ekbelt

You can google & read about the whitefish runs in muskegon in november. That's just snaging. Anyone tell you otherwise is stretching the truth. Somehow they think if you snag out of 10 in the mouth instead of by its tail its somehow legit.

LOL-- If you go there in november the number one thing you will hear people up and down the channel say is: "Oh its hooked RIGHT in the mouth!" ... as the dump it in their cooler. :no:

Thanks, I gave them a call and talked with their service guy to line something up!

Yes they are around Holland.

They are safe to eat.

Easiest time to catch them is around Thanksgiving when they come in to spawn. I use a small glow swedish pimple and jig for them. We went up to Whitehall this past year and came home with a whole cooler full in 3 hrs of fishing. I think we kept 19 total, caught over 50. You foul hook like 90% of them when they come in to spawn. They are great eating.

Another way to catch them is on single eggs with a slip sinker setup. I've heard of people catching them all winter if you can get on the piers.

Sorry to burst your bubble but most of the fried whitefish they serve in town is actually alaskan pollok. It's still really good, just not the 'whitefish' that they call it.

Does anyone know of a place in-state, preferrable the Grand Rapids area (holland is even better), that does ultrasonic fuel injector cleaning?

I have a feeling my 90hp 4 stroke outboard is seeing some of the effects of ethanol in the gas as my fuel line rotted out last year. Since I'm replacing it, I'm thinking about getting the fuel injectors cleaned while I'm at it. I had a few trips at the end of last year where the engine wasnt idling well and it seemed like a fuel issue. Priming the bulb seemed to get it going better at times.

I found a few places out of state that will do it, reasonable too. I'd rather not have to ship them if I can get it done locally.

1) DW Modified Blue Dolphin Magnum

2) Silver Streak Blue Chilly Willy Mag

3) Silver Streak Green Chilly Willy Mag

4) Silver Streak Super Screw Mag

5) Silver Streak Glow Frog Mag

To the guys have have fished the Thursday 3+1 before. What time did you usually quit fishing to make the 10:15pm weigh in time? I was thinking you almost need to give yourself an hour. Sometimes it gets super busy on those weekday nights at the boat launch.

A 10 color lead core is only going to get you around 45 feet deep. Your 300 - 30# copper is going to run 50-60 feet deep. Always run the shallowest setups on the outside and the deeper rigs on the inside. This way you won't get all tangled up if you get a fish on the outside board--it will always be above the deeper rig that is inside.

6 Rods... first light I would run 2 riggers, 2 dipsys, 2 boards (one on each side). When the morning bite subsides then I would pull one dipsy and one rigger and deploy the other long lines. Why not get a few more rod holders and just run 8 the whole time. 4 boards 2 dipseys and 2 riggers.

Some guy on michigan-sportsman forums posted a used 2006 yamaha 115 four stroke yesterday for $5000.00. If you could find a used engine it sure would bring the price down a little...

Just shine a uv (black) light over them... can't miss which ones are uv... they shine really bright under a uv light.

My leadcore rods are on 8'6" Daiwa Heartlands. Copper I have the 8'6" Okuma Classic Pro GLT Copper rods.

Ok... today has been the worst. Its sunny, warm... looked at the spyglass webcam and its flat as a pancake... should be on the lake! Nailer... I got caught up on the 333 videos too, they're great!

I like it too... especially that its on a weekday night. I'm pretty sure I'm in.

This weather is just killing me, it makes me feel like the boat needs to come out next week! I've been organizing tackle, making flys, and preparing for spring fishing... thinking about it everyday!

Actually www.tournamenttrail.net is posting Michigan City May 5-6 and the St. Joe pro/am May 11 – 12, 2012 so who knows!

It shouldn't conflict... I think the South Haven Pro/Am is usually the 2nd weekend in May.

Mtn dew slick

I have found shipping is typically cheaper than gas to drive to the store... although you still have to wait to get it.

Can't go wrong with green glow, green crinkle, and mirage. You can go crazy really easy... I'm trying to cut down and use what works the most. I've got a ton of mirage material since it works really good in July/August.

I agree... Hard liquor is a #1 requirement.

Good trick just in case anyone ever lodges a treble deep in their hand!

I'll just flat out say it: I don't think it's fair for those of us who fish once a week, maybe once every other week to fish against someone in a "fun" league that first mates on a charter boat and fishes 4-5 times a week. Hence my hesitation to fish these events last year.

That said, last event, the fish were at the piers and I just choked. We went 4/11 and had the fish to win. Being on the phone with work for 2 hours while trying to troll in the fog didn't help.

Also, I see there's no rule 12. Let's make that "no fishing shrimp for steelies from an anchored boat."

Rule changes look positive. Going to make for new strategies.....

I tend to agree with your line of thinking FBD. I thought about doing this for 2012 but looking at the payouts it just doesnt entice me. We'll have to see how it pans out for this year. I like a top percentage payout... like top third of participation get a cut. If its 10 boats --3 places, 20 boats-- 6 places.

Another vote for Depth Raider. We use 14lb balls and never have experienced any blowback at all.

One thing to keep in mind... 6-8 footers in Lake Michigan is WAAY different than 6-8 footers on Erie. That Erie chop is nothing to mess with, the wave have a much shorter period in the shallow waters of Lake Erie. We fish there 4-5 times a summer and whenever it kicks up we just head to the river to finish the day of fishing. It's not worth messing with. I know a few people who have swamped boats out there, one was a 20' champion bass boat. He had to to have the Coastguard come rescue him.

In our 18' Lund I'll fish Lake Michigan in 5-6 footers no problem, but Erie with the same wave height makes me really nervous. The waves are just too close together.

Thanks for this post ekbelt. I had no clue they worked like that. What is the ballpark cost for the unit?

Looks like the price has come down a bit...900 on sale at Cabelas.

I think I have around $1500 into it actually. Paid 1099.99 for it last spring, then around 250 for two group 29 batteries (group 27 work too) and then 150 for a dual bank on board charger. Worth every penny though... Use it for all the types of fishing we do: salmon, walleye, perch. Ended up selling the old trolling motor on craigslist for 350, that helped a little.

Yes,

Upgraded to an Ipilot last year (V2- 70lb thrust - 60" shaft). We walleye fish in the Detroit river and Erie too, so it was more for that, but we have it set for salmon trolling with the big motor for thrust now too. It is the best thing ever--no more driving the boat. It makes going fishing with 2 guys way less work and more enjoyable too, I even think we end up catching more fish. I fix the outboard with a bungee cord so it doesnt move and use the big motor for thrust. The ipilot is set at 30%-40% up front and just used for steering. We've had it out in all conditions last year it really holds a course well--even 3-4 foot waves. Get some good batteries and an onboard charger and it will make things easier as well. We easily get a whole long day of fishing in on one charge though. I promise you will not be dissapointed if you get one, just make sure to get the 60" shaft model so you dont have to worry about it coming out of the water in big waves.

Actually, see the remote hanging from my neck on my avatar? That's the Ipilot remote