CaptLevi

It is not illegal to fish in a high traffic area or a narrow channel. However sport fishing does not give you any leeway over others either. You would count as a power vessel with the common right of way and clearance rules in the Rules of the Road regs being the practice to follow. You may not anchor in a channel however. And the channel in fact extends beyond the end of the piers to an area clear of channel traffic. BTW...a sailboat has no more right of way than a motor boat while in a channel or while running an alternate power source (gas/diesel) with it's sails. Combat fishing can and does even give a bashfull guy like me the fits at times. The attitude of "screw everyone else, I'm gittin mine at anyones cost" seems to rule the day for a few so called sportsman. You either gotta be ready to loose a few lures, or go fish open water. (heck, most the time you'll catch more in the open waters when you are all alone anyhoo). Good Luck!

Update........ pier fishing is sloowwww.........however some nice catches are being taken in depths from 80' to 150'. 1 -3 yr old kings, a few coho, MI steelhead, and Lake Trout (till the 30th) are being taken, if the waves lay down long enough. Have fun but check your forcast before venturing too far from port!

Prolly drank the ol Maple Rapids B-A-R out of juice? Happy B-Day Larry!

I think that a number of fish just become sexually mature before their normal life cycle is up. I have noticed more than a few Kings between 2 and 8 pounds and Coho between 2 and 4 pounds, both male and female ready to spawn off St. Joe. And there is no shortage of baitfish in our port.

Way Too Funny!

Welcome aboard Julie! You sure are purtier than the rest of these yahoo's on the site!

I like 'em all! But St. Joe gets my vote due to the long season, varied fish species, an awesome Skam fishery, and I charter there! If the Northern ports had these qualities, and a larger customer base, Franfort or Leland would get the nod.

There have been some steelhead showing up this past week, sometimes in good numbers. It still is more miss than hit though with the biggest push probably a few weeks or more away. While most boats are doing the pierhead combat thing, we have caught more steel by getting away from the crowds. There are some salmon in the waters farther out from shore, but they have been quite fickle also.

I wouldn't rush over though. The fishing is slow, and can be hit or miss right now. Spoons are the going thing, if you wanna call it going. Dodgers and flies have taken a few, and rotators are bout dead sticks. A couple weeks should shape up the fishery. Keep yer fingers crossed.

It's too bad that the end came so quick and easy for him. He personally decapitated hostages. Capturing him and cutting off a small piece at a time would have been better justice for his victims. But at least he is gone! Hooray!

I've seen numerous alwives in the 4"-5" this spring in the stomach contents of our catch. Is there possibly a number of a year classes that are alive and well in Southern Lake Michigan but not accounted for by the DNR and other biologists?

Tis true, June is a tough bite month. Some days it's a hit, some a miss. Try trolling with the currents, thus covering more miles per outing while maintaining down speed. Run a bunch of spoons unless you encounter a group of biters, then change up a few lines to thumpers. Good Luck! I'm just hoping that the second half of the month will shape up to be like last year in St. Joe!

Welcome Aboard Mike!

2 used distributors, plug wires, coils, etc, for Chevy 350. Changed out for new electronic parts on boat. Worked good when removed, as is, no guarantee. Can be picked up at Fishermans Road Marina, St. Joe. (269) 930-9696 or (989) 235-3240 Make an offer.

Welcome Aboard Lonnie!

Mark, I have many friends who run this treck several times a season. They enjoy it totally. Have fun, and be carefull!

Welcome to you John! This is a very friendly site. I am sure you will like it here. :cpox:

It would be great if the disease attacked zebra and quagga mussels too!

Well let's hope that the years observation of baitfish is here to stay. Get those salmon fat and sassy!

And a pretty brown it is!

Righto Steve. We have trolled so slow at times that the only action the bait has is done by the angler, not the forward momentum of the boat. I have also caught them at breakneck pike trolling speeds too.

WOW! I created a monster! Sorry..........I was only making an observation. Maybe I shoulda PM'd it!???!!

The Insurance Shop of East Jordan. It is Fremont insurance. They are a pretty reputable carrier.

The direction of the wind is the determining factor for me when it comes to wind. We will fish 4-6's out of the North-West-South, but no more than 3-5's out of the East. That would be a real strong wind, and Sporty is like a big ol kite then. It never fails that I will get some who want to fish when it's not safe and are disappointed when I refuse to take them out, and also some who are reluctant to go out in 2-4 footers when I say the trip is still on and that no refund or reschedule will be issued for that day. I try to just juggle it all between safety, fishability, comfort, and customers desires to make it all work.

I don't take on first mates who aren't seasoned fishermen in the first place. I have a few youngsters inquiring, and some of your responses have given me some ideas what to do with them if I hire them. About pay, I say NO WAY! I lettem work for tips! Just the honor of being on Sportboat ought to be enough! That's my story and I'm stickin to it!