Walleye Express

Thanks MR. Ed. Be happy to shake your hand anytime.

Had a decent 1/2 day trip today, even though I started out way to deep. But we recovered nicely catching 16 walleyes 3 pike (one monster 12 pounder) and a cat. The Pike seemed to like my Meat Freaks better then the walleyes did today. Although I think I had them running to high in the water column as the other cranks I ran were nearer bottom and doing quit well.

With my charter schedule getting less busy and my Brother (who recently moved back to town) along with my Step sister (who spends the summers here now) begging me to take them out fishing, we've set this Thursday for a hopefull fishing date on the Bay. One of the nicer things about taking the brother is that I'm under no pressure to produce and he does not mind about my experimenting with new things. Some of you may remember my Wiggle Squid experiments with him a couple of years ago that turned out fantastic with us catching a 2 man limit with 2 fish over 7 pounds. This during a time when the fishing was not that good. Then last Fall when I modified and successfully experimented with one of Dave's Ka'Boom Lures called the Streak Freak. I renamed them Meat Freaks after the modification because of adding a crawler to the back. Well, I've taken that modification to the next level and I'm using both the trebles taken from the original lure. I'll be running all these (excuse the term) bastard lures this Thursday if we can get out. And if we do any good I'll have time to take some more neat pictures.

House committee OKs ballast water measure June 29, 2007 BY TINA LAM FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER Efforts to stop invasive species from entering the Great Lakes got a boost from Congress, but environmental groups said it won’t be soon enough. A U.S. House committee passed a measure requiring oceangoing ships to install by 2013 equipment to scrub their ballast water before they enter the Great Lakes. The measure is expected to easily win approval from the full House soon. “I think this is cause for huge celebration by every citizen in Michigan,†said U.S. Rep. Candice Miller, a Republican from Harrison Township and member of the Transportation committee that approved the bill. “Congress has been talking about this for 20 years, but couldn’t get off the dime. This is a huge step forward.†Environmental groups who have pushing to stop invasive species said the measure’s timetable is too slow. It gives ships until 2013 to install new systems to filter tiny organisms out of salty ballast water, but that deadline could be extended to 2015 if the Coast Guard says the technology is not available. â€I’m glad Congress is budging but there have been too many pest species entering the Great Lakes for too long, and this is years away,†said Cameron Davis, president of the Alliance for the Great Lakes. “We need to nail the door shut on further invasions now.†Davis said on average, a new invasive creature enters the lakes every seven or eight months. The most recent invasive pest believed to have been brought in a ship’s ballast water is a fish-killing virus first discovered last November. It has already spread to four of the Great Lakes. Advertisement Michigan enacted its own requirements for ocean ships on Jan. 1, requiring them to install equipment to sanitize their ballast water before they discharge it in Michigan ports. Shippers argue that proper technology is not yet available. The state Department of Environmental Quality said there are four systems currently available. Shippers sued the state over the measure and a hearing is scheduled in the case next month. Last week, a coalition of environmental groups started a lawsuit against the shippers under the Environmental Protection Act. Davis said that lawsuit would go forward regardless of Congress’ action. Among other invasive species that hitched rides in ballast water: zebra and quagga mussels, round goby fish and lamprey eel.

With the way that I rig my main lines for trolling. That is with a beaded chain swivel 30 inches in front of the end of the main line, I thought I'd cut and re-configure some bottom bouncers so I could quickly change the sizes/weights that I used. I most often run sliders above crankbaits or harnesses of all types and like using a beaded swivel above and up the line a bit with all of these to keep them from twisting the line. So I thought reconfiguring some bouncers in different sizes, with Norman Speed Clips and barrel swivel on the end to be able to hook onto these beaded swivels, would give me the same rig with less time wasted changing over the whole BB rig and weight. Simple side cutters and a Spinner building tool made it easy enough. Heres the results. There may already be something like this out there, but I haven't seen it.

Everybody knows (I think) about my displeasure of local wind/weather forecasts on Saginaw Bay. On one of my last few charters, I took a man (along with his family) who works for Remax. And as part of his business/hobby he flies and charters ballon rides in his Big Remax ballon. I think he even told me that it's his ballon you see in the Remax commercials. Anyway, I wasn't sure if we were going to be able to go on the fishing charter because of the vague/changing forecasts I was getting leading up to our trip. But he on the other hand seemed very confident of the wind and weather, telling me the site he monitors is very accurate not only day to day, but hour to hour. So I've put this site in my favorites along with the NWS's roulette wheel of forecasts. It's not the easiest to read, understand or navigate around on, but it does tell you a little more I think. Other states and areas can be accessed as well. Heres the link address. http://www.usairnet.com/cgi-bin/launch/code.cgi?Submit=Go&sta=KMBS&model=avn&state=MI

Well done Frank. That outer Bay seems to be more consistant while keeping the fish in a less fickle mood this year, after some of those NE blows we've had. I Wish on some days that deeper water wasn't a 20 mile one way trip for me. But the southern inner bay doesn't owe me to many oplogies though these last 2 years. :D

J.F. Capt. Ed is right. We are required to post in plane view all safety procedures, where life preservers are located, policeis on substance abuse, along with our Captains license and all legal documents pertaining to the vessel, in case of Coast Guard boarding and examination. You might be able to talk or buy one of these safety posting from our Charter Boat Association. Go to Micharterboats.com and see if you can request or buy one.

J.F. Capt. Ed is right. We are required to post in plane view all safety procedures, policeis on substance abuse, where all life preservers are located, along with our Captains license and all legal documents pertaining to the vessel, in case of Coast Guard boarding and examination. You might be able to talk or buy one of these plastic coated safety posting from our Charter Boat Association. Go to Micharterboats.com and see if you can request or buy one.

Going to put in another 6 bag order of Gulp Salt Water Shads tonight. I've zeroed in on the favorite 2 flavors/colors these Saginaw Bay walleyes like (Makeral and Sardine) and today I switched all 8 rods over to that program. We boated about 20 and kept a 3 man limit. The really neat part was how we caught some of the more timid walleyes that hit them. They would come up and slap or half take the gulp shad, and we could see the hit on the ruber bands I use. We would then snap the line out of the release and let it fall back away from the others and WHAM they'd slam it while right in your hands. Most all were in that 15 to 17 inch range with one bigger one lost behind the boat. But it was most excellent.

Had another day of strong winds on the Bay. Yesterday was really tough after 4 days of that NE blow. The surface temps have dropped 5 to 6 degrees and the water was cloudy. We only managed 7 fish yesterday with only 5 being keepers. But these were SW winds this morning and allowed me some leeway with my fishing program. Headed immediatley up-wind and against the waves, South of the Intake Crib and into 12 FOW. Set the rods and began trolling with the 1 to 2 footers that slowly built to 3 as we progressed up and away from the shoreline. Wasn't until we hit 16 FOW that we got our first fish. A nice plump 2 to 3 pounder on my Salt Water Gulp Rig. Starting slowly I kept changing over each rod to Gulp Salties. Long story short, boated 13 walleye landed 9 on the Gulp Minnows with 7 of them keepers in the half day charter. Heres the fish and the way I rigged them.

Wondering where those big roaches were hanging out.

They are saying that the fish are safe to eat even with VHS. But there is a lot of other deseases out there that might be what your fish had. Do a search on VHS and they will show exactly what it looks like on the fish.

June 25, 2007 DNR Announces Implementation Strategy for Fish Disease Control Order A series of regulations designed to help slow the spread of fish diseases in Michigan, in particular Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS), will begin to be implemented on Thursday, June 28, according to Department of Natural Resources fisheries officials. The regulations provide a set of best management practices for anglers, boaters and the bait industry, and will be phased in over time. “The DNR recognizes that these regulations are complex and will take time for our anglers, boaters and the supporting bait industry to fully understand them,†said DNR Director Rebecca Humphries. “To fully involve our angling community, we intend to implement this order in a set of steps over the next few months.†The DNR will focus on educating the angling and boating communities and bait industry over the next two to three months - focusing on prevention and education efforts, not enforcement. The following steps that directly affect anglers and boaters will be initiated on June 28: * Anglers and boaters should empty live wells and bilge water upon removing a boat from the water. * Anglers are asked to start using bait only on a hook and to dispose of all bait when leaving a body of water. Anglers should keep in mind that the regulations only apply to the fish species listed in the Fish Disease Control Order, which is posted on the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnrfishing. * Anglers should be sure to release fish that are from catch and release angling either in that water or in connected waters where fish could directly swim. * Anglers are asked to start learning the Fish Disease Management Areas and where baitfish can be used. If the bait shop receipt indicates the management area where the bait is from, anglers are asked to start using the bait in the appropriate area. The following steps will be initiated on June 28 with the wholesale and retail bait industry to start informing anglers where they can use bait and to start getting certified bait: * Wholesale bait dealers are asked to start informing purchasers of whether their bait is certified disease-free or if it is not yet certified, and what Fish Disease Management Area it came from so the retail bait shops can start informing anglers. * For bait species on the Prohibited Species List, retail bait shops are asked to start informing anglers whether the bait is certified or uncertified. If the bait is known to be uncertified and the Fish Disease Management Area where it was collected is known, bait shops are asked to inform anglers on where it can be used. Initially, it just needs to be noted on the receipt or attached to the receipt from the store. The full receipt will not be required initially. * Licensed bait businesses that wish to certify their bait can start the certification process according to the instructions that will be posted on the DNR Web site (www.michigan.gov/dnrfishing) and sent in the U.S. Mail to all licensed bait businesses on June 25. * Licensed bait businesses that have previously certified bait in stock can move ahead to have those supplies certified by sending the appropriate fish disease inspection information along with a request for certification to the Michigan DNR Fisheries Division, P.O. Box 30446, Lansing, MI 48909, Attention: Bait Certification. “The DNR is not requesting that wholesalers or retail bait shops to dispose of the bait they currently have in their inventories. If they know where it came from, we ask them to simply start informing anglers of what Fish Disease Management Area it came from so anglers can start making informed decisions,†said DNR Fisheries Division Chief Kelley Smith. During the weeks of July 16 and 23, the DNR will be reviewing all applications for certifying facilities to hold baitfish listed in the order. After receiving needed information from wholesale and retail bait shops that wish to have baitfish certified in their facilities, the DNR will conduct necessary facility inspections or conduct telephone interviews to complete the certification review process. Once the application reviews are complete, the DNR will send out facility certification letters and will provide recommended fish disease certification strategies for each facility. As fish disease inspections results are submitted, the DNR will be issuing baitfish certifications for those lots that are tested and shown to be disease-free. By Aug. 17, licensed wholesale bait businesses and retail bait shops are requested to start providing customers complete receipts that show all the needed information to inform anglers on where they can use their bait and to allow for the tracking of any fish disease problems in their bait supply. By this time, it is expected that certified disease-free bait should start being widely available for retail bait shops. The DNR expects to fully implement the Fish Disease Control Order by Sept.15 and will be placing information on the DNR Fisheries Division Web site (www.michigan.gov/dnrfishing) to assist the public in understanding these regulations. “These regulations will make a large difference as we work to slow the spread of fish disease and make our anglers, boaters and the bait industry full partners in protecting our valuable resources,†Smith said. “This is a real opportunity to show how our users can help us in this task.†The DNR is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural resources for current and future generations.

Well with a repeat of yesterday on my mind for this morning I pointed the boat N. coming out of Hoyles/Linwwod Beach at around 7:30am. I could tell though that the wind was a lot more powerful this morning and was just getting wound up to generate some serious wave action. Thinking I could save about 7 miles of running and might have the same luck using Nayonquin Point Bar the same way I did Pinconning Bar yesterday, I headed straight into 10 FOW at Nayonquin and started trolling with the WNW wind and waves right across into that 16 to 20 foot pocket directly out in front of Hoyles/Linwood beach. Well, it didn't take long for the action to start but the wind kept building and building. With the trolling motor at it's lowest idle, getting completley submerged on every other wave and barley doing more then keeping the boat straight we were still going over 2 mph with the wind at our backs. And it was impossible to turn around and troll back agains't the wind and waves, so after two 45 minute runs with the wind and another 1 hour wasted pulling lines and running back up-wind we called her quits. But in that short time we boxed 8 nice fish and threw back a few more. 8)

Headed out this morning about 7:45am into what N.O.A.A. weather and the National Weather Service called 1 footers. Ran into something else, A.K.A. 3 footers with a couple 4's thrown in. My plans of fishing NE of the Spark Plug were changed fast. So I headed up wind, straight into the steady 15 knot NW wind towards the Pinconning Bar. The running close and along the shore wasn't that bad. Ran the boat right up as close as I dare into 11 FOW. Turned with the wind and put out the spoon harnesses and Gulp 25 feet back with 1 ounce snap weights. I could tell that 3 of the 4 spoon rigs on my planner board tether line were dragging in the mud. But before I could adjust them all hell broke loose. Long story short we boated 22, keeping 15. It's all the nice fish we lost half way to the boat that still has me frustrated. Rather they were having a hard time getting the offering in their mouths because of them scraping bottom, or the Gulp was preventing them from getting a good hold. Either way, I'm replacing the back single hooks with trebels tonight and headed back out into the predicted 1 footers again tomorrow. :twisted: :twisted: :wink: 8)

Not what I'd call a stellar day for numbers but the sizes were decent. Spoons and cranks again. We threw back about 7 undersize.

Most excellent job frank. Please tell me these fish were closer to shore then 24 miles. I just filled my boat up tonight after 6 charters and I'm still a little sick.

Thank's Frank. Everybody I talked to today both on the water and at the dock/ramp had a hard time today and said the fish have moved. I verified that when we trolled for 3 miles NE of the first Spark Plug (where we caught 13 keepers the other day) marked nothing and caught one little dink. Another charter bud was catching decent fish but not many running paralell with the Coreon Bar in 23 to 25 FOW. I find it strange they would have moved deep this quick with the warmest surface temps I seen today being only 74 degrees. Going to stick around near the Point/Black Hole area this weekend. That 48 mile run (Both ways) takes an hour 20 minutes off clients fishing time. And you can't always count on receptive fish that far out.

Well, after Kinda bragging about how Saginaw Bays fishery has been so unbelievable in the last few weeks, Ol'Capt. Dan had to do a little searching today for my charter clients. After a false start we ended up fishing a place I and many others call the "Center of the World". That being one long run and about as "In the Middle" of the Bay as one can get. And the technique that caught most of the fish were a little unique as well. Even though my spoon harnesses were working, the fish they were catching were on the smaller side. So I rigged one side with Rattle Tot's with a twist. Put a piece of crawler on the belly hook and then sent them back 40 Feet. Then attached a 1 1/2 ounce snap weight and let out another 20 feet. I was also trolling what in my book is dead slow. 1.5 to 1.8mph on the GPS. Caught 19 walleyes and kept 14 for a half day. Not bad.

June 13, 2007 DNR Fishing Regulation Changes Reflect Disease Management Concerns with VHS A series of fishing regulations signed by Department of Natural Resources Director Rebecca Humphries recently are designed to enlist anglers and the bait industry as allies to slow the spread of fish diseases, particularly Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS). The regulations go into effect on June 28. “These regulations are critical to our efforts to slow the spread of VHS, along with other fish diseases, and we must have anglers and the bait industry as allies in this effort as the DNR cannot do this on our own,†said Humphries. The regulations are very similar to those presented to the Natural Resources Commission in May. Some modifications were made based on public input at that meeting, along with those of NRC members, which clarified some areas of the regulations. The key modifications were: baitfish and fish eggs (roe) can only be used on a hook, which does allow the use of spawn sacks; the locations where fish can be released by catch and release angling; both the Disease Management Areas and Prohibited Species List are now appendices to allow for simpler changes; the use of roe for human consumption without fish disease testing will be allowed; and the bait certification process has been improved and clarified. “The approved regulations are designed to provide a set of best management practices for anglers and the bait industry and are consistent with those of other states and the Province of Ontario,†said DNR Fisheries Chief Dr. Kelley Smith. “They are an education tool to make our anglers and the bait industry full partners in the fight against fish diseases, such as VHS.†The key highlights of the new regulations are: * The regulations only apply to species on the Prohibited Species List. The key baitfish species for anglers are spottail shiners, emerald shiners, bluntnose minnows, white suckers, and Pacific herring (frozen for cut bait). The key species for fish eggs (roe) are Chinook salmon, coho salmon, brown trout and rainbow trout/steelhead. * Bait includes live, dead, frozen and parts or cut bait including fish eggs (roe). * Anglers will get a receipt from the bait shop which will tell them where they can use the bait and if is certified VHS-free, which can be used anywhere in the state. * Receipts are valid 7 days. * Uncertified bait from a bait shop or collected by anglers is restricted on where it can be used. Baitfish from VHS positive waters can only be used on VHS positive waters, VHS surveillance waters baitfish can be used in VHS surveillance or positive waters, and baitfish from VHS-free waters can be used anywhere in the state. The key for anglers is knowing the location of the Disease Management Areas, and that information will be available at the bait shops and on the DNR Web site. * Bait and fish eggs can only be used on a hook if they are on the Prohibited Species List. The use of spawn sacks is acceptable. Anglers cannot release minnows when done fishing and must dispose of them when leaving the water. The release of many baitfish or large amounts of fish eggs by anglers that are potentially VHS-positive is an easy way to spread the virus, fisheries officials warned. * When practicing catch and release fishing, you may only release a live fish back into water that the fish can freely swim into from the location it was caught. This applies to catch-and-immediate-release and catch-and-delayed-release (tournament) fishing. This will prevent the virus from being transported by live fish to new waters. * All water must be emptied from live wells and bilges when leaving a body of water. This regulation applies to all boaters and will prevent the virus from being transported by infected water. In addition, the key highlights for retail and wholesale minnow dealers are: * There is a certification process that will allow dealers to provide disease-free bait for Michigan anglers. It is a two-stage process that includes both the holding facilities and the baitfish. * It is not required that baitfish be certified. Certified baitfish can be used anywhere in the state and provides the most options for anglers. Uncertified bait is restricted to where it can be used. * Both wholesale and retail minnow dealers must tell their customers on their receipts where the baitfish was taken, the lot or transaction code, and what disease management area it can be used. * Receipts must be kept for one year. The DNR Fisheries Division is asking the retail and wholesale minnow dealers to help educate anglers on where they can use their bait and which species are of concern for spreading VHS. Information packets are in development to help with this task and the DNR Web site will have the most up-to-date information. “It is critical that anglers and the bait industry keep an eye on the DNR - Fisheries Division Web site (www.michigan.gov/dnrfishing) for changes to the Disease Management Areas and the Prohibited Species List,†Smith said. “The order will be periodically updated with new information and the Web site will have the changes to the order that will be issued by the Director. We will make all new information available to the public through the news media as well.†The importance of having angler and bait industry involvement in fish disease control is critical, fisheries officials said. “The DNR and other fisheries management agencies in the Great Lakes can implement all possible disease control measures, but without the anglers and bait industry as full partners in this effort, these measures will be in vain and fish diseases will rapidly spread to sensitive fish populations,†said Gary Whelan, DNR fish production manager and chair of the Great Lakes Fish Health Committee. For more information on VHS and other fishing-related topics in Michigan, go to the DNR Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnrfishing. The DNR is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural resources for current and future generations.

I've been running strickly spoon harnesses. But I might be changing soon. Did good today on Rattle Tots. Plus those spoons and meat wear me out.

Ran a trip today with 3 adults and 3 of their kids. Right from the start they wanted to keep their fish seperate to see who was the better fishemen. I voluteered to run anything the kids wanted on their side of the boat. They did not like the spoons I had riged and wanted me to put on those pretty colored Rattle Tot's. I told them I was catching a lot of fish on spoons but would run what they wanted me to. I also put on a piece of crawler on the belly hook. Well, the kids catch was 11 and the adults were 15. But the kids fish were bigger on average. 8) 8)

I never thought I'd say this is my life time. But the fishing on Saginaw Bay right now is as good or better then Lake Erie. My clients for today didn't show up but my buddy went out to the spot we fished Wednesday and caught those 87 fish. Well, he tells me he caught that many today by himself and his group of guys. Those guys who stiffed me today will never know what they missed. :cry:

Nope. I've never got the hang of those things. I do use some expensives custom made knives though.