Rascal Trophy Fishing

I like the way Snowfish kicked it up a notch with the scallops idea........this sounds like one recipe that should be canned for public consumption.

Nailer is right, and the season here in Ludville is about 2-3 weeks behind, or more. The massive numbers and sizes of Kings to come is behind, and as such, the alewife explosion is not under control. This will pass is due time, and the lull in current catches right now will reverse. I note a 25# King was caught here on Saturday, 7/09 at the Boat Club tournament, and this is just the beginning of what could be an extraordinary season. Patience..........is a virtue.

Welcome Joe, this is a great forum for everyone, pros to novice, to help one another and have fun learning at the same time. Like any other sport, the more you go and do it, the more fun and wisdom accrued.

I like and agree with JWheelers take on this, it's a sickness that can't be stopped, do it all....lol.

Thanks for the excellent tip on the flea flickr line Hotdog71, I've been using it when needed and elsewhere for many years and it's a great product. As we can see now, many still don't know about it, and you don't need to suffer anymore when you use this product, it truly is awesome.

Sad story and just goes to show, these box fishing stores really are out of their field of expertise selling and trying to service new boats to begin with. I hope Phil gets the proper service and warranty work done by a competent dealer. Trouble is, all too often a dealer that hasn't sold you the unit doesn't want to service it later either, same as cars. Even though they are bound by the mfr. to do so whether they sold it to the person or not.

There's also cheap camp sites at the Ludington marina I'm at too, very near the slips. I'm in a quieter secret spot that isn't so heavily trafficed too. Thanks.

I just bought one of these new units too lately, but haven't used it yet. Glad to see the expense was worth it and has me wanting to try it now asap. Thanks.

That's too bad, but, it's early yet guys. I wouldn't mind a get-together in Ludington sometime yet this summer, maybe July, to try that famous fish fry of Terry's. We do have a tourney mid-month or later the fishing gets even better. The marina I dock at has open slips for transients, so contact me if interested in a good time. Thanks.

Welcome to the GLF, friendliest fishing talk forum known in Mi., and good luck with the new boat.

You guys can get a fairly regular report on Ludington's fishing by logging on to fish-ludington.com from me and the others posting. Sounds like the 55's south and a westerly line from the 33-38 line produced for Glen, but nothing on fire yet. Water temps and winds have been changing alot, add the vast amount of alewives being marked, and the fish aren't that aggressive and hungry. Note: there is a new weather buoy located in 90 fow on the 59 and 33 line placed around mid-June, don't hit it or get tangled in it, it has a 1.000# cement anchor I understand.

Good to see some charters are doing well this early, it's slow around Ludington with only a few boats going on weekends now. You guys don't forget the Offshore Challenge coming up shortly in mid-July, lots of great prizes and money awards to get. Thanks.

All ideas given are ok, I also like the assistance of the Michigan Sea Grant Coast Watch satellite report. It gives you the surface temps. of the entire portion of the great lake you are going to fish at. Seeing extreme temp. breaks of 10-15 degrees is not uncommon. If it's within a reasonable range from port, I try to go somewhere near as I watch the thermotroll on the way out. Marking bait fish and big boomerangs on the graph also get my attention to slow and set up. When fishing my port, check out one of the captains reports at fish-ludington.com for some hints and tricks we use daily.

Over the course of many decades, we've found flasher/fly combos. to work best at slower trolling speeds, 1.4-1.8 is my desirable speed. To do otherwise spins the flasher too fast and twists the line of the reel and fly into tangles more often than not. Naturally, fish hawks and currents also help adjust for errors in speed.

I strongly agree with Adam Bomb and Pitmaster's posts. Both make reel good sense. I am surprised though about the driver being required to have a license, that's pushing it for me, but as AB stated, it's the best investment for all. Anyhow, what's more expensive, the $75 fine, or the $7 license? Have fun and enjoy our fintastic waters.

Always good to hear from our neighbors up Frankfort way, another fav port of mine, fun to just drive over and talk to the guys too. Thanks for a sterling mid-day report.

Yes, they are exploring the multi-million dollar cost of such a chageover, and the ship isn't that profitable to date to make that change w/o grant or government assistance. Therefore, I do hope that the ship continues into the future, and the ppoliticians will not prohibit coal usage. It's not been proven detrimental anyhow.

Everytime I hear someone say they want a "cheap trick safety device" for their boat I just wonder...............what's the value of your life? And your crew's? Not to be a smarty pants but you should consider that you get what you pay for. Yes, hh radios run from $100-500, depending on submersibility/features/quality/wattage and the like. Just remember, your life may depend on this very radio someday, do what you feel is right, irregardless of money, that can always be replaced, lives can't.

That darn Ludington, always too many fish around der, nice job, good report.

Good one, but just don't confuse being a wimp for cautious safety first in mind. With age comes wisdom and better judgement.

That first big fish you thought you lost may have been caught up in the fishing nets in that area. Check the LACA, Ludington Area Charterboat Assoc. website for details and coordinates on locations for future reference or fish-ludington.com also may have them now. The Pentwater Memorial Tourney was another success for the 27th consecutive year last weekend. Thanks for the report. Careful in the fog, there was alot Sat & Sun.

Old saying goes, you can't overspend for tackle, and you can't have too many rod holders, said the old fisherman.

Thanks for the report Matt, sounds like they're up at the pierheads yet where a small boat is fine to catch'em. Saves the cost of gas.

Nice pics and sport. Gotta try that sometime. Thanks.