After canceling Thursdays and Fridays outings due to the "Northeaster" we were able to get back out on Saturday and Sunday, allowing me to get in 6 out of 9 trips since mid week.
I decided that after only taking a couple of hits the lasts few times out, it was time to put the boards away. I added a 600`copper line to the arsenal which took some fish throughout the weekend.
On Saturday it was a bit choppy with the residual waves working their way down from the North, but not too bad. I set up in 80` over some marks a mile South of the line. I dropped my "Depth Raider" probe to find 60° water 40` down and the cooler water was in the bottom 10`. I knew at that point it was time to head East and we did just that. I spoke with a couple other Captains and we were waiting for this, hoping the warm water that was blown in would set up the fish in the deeper water.
As we made it out to the 120`s we saw some action and the best was in the 130`-150` range. Despite the warm water up top, the lead and shallow dipseys (110` out on a #3) did some damage. My `riggers down 60`-90`with an array of dodgers/flies and spoons did their jobs as well. The #1 wire dipseys were out 150` and 180` and took a few hits bringing in some decent coho. I didn`t have any specific rod that was "Hot", and many baits were "One Hit Wonders" as I`m constantly changing baits. The speed at the ball was best at 1.9 MPH. We ended up 12 & 1/2 or 13 (depending on how you view a shaker King) for about 20. The dink took a magnum spoon that kinda` ruined his chance for release, so we threw him in the cooler, leaving the gulls to find food elsewhere.



For the afternoon we had a bachelor party on board for his the last fling before putting on the ball and chain . I set up in 130` on some marks just South of the line and continued East. The fish had once again slid out to the deeper water. We saw our best action from 150`-180` as I trolled in an area from my starting point North to a couple of miles South. Again it was a mixed bag of fish as well as presentations taking the hits. I did notice the copper 600` back with a white dodger / green flie took a few pokes. This rod may have not done any better than the others, just that it`s so far back, I don`t change it very often. It appeared a Southeast/ Northwest troll produced best. The speed was 1.6 MPH at the ball which was anywhere from 2.1-2.7 kts. on the GPS, depending on direction. I think the biggest heartbreak was a nice fish tearing line towards Toledo on the 180` #1 wire dipsey (Lil`boy blue/smoke), only to have him get off after making all our hearts start pounding. For the last hour the fish seemed to be on the "Off", so I pointed it West towards the barn marking tons of fish and bait hoping to see some action at "The Hill" on the way in. The only rod to go was the lead, as soon as I started reeling it in, a fish hit. I handed it off, and not long after we saw a big steelie leaping in the distance. After a few strong tugs the line went limp, to add insult to injury, it was in the hands of the one who lost the fish on the wire dipsey. I guess you`ll have to come back out and see if you can find those fish again . We ended up going 12/20 or so needing only a brown for the "Grand Slam".



On Sunday morning the 5-10 MPH North winds forecast the night prior changed to 10-15 with a small craft advisory set up for the afternoon, with Northeast winds predicted at 15-25 MPH. The winds appeared to be closer to the 15 MPH mark first thing in the morning. When my group showed up, I told them of the conditions awaiting us. The Lake wasn`t unsafe or unfishable by any means, but it was rocky with 3`-5` rollers with an occasional 6` thrown in to keep us on our toes. I don`t enjoy taking people out and having them get the "Lake Michigan Flu". They said it wouldn`t bother them and they were right.
We set up in 130` and I found a 115° heading being the best allowing me to set lines and keep the ride as comfortable as possible. I had the same set up as the day prior starting the day with more hits coming from the dodger/flies (Lil` Boy Blue/smoke, White/ Green, Chrome/ White) than spoons. The `riggers were down 60`-90`, and the #1 wire dipseys out 180` and 200`. The lead took a few pokes despite the warm water the baits were drawn thru. Again the top 50` was bath water in the low 60° range. For whatever reason we seemed to have our best luck at the beginning of a turn, and I mean as soon as I shut off the autopilot and moved the wheel. Under better conditions this isn`t an issue but with the wind and underwater current down deep, we had to keep the fish from coming up on the outside, thru my dipseys and lead. There were times that the lines were off almost 30° to the side. It got to the point that I mentioned we`re going to turn and a fish would strike (I need something like that to work on really slow days). We had a good slide out to the 170`s where the bite slowed and I turned back to 150`. We managed only one hit on the #1 setting wire dipsey (Smoke/Lil Boy Blue 200`back) and turned back out. It was once again slow and I wanted to get back into the 130`s where I set up on marks. Once there we found some active fish and lost some while bringing a couple more to the box. A highlight of the trip was when the dad really got his Father`s Day present by bringing in the biggest fish of the day on his own, which was a nice 13# King that fought like he was closer to 20#.
We ended up a 5 hour trip going 11/17 with a mixed bag, again only needing one of those elusive browns for a grand slam.



I called my afternoon trip around 8am, informing them about the "Small Craft Advisory", they said they would have a hard time rescheduling and were going to give it a shot. Around 9:30 it appeared that the winds were letting up rather than building. I called a Captain up in Algoma to see about his conditions, he said the winds had died and they were just dealing with swells. I was hoping that we could expect the same, and at 10 they dropped the advisory.
I set up in 150`right on the line, figuring the winds would blow us South. I had a fellow former Marine (Semper Fi) with his daughter, and a couple of our Southern suburbs finest and guest on board. It was still a bit sloppy and it didn`t seem to bother them in the least. I had plenty of marks up top in the warmer water, but no takers. I dropped two `riggers down 80` and 90`. I had to give a couple of "Mulligans" for lost fish, which according to them we somehow my fault. Well that set the tone, the boxing gloves were on and were throwing digs at each other. The rods were frequently being blessed by the Jarhead and more often than not a strike would soon follow. I took it all the way out to 220`, the deepest I`ve been this year, and found the cooler water to be 50` down rather than 70` (as it was in the 180`s). I brought up the `riggers and we once again saw action. The lead took it`s share of hits with a Silver Streak Smurf and Hot Lobster in tow. The copper had a white Hot Spot/ green flie, and the `rigger bite was also a better dodger flie bite. I was frequently changing colors and patterns so I didn`t have any real stud rod. We had plenty of action thru out the trip, but for whatever reason the fish weren`t making it to the box. I believe the fish were swatting at the baits as we had more than one bait come in with scales on the hook. A spoon on a full core hooked a 6# laker on the top of it`s head. This resulted in a "Hand off" of the rod to another as it was a long tough fight. One of the bigger Kings hit the wire dipsey and ran all the way to around 400` on the counter. After getting the fish in the box, I was told that I let him run that far on purpose, so once again the gloves were on and we had to go a few more rounds.
I have "Fish counters" on board to keep track of what`s in the cooler and what was missed. We lost so many fish that when I looked over to the black colored "Aww shoot" beads, they had them set up in groups of 5 to make it easier to count. Despite the vast number, I really believe at least a few were over looked. I mentioned I would call them if I needed a crew for a tournament . They plan on coming back a couple more times, anyone know where I can find abacus?



All kiding aside it was a great trip with plenty of action. We did manage to bring 14 to the cooler, including 3 Kings in the 13# to 14# range.



I`m not sure (although I`m really hoping) whether the transition period has passed, or the winds just set up the fish. All I do know is I`m seeing quite a few healthy looking 4 yr. olds. in the low to mid teens. Lets hope it stays that way and only gets better as we`re getting closer to the run.

Have a safe and "Happy 4th of July"

"Wet Nets"
Captain Jim