Rascal Trophy Fishing

Sorry to hear that, don't know Irv, but my best to him for a fast and safe recovery.

Many thanks Tony, we look forward to you and any other great fisherman here to try Ludington this season, you'll be hooked on our hospitality and love of fisherman up here.

I prefer to call that slider pinned as a stacker, it's also a good idea in rougher water, short hit days by the fish, smaller fish knocking that can't get hooked days, big fish that are biting real hard, etc.. The other I prefer is just a free slider, using the natural trolling speed to suspend it, I've also heard it called gravity slider, not often though, but effective maximum use of each rod on the riggers is the idea.

We tried several lengths through the years and have to agree with Matt, 2-1/2' to 3' works best in all situations and keeps the slider away from the main. Using the slider doubles your chances for a fish on the same rod, it also sometimes produces two fish on the same rod, I like. Nowthen, how far are you running the slider above the main, and do you take advantage of natural blowback, or use a rubberband? Just curious what you guys do on that tactic.

Nice looking Laker, jumping like a bow must have been quite the experience. Thanks for sharing.

Nice mid-morning catch, good job.

Another great report Matt, many thanks, and good fishing. What were the actual numbers of bites/netters?

Another way to look at it is what fish are hooking up/biting on which length of leader? Do the small ones want the shorter leader, like 24", vs. the bigger fish wanting the longer leader, like 48" or so, more smart and more easily spooked? Also, what are the water conditions? Rough/calm/clear/cloudy? This fishing is not exactly predictable, day to day, like I say, everyday is different, and a challenge, for the angler and fish alike...lol. A Science to study for the purist.

Different fishing than for salmon, but Lakey's will take cowbells and such at .8 mph & up in calm conditions too, thanks Frank. If that conversion/s is done, it will be costly, hope you're fine with that boat for some time into the future.

With all due respect Frank, I'm trying to understand why you have such high expectations from an autopilot's performance. A 2'-3' sea traveling at 1mph upwind or downwind with your size boat is going to be almost impossible to keep a steady straight troll, with or without the ap, imho. Why are you proposing such a slow troll? Normal speeds for me usually range from 1.5-2.8 mph, depending on the waves, speed at the ball, and wind. You might want to propose this scenario to the mfrs. technical assistance people and see what they send back to start.

Whale of a tale, congrats on that lunker Lakey.

Friends went out this am, set up in 60 fow straight out, very calm seas and great bite. Went 14 for 17 with 5 jumpers and 9 kings, biggest king about 17 lbs. nice steelie went 9 lbs too. Said his riggers were hot at first with glow dolphins and moonshines, then later the jumpers went for the cores, 2, 3 5 & 7 colors with assorted glow spoons. Steady pick and 2 doubles made the day action packed and fun. Got some pics I'll try to put on the gallery too.

Great post Aaron, thought Riviera was gone long ago, but you revived my interest. Good luck Steve, let us know how they work for you.

I wouldn't mind seeing that PT boat, nostalgic and rare nowadays. Too bad the original engines are gone, and it's so far away in Port Clinton.

Hey Joel, we lost one just like that, it was only in the water once, bought earlier that day with 3 others from capt. chuck's. I'm trying to get a return phone call to confirm which spoon that was, probably a moonshine? Thanks. I'm going to tell him to mark them with a magic marker now, he was quite upset with that loss at the moment.

No real info. from me, south quite a ways, but, the whole Lk. Mich. has been pretty much on fire of recent, and we hope won't relent. both N-S Saug. to Manistee and back. Also Wisconsin, banner season ahead we all see and hope. Season 6 weeks ahead of norm.

Nice trips, great looking fish too, thanks.

That's crossed my mind too Phishy, I figure August to be the best month, as usual, and maybe an icon in history for great fishing success this season. We are ahead of the usual bite by about 6 weeks though, time will tell. What port do you fish in Wis.?

I agree with Nailer, and would add that if you are exchanging one favor for another with friends, relatives, and co-workers, it's all good. Just don't advertise this to strangers is what I recommend.

That's a dandy walleye Steve, how much did he weigh?

I agree with KJ and would like to add that a lot depends on the time of year and weather. I've normally found that the nite bite continues on for about another half hour to sixty minutes after sunset, instead of twenty minutes or so. Same reverse for morning, starts earlier, ends earlier too I found. I don't know if you are committed to Manistee or not, but the Ludington fishing just 30 miles south is on fire right now.

That is a nice pic for ya Mike, this cat is also curious, what up? lol

Great job Capt. Rich, great to see Lk. Ontario still has a fantastic fishery of big hogs to catch. What a tourney story too, closest race I've ever heard of.

From the looks of her smile Ross, I'd say she's totally hooked, nice report and pics..

Nice to hear the strong bite is going across the pond too, good work. Lake Michigan is really super this year, and what did the DNR say last winter, "the lake fishing was going to crash". I guess their barometer is off again, as usual.