hi-tech redneck

It pays to start out with a long and short lead behind the ball to see what the fish like. When I double stack rods on a rigger, I run a personal version of the cutter rig (a mini dipsy set to the side with lure attached to downrigger release, another pole stacked 5 ft up), and have caught fish on the mini-dipsy while setting lines - meaning the fish came up and hit within 10 - 12 ft of the boat. And I can't tell you how many times in the past I've had salmon hit j-plugs while setting lines (mostly at the sand docks in Muskegon)

Yeah, it was a blast. I also meant M-2 flatfish, not U2. I dug around today and found a T-55 size flatfish. Might run that next time just to see if it gets hit.

Finally got out fishing last night. Had all of an hour and a half to go last night after work, so hooked up the 14' and went over to Whitehall. Launched at the river and on my way out saw one caught off of Dog-n-Suds. Got out past the casters in front of Goodrich and hi-lined U2 pearl flatfish between the green marker and the narrows. 2 for 6 in less than 45 min. Shoulda-coulda had more, but in my hurry to get out the door tonight, I just grabbed the one pole with one flatfish. After the second fish in the boat, I was continually rebending straightened trebles. Had the last four fish pull off. Oh well, I had not puttered around White Lake for salmon in years, and it brought back a lot of memories from my youth (this is where I cut my teeth salmon fishing).

Just found this site by dumb luck. Have a 17ft bowrider (big lake fishing or quickly converted to relax or tube with the family) and a 14ft alum. (general fishing, harbor patrol and Muskegon sand docks). Usually just run with two old manual King downriggers and maybe a dipsey or two, depending on riders. I don't get out nearly as much as I'd like - time is limited ( 8 wk and 2.5 yr old daughters), $ is limited (salmon fishing is an expensive sport) and I don't have a large enough freezer for fish. Have done well this year (freezer won't hold much more fish now) and looks like I'll be shooting the bow more now. Hopefully I'll contribute a Muskegon report or two in the next few weeks, otherwise I'll just have to live/fish vicariously through the reports I see on here.