Rascal Trophy Fishing

That 14 year old is to be commended and put in a junior hall of shrines for this catch, just my opinion. Very well done young man, keep up the good work pal, whatever your name is. Never did hear the actual wt.? lure? depth? or rig? either, but hoping.........lol.

If this does certify as 30#+, it should also qualify for a master angler award, a nice DNR patch to show off for years to come. This is the biggest Lakey I've seen in many years over here. Was that a lamphrey mark on the underbelly? And what rig, lure, and depth did he hook up at, just curious, thanks.

Lake Michigan is again experiencing a nice comeback, best fishing season in Ludington in about 10+ years. (LACA), the Ludington Area Charterboat Assoc., held it's spring mtg. in June. We had a DNR biologist as a guest speaker. He spoke with intensity and fear mongering about a crash similar to Huron in 1998. This man never ever even went out in Lk. Michigan, and has never even fished it in his lifetime. He was cordially invited to come go with a capt. for our sponsor day in mid-July, he declined and stated he had another appointment to do instead. I may be wrong, but I believe what I see and experience on the lake with my own eyes, not some guy in a laboratory with models, theories, and tables of statistics, drawing conclusions based on glossy ideals that just don't fit the picture. It also benefits the DNR as they have been constantly complaining about stocking for decades, they don't like the job, and have even threatened to sell the hatcheries to private industry. I wish they would, as taxpayers aren't always getting all the bang for the buck we pay for in the end anyhow. Only government would try to fix something that isn't even broke, but neglect to fix what is broke, just my opinion.

A good marine surveyor goes thru the entire boat from hull, to engine, to interior, to all safety equipment, with tooth and nail detail. It may take upwards of 3 hours or more, depending on the size of the boat and condition. Mr. John Watson of Manistee has literally done hundreds of charter and pleasure boats alike, he's also ex DNR inspector for charter boats for many years. Chris Craft had a big name in manufacturing boats from the turn of the last century to the present, based in Holland, Michigan for many decades. I still have mine, had several before, and dad also had them, a tradition of well made boats that take big water and last a lifetime, if kept up properly. Be cautious and astute to the surveyors report, a boat this old, about 40 years, is not always kept up as well as it should be, personally, I'd try for a 90's and newer boat if possible. Good luck and happy hunting.

Just curious Ali, are you fishing an aerator in fresh or salt water? If fresh, where, and which bait, minnows? Thanks.

I've got a recommendation that everyone in Fl. is getting these days, but have to remember/inquire again what the brand was. I like the way you guys got right into this with very valuable posts, makes a guy proud of this forum's membership.

This thread was very interesting and informative for me, as I seldom go pier/river fishing nowadays. Thanks all, very good posts.

That smell and taste of real fish is hard to resist, even if you're a King done feeding...lol. I see where Moonshine now offers a new plug that also has a meat rig, it's working pretty good too.

Sounds like you went straight out Scott? The power project north a couple miles is good, working 60-180 fow. Or run the shoreline south and watch the graph, supposed to be good by Little Point Sable too, but it's a run. The fish are staging at the piers in Ludington of recent days, big run upstream, first one I know of this season, more coming back to back soon too. Some charters here in skinny water up to 25', enuf said?

Interesting question and great posts guys, always good information here.

Thanks for your astute and accurate post Dave, and welcome. You joined for all the right reasons, and will enjoy it for sure.

LUDINGTON! It peaks about this time of year, with salmon in mass everywhere, also staging up for runs upstream. Anyone needing a campsite with your boat is welcome to contact me via pm to my member page, we have room, and welcome all seeking a fish adventure to talk about all winter long. Once you fish Ludington, you'll have a hard time going anywhere else afterwards. Superior in every way guys.

I believe that particular boat has cable steering/or/rack and pinion, makes all the difference over hydraulic. So, if you can pinpoint that, at least we know where to start. Cable steering needs tightening adjustments/replacement to the cables, if old, hydraulic needs fluid to the system. Good luck, you can do it Karl.

This is NOT an accurate report, the SS Badger, in Port Ludington, where I grew up and was raised, has several options yet open to it. They can upload ash to a landfill with trucking and conveyors yet, and also keep sailing, along with re-fitting with non-coal engines, like diesel and propane gas, which would undermine it's historical significance and steam ship status. Plus cost many $$$Millions to convert, which is not fair nor prudent for this last SS on the great lakes.

Where are you fishing Tom, where is Tyee? In any event, this is the first 30#+ fish I know of this year, anyone else know different? Very nice pics and report, proud and blushing to read this report, many thanks. Looks like paddles are working well there in any event, good show.

I've heard of Mark but don't know him, and if you want a second choice, the guy to see is John Watson, formerly a DNR inspection officer, he is very thorough, and makes a great surveyor, he works hard for the pay too, I mean very hard too. What's the rate for this boat from Mark? I think Watson was about $300, last I knew.

Great job and report Stacey, keep up the good work, and remember, August is just starting here in Port Ludington, the "best is yet to come guys"! BIG FISH on the Agenda! BIG!

Sorry to hear about your friends Ed, safety first is always my motto, and I assume these guys will think twice before staying out or going out if the weather looks iffy. They are very lucky to have survived. The fish are going to be out there after any storms, so I hope everyone reading this thread will again, take heed, nature always wins against us humans when she gets riled up.

Thanks for joining Rob, and welcome. These guys can offer pretty useful advice, so ask away. Vibration problems usually find root in some loose bolts/nuts/fasteners, or rough engine idle. Good luck.

Gary, you are coming all the way from Pittsburgh? Wow! Looks like the fishing news not only travels fast, but quite far, lol. Just take a right turn, that's North, after leaving the Piers, and go 3 miles till you see the boats all fishing in that area, real easy to find.

Rob, that full moon rising and shining brightly might have hampered the action a bit, imho. Nice moe, any pics? Thanks.

Nice video, and quite frankly, shows how many times the fish see and react to the lure, then swim away without hitting, curious. Maybe they are smarter than we give them credit for, or are they?

Nice story about the young lady and her first salmon, I like. We also had a young man aged 16 on the charter Saturday, first salmon for him too, was 16#, he fought it valiantly and for about 15 minutes, his biggest lifetime fish, and a smile to match that effort was priceless too. Thanks.

Mike pretty much said it, but you also have a lot of varying factors to also account for: like speed, weather/wave conditions, what's behind the divers/bait, what size fish is targeted, i.e. time of year, type & size of line:mono/braid/wire/, type and size of diver too. Experiment and go with the norm for starts. What works best one day, doesn't necessarily work best the next, keep flexible.