Where to Go SJ or SH??

[bladerunner]

Wondering where to go Thursday- first trip out this year. With all the good reports I can`t decide. Coming from Grand Haven so SH is closer but really doesn`t matter. Have never fished either SH or SJ before, any recommendations?? Any input is appreciated. Thanks

[mriversinco]

I had the same question sunday. We stopped at South Haven cause the waves looked good and went the big o'fer while everyone at St. Joe tore it up. I'd say it's harder to find the fish at South Haven then St. Joe, but there'll be way more people at St. Joe.

[j1musser]

I had the same question sunday. We stopped at South Haven cause the waves looked good and went the big o'fer while everyone at St. Joe tore it up. I'd say it's harder to find the fish at South Haven then St. Joe, but there'll be way more people at St. Joe.

Yeah that. SH trip out of river seems much shorter than the Joe. Seems to be a little more consistent of of SJ. Just get out there and slayem. Then post a report so I know what port to go to.

[SUPERTRAMP]

St Joe is a bigger water shed and has more fish in the area than SH. I hope to get out Thursday, I fished out of So. Haven last year and am back in St Joe this year. It is a few min longer to the lake but well worth it. The coho bite will last until about the end of April but it will start slowing down when the lake water starts to warm up above 40 degrees. Right now the dirty water plume is the place to fish. Water is 3 to 4 degrees warmer than the clean water area.

[bladerunner]

Thanks for the input guys, sounds like SJ is the place to go. I`ll be in a 22' Islander called " Nomad". Hope to see ya out there and good luck!

[Casey II]

I will be out Thurs in a black 20ft Lund "Casey II". I'll give you a call if we get into them.

Good Luck

[bladerunner]

Thanks Mark we`ll keep a look out for ya and if we happen to trip over them and snag a few we`ll let ya know......

[bladerunner]

Thought I better check, is the best place to launch for SJ the city launch on Marina Island ( south east side past waste treatment plant)? It`s the only launch that comes up when I google search.

[Far Beyond Driven]

South Haven last week:

Saturday 11/13, boxed out

Tuesday 10/12, boxed out

Thursday 13/13, boxed out

Friday 33/48 or so, lost count, rail dumped fish so we could keep fishing

So as for St. Joe being better, well, I'll argue that.

Saturday we needed to find the warmer, dirty water. T/TH they were scattered in pods up and down the shore. Friday they were piled in by the nuke plant....

[Casey II]

The marina island launch is nice. The first strech of river is fairly shallow so follow another boat out. Stay along the Benton Harbor side of the river until you approach the first bridge. You should be in the clear once you reach that bridge. Good Luck.

[bladerunner]

Well Kevin now you did it, I`ll have to fish SJ Thursday and SH Saturday! My wifes really gonna be pissed, damn the luck.

[bladerunner]

Thanks for the heads up on the shallow water Mark. Hope to see ya out there, good luck.

[SUPERTRAMP]

My boat is slipped on the Island if u go str8 across fm the launch and keep to the rt u will be fine I am going to hit the lake around 8 to 8:30 give the MC squared a call on 68 and will let u know how we are doin.