know was under water most of the summer...     Thanks  

We went out with 2 boats at 7 AM out of Holland   One went High (140 feet)  Other stayed Low (40 Feet)  Fished til 11 AM both had same result.  Nada! 

Lake was awesome, fishing not so much.  Have not had a hit since July and that one broke off.  

Sure I can do that.   You looking for Riggers only or for the Riggers and the Mount?

Downriggers have been sold   Thanks 

Sure I can do that.   You looking for Riggers only or for the Riggers and the Mount?

Busting down the channel in front of the Power Plant at a pretty good clip (7.5 SOG)  Slowed considerably when Johnny Law (Ottawa County) showed up in front of the fountains.  

I was fortunate there was a larger craft in front of me going the same speed and the boys went over and put the arm on him....and slapped him with the $125 fine.  Monday night in G.H. sheriff usually not around, but must have been a slow weekend hammering the Jet skis and go fast boats.   That was the end of my good fortune. 

Mass of boats out in 130 to 160 FOW started in 140 headed to 175  Threw SD Flies, Spoons, Plugs on DR and Dipseys.  Bunch of Depths, speeds, headings - fished till dark Nada not even a release.   

Marked a ton of bait balls and fish of some kind (for whatever that is worth) According to the radio sounded like the guys doing the best were north towards Muskegon.  Was a beautiful night to be out there.  

2nd Skunk in a row.  Might try Muskegon next trip.

Glad you hooked into a couple. I went out of GH last night and got my 1st skunk of the year! 

Most boasts were messing about in 130 FOW 

Had my son and 78 year father with me.  The forecast was for waves less than 1  actual was 1 to 2 

Thanks 

7/31 PM Grand Haven

Grudgingly paid my $10 and began the the long steam from the GH launch to the Pier Head about 7:30 PM passing a barge at the power plant and the Coastie ships in town for the Festival.  

A Buddy from work on board who had not fished the big pond in many years.  Started in about 90 FOW just to the south.  Pushed NW for the next couple of hours in the 0.2 foot waves.

Got out to about 105 when we hit a nice king off a DR on a spin doctor and fly (Mirage or similar) down about 40.  Messed about until dark and picked up another on a DR on a Sting Ray Spoon.

Awesome night to be on the water, without the huge W/E crowds.  Stopped for a min on the way in to catch the Musical Fountain.  Late Night but Great Summer Evening!   

Sunday.  The morning after the big show for the Coast Guard Festival, the channel was littered with boats tied together.  I am sure there were some heavy heads in those boats as we steamed by at 5:30 AM.  

Even though it was still dark when we hit the pier heads we discovered we were late to the party!  Hundred or so boats were doing a north and south dance between 30 and 100 feet.  My crew consisting of my father (77 years) and my best friend of  40 years put down in an opening around 55 feet.  As the only copper rod I own is wound with 300 feet of the tangle waiting to happen stuff,  decided to keep it stowed.  Threw out flies - spin docs, spoons, and plugs on riggers, dipseys and lead core.  Ended up 2 for 2 with a decent King and Steelie both coming off DR one at 15 down and one at 35.   Fished mostly in the 60 to 90 feet, until we started to head in, then we messed about in the skinny water for a bit but nada.   

Awesome morning to be on the water.

Just pulled the trigger on a replacement for my Lowrance 350A  for a Lowrance Elite 7 HDI (Wow color screen!)  Anyone looking for a gently used 350A? 

Good Luck out there. 

Nice Job ! 

Launched out of the City Ramp 5:30 AM  Zero fishing boats at the ramp (not a good sign)  This was my 1st trip out to the big lake as motor trouble and kids sports kept me on land till Tues.  Hit the end of the channel and went blind, could not see the bow of my 19' boat (rut row) Dropped lines in 40 FOW and kept pointing west on the flat foggy water hoping some crazed Scarab Driver was not going to T Bone me.  Went out to about 120 FOW nothing.  As I could now see about 1/2 mile I decided to look for some charters or at least some intelligent life.  Ran back to the channel mouth when I got to 50 FOW fog was still very solid.  Ran across 2 charters and a couple other boats all hugging the mouth, north, south and some going in the river.  Sounded like spoons on boards with little or no weight were getting the hits.  Messed around in there for another hour or so, saw a couple steels landed, I never had a taker.  Strange vibe out there these days.  Maybe we should let those Asian carp in, as things are already pretty bad and does not look to recover anytime soon....  Will get out later this summer and hope for better results.  

Good Luck out there, 

Took the family on a Trip around New England last week and made a stop over to the home Port of the wicked Tuna guys. Found Billy of the Bounty Hunter in Dock. They were cleaning up the boat after hauling in a Big Tuna earlier in the day. Gloucester is a really nice little town with some nice beaches and shopping and places to eat. Stopped in the Visitors center 1st and they could not be any more helpful.

While this post will not help you catch any fish out of the L Michigan ports ! Just an FYI if you are Wicked Tuna fan and ever find yourself out that way, it is worth a stop over.

Thanks for the report. Cool Storm Front Pic's One is Better than the skunk !

Headed SW past the chocolate milk to about 60 FOW at dawn. Nothing going till about 7:30 when hit this Laker in 100 feet on a White Pro King 300 Copper. Came back towards the fleet where a lot of them were stacked in the muddy stuff just north of the pier head. Nada. What a beautiful morning to be on the water! Not a ripple.

Bonus Fishing! Talked the wife and Daughter to going out in the afternoon around 3 PM. Channel was packed with about anything that would float and had a running motor. Fished for about 40 mins before the biting flies and crew mutiny drove me back into the madness of the river. Picked up a nice 6lb Steelie that spent more time above the water than in it on a pro king raspberry off a dipsey 125 on 3 80 FOW. Tied up on the wall for dinner at Snug Harbor (Part of the deal)

Congrats on the New Rig Kevin. Looks like a sweet ride! Hope to get out tomorrow out of Muskegon. Looks like should be a good weekend on the water !

Anyone know of a good fiberglass guy? My dad spent 6 weeks rebuilding the transom of my Yarcaft. Is complete except for the seems where he cut out the outer skin. Looking for someone who can do this finish work. Thanks. Joe.

Boat is Sold

Selling my Smokercraft Ultima 18foot Fishing Boat as I have purchased another boat and wife won't let me keep both! Complete Fishing Machine including a 115HP Merc (2 Stroke) and 2005 8HP Honda trolling motor (4 Stroke) Electric motor up front as well. 4 seats all in great condition 2 Big John Manual Down Riggers, Hummingbird fish finder and GPS unit, 3 batteries all in good shape, 2 covers, UHF radio (new this spring) and Rod Holders. Will Throw in some DR Rods and reels, planer boards and misc spoons and plugs.

You could buy this boat in the AM and be on the salmon the same day. Fished it out of 2 Lake Erie and 4 Lake Michigan Ports this season. Very solid boat with great running Motors.

I can provide more Pic's if interested.

Asking $9500 for all. Thanks for Looking.

Call or Text (616) 295-4176

Joe

Did you guys encounter the Fog there in PS? Almost got T boned by 2 or 3 boats out past 90 FOW. Could not see past the bow of the boat. Then of course there was the nets we had to manuver around. just after 8PM we had seen enough and tucked tail. Number of guys trolling the channel but did not see anything go....

Went out of port Sheldon tonight. Beautiful night! Finished 6 for 6 with 4 cohos and 2 nice kings. Set up in 90 FOW, went west for a bit then turned around made it back into 90 and trolled north. picked up two going north, then four going south in the same depth. First fish was probably an hour and a half before sunset. This nice coho came on a rigger with a 11" glowing green perch paddle with a pickle kisser fly. Immediately after this fish hit the cooler out 200' copper went off, we manged to land this good coho easily. It was hungry for a SD dot closer with a proctologist fly. Next fish was on a south troll right around sunset. This coho took the same rig as the first one at the same depth. Next fish was on a dipsey set on 3 120 feet back. Another coho on an nbk fly with a green and white 10" flasher. The big boys staged at dark, starting with our 300 copper. We ended up hooking into a double as our dipsey popped at the same time! We landed both nice kings around 17 lbs. On the 300 copper was a big white paddle with a DW mixed fruit. (Very good fly!) on the dipsey was a blue bubble set on 1 100 feet back. In case you are wondering we were the boat who called on the radio asking for help! We thank you for your help and response, we were towed in by some great guys! Had some good karma from towing in a oat out of holland last week! HA!