Big Kings…where and when??

I’ve made it a goal to catch a 25+# King on a spinning reel, where and when would my best shot be?
Or is 25# kings a rare catch and I should maybe think a bit smaller?

I’d settle for that sized Trout but a big King is what I’m hoping for.

I can hit either Superior or Mich this summer but that’s probably as far from Mpls as I can go.

Also I’ll be with Gonefishn95 in his 22 foot Lund Baron so 75 miles off some coast line might be pushing it..:)
tia

Al

Lake Michigan and late July and August, now it just depends on how you want try to fish for them, from shore or from the boat…

Mark

You’ll have to go to Michigan to have a chance of that size. August and September.

You must also change your technique to large older fish. They do not respond like 2-3 yo. They are smarter.

My largest was 44# out of Michigan and we could pick up a cooler of 30# in the mid 80s, but the forage is gone for that now. Superior is too cold for much over 15# IMO.

I’d suggest Alaska if you really want to break 20#.
King is your only real chance. I got a couple of 20# browns back then and one 20# bow, but maybe the current captains can comment.

Good luck. Give me a call and we can talk technique. There is a lot that you can do that a commercial charter can not do.

I would say, Lake Michigan too.. End of August into September is when the fish will be staging for spawn, and your chances of catching up with lots of fish in shallower water is much better.

Then its just a matter of finding them – which isnt too hard, as they are usually staged in the gaps of the harbors or moved into the harbors.

Some days its jerk baits (like Husky Jerks, X-Raps, Rogues, etc), next it could be darter head jigs with Gulp! fished aggressively, and the next it could be a spawn sac or skein under a float.

Lots of big fish were caught from Piers this year, up to 30lbs. Lots of fish around 15lbs – which is pretty average and a HECK of a battle.. If I were to guess, we will see these types of fish again next year too.

Early fall and Mich, sounds good, thanks all.

Stu, Alaska is a bit fer to drive to..

Al

Allen-
Jim’s advice is on spot. It’s tuff to know what they are going to be wanting on any given day, but the big advantage of three lines works to your advantage in determining a pattern.

The big fish window is about 45-60 days long and there are some fish that concentrate prior to the spawn. You’ll want to target them, i suspect.

i didn’t mean to imply that you HAD to go to alaska. was having a bad day and written communications limitations threw the wrong slant on it. i’m interested in your project.

Stu, I think you missed the happy face after my drive to alaska comment, no offense taken or meant.

Although a trip there would be nice…:)

It sounds like they’ll be in shallower water??

Just wonder can you kill these fish from bringing them up from deep water like a walleye?
And if so, what kind of depth?

Hate to kill them just to catch them.

Al

I’ve caught fish anyplace from 2′ to 300′.

The preponderance of fish in Michigan are put and take, so the sensitivity of dead fish is different than with naturally reproducing populations.

The boat should be sufficient, i.e. sufficient hull design; I’ve fished them successfully from 16 canoes to 37’ers. In some ports you are going to be at risk of wind changes and getting into 20′ rollers is no fun anyplace. You’ll want to stay on top of weather info.

I THINK the salmonoids differ from the percids in their pressure sensitivity, but i only play a fish biologist on the internet. So, we did return most of the fish we weren’t eating, but we may have killed some fish.

For eating, there is a higher level of pollution in the basin so most fish that you eat are preferred to be younger.