Rascal Trophy Fishing

Great report Matt. Wish our water was that warm, only 44-45 mostly here, hard to find 49. But our fishing remains strong anyhow. One guy got 17 for 23 the other day, straight out action in less than two hours. Threw some pups back too.

Some great points guys. I must digress though just on a few observations, with all due respect. I think if you are specifically targeting lake trout on the bottom, say 70'-120' fow on bottom, you slow to .8-1.2 mph, esp. with peanuts and cowbells as the lures. Some flies/squids too. However, if you are just fishing in the upper columns, say for kings, with meat/spoons/flies, say 40-75' on riggers, over deeper water of say 100-150', you may take some unintentional lakers not really being targeted. Those fish are just running in the mix with other species imho, where baitfish may be prevalent. It's not necessarily a school of lakers, just some scattered in here and there. At least that's been my experience on the whole. P.S. Mark, I've always known Racine to be a Laker heaven, lots of them, and big ones, so I suspect the locals there know a lot about how to fish them, esp. the ones on bottom just south of the pierhead. Check with the local guys, esp. the seasoned fisherman, ones that have fished them for many years, and you may uncover some interesting facts, good luck.

Good luck with that worthy endeavor Craig, and keep up the good work Captain.

Nice report TJ. What's the surface temp up there? It's hard to find 49 down in Ludington. And by now my log shows we have almost always had 55-52 down here by now.

Hope your problem isn't serious, cause you gotta catch em up asap with this good weather.

The St. Tropez is a 32' X 11.5' hull. I almost bought one when they first came out. Plenty of room and comfort, takes a sea too. Congrats on the new rig, I'm sure you'll enjoy the upgrade.

There also might be a Cannon reader forum where people trade and sell items. Try looking for that and/or keep looking back at google pages where someone might have it too. Good luck.

Depends on the lake and fish targeted. I would assume that targeting walleyes in the 3-6# range should be quite different than 10-20# salmon if I'm not mistaken. Old timers like to do things right, but as efficiently and economically as possible. I'm not going to spend $10 on a release, just not my style, unless maybe I win a lottery and have money to burn. Alligator with rubber bands, various size bands, will do the job very effectively for a lifetime. And leave money left over for those other vices we have as addicted anglers too...lol.

This also happened several years ago at a local marina. Trouble was, the DNR said they had to catch the guy in the act of chartering illegally. So, I guess they have to have a sting operation to make it stick in court. Just reporting on him will not suffice, so they said anyhow. Hope they put a stop to this soon, and good luck.

Matt, I agree, if you were in 75-100 fow, that's too deep to be the PSP net. They are in shallower water, like 40'. Report all net markers to the DNR in this case, so we have a rightful place to remove them now. Thanks for your input and evaluations. Yes, that guy had a legal problem that is taking it's course now, unfortunately for him, and us, as recipients of the great white fish and other species.

Sorry for the late response, but I just found this tonight. VERY INTERESTING INDEED! As some members on this site I know, I also love to horse-trade, once in a blue moon. This whole thread goes to the one that believes, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder", so to speak. It's a questionable judgment that some will make, and others will disagree with respectfully, while authorities in power will always disagree with in any shape, way, or form. If you side on the judgment that we are free Americans, and while not wanting to break the law, just to bend it slightly, while no one is the wiser, because, this is a private deal, not public, then go ahead. If you side on the judgment that we must all tow the line, whether perceived or really legal, and all our actions are subject to public scrutiny, well, then by all means don't do it. Since you released "pandora's box" on a public forum, I'd give it up, at least for now. Try waltersfisheries.com in Ludington for exceptional fresh salmon, lakers, and other smoked fish that can be bought for much less, and shipped on dry ice to your home via a phone call. In closing, "don't worry, be happy", lol.

Thanks very much EdB, that is what I would have posted too. To Matt, those remaining net markers in front of the PSP, (Pump Storage Project), aka the project(s), is quite possibly to mark their private net to block fish from getting into the turbines that run up and down in creating electric energy. The other fisherman's net markers are long gone now. That's why the special contractor is removing the danger that was carelessly left behind the last 1-1/2 years. That's how long the net fisherman left them unattended, not since last August in reality. I'm right next door and have witnessed the fisherman for about 10 years now.

Try fish-ludington.com for updates in Ludington on great fishing.

I just found a website named "know your ship", which has a lot of new as well as historical great lakes freighters as the theme for anyone interested. Great site for pics. and videos of same.

That's funny.

Rob, you might have to start by buying some fish and cooking them aboard so the ole girl gets the smelly scent of this idea in her hull. You are also welcome to trip up to Ludington for some help and hints of the air up here too. Keep the faith!

By the look of Max's smile, I'd say he's hooked too. Good job Hank.

You guys can log on to "The Ludington Charterboat Association" website and click on NET ALERTS for info. on the progress of the net removals. It's going well and all should be gone soon if not already. Costly job and not fun, don't know who's paying for this, but it should be the Little River Band of Indians in Manistee.

Looks like a 2-3 boat catch with 34 fish taken and 8 crew members. What was the score? Thanks.

As a fellow charterboat operator Jon, you are supposed to report that captain and boat to the DNR asap for their investigation of the individual. Guys like this spoil it for the rest of us that are legal and up to date on our paperwork, plus critical inspections, all that cost us a lot of time and money. Cheating the system is risky for not only the captain, but his unsuspecting crew that relies on a safe and enjoyable trip. Talk to your local DNR officers so this doesn't continue.

Great choice Andy, have fun.

Channel 68 is the common channel used thruout the US on the water, but, every port may have particular channels that are popular. Since the inception and widespread use of cell phones, most chatter on VHF radio has ceased to exist. Ask the local tackle store of the port you fish, as well as fisherman in that area, for a precise recommendation. It will vary, but like I said, most prefer the privacy of cells these days, which I don't endorse as much as VHF exchanges where a load of fisherman could relay the best and worst spots.

Sounds like real fun Jeff, and that's what it's all about after-all! Best bait?

Welcome to the GLF.