Rascal Trophy Fishing

Welcome aboard Hank, nice to see some Lk. Ontario people joining. Good luck with the new Tiara.

Haven't fished the UP in a long time now, used to dip smelt every spring for years though off Hwy. 2. I'm new to this forum too, but believe it is very polite and informative, which is enlightening and good fun for all. Thanks, and tight lines.

How are the current VMC line of hooks for trebles? Or do you use the single hook in pairs on your flies? I've had trouble with Mustad's tines being thin, and other red hooks breaking too. What's your thoughts? Thanks.

Interesting conversation and observations guys. Consider this: the pro's always invariably pay more to register, with many less participants, usually $100-150 more per boat than the am's. But, there are always a lot more am's in any given tourney. Somehow, it should all work out in the end for fairness. That's why they usually incorporate the big fish prize, for anyone. Take Fred McDonald's trusted and long-lived experiences into the equation, he knows more about this and the way the system is set up than any of us ever will. He's been at these tourney rules and payouts for over 25 years now, maybe 30+. He's a darn good man and Capt. and if he ever thought the payout was not fair, he would have changed them long ago. Just my 2 cents.

Don't let Ludington slip by you either. A lot of Manistee fishermen, including charters, run south to Big Pt. Sauble for their fishing trip. Why? Because it has long since been known as the King of fishing spots along about 60 some miles of lakeshore. Why? The structure and temperature breaks along this area are phenomenal and can almost always be quite productive. Ludington has long since been known as the most productive port on West Michigan's shores, per the DNR stats kept for about 25+ years on fish catch reports. The main thing is, have fun and enjoy the lake's bounty.

The typical blow back is consistent with your speed, angle, current, and wind. Mostly the current down below and speed on surface will prevail. Depending on the depth of your rigger, you want the least blow-back possible. The more shallow the rigger, the less blow-back, mostly, if you are downwind, and current is stable. Look at your wire on the rigger, is it swayed back or straight with the transom? A Fish Hawk or other similar electronic device will give you the speed at the ball and surface. Look at the down ball speed, if it's too high, say 3-5mph, then you know to slow down, or change course. Heavier rigger balls are best these days, imho. You get more stability, and more hits usually. Try to stay with 12-14# balls when possible. They have worked the best for me. If you can find magnetic balls that True Trak made, buy them, they have a magnetic current in the water that attract fish too, making for more hits and hookups during the outing.

Take a few paltry bucks and go out with a professional charter fisherman. The time and money are well spent, for the few days you have to fish with your son from out of state. You can always make the first or second day with a pro, then go out on your own later during the visit, with his expertise in your hands. You may just have an outing that could last a lifetime and give you invaluable information and locations to boat your own cooler full of salmon. Tight lines.

I'm glad you guys realized that rubber banding a weight, 1/2#, 1#, or even 2# is very effective to get the line deeper. About 8 years ago I was fishing way out in 350'+ of water, with only one other boat/charter around me. He was trolling slower and as we started to catch up, I kept my course on a west, he was sw. As I crossed something like 750' behind him, he came on the radio yelling that I was cutting him off. Hmmm, I asked him how that could be, and he stated he had 2-1/2 cores of lead behind him. I couldn't help but start laughing right on the air, and told him he didn't need 3 football fields of line out to get his lure deep enough. Later I called him on the phone to give out the wt. secret you guys just mentioned. I don't think he actually changed over for another 3-4 years afterwards though. Btw, a bigger lead core of 55# is also a better way to get deeper with less line. I use Big Game 25# & 30# backer, not as expensive as power pro, does a good job for me too. If you can handle a big reel w/o levelwind, the Penn 49 wire reel is a less expensive tool too.

I agree with the longer leader too, about 3'-4' has been best for me, although I heard a couple guys that said shorten them to 1', I bump the speed up a notch too, makes them dig and sway better.

I had a customer and friend last summer whose Starcraft Islander had been leaking like a siv for several years. He just kept ignoring it pulling it on and off the ramp several times a day if necessary. I warned him in vigor to get that fixed and quit tempting fate. I believe he went to a welder that could put new rivets in properly. Call a few local welders that can work on aluminum and see what they say. Thanks boomer.

Talk about a die-hard, thanks for the video Polar Bear, good fishing.

Hmm, talking about divers, I know a Charter in Sheboygan, Wis. that only uses divers all around the boat, no riggers or lead. SorryCharlieSportfishing. com I believe. Randy is quite a fisherman too. He also mfrs. and sells the slide divers direct and has samples if you ask politely. Tell him I sent ya. Thanks.

Ok, these highlights pretty much speak for themselves. Personally, I have never written a drug program, and never have written a policy to implement one either, has anyone else? Secondly, a 2-4 hour response time to immediately respond for a drug test seems a bit unreasonable, not to mention an impossibility if you are out on the lake, in the hospital, out of town or state and having mail held till return, when an approved test facility may be miles or hours away to begin with. I'd like some input from you guys as to whether you are aware of the changes, agree or disagree with them, and any and all new information you have that is pertinent to the subject addressed here. Thanks.

I had some spare time the past few days to read our MCBA newsletter, the Cannonball Gazette, Winter 2010. All members were recently advised via email that our old 1992 program, annually updated, was now defective and no longer validated by the USCG. Not to worry, it's the off-season, and a new approved program is soon to take it's place to be in full compliance. Here's two of those highlights: 1) Per the USCG, "at issue is the response time between the random selection by LexisNexis and the actual collection". A new emphasis has been placed on IMMEDIATE - the time requirement from random notification to collection of samples. The aspect of the regulation is proving to be difficult to address by all Drug and Alcohol Programs that are not "confined to a factory like setting". IMMEDIATE means that "the collection will take place within 2-4 Hours of the selectee being notified". 2) The next USCG mandate involves this too: "of critical importance will be the individual captain's responsibility in writing his own personal drug policy and his plan to implement it".

I've heard Kenosha is ok, but Racine is very quaint and nice yet, so is Port Washington. Best of luck and yes, I'd run her across the pond before trailering thru Chitown. Thanks.

A very Merry Christmas to all the GLF crew and teams, and happy productive angling in the New Year!

Wonder if the State of Michigan or DNR have any views and input here yet? Too bad these two can't find a way to compromise both ways, so something positive could come of it. I'm not saying develop many dunes, ours in Ludington are mostly owned by the State Park, and are very protected. But any Billionaire infusion of this nature at this time when Michigan is severely hurting financially, could be helpful to a West Mich. resort town. I don't like the bullying tactics by McClendon so far though.

Sparcity or bulk? Good question, never gave it much thought. Much may have to do with the clarity of the water, speed, depths, and type of rod being run. I do know that many of the Big Moes will tear most flies to pieces after boating only one or two fish. And that 50-60# test is a winner. As for the glow beads and heads that are 10X higher in glow, that sounds like an excellent source, longevity will also be an important factor with glows too though. Beautiful work all the same pmjasper. Keep up the good work.

Sad story Jason, hope you reported this to the RAPP line.