EdB

It looked worse than it was but I'll run from lightning every time. We contemplated running south to miss it but didn't want to fish that bad. I'd rather can a trip due to storms when we didn't need to than stay out when we shouldn't have.

Thanks for the report.

Way to stay on them.

Nice catch

Thanks for the report Steve.

That is some fast action!

Nice catch

Nice job Ken.

Nice job Mike!

Thanks for the report Matt!

Couldn't get there until Sat night due to a wedding. That was a bummer. My 2 neighbors tore up Sat morning and pulled limits. Woke up Sunday to storms, decided to push back our start to 6:30 to let them pass. Fished on a buddies boat and set up in 70 ft of water in front of Pentwater. Got 2 kings setting rods, a yeck fireball on a half core went off in my hand as I was putting the board in and the other came on a moonshine green shorts on a 7 color. After we got our last rod in, we saw the dark skies to the north were moving south and after 2 quick lightning bolts, we pulled and went in. Lots of lightning on the ride in but we got to the docks before it got over us. Monday was windy, could have fished some rough water but we didn't.

Nice job Tom!

Nice catch!

Thanks for the report Jim

Nice catch Ben

Nice job

The most consistent brown fishing is off the piers in Feb and March. We fish them with fresh steelie spawn. Skein or bags on the bottom. A fresh caught steelie skein wrap is the very best bait this time of year. When the water warms later, browns start hitting other lures. You can get them the same time and into May with boats fishing off the beaches using stick baits and spoons, fishing the troughs in the sand bars by shore. I'm not a boat expert, I never get her out early enough. We fish the piers, beaches and rivers through early April. Boat guys do good around Ludington to Manistee into early May. Things were early this year, we got these browns Feb 19, had a few days with good numbers and limits this spring from Feb to early March. Most years, the best pier fishing is a bit later than this. I'm just happy to get a pole in my hands and hit a couple fish after a long winter this time of year so I have low expectations when I go. You can have slow days too. Sunny days are usually good. We get nice whitefish then too. Note the ice on the pier, the best fishing is when there is ice on the pier melting. Once the ice is gone and most guys start fishing, the best brown action is winding down until coho's show up on the southern piers. We take ice creeper and saftey ropes, thank God we never needed the ropes. Note the glare ice on the pier in the background by the edge. You got to be careful on the pier when there is ice on it and we are. It sure is nice when the wind is down and the sunshine is shining on the pier in February. This is nice one from a few years back. Here is a nice one off the beach. Beach fishing is always best with some rollers coming in.1-3 footers are good.

Looks like a great trip and you have some great pics, thanks for sharing.

Nice job Buster!

Nice catch Frank!

Thanks for sharing the video, very nice laker!

Thanks Aaron, appreciate the report. We'll probably be down the first weekend in June so we'll give you a shout.

Nice job guys!

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/matthew-stafford-spends-15-000-163555822.html Matthew Stafford spends $15,000 to win auction package, then gives it to a young fan’s family Matthew Stafford attended the Griese-Hutchinson-Woodson Champions for Children's Hearts weekend to benefit the University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital. Before he left, the Detroit Lions quarterback reached into his pocket and made a huge difference in the life of a family. After befriending Mott patient Faith Falzone and her brother Will, Stafford learned that his family liked to visit Chicago and were big Lions fans. According to Faith and Will's mother, Mary Ann, Stafford and his girlfriend took a genuine interest in the family. The auction started, and a "Monday Night Football" package for the Lions game at Chicago from ESPN's Mike Tirico came up. Retired NFL linebacker and Michigan alum Dhani Jones, who was serving as auctioneer, asked Stafford to throw in some game tickets. Stafford agreed and donated six tickets. When the bidding began, Stafford joined in. Will and Faith's mother was surprised to see this: Suddenly, the Lions own quarterback began bidding on the package, Dhani teased about being able to watch and play at the same time, saying I know you were good last year, but man that is talent. I assumed he was driving the price of the package up, all the money goes to Mott, I thought it was incredibly cool of him. As the bidding continued he wasn't backing off… he was in it, he wanted to win that package, and had I known why, I'm certain, I would have been in tears. Somewhere in the $15k range Matt Stafford was the owner of the MNF package, the crowd laughed, but moments later, that same crowd would be giving the Mott newcomer a standing ovation. As he won the package he turned to Will and said, there you go buddy, you go to Chicago, and take your family. The look on my sons face, I will never forget. His chin began to quiver, he was about to cry. He quickly jumped up and gave Matt a hug, and thanked him over and over again. Not only had Stafford just donated game tickets and $15,000 to Mott Children's Hospital, but he also gave a special gift to a family who has been through so much. He told the Detroit News that he wanted to give them something to look forward to: "They have been through so much in the past couple years, and to see how much they all supported each other and faith through their tough times was really inspiring," Stafford said in a text message. "I wanted to give them something they could really be excited about and something I know they deserved." There isn't much left to say except kudos to Stafford. It's clear that he didn't make the donation for pats on the back, which makes his gift even more special. Thanks, ESPN NFC North.

You can pay extra to use Tackle Haven's cleaning station if you keep your boat at their facility either at their docks or on their lots. I'm not sure if they allow the general public to use it for a fee? You could call and ask. There is no grinder, you need to bring your own garbage bags, bag your guts and put them in their freezer.