Muskegon 5-20

[PackerFan]

We headed out of Muskegon to the big lake this morning. Zip. Zero. Nadda. It seems the other guys we were talking to didn't do much better. Marked lots of small stuff but nothing to get excited about. Didn't hear much on the radio. It was cold but sunny and enjoyable so mission accomplished. Fish in the box would have just been a bonus. :) Hope you other guys do/did better and see out out there over Memorial Day weekend. ;)

PF

[J - Rod]

We were in Muskegon Friday night, Sat, and Sun Morn and was only able to get out in the big lake on Sat morning (small boat). Hopes were high as reports had fish being caught close to the pierheads the last few weeks. Not the case on Saturday. Apparantly the NW wind sent them deep. There were a couple caught in tight, but most of the action (on the radio) was out in 160+ later in the morning. We had a hit in 42 fow and got about a 10# king in 38fow on a single orange crush behind a 1# weight. Let my dad (first time on Lake MI) reel it in. That caused plently of excitement as we had to pull all our other lines except the boards but not before tangling the dipsy line and then the fish started passing our boat and almost got into the planer line, so I gunned it and got back in front of the fish and finally netted it. We caught a few pike on Musk L the rest of the time. Picked a poor weekend (weatherwise) to do our spring fishing trip.

[PackerFan]

What time do people seem to get out on the big lake in the AM and get fish? Since I'm in GR and have to drive, we get on the water about 8. Everyone tells us we're wasting our time because it's well after sunrise. I figure better late than never!

[J - Rod]

What time do people seem to get out on the big lake in the AM and get fish? Since I'm in GR and have to drive, we get on the water about 8. Everyone tells us we're wasting our time because it's well after sunrise. I figure better late than never!

I've only been out on the big lake about 10 times total, but I have yet to catch a fish before 9AM. Our best days were out of Rogers City....4-8PM, bright sunny skies, lake was glass, visibility to 50 feet, fishing 40-60 fow. So you are right, better late than never. I like to sleep in too.

[IFishMon]

What time of year was that fishing done in Rogers City? I'm guessing, late Aug, early Sept.

[Sixshooter]

What time do people seem to get out on the big lake in the AM and get fish? Since I'm in GR and have to drive, we get on the water about 8. Everyone tells us we're wasting our time because it's well after sunrise. I figure better late than never!

Most people who post big numbers start fishing pre dawn. There are three major feeding times for Kings. First Light, Last Light and Noon.

We have had limits of fish before 8am several times. It can be fast and furious and very short lived. The fast bite like such may only last an hour or two.

[tgafish]

Yup! If my boat hits the water later than 5:30 I'm running late. Usually shoot for 5:15 this time of year. Out to your spot and all lines down by the time it starts getting light. Unlike some I usually only have 1 or 2 in the boat in the dark. Sometimes none. My hot time seems to be between 6:45 and 9am. Not to say we don't catch fish past 9 cause we do. But I'd hate to miss that first light bite!

[J - Rod]

What time of year was that fishing done in Rogers City? I'm guessing, late Aug, early Sept.

Mid May. Not big numbers as far as expereinced fisherman, but good for us, being that it was only our second time out in the Great Lakes, first in RC. We got 11 lakers, 1 coho in 2 afternoons of fishing.

[IFishMon]

I believe sixshooter, TGA, and myself had Salmon as our target species. I agree strongly with them on the times, except, the "noon bite" is not near as prevelant as the first and last bite for SALMON. When I was guessing the time of year I was anticipating Salmon as the target species. Hence, I am not surprised by the fact that there were no Kings caught. Lakers don't seem to have such an "on/off" switch as Kings.

[1HI4X]

... So you are right, better late than never. ...

I absolutely agree with this. It's like anything out doors; the time spent on the water, in the woods, etc. is better than any time wasted indoors.

[J - Rod]

I didn't mean to imply that fishing is not better in the early morning, just that it's not a waste of time to fish later on (answered the question that was asked). My 2 trips this year have produced 5 kings between 11 and noon. I guess that's the noon bite 6 was referring to. Not big numbers by any means, but better than nothing. I guess if I want the big numbers, I'll have to get up early, wait in line at the launch, and be prepared to combat fish (and maybe get some downriggers).

[MoJoRisin'II]

We fished starting at 6 AM right out front, marked some bait in the channel, but got zippo early. Moved out as the boats scattered and ended up with 2 coho, 21" and 22"......excellent eaters. Got one on a dipsy, set on 3, back 90 with a red and black bomber. Got the other on a full core w/ mag green dolphin, probably dragged him around for a while as he did not pull any drag. Both fish came in 160 to 180 FOW. We did mark some large schoold on bottom out in the deeper water and had 2 releases 110 down on a 2 color core rig, bot missed both. One peeled some line, but came off within seconds. We ended up going to 225 fow, but came back in and pulled them at 11 AM. Not a bad trip for the first time out, but would have liked to get some kings.

Water temos did not change at all, 43.5 on top and 41.5 down (didn't matter how far down). Speed was 2.5 in all directions so it seemed like there was no current and no temp breaks setup. Makes for tough fishing when the bait has gone into muskegon lake.

Good luck and good fishing!:fish:

[gimpbob]

:yikes:I am trying to get a boat rigged for fishing the big lake. I hope to be out today or tomorrow to start catching them. I work 12hr shift and get off at 3:30am so can be ready to launch around 5am> i have to drive back from GR. If anyone interested in going with me some mornings PM me. I will get back to you with my cell phone munber.:fish2:

[gimpbob]

Went out for the first time today. Not sure how deep I was fish finder malfunctioned. But was fishing in 45-80 fow and nadda. Kind of sucks to not know how deep and how fast your are going. LOL But it was nice to be out on the lake anyway. Guess I better look at getting another fishfinder. Anyone know where I can get a good deal on one that shows temp and speed as well would be appreciated. On a family budget!:rant: