stuwest

take it to the top...

Steve- I'm also interested. I fish the west side of Michigan also and have used alewives and smelt in roller rigs, but nothing more. I've also read a bit about Menhaden oil and am considering using it this year. Stu

Thanks! FWIW here is a site for menhaden oil. $6 for a quart... http://www.rivermarinesupply.com/xcart/catalog/product_11063_Vodoo_Menhaden_Oil.html

BlueDevil- Yes, I have made my own for many years, usually out of smelt or alewives, believing that chum/attractant from the forage base MUST be better... BUT, the convenience of menhaden oil is very attractive to ME!!! Steve- does the stuff you use list a main ingredient???

Boy, I'm not gettin gmuch response to the 4 posts I made, but I AM getting PMs OTA!!! Seems there are some other 'perfumes' added to the WD40 that make it not as good as "Muskie Grease", "Lunker Lure", etc. When I press a bit, I find menhaden oil as a base. Wonder of wonders... i'm thinking that if you bought a bottle of menhaden oil to lube your lines, you might do even better.Three or four drops into your reel before you hit the water...

WD40 is aerosolized menhaden oil. Has anyone actually sprayed it on "JPlugs" and had them produce better than un-sprayed ones??? This all new to me. 15 years ago, I was a rebel because I dragged a bag of dead alewives...

Has anyone ever used menaden oil or WD40 on their lures or to lay a scum line???

I guided on MIchigan and Superior for four summers and I would have to say that I basically agree with GLF. The more lines in the water, the better your odds are. When we were trolling Superior, we ran two boards out the side and put two lines on each. Add two down riggers with stackers and you are up to eight lures. Add two dipsies and now you are 10. Superior is unique because it is SOOOOOO cold. So I wouldn't spend a lot of time trying to go too deep, but a couple at 30-45' never hurt, especialy with salmon. The boards were rigged for coho and were very productive. On the riggers, I would run Js down deep and spoons on stackers. Mix it up with dodger/flys and you should be able to find the fish.

Wow! Thanks Cut Bait 101 without even asking!!! Truly a gift. Thank you! We use dead alewives here sewn on a hook so they 'loop' spin and they are quite effective. I'll have to try some cut bait. What do you use for the fresh meat??

I've been off the lake for about 15 years now and am just coming back. A few questions: 1) a "meat rig" is a cut bait rig?? 2) what are you running for cut bait and how? I share your appreciation for J plugs. They are quite impressive.