February Harbor Browns

Had another bonus day of February Milwaukee harbor fishing yesterday. Winds were kicking upward of 20 mph with higher gusts when we laucnhed about 1 pm, but out of the SSW, which made things relatively calm along the seawall at the discharge area. Started out pitching the usual Gulp and spoons, while soaking a shiner, and we soon found out that this was going to be a live bait day. Of course, we only brought a baker’s dozen shiners, but the Browns didn’t mind going after the dead ones we were able to retrieve after landing some of the fish. It was not by any means fast and furious, but we boated 10 browns and lost about as many mostly on short hits, and all but two came on the live or dead shiners. The one pictured was the largest, and most others in the 2 to 4 lb. class, but fun nevertheless on walleye spinning gear. Water temps were 35 to 36 degrees, even at the discharge, which apparently wasn’t spitting out any warm water, as the temps there are usually 5 to 10 degrees higher than the other parts of the harbor.
So after a decent fix on the trout action, it’s going to be time to hit the rivers to start off the walleye season, but going back to the Big Pond for the big tugs is a hard thing to resist for too long.

Sounds like you guys had a great day , congrats !!

We had to have passed each other on the highway. I was at National loading the boat up at 12:30. We had an awesome morning and it slowed up around 9:30. Did the best about 1/2 way between the river mouth and the discharge and 200′ out from the wall. Wind was wicked with the bassboat. Couldn’t fish the south gap, just way too rough for us.

Did Ben come back to the wall? He’s had a great trolling bite going and has been back and forth like a yo-yo every time I see him

Very nice report z-man great pic. of fish and the ship.

From Jeff.

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X2!

We must have just missed you, as we also launched at National. We did start out away from the wall, but the wind cutting in from the SW made it tough to control that little winter boat, so at about 3 pm, we cried Uncle and tucked in to tie up to the wall, to get a little rest.
Have you been seeing any warmer water temps at the discharge earlier in the week?
Didn’t see Ben out there at all . Only one other boat trolling after he left the wall empty handed. We did see him nail three fish at times when he was within eyeshot, on downrigger and dipseys.

That wind was a pain in the My trolling batteries were drawn way down by the time I went in. I had a 2:00 appt in Racine, so I had to fly out of there. We tried to stay on a pretty good sized school of alewives & all the fish we got were stacked just below it. All morning, every brown we got was puking alewives. I kept thinking about setting up a mooching rig, but was too lazy to a rod out of the locker. Plus I had to set the short shaft/stool up front to sit on. I had a minor mishap with the landing net up by me and put one leg in the water. Dang near went for a swim. About 5 hours of a boot full of water began to be a little uncomfortable. That confirmed my idea to not stay out near the gaps

Yeah, bouncing around in those kind of conditions can do that to a guy. If the discharge was pumping like usual, you would have had warmer water to soak that foot in, but might have ended up with a few foreign objects stuck inside, too. Glad you managed to stay out of the drink. I stumbled once yesterday, and caught my balance before going in, and my buddy asked me if I had ever fallen in. The answer was yes, but it was not Lake MI, and it was early summer, in warmer water, helping my son out of the boat as he was learning how to water ski. Tried to hang on and keep from falling in, but when I realized it was a lost cause, let myself go, and did a flip to try to make it look intentional. Didn’t work…they knew I fell in, and not by design.

I just looked at the lakefront cam I would think no one is out there now

Nice going Z!
That big Brown looks familiar… Did you work any blades?

I did work a blade while we were out away from the wall, and got one brown, and on the second cast. Then no hits or fish on the blade for about 10 minutes, and switched baits. But it was next to impossible to stay on a spot, as we kept getting blown around. Much of my effort was spent on trying to stay out of the drink and not pull a “Randy”.

Your killing me…It is one of those things I have read a lot about but have not been able to get over there and try it.

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trying to stay out of the drink and not pull a “Randy”.

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Geez, thanks Ed…I think Bill Dance invented that move

Tom…with Pool 4 and other good waters close to you, I feel a trip swap coming on.