Grand Haven 7/5 am

[numberguy77]

2 for 2 on the morning solo out of the beautiful port of Grand Haven. 16# male king hit a Mandarin Minnow glow spoon off of a full core in 102’ of water about 7 am, and a 10# planted female steelhead hit the same setup in 135’ of water about 8 am. Flat, calm on the big pond. Great morning in this great state and country.

[Wheres Joe]

Nice  Job!  

Where did you Launch?   

[numberguy77]

I'm actually in a slip at Grand Haven Yacht Club. 

If you're launching a boat like 18' or larger, you'd probably have to launch all the way back in Fruitport. About 40 minutes to the big lake from there with all the no wake zones this year. But, I can think of worse things to be doing for 40 minutes...

[numberguy77]

Joe,

I'm just now noticing the picture of your boat in your avatar.  If that's your boat, you may be able to launch at Petty's bayou near Spring Lake Country Club.  It's a DNR launch, so you need the sticker and there is the Fruitport Road bridge right there that you'd have to get under.  That would be the question mark with the high water.  Launching there as opposed to Fruitport would probably save you about 5-10 minutes on the ride to the big lake.  If you have the state park sticker, there's no fee to launch there.  There is a $10 fee to launch in Fruitport and they monitor it closely.

[saevango]

I am going over next weekend, never fished Grand Haven Before. Any  pointers as to where to go. Not looking for your secret spot. Do most people go north, south straight out?

 

[numberguy77]

Ha!  I wish I had a secret spot!  I fished Muskegon for many years as I lived in North Muskegon.  We just moved to Spring Lake in April, so now I'm fishing out of Grand Haven.

Like a lot of guys this year (I think), I've been searching for the fish as they've been scattered or they're just not there in big numbers like several years ago.

To answer your question, some days I go North, some days I go South, some days I go straight out.  If you've ever fished out of Muskegon, I would say that Grand Haven fishes similar to that.  No real structure to speak of as the lake bottom just gradually gets deeper.

I'm not sure if you've been out in the big lake this year or not, so, I'd like to mention to be on the alert for debris in the water.  With the high water and with the spring rains, the Grand River spewed all kinds of "stuff" into the big lake, and I'm sure it still is.

Good luck.  Hope you find a few hungry ones.

[saevango]

Thanks for the input, I was in Ludington all last week, very few Salmon, mainly lake trout in 80-120 feet of water.

I have a 25' hardtop inboard, is Fruitport the closes launch?

 

[numberguy77]

Yes, with a 25' hardtop, I'd say Fruitport would be your best bet. 

Unfortunately, the high water has Harbor Island launch in Grand Haven, and Mill Point launch in Spring Lake closed.  

My advice for the Fruitport launch would be get there early and if coming back in late morning, be patient!  Especially if it's a sunny day.  Tends to get busy with the pleasure boaters headed out.

 

[Wheres Joe]

Thanks Guy,

I might try the Petty's Bayou this weekend if the weather cooperates.  Like with everything else 2020 seems to be a tough year! 

I gotta get my Kicker running 1st.  Hope to see ya on the water soon!