Fishing Hooks Make the Difference
By Wisconsin fishing charter Capt. Jim Hirt
The last article closed with a promise of exploring the different types of hooks I use on Lake Michigan and the techniques I use to sharpen them. Let’s get to it. Should you have a question please e-mail me from my Website contact us page. Read all my articles and see video fish reports at http://www.jimhirt.com
Inexpensive answer
This is a somewhat controversial issue for most fishermen. Everyone has an opinion I can only state what works for me. One thing I believe all will agree on is a sharp hook will catch more fish. There are many types of sharpeners out there. I have tried most of them. A simple $4.00 file is the system I keep coming back to.
How to start
Start with a check of the point by trying to stick the tip into your thumbnail. A hook that slides off your nail needs some work. Do not shortcut this process 10 hits and 9 fish is a good day 10 hits and 2 fish you wasted your time coming out on the lake. File three sides of the point and test again.
Check new hooks
New lures do not always have sharp hooks! After you have boated a fish check the hook for sharpness and that it didn’t get bent out of shape. A word of caution if you loose the tip of the hook from repeated sharpening it’s time to replace it. This is the first step for any type of fishing and I guarantee it will improve your number of fish in the box.
Hook shopping
When you shop for hooks buy quality extra strong hooks. It should say 2x or 3x on the package. There are cheap hooks that bend easily and won’t hold a sharp point look for the best. A recent trend is to use red hooks this makes sense. Red will trigger most fish to bite. Badger Tackle includes VMC red hooks on all of their spoons. You may purchase them at http://www.badgertackle.com
Singles or trebles
Always replace hooks with the same size you removed or the action will change. This leads us to the big question single hooks verses trebles. My rule is this stay with the original manufactures recommendation, they do the testing and that’s good enough for me. Good luck. Jim charters out of Milwaukee, WI. with Blue Max Charters. He can be reached at 414-828-1094 or visit his web site at http://www.bluemaxcharters.com Copyright© 2012, James J. Hirt, All Rights Reserved.
Go Slow For Spring Brown Trout
By Wisconsin fishing charter Capt. Jim Hirt
Spring can be Brown Trout a plenty with the right presentation. Allow me to break it down and offer some suggestions for tons of Browns wherever you fish. Let’s discuss presentation, lures and location to jump start your spring. Should you have a question please e-mail me from my Website contact us page. Read all my articles and see video fish reports at http://www.jimhirt.com
Smaller Is Better
The last several articles we covered some options for spring presentation with a focus on temperature, planer boards, lines, terminal tackle and lure selection. Let’s continue with lure selection, colors, boat speed, and lure action for spring. The cold water slows down the metabolism of the fish; this in turn requires you to slow down your presentation. I select lures that are small and work well at slower than normal boat speeds.
Check The Temperature
Your adjustment to these variables is different depending on the preferred temperature of the target species. Brown trout like the warmest water of the five game fish in Lake Michigan. They are looking for above 60-degree water. When you find 60 plus water, fish them as you would in summer. Below 60 degrees the way you fish should be adjusted. Most Browns will be found in the top 20 feet of water where bright lures should be best.
Watch The Speed
I slow my boat speed to below 1.5 mph. The small lures become very effective and run well at this speed. Does your boat troll at 1.0 to 4.5 mph? If it doesn’t, you will find it difficult to produce all the types of fish in all types of conditions. Most boats have trouble trolling slowly. When I purchased my new boat, the Blue Max with two 454 engines, trolling slowly was a problem for me. I then added a drift sock to slow down my presentation. Without this tool you will not be successful every trip out.
Caution Too Slow May Be Bad
If you adjust the idle down too low on your motor, you will most likely have spark plug fouling or lubrication issues. Slow trolling is the way to go in spring or any time the water temperature is below the temp range of the fish you are after. In spring keep it slow, small and bright to increase your catch.
Hot spoons for spring
I keep talking about Vulcan spoons and more anglers are finding out that this spoon will out produce most spoons in their tackle box. Reasonably priced and nearly indestructible they just keep on producing. The regular size is a good bet for spring. Vulcan spoons are sold by http://www.badgertackle.com
Next Up
Note don’t forget to sharpen those hooks. In the next article I will go into hook types, sharpening techniques and the pros and cons of trebles vs. singles. Jim charters out of Milwaukee, WI. with Blue Max Charters. He can be reached at 414-828-1094 or web site at http://www.bluemaxcharters.com Copyright© 2012 James J. Hirt, All Rights Reserved.
Milwaukee Fishing Lake Michigan Salmon Report 9/27/11
By Milwaukee Wisconsin fishing charter Capt. Jim Hirt
East Gales May…. Change The Action !
Cold water and unsettled weather has turned on the fish. As of two days ago action was fantastic but this may all change on east gales. Eight to Twelve foot waves yesterday shut down any opportunity to get out and time will tell how the lake will respond after the blow. My guess is the fish won’t be affected significantly and will stay in the 55 to 100 feet of water. The big 20 pound Chinooks have been slow and may be done for this season. To get my fish reports and how to videos first go to http://www.jimhirt.com By subscribing you will keep ahead of the other anglers. When I post you will get it fast!
How!
Try trolling the harbor with magnum glow spoons at first light. Magnum Reapers in silver or glow on 75 foot leads are my go to bait for shallow water trolling. Shore anglers, I recommend regular size Badger Tackle Vulcan spoons in the glow colors for the cloudy water of the harbor when working the browns. My top producer trolling the last trip out for all species was the Reaper and Vulcan magnum spoon on six and eight color leadcore. Down riggers 30 to 50 down with spoons also worked. Looking for Reapers and Vulcans made by http://www.badgertackle.com you may only order them online. Try them their shipping is cheap and they arrive fast. My lead cores and coppers all run behind a Church Walleye Board. When fishing deep braid divers no ring set to #3 with 65 feet line out are working. I use the Depth Raider to measure speed at the ball. The boat speed of 2.0 to 2.2 has been best.
Where!
The harbor is packed with 2-3 pound Brown Trout and you may find this an option for shore fishing. Boat anglers fish northeast out of Milwaukee north of the Filtration Plant 70 to 90 feet of water. Head out the Main gap Milwaukee 65 degrees for the best deep action. Have a great fishing season. Let’s go fishing! Jim charters out of Milwaukee, WI. with Blue Max Charters. He can be reached at 414-828-1094 or visit his web site at http://www.bluemaxcharters.com Copyright© 2011, James J. Hirt, All Rights Reserved.
Milwaukee Fishing Lake Michigan Salmon Report 9/22/11
By Milwaukee Wisconsin fishing charter Capt. Jim Hirt
West Is Best And The Fish Are In !
Warm water is out and cold water is in and the fish have followed. Feeding fish have moved to 70 feet and down 50 to the bottom. The big 20 pound Chinooks have been slow but this drop in temperature should cool the harbor and promote action in the inner harbor. Thomas Jones battled this trophy Chinook of 23 pounds 2 ounces! Glow spoons inside the break wall have been good at first light. Magnum Reapers in silver or glow on 75 foot leads my go to bait for shallow water. To get my fish reports and how to videos first go to http://www.jimhirt.com By subscribing you will keep ahead of the other anglers. When I post you will get it fast!
How
My top producer the past two days for all species is Reaper and Vulcan magnum spoons on ten color leadcore rods also down riggers 55 to 70 down with spoons. Big Chinooks in close to shore are hitting Reaper Magnum Fish Fry Glow spoons 100 feet behind the ball off downriggers 20 feet down and #3 glow J-Plugs. Looking for Reapers and Vulcans made by http://www.badgertackle.com you may only order them online. Try them their shipping is cheap and they arrive fast. My lead cores and coppers all run behind a Church Walleye Board. When fishing in close braid divers no ring set to #4 with 40 feet line out are working. I use the Depth Raider to measure speed at the ball. The boat speed of 2.0 to 2.2 has been best.
Where!
Fish northeast out of Milwaukee north of the Filtration Plant 70 to 90 feet of water. Head out the Main gap Milwaukee 60 degrees for the best deep action. In close fish the harbor and harbor gaps at first light Have a great fishing season. Let’s go fishing! Jim charters out of Milwaukee, WI. with Blue Max Charters. He can be reached at 414-828-1094 or visit his web site at http://www.bluemaxcharters.com Copyright© 2011, James J. Hirt, All Rights Reserved.
Milwaukee Fishing Lake Michigan Salmon Report 9/13/11
By Milwaukee Wisconsin fishing charter Capt. Jim Hirt
Seven Days Of Northeast Wind Again!
Warm water on northeast wind has again driven the feeding fish out to 165 feet and down 80 to 150 down. The fish are there for anglers willing to travel out seven miles to get them. The big 20 pound Chinooks are coming in with some action from 55 feet to the inner harbor. Glow spoons inside the break wall have been good at first light. Derek Gresenz landed his trophy Chinook of 21 pounds 3 ounces! Magnum Reapers in silver or glow on 100 foot leads my go to bait for shallow water. To get my fish reports and how to videos first go to http://www.jimhirt.com By subscribing you will keep ahead of the other anglers. When I post you will get it fast!
How
My top producer out deep for all species is Reaper and Vulcan magnum spoons on 300 and 225 copper rods also down riggers 80 to 150 down with spoons. Big Chinooks in close to shore are hitting Reaper Magnum Fish Fry Glow spoons 100 feet behind the ball off downriggers 20 feet down. Looking for Reapers and Vulcans made by http://www.badgertackle.com you may only order them online. Try them their shipping is cheap and they arrive fast. My lead cores and coppers all run behind a Church Walleye Board. When fishing in close braid divers no ring set to #4 with 40 feet line out are working. I use the Depth Raider to measure speed at the ball. The boat speed of 2.0 to 2.2 has been best.
Where!
Fish east out of Milwaukee north of the Filtration Plant 125 to 170 feet of water. Head out the Main gap Milwaukee 65 degrees for the best deep action. In close fish the harbor and harbor gaps at first light and move out to 40 to 55 feet when they turn up the lights. Have a great fishing season. Let’s go fishing! Jim charters out of Milwaukee, WI. with Blue Max Charters. He can be reached at 414-828-1094 or visit his web site at http://www.bluemaxcharters.com Copyright© 2011, James J. Hirt, All Rights Reserved.
Milwaukee Fishing Lake Michigan Salmon Report 8/29/11
By Milwaukee Wisconsin fishing charter Capt. Jim Hirt
In and out for fish Milwaukee.
Warm water on northeast wind has again driven the feeding fish out to 125 feet and down 80 to 100 down. Eight to twelve pound Chinooks are plentiful with an occasional Lake Trout and Rainbow. The big 20 pound Chinooks are coming in with some action from 55 feet to the inner harbor. Glow spoons inside the break wall have been good at first light. Magnum Reapers in silver on 100 foot leads my go to bait for 50 foot of water. To get my fish reports and how to videos first go to http://www.jimhirt.com By subscribing you will keep ahead of the other anglers. When I post you will get it fast!
How
My top producer for Rainbows have been Reaper and Vulcan magnum spoons on 6 and 8 color leadcores. Chinooks best on 300 and 225 copper rods also down riggers 80 to 100 down with spoons. Big Chinooks in close to shore are hitting Reaper Magnum Fish Fry Glow spoons 100 feet behind the ball off downriggers 20 feet down. Looking for Reapers and Vulcans made by http://www.badgertackle.com you may only order them online. Try them their shipping is cheap and they arrive fast. My lead cores and coppers all run behind a Church Walleye Board. When fishing in close wire divers have replaced the braid divers set to #2 with 100-120 feet if line out. A little faster speed about 2.2 is required for Rainbows. I use the Depth Raider to measure speed at the ball. The boat speed of 2.0 to 2.2 has been best.
Where!
Fish east of Milwaukee off the Filtration Plant 125 to 170 feet of water. Head out the Main gap Milwaukee 75 degrees for the best deep action. In close fish the harbor and harbor gaps at first light and move out to 40 to 55 feet when they turn up the lights. Have a great fishing season. Let’s go fishing! Jim charters out of Milwaukee, WI. with Blue Max Charters. He can be reached at 414-828-1094 or visit his web site at http://www.bluemaxcharters.com Copyright© 2011, James J. Hirt, All Rights Reserved.
Milwaukee Fishing Lake Michigan Salmon Report 8/18/11
By Milwaukee Wisconsin fishing charter Capt. Jim Hirt
Go Deep! Deep! Deeper! In Milwaukee.
Warm water has driven the fish way out or way down. We’re seeing great Rainbow Trout action with fish to 12 pounds and 18 pound kings and a few Lake Trout. Leadcores and divers best with action on downriggers as well. Magnum spoons are a good for Rainbows. Surface water has warmed to 76 degrees and most of the action on Rainbows is 40 to 66 feet down. To get my fish reports and how to videos first go to http://www.jimhirt.com By subscribing you will keep ahead of the other anglers. When I post you will get it fast!
How
My top producers have been Reaper and Vulcan magnum spoons on 10 color leadcores and 225 copper rods. Throw in a flasher fly on the downrigger and keep moving till you find action. Big Chinooks are hitting Reaper Magnum Fish Fry Glow spoons and flashers from 100 to 155 down off downriggers fifteen feet behind the ball. Looking for Reapers and Vulcans made by http://www.badgertackle.com you may only order them online. Try them their shipping is cheap and they arrive fast. Ten color lead behind a Church Walleye Board is one of our best presentations. Wire divers have replaced the braid divers set to #2 with 100-120 feet if line out. Silver spoons have taken Rainbows to twelve pounds the last several days. A little faster speed about 2.2 is required for Rainbows. I use the Depth Raider to measure speed at the ball. The boat speed of 2.0 to 2.2 has been best. Don’t forget the Lake Trout near the bottom magnum Reaper glow spoons SLOW, SLOW, SLOW 1.5 or less will net Poor Mans Lobster.
Where!
Fish east of Milwaukee 100 to 170 feet of water. Head out the Main gap Milwaukee straight out for the best action. Have a great fishing season. Let’s go fishing! Jim charters out of Milwaukee, WI. with Blue Max Charters. He can be reached at 414-828-1094 or visit his web site at http://www.bluemaxcharters.com Copyright© 2011, James J. Hirt, All Rights Reserved.
Milwaukee Fishing Lake Michigan Salmon Report 8/8/11
By Milwaukee Wisconsin fishing charter Capt. Jim Hirt
Milwaukee enjoys good fishing after east wind !
Our numbers have been great the last four days. All species have been active with warm water on top the fish have pushed down. Leadcores and divers best with action on downriggers as well. Magnum spoons are a good bet for the big fish. Surface water has warmed to 76 degrees and most of the action is 40 to 66 feet down. To get my fish reports and how to videos first go to http://www.jimhirt.com By subscribing you will keep ahead of the other anglers. When I post you will get it fast!
How
My top producer has been Reaper and Vulcan magnum spoons on 6, 8 and 10 color leadcores. Throw in a flasher fly on the downrigger and keep moving till you find action. Coho will hit all size spoons from 30 to 55 down off downriggers fifty to one hundred feet behind the ball. Tons of Rainbows hitting at the same depth or a little higher. Looking for Reapers and Vulcans made by http://www.badgertackle.com you may only order them online. Try them their shipping is cheap and they arrive fast. Ten color lead behind a Church Walleye Board is one of our best presentations. Wire divers have replaced the braid divers set to #2 with 100-160 feet if line out. Silver spoons have taken Rainbows to twelve pounds the last several days. A little faster speed about 2.5 is required for Rainbows. I use the Depth Raider to measure speed at the ball. The boat speed of 2.0 to 2.2 has been best. Don’t forget the Lake Trout near the bottom magnum Reaper glow spoons SLOW, SLOW, SLOW 1.5 or less will net Poor Mans Lobster. Currents are crazy out there if your not catching fish change directions and speed.
Where!
Fish east of Milwaukee 100 to 170 feet of water. Head out the Main gap Milwaukee north or south the best action. Have a great fishing season. Let’s go fishing! Jim charters out of Milwaukee, WI. with Blue Max Charters. He can be reached at 414-828-1094 or visit his web site at http://www.bluemaxcharters.com Copyright© 2011, James J. Hirt, All Rights Reserved.
Milwaukee Fishing Lake Michigan Salmon Report 7/29/11
By Milwaukee Wisconsin fishing charter Capt. Jim Hirt
Specialize your tackle for fishing in Milwaukee!
Grand slam is a normal catch with all species available. You must fish top to bottom to put numbers in the box. Most normal years pounding the big Chinooks was the way to go but to this point fishing has been far from normal. Coho action has slowed but hard work on the water will produce. Everyone likes big fish and Clayton Robinson after a long battle boated this 19 pound 2 ounce Chinook. Magnum spoons are a good bet for the big fish. Surface water has warmed to 68 degrees and most of the action is 15 to the bottom. To get my fish reports and how to videos first go to http://www.jimhirt.com By subscribing you will keep ahead of the other anglers. When I post you will get it fast!
How
Top to bottom presentation is answer with fish scattered and a lot of good water available. I run a mix of all size spoons on boards, divers and downriggers. Throw in a flasher fly and keep moving till you find action. On the high board lines regular Vulcan spoons in silver, silver blue and silver green is the best for Brown Trout. Coho will hit all size spoons from 30 to 55 down off downriggers fifty to one hundred feet behind the ball. Some Rainbows hitting at the same depth or a little higher. When you can find them the Reaper Magnum Big Joe on a SWR has been the best for Chinooks. Looking for Reapers and Vulcans made by http://www.badgertackle.com you may only order them online. Try them their shipping is cheap and they arrive fast. It hasn’t been a easy bite but changing presentations and depths will offer rewards. 225 copper behind a Church Walleye Board is one of our best presentations. Three, six, eight and ten color leadcores are also working. Wire divers have replaced the braid divers set to #2 with 120-150 feet if line out. Silver spoons have taken Rainbows to twelve pounds the last several days. A little faster speed about 2.5 is required for Rainbows. I use the Depth Raider to measure speed at the ball. The boat speed of 1.9 to 2.2 has been best. Don’t forget the Lake Trout near the bottom magnum Reaper glow spoons SLOW, SLOW, SLOW 1.5 or less will net Poor Mans Lobster. Currents are crazy out there if your not catching fish change directions and speed.
Where!
Fish east of Milwaukee 65 to 120 feet of water. Head out the Main gap Milwaukee north or south there is no hot spot for the best action. Have a great fishing season. Let’s go fishing! Jim charters out of Milwaukee, WI. with Blue Max Charters. He can be reached at 414-828-1094 or visit his web site at http://www.bluemaxcharters.com Copyright© 2011, James J. Hirt, All Rights Reserved.
Milwaukee Fishing Lake Michigan Salmon Report 7/18/11
By Milwaukee Wisconsin fishing charter Capt. Jim Hirt
Consistent and productive fishing in Milwaukee!
Coho are the majority of the catch with some Chinook salmon to 19 pounds like this 16 pound 12 ounce King caught by Bill Smith. Bill caught his trophy on a Reaper Magnum Peacock spoon. Surface water has warmed to 65 degrees and most of the action is 45 to 65 down in the 48 degree water. Magnum spoons are working on the leadcores. To get my fish reports and how to videos first go to http://www.jimhirt.com By subscribing you will keep ahead of the other anglers. When I post you will get it fast!
How
With the warmer water the most aggressive Coho and Chinooks are coming on magnum spoons. Reapers and Vulcans made by http://www.badgertackle.com have been working for us. The Magnum Reaper Fish n Chip is the hot bait for the bright blue sky condition we have had the last five days. I have been running this spoon on all twelve of my lines and getting action all day long. 150 copper behind a Church Walleye Board is one of our best presentations. Six, eight and ten color leadcores are also working. Coho are from 25 feet to 50 down on downriggers as well. Chinooks are in pockets of colder 46-48 degree water. Wire divers have replaced the braid divers set to #2 with 60 to 120 feet if line out. The surface is almost sixty degrees and it is time to work the Rainbow Trout in the top twenty feet. Two and Three color leadcore with the Regular Vulcan Dolphin Green and Silver has taken Rainbows to twelve pounds the last several days. A little faster speed about 2.5 is required for Rainbows. I use the Depth Raider to measure speed at the ball. The boat speed of 1.9 to 2.2 has been best.
Where!
Fish east of Milwaukee 45 to 130 feet of water. Head out the Main gap Milwaukee 65 degrees. Fish northeast in White Fish Bay for the best action. Have a great fishing season. Let’s go fishing! Jim charters out of Milwaukee, WI. with Blue Max Charters. He can be reached at 414-828-1094 or visit his web site at http://www.bluemaxcharters.com Copyright© 2011, James J. Hirt, All Rights Reserved.
Article | captjim | 
February 13, 2012 4:57 pm | 
Comments Off on Fishing Hooks Make the Difference 
Subscribe
