HitMan

The first time we went we went with Fly Hooker Sport Fishing... www.flyhooker.com They were super helpful in the booking procees and did everything possible for make for a great trip. I've also heard good things about Pochos Charters. I think they have 4 boats now. I have a few captains' names for Panga fishing too, if interested.

Is this boat still available?

As far as I know, Dave and Bill have withdrawn from the tournament. That means every boat moves up one place and Z-1 wins. Good job!

When the pressure is falling, for example, before a storm, the fishing is usually as good as it can possibly get. That is why so many people love to fish right before a storm is going to hit. So, there is a great example of the salmon being turned on due to falling pressure. Usually, after a storm, the fishing is slow and it takes awhile to get better again, especially if there was lightning involved. However, a full moon is much tougher fishing than any rise or decline in the pressure, unless you fish at night. But, we always have to fish during normal fishing hours. Just my thoughts!

Is this a 30' Chris Craft that has been docked in North Muskegon for years? If it is the one I am thinking, than I have fished on it a few times and know a lot about that hull. Send me a PM if it is! Thanks!!!

In addition to the above comments, bridge boats have been so cheap lately because over the past 5-7 years all of the past bridge boat owners have been buying low profile boats, therefore, flooding the market. The amount of wind we get on Lake Michigan and the small chop is what sails a bridge boat. If we fished in 5-10 foot huge rollers all the time, they would be better, but they are the worst in short, type chop.

Absolutely not! They fly in the wind, you can't slow them down, they rock and roll, and they are hard on the knees and back when going up and down the ladder all the time. I have fished on 28' Bertrams, 31' Chris Crafts, 34' and 37' Silvertons, 34' Bertrams, 33' Tiara, plus a lot more, all with bridges. Personally, I would never even consider purchasing a bridged boat, unless it was a Black Fin. Just my point of view! There are some really awesome, cheap, quality-made low profile boats out there, especially lately!!!

I am in December!!!

Where did you go elk hunting at? I am applying for my GMUs and seasons right now.

Well, here in Colorado the only highway from eastern Colorado to Utah is the I-70. Last night we had a massive rock slide that has destroyed and closed the expressway indefinitely. The nearest detour is 5-6 hours out of the way in good driving conditions to make up the 30 miles you will miss. You gotta love living in the middle of nowhere!!! Here is the link: http://www.vaildaily.com/article/20100308/NEWS/100309574/1078&ParentProfile=1062

They have been fishing the Michigan side tournament trail for about 4-5 years now. A great couple! I have eaten on it, fished on it, and of course, ridden on it. It is a boat, that's for sure!

We use two pancakes on our corner/outdown downriggers. We use a round/finned on the chute downrigger. I have used them on all different sized boats, anywhere from 16 foot to 37 foot boats. The smaller the boat and beam, the more you have to adjust the bend in the fin. We fish with around a 30 degree bend in ours, no matter what the boat size is.

We have used the new transducer system for 3 years now. It is very nice. I love being able to see the depth of the water at the back of the boat. It you fish a lot of tournaments, I would call it a "MUST." We use it for Lake Trout fishing, to constantly keep the riggers within 5 feet of bottom. It does change the rod tension, which you have to constantly adjust. It is easier to go from deeper water to shallower water with adjusting the rod tension. Otherwise, if you aren't paying attention when going out into deeper water, the rod will pop and it can be a hassle. I would not bother with it if I didn't fish a lot or in many tournaments. Let me know if you have any questions.

So your saying that each charter boat would have to pay $450? Then, who wins... the person on the charter boat who caught the fish or the boat captain?

This has been attempted a numerous amount of times. Around 6-8 years ago Steve's Shiner Shack and the Grand Haven Steelheaders started the OATS tournament, which had the same concept, but was only for Ottawa County. This lasted 2 years, if I remember correctly, mainly because of lack of interest and the huge hassle of trying to get a fished weighed in. The other issue was everyone on board the boat had to have the license. If you don't go with the "boat registration," it will not work out, as you had hoped. Also, the OATS ran it's course because 2 charter boats won both years and the normal, weeknight, or weekend fisherman said the odds of them winning was very poor when charter boats are entered in the same division, can fish everyday, catch way more fish, etc. Yes, we did win the 1st year and got 2nd place the second year. Therefore, my main points are: 1) Must be a BOAT registration only. Otherwise, too many guys fish with different guys each trip and day. 2) All bait shops must have the same weigh-in hours (very, very important for everyone to have an equal chance of weighing-in fish and also may determine the port where more guys are likely to fish, if the local bait shop is open later to weigh-in their fish) Otherwise, back in the 80s, these were very popular and evident up and down the Lake Michigan shoreline.

Sounds great! Let me know what you find out, etc. There are only about 500 charter boats down there, so it is hard to find the best unless you get direct word from someone. I know there are a lot of booking agents that just take their commission and put you on any boat. I have heard that it is best to book with the individual and not with the group, etc. Your help is greatly appreciated! I look forward to your return!!!

Very cool!!! I think the hard work will pay off!!!

You got to have an 11 inch Pro-Troll HotChip Double Pearl Fishscale flasher with an Oceana Rapture Fly or Frosted Fern Rapture Fly.

Mark, Sounds good! If you could let me know, that would be great! Jon

Hey Guys, My wife and I are planning on going to Cabo San Lucas next Christmas. Probably the 18th-25th, give or take a few days. Airfare is dirt cheap right now out of Denver and we can travel to Cabo cheaper than to Michigan. I was wondering if any of you have been there before? Where is a good, reasonable, safe place to stay? Any recommendations? We can't spend too much money and break the bank, but we don't want all out stuff stolen either. Also, the million dollar question: Who do we go fishing with? Any recommendations? What do we go fishing for, etc? It will just be the two of us. I don't really care what the price is, as long as we are put on some fish. Thanks a lot!!!

Welcome!!!

Our best and my favorite is the Stinger Stingray NITRO Twister.

Thanks Dave! Please feel free to go ahead and introduce yourself. There is a Welcome Center designed for introductions. We would love to hear from you! Thanks again!!!

We have used the Shimano Tekota 600LC on our 6 wire rods (4 diver rods and 2 drop weight rods) since they have come out. There is plenty of room for way way way more than 1,000 feet of 30 lb. test wire.