El Niño is predicted for this year and must be true finding temps in the 70s in November and little wind in the forecast so we couldn’t resist heading to Lake Michigan. This time however it will be impossible to recall all of what got bite, where and when because we had in the neighborhood of 90 bites the last 2 days.
Last time we fished best action for us was over 150fow but we hoped the recent blow would change the temp and bring some colder water up higher so set in 70fow off the Filtration plant. The temp was down three degrees from last time at 46 down 70 and 2 degrees colder on the surface at 50. Marked an occasional hook and no bait as we headed NE. 90’ rigger with SWR and protype Raider Pink Tiger first to go with a 7# king. Then quiet and dropped the rigger to 105 when we got out to 155 and turning back the same new one took a 2 yo king. A drive by then a good rip on 300’ of 45# copper and Mag prototype Yellow Tiger. Those of us out joined in for the search and reported any action on the marine band. Sound like not any better in shallower so continued east to 200fow. Took an 15# Laker on a 90’ 1set wire Dipsy with a mag Oz. Still no bait and rare marks. Then the call from a friend around 930 in 35 fow with 6 nice browns in the box.
We didn’t hesitate and pulled and ran in setting up north of the filter. Then the action began getting 3 shaker coho and 1 nice brown while setting lines. We continued working that contour from north of the Filter and turning back around St. Mary’s seeing hooks and bait most everywhere. The best setups were reg Green Tiger 20’ SWR, Pink Tiger 25’ SWR, 25’ 15 pass rigger with #4 Andy Reeker blue/white polka dot. 50 1 set wire Dipsy with reg Green Tiger and #4 Andy Reeker blue Oz tape. 5 color with Prototype Double Purple spook and glow back, 2 & 5 color with reg Double Orange Crush, 6 Color with reg Raider Sister Sledge. We ended up boating around 40 fish boxing 11 kings with 4 three yr olds and 9 browns.
On the way home I was on the phone working on a crew for the next day. One of today’s crews signed up for a return along with a buddy for another 330AM departure. I woke up before the alarm excited by the prospect getting on the kings first light. Surprise surprise, we didn’t boat a boxable king until after 1030 but that was a nice 11# on a 6 color and reg Green Raider. Fortunately the browns were hungry and some nicer ones than yesterday up to 9#. We had an amazing number of bites that escaped using the same program as Sunday. We again released a lot of shorts both browns and coho. We tripled up a little after noon with browns and had to throw one back having boxed 13 at that point. Ended up with 3 salmon and 12 browns and more weight with these than the 20 from yesterday.
We trolled at 1.8-2.2 on the Depth Raider and mostly on the slower side due to the browns. Surface temp 50 and 47 down 25 in 35 fow. Stuck to regular sized spoons as that was the size of the baitfish being spit up. Left the flasher and flies in the box while in brown territory. If this weather holds will be looking for another crew soon.
Tight lines and full coolers,
Grey Beard
Dandy fish! Jez that looks like a blast.
I’m going to have to figure out a way to get over there sometime.
Gb,
What’s the latest you’ve fished the big lake in the fall? This weather is fantastic, is it not?! Unfortunately I spent the weekend raking leaves and doing un-fun things like draining water lines, etc. I like your idea of how to spend a weekend.
Nice fish GB!
You sure are making it hard on a guy to figure out what he wants to do in the fall. Hunt waterfowl, deer, pheasants….or fish for walleyes & saugers in numerous quality lakes & rivers. Now we have to consider fishing on the big pond as well.
Nice report!
There are more and more salmon reports showing up around here as of late and it’s driving me bonkers. I REALLY want to get my dad out for a salmon fishing trip sometime in the near future. Maybe I should mark it on the calander for next fall!!! Great report!
Has this type of fishing been typical for you this late in the year or is this a fluke. It just seems so late to be on the water. But obviously you did very well and thanks for the great report
James,
I’m waiting for some wind to clear my leaves.
The latest I troll for salmon is somewhat based on when the snow flies. I don’t like trailering 4700# on salty roads nor launching on slippery slopes. There are lots of guys who troll for browns during the winter months in harbors before ice up and around warm water power plant discharges.
The latest for me was Jan 2nd in my 16′ tiller. We tried the Milwaukee harbor jigging and casting cranks and nadda. We headed out of the main gap trolling spoons and cranks. When we got close to the area we trolled yesterday they started popping. Boxed 12 nice browns and released a couple of Lakers. The nice thing about catching the browns in open water vs harbor is they are much better table fare. Not sure is it was the smartest move in the little boat but seas we calm and we were not.
Matt: no it’s not a fluke. Thanksgiving week 2004 a couple we had our 25 fish limit, 1 bow and 24 kings. The challenge is finding a day with fishable conditions and the fish. Not many boats out to help find them but when the fish are found they seem to bite all day as compared to the summer hot AM and PM bites. Last Sunday there were around 8 boats out and someone found the fish mid morning and we all joined in for the fun.
Grey Beard