The Bay (good, bad, and ugly)

[Joe R.]

Got out on the bay this weekend for the first time since night fishing this spring. Was ready to get after those eyes on Saturday. When we pulled out of the drive wind was non-exsitent. Pulled into the launch at Patterson Rd. to be greated by NE winds and several boats pulling out due to fog. Launched the boat and the fog lifted (more like blew off) as soon as we hit the island. Waves were about 2 ft. at the time. Made it to the first spark plug and and headed slightly east. Pulled some spoon harnesses that Capt. Dan talks about. Ended up pulling a two man limit in the ever increasing waves. Speed was between 1.2 and 1.7 on gps. Only caught one white bass, a handful of throw backs, and a 10" perch for the non-targets. All the walleye in the box were 16" to 18" fish. By the time we left waves were consistent 3 footers with occasional 4 footers. Took me 6 hours to quit bobbing after we go on shore.
Sunday headed back out in the afternoon to the same location. Conditions were a lot smoother then they were on Saturday. Problem was the fish were gone from the area. Located a small school around the sail boat bouy that is to the east of the plug. Pulled one legal fish and 4 shorties. Fouled the plugs in the kicker motor shortly after the wind put a nice chop on the water. Then we couldn't find anymore fish. Changed setups 4 times trying to get something going. Finally headed to the west side of the channel were radio traffic said they were getting fish on tots in 20 fow. Trolled there with the big motor the rest of the evening. Fish on that side were down deeper then on Saturday. Pulled the inside rods and put the a couple of tots (purple) back at 90 and 110 feet. Sent the last board to the side and was watching it come into line when it all of a sudden stalled and then disappeared. Grabbed the rod and the fight was on. A few minutes later we put a 27" eye in the net. Biggest eye I've boated on the bay during the summer so I was pretty tickled. Caught a few more sub legals from the area and headed for shore.
On Saturday the program was the spoon harnesses with Cranberry being the hot color. Only 2 fish were caught on other colors. I run mine with a three way rig. 6' to 7' leader from three way to spoon. Snap swivel on three way with a 1 oz. weight. Most fish were caught high on Saturday with only a 10' to 18' lead from weight to board.
Sunday 1/4 oz. purple hot-n-tot set 110 feet back in 20 fow took most of the fish and the 27" eye. Trolled at 2.0 to 2.5 on the gps.

Good luck to those who fish today.

Joe

[walleye express]

Got out on the bay this weekend for the first time since night fishing this spring. Was ready to get after those eyes on Saturday. When we pulled out of the drive wind was non-exsitent. Pulled into the launch at Patterson Rd. to be greated by NE winds and several boats pulling out due to fog. Launched the boat and the fog lifted (more like blew off) as soon as we hit the island. Waves were about 2 ft. at the time. Made it to the first spark plug and and headed slightly east. Pulled some spoon harnesses that Capt. Dan talks about. Ended up pulling a two man limit in the ever increasing waves. Speed was between 1.2 and 1.7 on gps. Only caught one white bass, a handful of throw backs, and a 10" perch for the non-targets. All the walleye in the box were 16" to 18" fish. By the time we left waves were consistent 3 footers with occasional 4 footers. Took me 6 hours to quit bobbing after we go on shore.
Sunday headed back out in the afternoon to the same location. Conditions were a lot smoother then they were on Saturday. Problem was the fish were gone from the area. Located a small school around the sail boat bouy that is to the east of the plug. Pulled one legal fish and 4 shorties. Fouled the plugs in the kicker motor shortly after the wind put a nice chop on the water. Then we couldn't find anymore fish. Changed setups 4 times trying to get something going. Finally headed to the west side of the channel were radio traffic said they were getting fish on tots in 20 fow. Trolled there with the big motor the rest of the evening. Fish on that side were down deeper then on Saturday. Pulled the inside rods and put the a couple of tots (purple) back at 90 and 110 feet. Sent the last board to the side and was watching it come into line when it all of a sudden stalled and then disappeared. Grabbed the rod and the fight was on. A few minutes later we put a 27" eye in the net. Biggest eye I've boated on the bay during the summer so I was pretty tickled. Caught a few more sub legals from the area and headed for shore.
On Saturday the program was the spoon harnesses with Cranberry being the hot color. Only 2 fish were caught on other colors. I run mine with a three way rig. 6' to 7' leader from three way to spoon. Snap swivel on three way with a 1 oz. weight. Most fish were caught high on Saturday with only a 10' to 18' lead from weight to board.
Sunday 1/4 oz. purple hot-n-tot set 110 feet back in 20 fow took most of the fish and the 27" eye. Trolled at 2.0 to 2.5 on the gps.

Good luck to those who fish today.

Joe


Excellent report Joe.

My hot spoon colors the other day were also Cranberry and Chicken Wing. 11' back over 12 to 14 FOW, trolled about 1mph, 30" behind 1 1/2 ounce keels. I can't figure out if it's the size, shape or action of the spoons that pushes the walleye buttons on occassions when the harnesses aren't working, using virtually the same trolling program. My cousin Mike went on a spoon harness building jamboree, after my side outfished his finesse harnesses in the Labadie tourney using them. :lol:

[Joe R.]

Dan,

Any idea where a guy can find the Cranberry color in the bay area. The only place I have found them is Bass Pro in Auburn Hills. I stocked up, but a buddy of mine is searching and not willing to make the drive to the burbs. Never seen them in Franks before. BTW what is the general color scheme on the Chicken Wing spoon. I personally like anything with purple, and the gold and red colors (oil slick maybe the name).

Joe

[walleye express]

Dan,

Any idea where a guy can find the Cranberry color in the bay area. The only place I have found them is Bass Pro in Auburn Hills. I stocked up, but a buddy of mine is searching and not willing to make the drive to the burbs. Never seen them in Franks before. BTW what is the general color scheme on the Chicken Wing spoon. I personally like anything with purple, and the gold and red colors (oil slick maybe the name).

Joe


The spoons are Michigan Stingers Scorpions as you know. And Chicken Wing is actually a Perch colored spoon. But your right about the purples and darker colors catching a lot of fish on the Bay, rather tied into harnesses or ran as simple sliders as I sometimes do above and behind cranks. Franks sells another spoon the same size and weight, but I can't think of the brand name now. It's color name is Wolverine and it's also a killer. You might try contacting Stinger at michiganstinger@yahoo.com and seeing if you could order some of the colors you like best. Heres the color chart showing the Chicken Wing and another picture of a walleye we took on the other brand spoon (Franks Sells) called Wolverine.
http://www.walleye-express.com/albums/Miscellaneouos/Scorpion_Color_Chart_2.sized.jpg

http://www.walleye-express.com/albums/summer/6_12_04a.sized.jpg

[adam bomb]

the spoon in that pic is a blueberry muffin. great spoon for eyes.;)

[rendotwo]

How long is that harness behind the spoons ?

[Joe R.]

rendotwo,

I don't know how long Dan's are, but I would say mine are about 12" from the end of the bead chain to the last hook. I'm not a master sneller by any means so mine vary a little bit, but all are in that size range. I do know I'll be tying a few more of them up and using them on my next trip.
As a side note. Buddy of mine called me today at noon and they had a 4 man limit in three hours today on meat. Said color didn't matter. Couldn't keep 4 lines in the water all day according to him. Wish I could've been out there.

Joe

[walleye express]

the spoon in that pic is a blueberry muffin. great spoon for eyes.;)



Adam.

Actually, that is not Blueberry Muffin. The Muffin has no Chartreuse stripe. I posted the color chart with the B. Muffin on it below. But the spoon above is called Wolverine as I mentioned above, and is not a Michigan Stinger spoon. I wish I could remember who the spoon manufacturer is, but I know Franks has them on his wall.

As far as the length from the rear beaded chain swivel to the last hook on the harness, it's only about 5 inches maximum. As all I tie in is 2 hooks versus the regular 3 that harnesses usually have. Gives the spoon more freedom to work. I hook the crawler in the tip of the nose and behind the heart/callor. I like the tail Whippen around when the spoon is working. How many of you noticed that the walleye above was also caught on a 6" Gulp Crawler?

http://www.walleye-express.com/albums/Miscellaneouos/Scorpion_Color_Chart_3.sized.jpg

[adam bomb]

Adam.

Actually, that is not Blueberry Muffin. The Muffin has no Chartreuse stripe. I posted the color chart with the B. Muffin on it below. But the spoon above is called Wolverine as I mentioned above, and is not a Michigan Stinger spoon. I wish I could remember who the spoon manufacturer is, but I know Franks has them on his wall.

As far as the length from the rear beaded chain swivel to the last hook on the harness, it's only about 5 inches maximum. As all I tie in is 2 hooks versus the regular 3 that harnesses usually have. Gives the spoon more freedom to work. I hook the crawler in the tip of the nose and behind the heart/callor. I like the tail Whippen around when the spoon is working. How many of you noticed that the walleye above was also caught on a 6" Gulp Crawler?

http://www.walleye-express.com/albums/Miscellaneouos/Scorpion_Color_Chart_3.sized.jpg

actually yes dan, it is a blueberry muffin. its made by wolverine tackle, makers of the popular silver streak. the smaller mini and jr. streaks like you have in the pic have less spots on them. i have several of these spoons. stinger's blueberry muffin is different from silver streaks blue berry muffin as you now know.;) :D

http://www.catchmorefish.com/ss.html
http://www.catchmorefish.com/2004-jr.html
http://www.catchmorefish.com/lures/45.jpg

[walleye express]

actually yes dan, it is a blueberry muffin. its made by wolverine tackle, makers of the popular silver streak. the smaller mini and jr. streaks like you have in the pic have less spots on them. i have several of these spoons. stinger's blueberry muffin is different from silver streaks blue berry muffin as you now know.;) :D

http://www.catchmorefish.com/ss.html
http://www.catchmorefish.com/2004-jr.html
http://www.catchmorefish.com/lures/45.jpg


Yupper your right. The Big throw off is on the back of the package where it simply says Wolverine. With this color Streak being the only ones I ever bought, it was easy to make the mistake. Never really dawned on me that the company name is Wolverine and not Silver Streak Lures. And they are Jr.s that I use. Thanks for clearing that up. And for those of you who want any, Franks has them on their web sight.

[adam bomb]

Yupper your right. The Big throw off is on the back of the package where it simply says Wolverine. With this color Streak being the only ones I ever bought, it was easy to make the mistake. Never really dawned on me that the company name is Wolverine and not Silver Streak Lures. And they are Jr.s that I use. Thanks for clearing that up. And for those of you who want any, Franks has them on their web sight.

no problem dude! happy to clear things up.;)

good luck spoonin' on the big pond:D

[walleye express]

no problem dude! happy to clear things up.;)

good luck spoonin' on the big pond:D

That makes 3 times I've been wrong in my life. The first was Kathy and the second was Carol. Live long enough and you'll make some mistakes as well Adam. Then learn that the harder part in life is humbly admitting to them, while not gloating to much or hard over the times you were right. ;)

[limige]

hey, btw he was right! lol




i went out sunday from hoyles, went to the spark plug trolled various rigs, all fish got 5 keepers 2 throwbacks, all fish came on 1/4 oz perch tot's, most on a rigger 10' down. in 20-25fow. 60 back on the tot.

[adam bomb]

That makes 3 times I've been wrong in my life. The first was Kathy and the second was Carol. Live long enough and you'll make some mistakes as well Adam. Then learn that the harder part in life is humbly admitting to them, while not gloating to much or hard over the times you were right. ;)

oh i was just poking fun dan. i agree, a better man will admit when he's wrong. and i also agree gloating is never a wise idea. in my opinion it just makes you look like a jack***** and pi$$es people off. im only 24, but ive seen my share of em and they usually lack integrity. i never like a bragger, but a little bragging in fun will never hurt anybody. in our instance, it was definetly all in fun.;)

...im with you, i thought i made a mistake once but the mistake was thinking i made a mistake...LOL:lol: have a good one bud.

[bucknduck]

Yesterday I went to Cabelas and picked up a Stinger Scorpion in Chicken Wing and also a couple of Silver Streak Blueberry Muffins along with some hotntots. The question I have is do you use the Silver Streak Mini spoon for spoon harnesses or just the jr's? Cabelas doesnt carry the jr's and everyone I asked there said they didn't make jr's. :dizzy:
Called Franks today and they have SS jr spoons waiting for me when I get home Thursday.
Besides those 2 colors, what other colors would be recommended for the bay.
Dan- you mentioned that you use sliders on occasion, are those the same sliders that are used for downriggers?
I can't wait to hammer the bay with the new aresenal on Friday.

[walleye express]

B&D


All I've ever used to make the spoon harneses was the Jr's and/or the Michigan Stinger Scorpions. I experimented with all sizes to begin with, but found the smaller ones to be the best for both sliders, and/or using them by themselves. Be sure your building them right with Beaded chain swivels and O'rings at both ends of the spoon, or it will not flip and rotate right.

They seem to be the right size for making the spoon harnesses.
Besides those 2 colors, what other colors would be recommended for the bay.

I cannot vouch for to many of the Silver Streaks, as mentioned above B.Muffin was the only SS I ever bought and tied into Spoon Harnesses. As for the Stingers, many have at some point been hotter than others. Stick with the Blues, Greens and Purples for the most part and you won't go wrong. That Chicken Wing reminds me most of the Rosemarys Baby color that Franks had special made in the Rattle tot versions of cranks.

Dan- you mentioned that you use sliders on occasion, are those the same sliders that are used for downriggers?

The principle is the same, but the working dynamics different. When using downriggers, the bow in the line (created by the trolling force of the water) from the rod tip to the release clip on the downrigger wire, created a neutral point, where you slider would stop on the line. I use crankbaits instead of downrigger balls and releases to get the mainline down, so the angle is not straight down but more of a 45 degree angle. This means the slider will continue to slide down the line until you add something on the line to stop it. I add a large barrel swivel 30 inches above the cranbait that stop's the slider. The bare spoon or spoon harness then runs above and a little behind the crank below as it works. This allowed me to run both plastic and meat at the same time at speeds approaching 3 MPH. See examples below.

http://www.walleye-express.com/albums/Miscellaneouos/SliderRig.jpg


http://www.walleye-express.com/albums/summer/IM000620_001.sized.jpg

[limige]

wow, thanks for the tip!

[bucknduck]

Thank you for the info and illustration! I'm sure looking forward to making some harnesses up this weekend. Let me know when you get some free time away from running charters and we can go out on my boat and you can put your feet up and let someone else worry about finding the fish.:)

[Rev Doyle Israel]

Dan do you use boards or in line boards with this set up...............

REv..................

[walleye express]

Dan do you use boards or in line boards with this set up...............

REv..................



I've only ever used these 2 different ways. One straight off the back long lining and two, off both sets of my BIG boards. Using my Big Jon Otter Boats when I feel the need to burn them and switching to the Riviera's for that .8 to 1.8 speed. I know your all wonder how many tangles one must get running the barrel swivel stopper 30 inches above a floating crankbait, then tying a 30 inch leader for the slider on a spoon that sinks when not being pulled. Believe it or not they never seem to tangle, even when I'm clearing lines. I cannot vouch for what might happen if using Inline boards. I'm thinking if you ran the crank out first, attached the board, and then snapped on the slider, you might be O.K. if you free spooled the board out to the desired distance from the boat. The spoon would probably just hang until the force of the water moved it down the line to the stopper.

[adam bomb]

you can run em on inline boards no problem. turn your clicker on and loosen the drag so the line goes zit...zit....zit....while its going out start setting other lines. thats how i do it with crawlers or cranks. it keeps tension on your bait without freespooling.....****youll catch allot of fish letting it out like this too.;) it gives it a jerk stop action that fish seem to like.

[No Mas]

I purchased a few dozen of Dan's spoons two winter's ago and used them quite extensively. I have done pretty well on them using the slider presentation or behind a bb or snap weight. Very easy set up to run. Some of my best days last summer was using his spoon harnesses. Need a few more because I have had several break off's lately.

Tom

[walleye express]

I purchased a few dozen of Dan's spoons two winter's ago and used them quite extensively. I have done pretty well on them using the slider presentation or behind a bb or snap weight. Very easy set up to run. Some of my best days last summer was using his spoon harnesses. Need a few more because I have had several break off's lately.

Tom


Tom.

You better get heavier line for this summer then. I didn't make any up this spring for Franks. Instead I devoted my labors on the Wiggle Squid Rigs. I've already been told by Pete that next summer it has to be 50/50 or no deal.:fish2:

[Joe R.]

Like Adam I've used the sliders off of inline boards with no problem. When I rig up for sliders I run about a 3 ft. leader from barrel swivel to the crank bait. I also place a bead on the main line above the barrel swivel to protect the knot from any wear caused by the slider. For the slider I tied up some 5 ft. leaders with a snap swivel at both ends. One attaches to the spoon and the other is opened and placed on the line after the crank is let out. I never send the spoon and the crank out at the same time. It's worked for us with no tangles that I can recall. Running the sliders is a good way to search for fish as well.

Joe

[Skeeter]

What ever happened to WALLEYE in front of REv Doyle??? Just doesn't seem right. Nels

[tdawgcj7]

Where do you find the beaded swivel chane? I search all over bass pro with no success.

Justin

[walleye express]

Where do you find the beaded swivel chane? I search all over bass pro with no success.

Justin



Order the size #2's.

http://www.do-itmolds.com/products/accessories.php?UID=20060605195130207.200.116.199&category=components

[The Whale]

Beaded chain - janns netcraft (http://www.jannsnetcraft.com) also has them. Any size you need from 7/8" long on up. Had mine in two days from ordering. ;) :fish2:

[adam bomb]

franks in linwood also sells the bead chains. they have them back by the salmon equipment, right next to the dipseys and jet divers.;)