Nightime 'Eyes

[ESOX]

Went down to Harley Ensign for about an hour last night, caught four 'Eyes between 17 & 24" fishing from shore with a floating J-11 Rapala silver/blk. Fish were under the lights at the west end of the boat ramps. Fall patterns are definitely starting up!:)

[NEMichsportsman]

Not too bad for an hours worth!!! Thanks for the report. Were there a lot of people fishing there? One of the things that keeps me from shore/pier/dock fishing is the lack of elbow room.

jp

[ESOX]

I saw one other guy out on the end of the point, and that was it. It never seems to get that crowded out there at night. In mid-October there will be more people on the end of the point, but I've never seen more than 7-8 people out there at the most, plenty of room for everyone. (Besides, under the lights in the river is way more productive).

[WALLEYE MIKE]

Esox, I take for granted you were fishing the river on the north side and not the lake on the south side.(I don't know where the lights are located)

Where is this place your talking about? (Harley Ensign) Shounds like a good place to do some fish-in.

[WALLEYE MIKE]

Jeff, it's the launch at south river road.

[ESOX]

Mike, yes, I was in the river, the lights are the ones that illuminate the launches. I was suprised to catch anything in the river, after all the rain, it was coffee colored. I was out there again last night, I could see bait getting hammered just out of casting range, only managed a hammer handle Northern.

[jimbos43]

Throwing my junk in the truck, heading out there tonight.

[ESOX]

See you there Jimbos, I'll be there around 9:00, driving a Blue/Silver Chevy pickup.

[WALLEYE MIKE]

Esox, shoulda had the boat with you. Let us know how you did tonite.

[jimbos43]

Well, we didn't get squat.
Esox caught 1 verifiable bass:p and a couple of others, but it was nice to get out and I had a great time. Water coming down the Clinton is like mud.

[ESOX]

It was nice meeting you, Jim. This is just the start of fall night time action, usually the prime time is mid October- mid November. A little more water clarity certainy won't hurt either. JPollman and I had a nice 'Eye cruising around in front of us, threw everything but C-4 at it with no luck. When I got there, there were three guys out on the southwest end of the point, I inquired if they were having any luck, but they weren't talking.

[walleyechaser]

ESSOX,
When you see cruising eyes near the lights try downsizing to a
small, floating, jointed rebel or rapala (3" size) with blue back/silver sides. I've
run into this situation before and it seems to work there. Work
the lure on top and just below the surface with short twitches and you should trigger them to strike.
Good Fishing.

[FischInMich]

I've also had luck in the past with Rapala Husky Jerks (4" size), in the suspending model. Blue/Chrome with an orange belly seems to be my ticket.

Never fished the Ensign at night though. Normal fall spot for me is the fishing pier behind the USCG station. For those who aren't familiar, it is a SCS access area. However, when boating and park traffic are slowing down (fall), the guards usually wont bother anybody and are often not even there.

Generally a good pike spot in the early fall. However by late October into November you can smash the eyes off the seawall at night. Been that way for the last 20 years. Trick is, getting in there as I said, but if you have the boat out and about.....that makes it all the easier! :cool:

GOOD LUCK.

Where did it get that name? I've never heard the launch refered to as Ensign before.

[FischInMich]

It has been called that for as long as I can remember Jeff. Then again I;m not that old....lol

Harley Ensign Memorial.....operated by the DNR of course.

[jimbos43]

Where's the USCG station at ? and what's a SCS access area?

[FischInMich]

Jimbos,

Just south of 10 mile road there is a large sign next to Miller Marina that says "Blossom Heath Inn". The driveway leads to a SCS park that is behind the hall. There is a boat launch right at the gate, and if you drive back in there you will see the USCG and the fishing area. From the lake, look just north of Jefferson Beach/Miller Marina and you will see a rocky point. If you see that you are there. The USCG station is the building with the red roof on it. Looks like a Pizza Hut.

Hope I don't steer you wrong.....not great at directions...lol