Take Six...

I live in the southwest corner of the state and two weeks ago I was in your shoes. Never been to Frankfort and knew nothing about it. I found the address to the "Tackle Box", read their fishing report on-line and stopped in their store before I dropped into the water. Their located across from the public ramp. When you walk out of the Tackle Box, I guarantee you will know more about fishing in Frankfort than some of the locals who live in Frankfort. You will probably leave with a sack of the hotest and latest spoons and flies, navagation map for 4 bucks and best of all, when your on the water set your VHF to channel 10, listen, learn and don't be afraid to ask questions. Radio chatter in Frankfort is great and anyone will help you catch fish. Even the charter guys. They have one of the best fish cleaning stations I've used. When you leave the ramp after fishing head east on the same street and stop in to the little smoke fish house on the right. Killer trout. Wished I'd bought more. After you leave there. Go to the stop sign go right, then right again, across the bridge and right one more time. (about five miles from the smoke shop) Theres a great burger place on the left side of the road. Have a great time.

There seemed to be 55 gallon drums filled with good sized perch strategically placed along the shore line. If you found a barrel, they we're hitting two at a time till the barrel was gone and you had to move. People right next to you would get frustrated because your nailing them and they can't get a break. Or the shoe is on the other foot. We searched for a good hour starting south of the break wall and then headed north. We didn't see a fish landed anywhere till we we're well past the clay banks. Ended up with 80 keepers, probably threw back 25. In only 18fow!

I almost forgot. We stayed at the Super 8 motel across from the east bay. When we came back from Frankfort Friday afternoon, we decided to cruise around the bay. Theres a public launch on the west side of the bay. We we're running at barely planning speed heading out into the bay. Within about 500 yards of the ramp my Eagle 620c couldn't keep up with the drop off. I had to stop and let it catch up. We were sitting in 450 fow! We cruised up the west side till we hit the point, went across and came down the east side. The bottom structure was like running ove rthe top of a dirt bike track. Never fished it but limits of trout we're coming out daily.

We ran straight out till we hit 150 fow, then turned north and trolled till we came to the 'perch like' pack of boats off the point. I'm still amazed at the radio chatter between boats about who's catching what and especially the warnings and questions about who's running lead core and how far back they are. Over the course of two days all the chatter was polite and helpfull. Why can't it be like that around St. Joe. I just don't understand. Maybe this could be a good question thread somewhere.

While the wives we're attending a show in Traverse City last week, my friend and I decided to tag along and bring my boat with us. Before leaving, I looked for port information on the web like everyone else. I found a tackle shop in Frankfort that had been posting some well written fishing reports. I printed out the cover sheet to have their phone number and address. Not having ever fished out of that port, its good to talk to the local experts. What a find! The Tackle Box was the name of the bait shop and its right across the street from the public access. BTW - The public ramp also sported four stainless steel fish cleaning stations with oak planks and shower hoses and the ramp fee was $5 bucks. The lady behind the counter spent about 15 mintues showing us what was hot for the last couple of days and brought out maps and marked on them as to where to fish. She told us to monitor channel 10, that's where everyone talks including the charters. Unbelieveable! The radio was non stop chatter on; where, what depth, color etc... Get this. Guys we're even asking if a boat was running lead core before they made a turn!! Nothing compared to my home port of St. Joe, where no one talks or offers information. And the only time you know someone is running lead core is when their flipping you off or waving their arms. Needless to say, the trip was great. We brought a load of quality three and four year old kings. Two weeks ago there was a 32 pound king caught and last weekend while we were there a guy boated an 18 pound brown. The bite was early, in 175 fow between 75 - 110 down north of the pier near Point Betsie. Every lure I bought from the Takle Box put fish in the cooler. Mostly Hoochies, Dodgers and fly's. I'm definetly going back!

You've been havig a great week! I read your reports in the morning at work and wish I was out there. Hopefully I can get out this weekend. Keep it up!

Went out of St. Joe rigged for perch or salmon. Went north out of St. Joe, scanned the bottom for marks and dropped my aquaview over the side, all alewives... Went south found the same thing, alewives. Went our in front of the pierheads at the edge of the mudline, spied the first perch and droped anchor. We threw all 10 perch caught in the first half hour back because they were so small and pulled lines. Decided to try for salmon and ran out to 70fow and trolled for the remaining two hours we had left and boated one steelie. It came on the only flat line. You guessed it J-11 orange Rapala. It boggles my mind that we would discover these huge balls of alewives but the big boys were nowhere to be found.

A pair of Cannon Mag 20's. They move at 235 ft/min. and have an auto-stop feature on the way up. As soon as the ball hits air, it stops. I love them. However, I have to admit I could not have afforded them if my wife didn't have a connection to someone who worked at a place that was owned by Cannon. Unfortunatley, Cannon sold the company and I'm back to forking money over to Steve.

Its an 05' Tacoma with a 245hp V-6. The boat and trailer run about 3,000lbs dry. I get 17mpg when I tow and 22mpg not towing. The tac runs around 2,400 rpm at 70 mph. My only problem is the transimssion has a passive computer system that changes shift points based upon the drivers driving habits. Unfortunatly, that all goes out the window when I hook up.

The wife is attending a horse show in Traverse City July 25th - 30th. She just booked a room across the street from the East Bay. I'm taking the boat up for the weekend. If you were me and could put in anywhere and fish for anything. Where should I go and what should I target. The only time I've fished there, I chartered a boat on the West Bay and we hugged the West bank and trolled cow bells with spin-n-glows for lakers. Thanks for the advice.

Michigan City atop the dunes next to the Nipsco stack.

I just decomissioned my Bottomline and installe an Eagle 640C. It has high wattage, the highest pixel count for clairity and can keep track of the bottom at 50mph. The Fishdog guys hit the price mark too.

People debating with facts! What a refreshing read. Too bad the networks won't do this. Just thought I would throw this out since I haven't heard anyone mention it. Last January/ February I attended a Steelheaders meeting in Mishawaka. The captain from Fish Hawk Charters out of St. Joe was the guest speaker. After an interesting discussion of techniques both on the big lake and in the river he had a question and answer session. I asked this question. At least once a year I charter a trip somewhere on the ocean. I primarily target bill fish, tarpon and bone. Every saltwater captain I've chartered with, always spoke of not killing any fish and always released what was caught. This was their fishery and their livelyhood and it was up to them to be good stewards. I asked the Fish Hawk captain if he did the same. He said in Lake Michigan, since we have such an extensive stocking system, that it wasn't necessary to release fish due to concerns over population. There were follow up comments from other guys in the room that supported his comment.

We have a Shi-tzu named "Lucky" because she was originally a gift that got returned. We also have two English Springer Spaniels, Dutchess and Winchester. Since I hunt pheasant with my Weatherby, she is named the "Dutchess of Weatherby." The other Springer was named Winchester because he was a gift to my wife just like the 20ga. Winchester I bought her for her birthday after we married.

Ok, so I happen to choose not to use lead core. I know its popular with a lot guys, I'm OK with that. Whatever... So tell me, how in the world is a guy supposed to know when another guy is running lead core and that you'll need to travel a quater of a mile past him before you make my turn? To date, I've never tangled in another guys rig, ever. I'm always conscience about it because I hate it when it happens to me and I'm not running lead core. I got past this boat last weekend well beyond what I thought was enough and started to make my turn. Before I was crossing his path, I was getting blasted with a number of hand and arm gestures. I was so far away, I couldn't even hear them yelling and I was trolling with a little four stroke. I mean C'mon! How am I supposed to know!

Tricky.. The lighthouse on top of the building threw me. It didn't used to be there.

Steve was over Friday after work. I have to restock..

Was solo passing through the pier heads at 7:30 Sunday. Saw three charter boats and they were swarmed by 50 others. So I swung North and made three passes in front of the mouth. Saw only two nets take a dip and decided to run down to Churchhill. I hung right around 35 -45 fow. Has two releases, nothing in the box. First time this year I went home empty handed. I better try again this weekend.

I will tell you where I caught fish, I will tell you on the radio where I'm catching fish, I will tell you what I used, If you run out of minnows when were killin' perch, I'll give you some of mine, I will help you if your on the water and are in trouble, I will help with gas money, I won't charge you for gas if you fish with me. I'll buy you a beer if I meet you at the bar, I will feed you if you come to my home. Paaaalllllleeeeaaaasssseeee!!!!! There is absolutlety no way you're going to get me to say one single word about where and how many mushrooms I've found! Nope. Sorry. Not going to happen. I'm drawing the line!!! Forget it.!!!!!!! However, if anyone finds them a nusance on their property, please forward GPS coordinates and I'll bring the Uncle Al's and Budweiser.

CaptLevi - Good call on the ice thing, I don't ususally fish in those temps, so I never thought of it but your right.

I just got sneaky about it. Each rigger has three, then I have two removeable ones from inside the gunwhales and then there are six verticle tubes that are hidden behind the rear bench seat back.

For those of you who may be new to this sport and are just starting out... Here's the scenario; You've just arrived at the ramp. You're life jackets are still in plastic bags, your canvas is neatly folded and stowed, you haven't spilled any two cycle oil or buss bedding on your clean carpet yet, the inventory lot tag is still hanging from your keychain, you can still see folds in your new gortex jacket from Cabella's and you're going to put on your best show for your first time out with your family or friends. For me, if my guests ever make a comment about their day on the water with me for the first time, more times than not, they will comment how fast I can drop a boat in and retrieve it at the end of the trip. And I'll tell you what, there's not a greater professional gesture you can offer to your fellow fisherman or boater than to know how to drop and retrieve a boat at the ramp. Its not about how well you can or cannot back down a trailer but about being prepared before you drop or retrieve. I don't know about everyone else but this is what I do. Pull over into the staging lane or clearing before your in the ramp lane. Disconnect your straps and as long as you don't have a roller trailer, unhook your bow strap. Remove the transom saver from your outboard if you have one. Either assemble or stow any canvas which is on your boat. Load and stow any tackle, clothing, coolers or anything that your taking out on the water. Have a dock line set on either side of the boat or come with a dock line already on both sides. Have your guests make their last trips to the restroom before you leave the staging lane. Either get in line with youur rig or choose a ramp and have your guests standing on the dock and wait. In the last three boats I've owned, I generally back the trailer into the water till my wheel fenders are barely under the surface. The rear end is floating but the bow is still resting on the forward bunk. Tie the boat off at the ramp and park your vehicle. Hop in your boat, lower your engine if needed and get it fired up. While you double check what you've stowed, ask you passengers to board. Once your guests are seated and a final safety scan is made, back out of the lane. THERE SHOULD BE NO REASON TO SPEND ANOTHER SECOND AT THE RAMP. Unless you have engine problems and everyone understands that happens. After coming off the lack you have about 15 minutes before you reach the ramp. Use this time to stow and secure anything yuou pulled out while out on the water. Rods, skiis, coolers etc.. Make sure those dock lines are ready and you know your car keys are in your front pocket. Pick your lane and place in line and be sure as soon as the guy in fromt of you has left the ramp, your there right after him. Pull up and tie off. If you need help, ask a guest to be ready with line, don't allow them to be your brake. Tie off the boat and head for your car, have everyone meet you at the staging area while your gettinng your vehicle unless you need help. Back the trailer into the water at about the same spot you unloaded it from. It will take less time and you'll only have to crank the winch a dozen times at most. Pull the boat out into the staging area and take all the time you need to prep the boat for your return trip. Only because I have a lot a practice of going out by myself, I usually ask my guests to just step back till I ask for them. However, I do have a few friends that know the program and we work well together. The bottom line? Do everything you can to minimize the number of seconds you occupy that ramp lane. I appreciate it and I'll guarantee you everyone around you will be impressed and glad they picked your lane to follow!

No I didn't. Our plan was to be in the Blast, but things didn't work out. We weren't on the water till 10:00 that morning. We we're one for one and it was a slime ball taken on a rigger 30 down. When we pulled lines, both side planners had inched their way down to the swivel on our body baits from all the wave jumping. Sure wasn't like last Wednesday.

No, but what a sweet rig.

Hey! That's me!