I_Catch_Her

Paulywood, my friend, if it's super hot out, do you want to run wind sprints? Neither do walleye. S L O W D O W N. Shameless plug for a Minn Kota engine mounted trolling motor. Super easy, and quiet. Just have to keep the batteries charged. Or a trolling plate, or a kicker. We fished Saturday for a little over an hour and got 5 little keepers south of 1 & 2. The big fish are looking for that cooler water, and not exerting themselves.

You know the saying, 'That's why they call it fishing, not catching' I had one skunk trip this year, and took my brother and nephew out with only 2 small 'eyes to show for 4 hours of fishing. Gotta love that Bay! Thanks for the post.

Great job Frank. I love to hear of people taking kids fishing. Keep it up. I'm curious, it sounds like you stuck with spinners and crawlers? I would have switched to hot 'n tots and crankbaits if they were feeding on minnows. If you don't mind sharing, what was working when the 'flurry' kicked in?

In case you haven't heard, the DNR is holding a 'public comment' meeting tonight, Thursday June 4 at 7:00 at the Knights of Columbus hall on S. River Road, Bay City. I commend them for holding the meeting at the regular meeting location of the Saginaw Bay Walleye Club. Smartest thing I have seen the DNR do in a long time. The short version of the proposal is that in order to restore the perch population, they want to increase the walleye harvest. Their proposed 'solution' is to reduce the size limit from 15" to 13", and increase the daily limit from 5 to either 8 or 10. Also to reduce the perch limit from 50 to 25. As avid anglers, it is our duty to be involved in these decisions. Let your voice be heard. For what it's worth, in my humble opinion, we do not need to slaughter walleye to save perch. Certainly the limit on perch can be reduced, but there are plenty of keeper walleye, and a reduction in the size limit is unnecessary. I can see an increase in the daily limit, and 8 would be great, 10 is excessive. What bothers me the most, is we have been pounding the table about the Cormorants for years, and they still don't listen. Their own summary of the proposal states 'cormorants consume 73% of what the walleye consume' of perch, yet we can still be thrown in jail for accidentally shooting a "Cormorat" during duck season. Look forward to seeing you there!

Well the weather wasn't what we were hoping for for the Holiday weekend, but we did get out Saturday morning for some fishing. From our slip on the Saginaw river, we headed to the 'spark plug' to join the crowd. We started fishing east of the channel in about 20' with the normal set of crawler harnesses off bottom bouncers, and a stick bait for another option, but after 45 minutes of not marking, not catching, and not seeing anybody grabbing nets, we decided to move. We swung east to the basin off the Callahan reef, set lines in 24' of water and started marking fish. We picked up a nice 27 incher pretty quick on the perch body bait, so I switched the other outer board to a similar bait, but that was the only fish taken on one. We picked up four more nice walleye, lost a couple at the net, threw back a catfish and a couple rock bass. We called it a day about 1:00 as the sun was high in the sky and the bite had slowed. As I pulled in the lines we had a couple little 'eyes nearly drowned With the wind and waves early, the fish seemed to like a faster speed above 1.5, but I had trouble getting the kicker to idle up without getting over 2 mpg. Gas is (relatively) cheap - get out there when you can!

I considered the dragonfly for much the same reason as the Helix5; lots of features at a good price. However, my understanding of the dragonfly is that it only has downscan, not sidescan. I just can't buy a new sonar/gps without sidescan right or wrong. my 2cents

Thanks for the info. I still would want side imaging, as the bay is so shallow I'd rather be able to look sideways rather than just straight down. I've been waiting for the spring sales, and I don't think the prices will get any better. I fixed my dock last weekend, and if the weather holds I'll pull the boat out of storage this weekend and add the kicker motor, wash down pump, second battery, rod holders . . . adn if I have any $ left the Helix5.

Yes, although I hate the $150 for the Navionics chip to make the GPS worthwhile. I would like a bigger screen, but it has all the toys at the best price point. http://www.humminbird.com/Products/HELIX-5-SI-GPS/ I saw one at Northwoods in Pinconning for $480

No, not yet. But the Helix5 does have both downscan and side imaging. If you know of a better deal, I'm all ears.

OK, I'll bite . . . . Which brand? What model? How much $ My budget is limited, and I'm leaning toward the Hummingbird Helix 5 for $500 Think Spring !!!!!!!!!

<img src="http://www.greatlakesfisherman.com/gallery/files/3/7/1/5/img_20141026_093955_426-1.jpg" alt="My New Trophy :-)" />

Hi Guys, I just posted a thread in Marine Electronics http://www.greatlakesfisherman.com/forums/showthread.php?p=154833#post154833 asking opinions on Sidescan. I have a new boat to rig so any advice would be appreciated. As I write I can look out over the bay and see all the ice shanties and can't wait for spring!

Hello Fisherman, I have a 'new to me' boat that has to be geared up, starting with electronics. I really like the price point on the Hummingbird Helix 5 SI at $500. I was talking with a sales rep at Cabela's and was surprised to hear him say that he has a lowrance with 'structurescan' but never turns it on. We both fish walleye on Saginaw Bay, and his contention was that it is mainly for finding structure, and there isn't any on the Bay. While I won't argue the fact that the bay is largely open flats, I normally fish under 20 of water and often much less than that, which makes sonar rather limited when looking at that little cone under the boat. If any of you have experience with Side Scan Sonar and would be willing to share your opinion I would greatly appreciate hearing it.

Thanks again for all your posts Frank. Always good to know what's hot on the Bay!

Ah, I see. Now I understand. Thanks Frank.

Great Job as always Frank. But why fight the weeds? Why not use in line weights and leads just long enough to tickle the tops?

Frank, It certainly is a strange year. A friend of mine told me he was getting 'eyes in 6 FOW off the State Park at 1:30 in the afternoon. I could hardly believe him. Last night, 7-16, my fiance and I went for a quick trip in the same area, caught 3 in two hours. Would have thought it was May.

Great job in a tough spot Frank. Major kudo's to you being willing to help a fellow boater out in time of need. However, I will share my perspective that I don't insure the value of my boat, but I always pay the $65 a season for tow insurance from Tow Boat USA. I have used it to get towed when my motor failed, get gas when the gas dock wasn't open yet and I went fishing with a fictitious 'quarter tank'. Best investment I hope to never use. As I am sure you are aware, but not everyone is, getting a line on a disabled vessel in rough seas, and towing it, is no easy task; and dangerous. Not for the inexperienced, or feint of heart. Well done captain!

Thanks for the report Mike. I took a friend out of the Saginaw yesterday and fished close with the NE wind. Boated one nice keeper, lost one at the net, and a gar pike before getting blown off. First effort to filet a gar pike, and what an experience that was. Like tryin to filet an armadillo! Didn't taste bad, but won't be doin that again. Never a bad day to go fishing!

Just a friendly reminder, the Michigan Walleye Tour kicks off the season on the Detroit River April 12 & 13. Ice is out of Lake St. Clair and the river is clear. Rumor has it the $100 late fee is being waived for Friday sign up. Best of luck to everyone!

Wow, spoons at 2.7 mph! I would have thought it early for that, but sure got the job done.

Great job Mike. I can't wait to get my boat in the water and get after 'em too.