What is your target species?

 

It would be nice to hit some salmon or trout species. Normally I’m after smallies in the rocks, but when casting I’m after salmon, steelies and browns. Frankly, I’ll take anything that pulls hard considering I’m a catch and release guy.

 

Steelhead an browns are good right now but you will need skein. Ive tried pre-tied, store bought bags nearly every time i go with zero results. When casting, you just need to keep casting. GH and Holland are both deep water channels so vary your depth of retrieve. Most guys reel too fast. If fishing cold water, get some 3/4 and 1 oz blade baits. They attract just about everything and from distance. Good luck and keep us posted!!

 

How about Port Sheldon?

I’ll go out and give it a whirl tonight. What lb test do you recommend?

 

PS north Pier isnt open until next month.

 

I havent been to P Sheldon.

I have 8# Gliss, barrel and 12# floro leader for casting spoons.

 

Is Port Sheldon any good once it opens? I see tons of boats launching there

 

How much labor goes into bait fishing? You cast your rig out, and let it sit for a while. You can check it periodically to make sure your bait looks good, or clear weeds/grass from your line. Casting over, and over, and over for hours is a LOT of work.

When I fish piers for Steelhead, Browns, and often Salmon, most people are fishing with bait. The only exception is when Kings are staging off rivermouths, and then the majority of people are tossing some sort of lure; but there are plenty of people who still use bait for them.

It is worth noting that everyone is allowed up to 3 rods/person. I know plenty of people who use bait on 2 rods, and throw lures with the 3rd. Be aware that, if you are using a rod to try to catch Alewives (snagging, or with Sabiki rigs), that counts as a rod toward the 3 allowed. Tickets get written for people fishing 3 rods with bait, and using a 4th rod to wrangle more bait.

 

How much labor goes into bait fishing? You cast your rig out, and let it sit for a while. You can check it periodically to make sure your bait looks good, or clear weeds/grass from your line. Casting over, and over, and over for hours is a LOT of work.

I should have noted that I also have zero luck catching alewives so I’m spending half the time catching them before I go after the real fish. Or what do you do if they’re not in? IDK...I’m used to pike fishing so the work is hauling a bucket of minnows all the way out to a spot.

Maybe i’ll bring an extra rod and rig it up when the sabiki works!

 

He was referring to the walkway to get out to the pier I think, and I think he was right on that.

Went out to Grand Haven pier today and went 1/3 on browns. I’m so very happy to have FINALLY landed one! Was about 2 ft long and maybe 8 lbs. hell yeah!

 

Didn't realize had a gated walkway,my mistake,sorry. Congrats on the NICE brown!! 8 lbs. at 2 foot, musta been a real footballer. What did he bite on? Sometimes I'll fish the Muskegon pier, usually will use fresh spawn when available. It's that time of year.

 

F6A4504B-D380-4DD2-9379-ED1820525515

• Lemonader83
• Mar 11, 2018
• 2

Took on a blue and chrome cleo. The second two, one smaller, one about the same size took on a daredevil, brown trout coloring. There were many more bites, but those were the few that i could see the fish. Most of the action was between 9a-11a this morning

If you look close enough you can see the spawn shooting out lol. Maybe not 8 lbs, i have no idea, thats about what it felt like i gues

 

F6A4504B-D380-4DD2-9379-ED1820525515

• Lemonader83
• Mar 11, 2018
• 2

Took on a blue and chrome cleo. The second two, one smaller, one about the same size took on a daredevil, brown trout coloring. There were many more bites, but those were the few that i could see the fish. Most of the action was between 9a-11a this morning

If you look close enough you can see the spawn shooting out lol

Casting cleo's ,sweet! Great pic and thanks for info.

 

Beautiful fish. My advice is be there when the fish are there, and for browns, it's just starting.

 

Thanks guys. Keep ya posted on any more as I keep working the piers. Newborn at home so i’ll be lucky to hit it once a week....

 

Anyone else hate casting? I cant stand it. I do miss a good solid hit casting, when they hammer it, it can scare the crap outta ya when you're day dreaming. But do I enjoy bottom lining and bobber fishing so much better. Way more relaxing. I'm out there to chill, not do all this work for it crap. lol.

Now this is the life.

 

That looks boring AF, nothing like casting and feeling the strike in your hand. I’ll cast for hours without taking a break. Grabbing a already bent over rod reminds me of trolling, boring!


Sent from my iPhone using Michigan Sportsman

 

Different strokes for different folks.

 

Anyone else hate casting? I cant stand it. I do miss a good solid hit casting, when they hammer it, it can scare the crap outta ya when you're day dreaming. But do I enjoy bottom lining and bobber fishing so much better. Way more relaxing. I'm out there to chill, not do all this work for it crap. lol.

Now this is the life.

.....Now this is something id like to get into i fish with a disabled vet with limited mobility who wants to get into some nice lake fish but cant wade anymore. those rod holders look pretty nice.

 

I got the idea from SalmonSlayer, garden fence posts, pvc and some duct tape. works great. Should be able to find them at any home depot or menards for a couple bucks a piece.

 

...or if you are like me and cant screw a nut and bolt together, I just saw these at Cabelas today. Cant remember but they were cheap.

 

I made my own with hose clamps, some pvc and some 3/8" or 1/2" diameter rebar........gonna try them out this weekend somewhere ......have a trip planned on the Big Manistee Monday 3/19 so hope to be anywhere from GH to Manistee..... also took an old cooler on wheels and screwed some pvc to it to create a type of pier cart to drag all that stuff out there......as a "pencil pusher" like my buddies call me, they were impressed with my work so far lol

 

My beach rod holders are 3/4' conduit pounded into a flat at the bottom with 2' pvc duct taped to the top. Not the prettiest in the world, but cheap, lightweight and going strong after 25 years. Now if I could just figure out how to time my vacation days with the fish.