Rascal Trophy Fishing

My rule of thumb is just to let 200'+ coppers out in 150'+ depth of water. Safe everytime. Under 140' or so, no coppers. It's no fun dragging weed/zebras for hours with no hits. Deep gear/deep water, simple and true.

I think the main key to longevity is the amount of trips you run out per season, and mostly too, the exposure to sunlight. Keeping a cover on the reels, putting them in the cabin when not in use, and storing them out of light offseason, are key ingredients to long life. Good question, and great posts, as usual here at GLF.

Expect this from a perspective of super-science/ivory tower guys that only calculate stats. and don't really fish themselves: I say as a 26 year Capt. and business man that if you have a program that works, is successful, and you are already funding, don't fix it, leave the darn thing alone. Funny how our government always does the opposite, kill programs that work, and keep loser programs intact and fund even more. I've watched this same scenario of government programs for many decades now, and it always surprises me that nothing ever changes, they just keep up the reverse thinking that common sense and experience tells us what is right to do. You can dress a pig up to look like a goat, but it's still a pig, someone famous said something to this effect once. Pitiful waste of minds and mindsets.

I still think the temp is the key on the lakes for bites early and late. In late July and August we here in Ludington see that bite early and late most pronounced. When the water is cold yet and again late, like May and June, again in late Sept. and Oct. the late morning and early afternoons produce the best for me.

Ed B. make sure you stop into the other private marina this season to get the other natural fisherman's "local slant" on dockage and fishing available in the area. First nite is free with compliments to you, and crew too.

"BREAKING NEWS": Tonight, the 2/10/13 crippled Carnival cruise ship Triumph is safe in harbor Mobile Alabama. Five days of being powerless after an engine room/generator fire last Sunday started and left the ship adrift. The passengers remained calm with the assistance of a positive/assuring crew that were dutiful and courteous during the horrendous ordeal. Anxious family members now await the departure of passengers that are eager to join their family again after this unexpected and unfortunate scenario. Press conference expected soon. Thank God for this miracle in maritime disasters that was safely avoided. Sea conditions of calm looked to play a big part of this story. This is a true successful mariners story, which all of us, I believe, must admire and applaud.

I don't know what it takes to wake these lazy ignorant people up to curing the present situation in low lake levels, but it's got to happen this year, or we are doomed.

That's a very insightful and useful post Capt. Jimmy, and I think it applies to any of the Great Lakes we fish for salmon. In the old days, we called this rig a dodger and squid, the squid being a variation on a fly, plastic, glow and non-glowing, and we had super success. Still do today when applicable. I knew and still know some guys that if given a choice of only one lure/rig to run, they still prefer this one. We used to run a bit slower, 1.6-2.0 for speed, so as not to have too many twists in the line. Today we have much better swivels that can take the higher speed though. Great post Capt., thanks.

Getting alot of news on this lately, and it's coming as we see water levels dip to all time record lows since recording them 95 years ago. I do hope we get some real action soon, before it's too late for all the marinas/launch ramp users.

Still looks pristine John, nice fish catcher.

The USCOE and the IJC are the ones responsible for the low water levels of the last 10 years that are now at catastrophic lows. Meanwhile, both agencies have done nothing to stop the waste going by the Billions of gallons per day into the Atlantic. Until the USCOE starts back on the sills projects of building more levies/banks along the St. Claire, we are doomed, and marinas will be going bankrupt up and down the coasts of both Lk. Mich. and Huron. Anyone else concerned please log on to restoreourwater.com and sign the petition to get these agencies to move in the right direction immediately.

Welcome to the GLF Mike, glad you joined. These guys are the best, let us know if you need anything.

I think KJ and Nailer kinda hit on the essence, both water clarity and temp. have a LOT to do with the bite time. Makes some wonder, others, well, gotta think this out for a conclusion that is qualitative, and what experience out there is worth. Ah for Olcott, quite the port in the early 90's when I visited. BIG FISH TOO!

Welcome aboard Eric, you found a great site too for sure. Nice post on that video too Nailer. Nice tournament for sure too.

Fast recovery wishes for Nels. Thanks for posting Frank.

Yuup, serious problems for wildlife, and human life alike that live and work on Lk. Michigan.

Holland should have a local charterboat association you can research, get their brochure, then check in with a capt. as to an early charter in April when they start. You could get a pretty good deal, take your buddies with, and enjoy the trip.

Thanks for posting that link on the charter capt. in Lk. Ontario, informative. Getting back to the changing of lures I can tell you this simple fact: if I get a double orange crush on a rigger going 3 times in a hour at say 53' down, you can bet it's going out on other riggers about the same depth asap. I try to re-flash the glow lures closest to the boat about every 30 minutes or sooner first light/last 2 hours light of the day.

Skin off 85%, on 15% roughly. Esp. steaks and fish boils, want skin on to protect the filet. I liked the video, but it's the first time I've seen a serrated knife used, I use mine for steak cutting, or deheading/gutting/gilling the whole fish. I particularly liked the idea of Joel, wrap with bacon, he must be a pork fat lover like me too...lol. Lastly, Mark, on those big or even little filets where you say you lose tail meat when skinning, cut back off a 1 to 2" piece off that tail for a nugget appetizer, then cut your hole, that way you won't lose that piece that is the best tasting of the entire fish to me. Only takes a second more to savor that meat.

I like that anglers avenue site, too bad he's in Sheboygan Wis. shpg. could be high. But, his regular moonshine prices are the best I've seen around lately. Thanks Nailer.

That Calumet Marine has a nice big online store that is hard to beat. Thanks for the reference, didn't know they sold tackle, worth the visit.

Many thanks Ron for posting this informational link. It's the (IJC) Intnl. Joint Comm., and (USCOE) Corps.of Engineers that have been doing nothing for all too long already, that has brought us to this emergency situation on lake levels now. So, when do they plan to "do something"? Like the sills? Filling in spots that need 25' depths, and now have 70' depths? Still nothing? The link of restoring our water is a start to email and join efforts by the public, as it is clear now, that without public cries for a plan, nothing will be done to reverse what these people can and have previously controlled in everyone's best interests.

Never met the man, but many wishes and prayers for his full fast recovery.

Like Cherokees, Sportcrafts, Egg Harbors and other great lakes boats, once the brand has gone out of business, it's difficult to get resale/parts/service in the future. Like Richard said, key importance before buying, is a marine survey. The surveyor will go through the boat tooth and nail, if he's doing the job correctly, and find any rot/stringer/weep problems, also fiberglass, running gears, wiring, instrumentation, all the boat. Make sure he does the full survey, not a cosmetic/partial one. It may cost a few dollars more, and will take about 4 hours, but should find deficiencies that will make a buying decision more informed. PennYan's were most noted for their "tunnel drive" hull, which had a keel hull that protected the rudder/propeller from hitting bottom if you went too shallow. I believe Shamrock's also favored that hull design.