Tom Gursky and I put together an outstanding day on the Milwaukee Harbor, boating nearly 50 browns!
This had been a get-together in the making for almost 3 years. Tom and I talk frequently offline, and our schedules seem to never work out. Following my IDO report just after Christmas, Tom contacted me and dropped a subtle hint – “WHEN!” One topic of discussion Tom and I have a lot is blade fishing. I’m a crankbait fanatic, and blades are about the next best thing. So I had to laugh, because at that time we made plans, the wind was gusting to over 40mph and the temps were falling like an icicles off a roof. But a glance at the forecast made it easy – high of 43 and 10mph west winds. Recipe for easy fish’n!
With clear skies, I knew the bite would be early and taper off quickly by mid-morning. We loaded up the night before and made our best effort for an early start. 6:00am we arrived at the launch, only to find out we had a long wait. The bottom 10’ of the ramp was coated in ice about 2” thick. Fortunately, Tom took my advice and came prepared with a couple extra bags of salt. About ½ hour later, and bouncing off the walls, we finally got on our way.
First stop was along the community wall discharge. We have had a couple days of stiff west winds and the water clarity in the harbor had improved dramatically. I was exceptionally hyped for these conditions. As the water clears, the bait fish (primarily alewives) concentrate into tighter schools; which holds tighter concentrations of predators. This morning was of no exception. We were the first to arrive at the discharge and immediately, the H/Bird was lit up like a Christmas Tree. From 12’ down to the bottom and about 100’ wide was one massive school of alewives with big red arcs displayed throughout. Before a line could be dropped in, a gentlemen’s agreement had been reached. A wager of a bag of Moxies or a bag of RipTide Saltwater baits I use for the biggest Brown and the most Browns.
The night prior, I had picked out two of Tom’s bladebaits that were of a perfect color scheme to match the pattern I have been fishing. The bite has been so solid, that I elected to leave all the spawn at home. We each had two rods rigged up. Tom had 2 six and half foot fast tip mediums, and wanting to just have fun, went with two 8’-6” moderate medium lights. Light braid with 8# to 10# floro leaders is ideal for the sensitivity you want. Each, we had a ¼ oz jig with 4” Fin-S or Gulp and a 1/2oz blade on the other
Tom’s doubtful expression for using a blade I suggested in a chartruse/yellow prism tape was quickly replaced with “Holy Smokes- Holy Smokes” echoing off the walls as he hooked up on his first fish. I enjoy chatting with Tom, but this was a whole different side of him. We had from the break of light, non-stop action going. I had not realized that Tom had never experienced this before (winter brown fishing). So I was very much inclined to sit back, watch Tom, and make sure I kept a 1 fish lead to protect my investment of plastics!
Seriously though, I extend Kudos to Tom for really listening to one key element in making the day a success. I’ve watched all the major species of trout and salmon in the great lakes feed with underwater cameras. In times of aggressive feeding, trout will blast through the baitfish, “Tail-slapping” them. They then turn around and gobble up their feast. It’s hard to explain the “feel” of a tail-slap Vs. a hit. A common mistake I see a lot of guys making while they’re jigging. I generally describe the feeling of something moving your blade to the side without the “thump”. Once you recognize that feeling, leave your blade still, and an immediate follow up thump is usually the result.
This is where I think the bladebaits become superior to jigging with plastics. I took notice on my 1197 that when we got jigs tapped, just a modest lift of the rod tip would raise the bait a couple feet. But with the heavier blade baits (1/2 or 3/4oz) the bait would rise only inches and fall very quick. Thus placing the bait back into the target zone by the time a fish turned to eat.
It didn’t take too long and we had an audience. A few boats came up and we were very much willing to share the spot. As guys tied off to the sea-wall, I continued to edge our way to the outer edges of the school of alewives. Tom and I repeatedly hooked up and landed brown after brown. Countless times, we watched guys swinging for the fence, only to “miss” another hit. Proof that it’s easy to mistake the tail-slap for a hit.
Now for a little humble pie. As I mentioned, I was just having some fun with my noodle rods, but there is a slight competitive characteristic that comes out of me. I learned fast that Tom is a quick study and a good stick! So, as I was relaxed in not really caring if I shook a fish off or didn’t get a good hook set. Until Tom almost caught back up to me, then I would get totally serious about making sure I followed through mechanics. By the time we got up to about 15 fish apiece, I never had more than a 3 fish lead, and never let him tie it up. BUT, once again the back of my boat gave up the big fish of the day….In fact, the biggest, the 2nd biggest, the 3rd biggest, and arguably the 4th largest all came from the back of my boat via Tom. It just didn’t fail, I stuck another 3#’r, Tom sticks a 6#. Stick an 8#, Tom takes his personal best at 15#. Kudos my friend!! I tried like heck to take big fish, but could only manage the numbers game.
By late morning, the bite had slowed down considerably. We no longer marked any fish in the upper water column and everything had its fattened bellies on the bottom. So we spent about an hour and half running & gunning at various high percentage areas along the gaps and a few rock bars. There, we marked very few fish and no baitfish of any significance. With the clock ticking and wanting to pull out by 2, we returned to the fish we had been on. Like a broken record, the same pattern continued to repeat itself. During the brightest part of the day, the bite had slowed down to a crawl. Maybe a fish every 15 to 20 minutes?? Then as if Mother Nature knew we were going to leave soon, the switch had been flipped back on.
For the last couple hours, I fished plastics side-by-side with the blades. Without a doubt the fish were very eager to smack the plastics. But on this day, the plastics would just get bumped while the blades would get hammered.
Now, I’ll turn it over to Tom, and let him tell you the rest of the story.
Tom’s vid = http://youtu.be/QZScKrtrlnA
WOW…that looks like some serious fun. Awesome.
a few more pics
Great Report!! Awesome fish!
Looks like a blast, I’m envious, maybe someday soon and thanks for the video Randy, nothing like real time!
Thanks again Randy for the invite and great hospitality. WE have tried to get together on the water for a few years but one or the other of us always ended up with guide trips…so FINALLY
If you saw the earlier videos with James and Eric you know the potential for the North Shore of Green Bay, especially Milwaukee to Green Bay. I have wanted to do this for several years after listening to stories and watching guys like Haatja on the tube.
I brought my typical Walleye rigs;
an XS63MXF for vertical blades…1/2 to 3/4oz…
and XS69MLXF for jig/plastic & smaller blades…
Some Observations…
1) When large powerful fish are in the mix, shorter stiffer rods do NOT wear them down as fast…I caught two other Browns 9-10 lbs on my 69MLXF which succumbed much faster. Randy used 8’6″ MF rods and whipped some good ones in short order.
2) As James preaches…be patient with a big fish…that 15lber(it was a big male) took many runs on my drag over 100 feet, not to mention many trips under the boat. The video starts 5 mins into the battle.
3) The lighter rods made for a fun adventure… I think a 76MLXS with 10/2 braid and 10# fluoro leader, a quality reel that hold 130yds 6# mono would be ideal. Although I caught most of my fish on the 63, because it was set up for blades.
3) The “tail slap” advice was priceless…you feel a sideways smack and get that blade right back down and just quiver it…BANGO!
I’ve had a lot of great days on the water in my life but Thursday with Randy is right up there on the top of the list!
Great day Randy and Tom,
nice looking fish.
Thanks,
Jack
Way cool… said it before, living 15 minutes away from this and I’ve never done it. Maybe this coming Tuesday since I pulled the boat out for a fruitless day at Lake Geneva yesterday. See if I can hook up to something and burn out one of the cheep reals I use…. LOL.
Randy… you guys launching out of McKinley yet, or having to use the river? I keep hearing how it is risky to leave vehicles there.
I’ve been using National frequently over the last 3 years and have never had a problem with break-ins. Common sense, of coarse, nothing of value in the truck….nothing covered up so no one gets curious. I p[refer parking out in the street, so my truck has a higher level of visibility. Plus the ride in and out is very interesting
The last cold snap had put some skim ice in McKinley, which I’m sure is gone. I watched a few boats come/go from there.
For others, keep in mind that this pattern is easily duplicated in nearly every harbor on the Great Lakes. I’m a huge fan of the Power Plant discharges, and grew up fishing those all winter. A lot of that was back in the days when you could walk in and shore fish. That’s been gone since the early 80’s. But many harbors have features that will hold a resident population of bait fish and provide trout opportunities all winter.
I miss the “Old” Racine Harbor, before they built the marina. The ice was always busted up and more “iffy” whenever the North-easterns blew it apart. But there was something special about the area behind the gas company that held fish.
Extreme caution is required for anyone that hits the shoreline witgh all the iced up rocks. But there are a number of fantastic shore locations that hold fish all winter as well. As an exaple, the Clausen Works building for Case Company (when it still existed) had a small discharge of warm water. We were fishing off the wall in about 5 feet of water and had years of great action there. Its just a matter of getting out and identifying these locations. FYI – those shallow water spots are fantastic for a #1 or #2 french blade spinners
Great report and great pics. Let us know how they taste as some suggest not so good in the harbor vs the lake.
Thanks,
Grey Beard
You think tire chains would cut things short at the ramp?
I remember the walks down Rifle Range road to the discharge area.I used to climb the rocks up to the first chute.Or dodging security at Clauson Works.Too many people left trash behind,so WE closed access.They have access at the new discharge,have not heard how good it was.I have never seen many fish by the old gas company,they were too busy by the warehouse.It’s all gone now
,nothing but memories.
Sounds like one heckuva way to keep the winter blues at bay. Many congrats to you guys for knockin’ em stiff, wishing I was there!
Joel
Scott, we had a lot of fun back in those days. Flatfish repainted with glow paint, never counting fish- just how many gallon bags of smelt we used, Fin-S fish on an Erie Derie at the power plant, Dave at OCPP with the flyrod/shooting head, Swedish pimples in Kenosha harbor, the Aug rattle trap bite, perch sucking in #7 shadraps, vertical jigging lakers in 105fow in July, and that list goes on and on. Found a few old pics I had in a box when Tom was here. I realized I’m getting old when a few of those pics are about 30 years old
Now I wish we had digital cameras back then
Few “flashback” pics
Age 14 – The Erie Derie catch at the OCPP. Had to make that walk with everything in a backpack LOL
Age 15 – We need driver licenses! Mom was sick of driving us around
Featuring the brand new Berkly Lightning Rod and a new bottom drag Shimano LMAO I burned up/melted so many of those reels. Kept sending pictures to Berkly thinking they would send me free rods LOL. My old cardinals were DOA and I couldn’t find any parts. Always had to reverted back to my Mitchel 408’s and 310’s. Well, there’s a stroll down memory lane
We are going to pan fry some tonight, I’ll let you know.
Looks like you guys hit it right and had a great trip.
Nice fish and report!
Don’t you just love it when plans come together, and the fish decide to cooperate. Great outing andNice report!
I couldn’t believe I saw guys standing in doorways on a cold morning at 5:45 AM along mostly abandoned National Street… (in the dark under streetlights)…they were looking for something…
Tom,
How were the pan fried browns? I hope delicous.
Thanks,
Grey Beard
Great report
I’d love to catch some of those Browns. Lake trout through the ice is also on my bucket list. Nice job guys!
They were so-so…not bad, but not as good as Lake Superior browns…
Sorry to hear they were not up to par in the pan. Chances are they would taste just fine if caught away from the harbor. Here is a recipe that might help with the rest.
Michael
Cajun Hot Butter
3/4# butter
1 tbl paprika
3/4 tsp garlic powder
3/4 tsp onion powder
1 tsp cayenne powder
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp white pepper
1/2 tsp basil
1/2 tsp thyme
1/2 tsp salt
Skinless fish filets cut to the width of your spatula for ease in turning.
Melt the butter and stir in the spices. Place in a 1 pint jar and shake occasionally to keep the spices suspended as it cools. Use as a baste for grilling fish or chicken. May store for weeks in refrig.
Place fish on a hot well oiled grill at a medium heat and baste with Cajun butter. Let fish cook until it appears to be almost done, then turn using a sharp metal spatula and baste on the second side and cook until done. Best if not over cooked so needs little time on the second side.
Add more butter to the fish at the table depending on how hot you like your food.
90% of the salmon we cook is with this never fail recipe. It’s surprising despite all the pepper, it’s not hot to the palate unless you add more Cajun butter at the table. This is a variation on Blackened Red Fish.
I can personnally attest to Grey Beards Cajun Butter recipe…it is awesome and easy to do! I have used it on far more than just fish and chicken and have never been disappointed!
Great Recipe!!! I do a very similar variation of this on my grill. With a good bed of oak coal going, I cook them (choho or Steelhead)whole bodied as stated above wrapped in aluminum foil. About 10 minutes on one side and 7 on the other. I lift the grill off and add soaked apple and cherry wood chips to the oak coals. Remove fish from foil and place back on the grill – covered. With the vents closed, I let it smoke with the low heat for about 10 minutes per side. Great smoke flavor with a bit of a kick from the cajun seasoning.
Greybeard, Thanks for sharing the recipe!!!
Nice work guys!
The only thing I can think of that would have made that trip more fun is if your feet would have been on ice
Nice fish guys