Where do you start?

[dcralston]

Once you are out on the water how do you determine where to put lines out. Other than talking to guys coming off the water (which are hard to come by at 430am) is there any sort of system or is it just set lines and start trolling?

[Paulywood]

I do research before I hit the water. I check the internet for reports and water temps. I also will try things that have worked in the past. However, all of that could change when I hit the lake. If the wind is coming from a different direction I might change what direction I troll. If there are a bunch of boats in a certain area I usually try to avoid them. If we break the pier heads and the water temp is changed, then I'll change my plan. Also, sometimes you see something, like a slick or scumline, and might try that instead of what you had originally planned. What I'm trying to say is that I try to have a plan when I hit the water, but am always willing to change if I have to.

[LongLine]

No fool proof system that I know of. Things to keep an eye on: 1. What & where did you catch last week? 2. Check reports for the area for the week before trip 3. Check weather/temp charts 4. Monitor temps on the way out 5. Slow down & watch graph about a mile before you get to where you think the fish might be. If you see stuff on graph, send probe down & confirm temps. If all's looking good, set up your program. If not go deeper.

Tom B.

(LongLine)

[salmonquest]

I have to agree with the previous posts. I don't get out enough so I try to watch the weather and temp. patterns on the net a few days before I go out. I also try to study depth charts and bottom contours and relate that to the predominate weather patterns. If the wind is on shore I go deep; off shore I look shallow. I like to think of it more like hunting (ala Dan Keating). I'll go to the most promising area first but I like to see something on the graph before I drop lines. Morning are tough though because it seems like you have to find them fast since the premium time is probably fading not approaching such as in the afternoon.

[Nailer]

Welcome Aboard dcralston. All of the above is good info. The best way is to know guys in the loop. Read as many reports as possible. I see you're from Grand Rapids so, any report from Holland to Muskegon should help. I usually will motor out into the waves then turn and troll with them to get started. If you ask for general info on the radio, most guys will answer. We fish in the evening most of the time also. If you here us on the radio give us a call. Good luck.

Ken.

[dcralston]

Most of you mentioned that you check the wether/temp charts. What are you looking for on these?

[1mainiac]

Temp breaks try and find pockets of cold water close to warm water Salmon live in cold water bait fish live in warm water get them close together and they will stay and feed. Find a area where there is warmer water outside a nice cold pocket and you will have trapped fish to work on. Last Sun I stayed out cause the water was warmer at 65ft so fished 80 and out all morn ended 3 for 7 ok but chk GLF's report for same morn he found cold water at 50ft that was pushed in by the warmer water further out and went 12 for 16. Had I considered wind direction I should have known to fish where he was but gas is killing me so now I take a short program and run it if it works great if not I go home so I leave with a plan and stick to it I make some minor changes but that is all.

Tight Lines

Jim

[Fishwhisperer]

First I use reports. In the morning I will set up shallow and work my way out. I also set up short of my way points. That way I have all of my rods set when I hit them.

[GLF]

I am like everyone else and read the reports. You can find almost everything you need in the reports. ie...water temps, how many FOW, how deep down, trolling speeds, directions, techiniques(divers, lead core, riggers, etc...), and what baits to use. You can eliminate a lot of unproductive water by reading the reports.

If I can not find a report from Muskegon, I look for reports at ports that are near(Grand Haven and Whitehall) it. Usually I can duplicate the depths I find at these ports and get them to work in Muskegon.

I have a really good idea on where to start, and what I will use before I leave the house .

In the early spring I watch the satellite photos, looking for warm water. During the summer, I usually dont check the satellite images. Instead, I mostly go by the fishing reports and the wind directions.

A West wind on Lake Michigan will pile up the warm water along Michigan, and blows the warm water away from Wisconsin. As the warm water is blown out of Wisconsin, it pulls the cold water in close.

An East wind on Lake Michigan will blow the warm water away from Michigan, and pulls cold water inclose underneath, close to shore. Look for a couple of days of hard blow for this to happen.

A South or Southwest wind on Lake Michigan will push the warm water up from the South along the Michigan coast.

A strong North or Northwest wind for a couple of days on Lake Michigan will push cold water along the Michigan coast. This is when I target shallower water.

[Priority1]

I try and do my home work so I have a plan when I hit the water. If you don't have a clue set up on a pack and go from there.