grand haven 5-14-05 pm

[just tryin to fish]

well took the boat out for a first run at salmon this year. well after the coast gaurd turned us back for expired flares we got fishing around 5:30pm. started in 90fow, first nock off came in 130fow on a dipsy set on 3 100 back on a double orange chrush a 12lb king, after landing that and just setting the dipsy back swung back through there and took a 5lb king on a meroge fly(sorry about the spelling) 40back 50down in 126fow. then the rain started to move in to we headed in and at 125fow the same dipsy went off again.4lb king not to bad 3/4 in total.

[dtg]

Nice catchin'. I can't wait to get out there. After this weekend my Turkey season will end and then it'll be time to focus on the big pond.

[Floyd D]

Good report, the first time I had my boat out of Grand Haven I got checked there really checking every boat, my flares are good till june.going out monday hope the lake calms down.

[dtg]

How big of a boat for requiring flares? I have a 16' Walleye type boat and haven't had to keep flares before. Is this some new regulation?

[Duckman1]

dtg,

" All vessels used on coastal waters, the Great Lakes, territorial seas, and those waters connected directely to them..... must be equipped with U.S.C.G. approved visual distress signals."

Your 16 foot boat falls into the requirements for pretty much all the safety and PFD requirements.
Keep in mind also, arial flares are not allowed on inland lakes and rivers hand helds only.
Every spring when the boat comes out it is good to check you fire extiquisher also. Tip upside down and shake to mix up the chemical in them.

[SalmonBum]

I fished a buddies boat Friday nite for about and hr and went 2 for 3. Nice kings in that 7-8 lb range. That nite I was Over-served at the Rosebud and Jason and I didn't get my boat out til 10 Am. Fished for an hr with 3 up to 11 lbs. That nite went out for 3 more hrs and took 4 more 7 to 13 lbs. Sunday We were the 1st boat out and went 10 for 16 with 3 fish in going 13, 15, and 17 lbs.
Fish can a hair south to a hair north in 90-120 FOW, with riggers running spoons set at 36-45 being top bites. Did end up with a few fish hitting the Spinnies on wire divers set 145 back on Sunday. the weather was sunny-cloudy-sunny-cloudy.... Switched baits accordingly to keep 'em going. This weekend should be HOT

[Krankem]

JTTF - I think I talked to you at the launch while you were waiting for your buddies to return with the flares (15' Sylvan). I was ready to demonstrate to the coast guard that my expired flares still work, but we snuck by w/o getting checked!

We had a good day in GH Saturday - two of us were 13/15 releasing a laker, and a bunch of smallish Kings (two that were only an couple inches longer than the magnum SS's they chomped). One of those days when the surface temp was cold enough that anything that came to the boat quick and w/o bleeding was released so that we could keep hunting for the bigger ones.

The six Kings we kept were 17.5, 15, 13, 12, 12, 11 lbs (digital on land). We caught fish all over the water column, but the larger fish came down deeper - 80 down on the rigger in 130 FOW, Full Core, and Dipseys on #2 / 190 back. Anything I put down that had a Chartreuse edge on it was hot Saturday (SS Green Dolphins, Metalic BB Muffin, Lemon Ice, etc). 11" F/C trailing a mini SS Green Dolphin took the 17.5 pounder. Got every rod to go except the wire.

Get 'em while its hot!
-Krankem

[just tryin to fish]

sounds like u had a good day krankem if all goes well, we'll be back out this week sometime. i'll keep the chartreuse in mind we have plenty but had none down. yea i can understad the flare thing $27 bucks for 3 flares a little on the pricy side if u ask me. but what u going to do.

[GrtWhtHntr]

I also have a 16' boat and had no clue I was supposed to have flares. Where can you buy them????

[SalmonBum]

Any boating supply (West Marine, Boat US, ETC....), places like Meijer and Wal-Mart, and some tackle shops will have them.

[GrtWhtHntr]

Thanks for the reply, will have to get some before I fish tomorrow. Just glad I found out on this site instead of getting stopped by the Coast Guard!!!

[Badboy69]

I just bought a set of 3 for the 12 ga. pistol at Boaters World, cost me $13 for 3 in a pkg, good until July 2008. Seen the hand heald ones at K-mart for $18 for 3.