Ultimate Salmon Boat Part #1
By Lake Michigan Fishing Charter Capt. Jim Hirt
Most major cities have boat shows starting in January and running all the way through March. I have had boats in all sizes shapes and colors. My biggest dilemma at the shows is trying to decide what will work best for my type of fishing and is within my budget. I am not sure how to address budget in this article but I will say a mllti purpose boat for fishing skiing cruising is an easier sell to the family. Of course they’re some of you who do not have to deal with that issue. You will find however a multi purpose boat will get more use. For the hardcore fisherman you will still be in a quandary over a boat that will work for all the types of fish I fish for and what will fill the bill for the waters I fish. I have two boats and would not have it any other way. My small boat is a 14-foot aluminum with a 10 horse. I only have a couple thousand into it. There is plenty of room for two people with gear. I have a fish locator lights and an anchor that’s it. I keep it small here for several reasons. The most important is portability. On some the lakes I fish in northern Wisconsin you will never get a bigger boat in the water. This boat is light enough to lift off the trailer and carry to the water. At times we will carry it through the woods to gain access to waters very seldom fished. I love this boat but it will never work on big water like the Great Lakes. Read all my articles and fish reports at http://www.jimhirt.com
Salmon slamming boat
On the big pond you need some freeboard, room for equipment and protection from the elements. How big is big enough? This depends on the size of your crew. Two guys with a little knowledge of the water will do just fine in a well equipped deep 18 footer with a 90 horse motor. This boat does present some good and bad trade offs. The good news is an 18 is perfect for Walleyes on rivers and big lakes. On the other hand you need to watch your weather before and during a trip on the Great Lakes. Wind direction, wave heights. Safety is always an issue and the big waters of most salmon fishing lakes must be respected.
Basic equipment
There are dozens of ways to go and your budget will be the guide to how complete you boat will be. Essentials for safety should be your first concern and are required by law. I won’t go into them as they have different laws every where you go boating.
Let’s go into fishing needs
To start let’s cover a very limited budget for one person fishing out of a small boat. In the state of Wisconsin on Lake Michigan we are allowed three rods per person. You could buy three rods although I believe when fishing alone or even with one other person more tackle means more expense and not necessarily more enjoyment or fish on.
Rods
In recent years the buzzword on the water is stealth. A clean presentation offered a good distance from the boat will take more and bigger fish. Too much tackle will often turn the fish off. Purchase two 8-foot medium action trolling rods. They will give you all the versatility and power you need. There are good quality fiberglass rods starting a $30 each.
I will continue this article with the next post. This package will offer the opportunity to catch reel screaming Chinooks, dancing Rainbows, huge Brown Trout, tasty Coho and rod bending Lakers. Have a great fishing season. Captain Jim. 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.
In the last article, we started with the importance of location, tackle, temperature and good record keeping. I also covered some of my key ways to find fish in early spring on Lake Michigan and the hot set ups to keep the rods dancing.
Let us now go into more detail on location of temperature breaks and how to work them. The first and perhaps most important is how to find these sometimes subtle temperature changes. Your primary tool, and one you cannot do with out, is a surface temp gauge. I use the one built into my fish locator. It also has a graph to show the temp history over the last hour. This may not be necessary but it can help when mapping temp over a given area. The big pond is very cold in May also some years even into June. Your ability to monitor temp and stay in as close to the target species preferred temp will make or break your day on the lake. Let us assume most of the lake is in the forty-degree range and your target species is Coho, browns or Chinooks. All of these fish are looking for two things, temperature as close to their preferred range and food. I will go into food and or forage in another article for now let’s focus on temperature.
Out of Milwaukee we are fortunate to have several rivers flowing into a large harbor. The rivers warm earlier than the lake and the mouth of a river is a place to start with a temp check. In addition, you should be checking each of the three gaps in the break wall that creates the harbor. A south wind will push the warm water out the north gap. This will turn the fish on in this area while the south gap is too cold for productive fishing. The way I start any day is to work the warmest water or water nearest to preferred temp I can find. After working this water, I move to cooler water. Sharp temp breaks are usually better at holding fish then gradual changes. Always consider the wind direction, not only when you are fishing but what it has been doing over the last several days. A light east wind on our western shore moves warmer surface water on shore and contributes to a rise in temp and a good bite close to the shoreline. All harbors with rivers have some current flow and the wind determines the direction that warmer water will flow when leaving the harbor. Fish that warmer water and into the cooler lake water keeping an eye on your temp gauge. When you get action note your location by land sightings and temp. Stay with that temperature to find active fish. If you have worked the harbor and gaps with no or slow action, look for temp breaks on the lake created by shifts in wind direction.
Another option is to check tight along the shoreline in protected bays. At times I will run my lures in the shallow warmer water on side planners keeping the boat out in the deeper cooler water. Also check out any warm water discharged from power plants. We have this opportunity south of Milwaukee by twelve miles at Oak Creek. I will go into details of spring lure selection and presentation in the next article 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© 2011, James J. Hirt, All Rights Reserved.
Where do I go?
Milwaukee fishing is as easy as it gets. We truly have a world-class fishery. There are three launch ramps for trailerable boats within minutes of dozens of hotels. McKinley Marina 1750 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive, South Shore Marina 2900 S. Shore Dr. and Riverfront Launch 650 S. Water. McKinley Marina 414-273-5224 can arrange transient slips for those who would like to do an overnight. For general information on ramps and fees call 414-257-6100. Shopping abounds for the ladies who prefer not to fish. Excellent dining, in all price ranges, will make your family outing complete. The Milwaukee Visitor Bureau 800-554-1448 is a great source of information. Wisconsin has a generous daily bag limit on Lake Michigan. You may keep five total of salmon or trout over ten inches. Possession limit is two daily limits. You may use three rods per person.
How do I catch fish?
I would like to share with you some of my keys to finding fish and the hottest set ups for very early presentation. I start my season in early April and the most important factor at this time is temperature. I recommend launching at McKinley. When you come out of the marina, stay inside the break wall. This area is well protected and is always fishable. Proceed south about one mile to the mouth of the river. The best early action will be where the warm river water meets the colder water. The mouth of the river and harbor breakwall gaps is where you want to fish. The most active species will be salmon and Brown Trout in the 5 to 12 pound class with many limit catches.
Presentation?
Motor trolling is the method I use for most of my fishing, and I will explain one of my basic spring setups. I fish all my lines on planner boards with twenty-pound test line. Use a six foot leader 3/8-ounce keel sinker twenty feet behind the board. I recommend a boat speed of 2.0 M.P.H. Run small crank baits, medium size jointed minnow type lures and some spoons. The color of the lure is dictated by the amount of light and water color. On most days in clear water I use white and black or silver lures. Hotter colors work best in cloudy water. You can’t go wrong with chartreuse in both conditions. The new Badger Tackle Vulcan glow in the dark lures sold at http://www.badgertackle.com are an excellent option. Good luck Captain Jim. 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.
Keys For More Action
The start of the 2011 Lake Michigan Season will be here before you know it and now is the time to think about early location and tackle. In this article, I would like to share with you some of my keys to finding fish and the hottest set ups for very early presentation. I have been a charter captain for over twenty years and these techniques have produced year after year. I am confident that you will achieve success applying these classic tips.
Tools You Will Need
I start my season in early April and the most important factor at this time is temperature. I recommend a must item for you is a temp gauge for the surface and a notebook. Your gauge can be a simple hand held thermometer or a unit built into your fish locator. The notebook is all about what’s working and what’s not. I find if I can avoid duplicating non-productive techniques, I will improve my catches and enjoyment. Keeping record of your bad and good days is key to moving to the top of the list as an above average in your sport. I write down the date, time of day, conditions, cloudy, clear, calm, rough, port or lake G.P.S. numbers if you have them. Record this on every fish or at least at the end of the day. On a hot bite, I usually get caught up on my notes as soon as I can to avoid lost detail.
Temperature Temperature Temperature
Spring action can be hot. Think about it, the temperature of the water is in the 40 degree range, and with a few exceptions, the fish we will find the most active are on the top five to ten feet.
Resources
Well lets get started. It’s always a good idea to check local phone hot lines for up to date information on what’s biting. I also check at local tackle stores and Internet reports. You may also call me at 414-828-1094 and check http://www.jimhirt.com for my fish reports. If these resources were not available, I would then start with temperature. This holds true if you are in a boat or on shore. Find the warmest temp you can. Sometimes I am fishing a temp break of only a degree or two. Don’t rush this process. Haste to get your lines in non-productive water is just a waste of time. You will find these temp breaks at mouths of rivers, power plants and protected bays.
Wind Direction
The wind direction will be a major player in warm water location. The surface warms first and wind will move this water around. On Wisconsin’s shore, a light east wind does wonders to improving spring action. The reason I used most of this article on temp is it helps eliminate a lot of slow fishing time. Temperature is almost more important than the type of lure you use.
Set Ups
Motor trolling is the method I use for most of my fishing, and I will explain one of my basic spring setups. If possible I would max out the number of rods, because more is better this time of year. I fish all my lines on planer boards. Find one you like and run all the same type. For lures I like spoons crank baits, and jointed minnow type lures. These will cover most fish. The water is too cold for flasher flies and they will be used when the water warms to over fifty degrees.
Speed & Color
When fishing early in the season, fish metabolism or body temp is very low so a slow presentation is required. I run my boat speed between 1.5 and 2.0 miles per hour. The color of the lure is dictated by the amount of light and water color. On most days, in clear water I use white and black or silver lures. Hotter colors work best in cloudy water. You can’t go wrong with chartreuse in both conditions. The glow in the dark Vulcan or Reaper spoons sold at http://www.badgertackle.com in regular size are an excellent option. The old rule of thumb applies; bright lures bright days, dark lures dark days. I cannot cover all the bases in this limited space so I will go into more detail in future posts. Good luck Captain Jim. 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 10/6/10
By Capt. Jim Hirt
The high wind out of the north has not effected the fishing. The water temperature will be the key to finding fish on your next trip out. As of Monday morning the warm water is in and the fish were out. A temperature break was in 120 to 170 feet of water. The best action for Chinooks and Lake Trout was 110 to 140 down. Magnum spoons are the best option for all size fish. To see my how to video fish report go to http://www.jimhirt.com
Patterns and programs 120 to 170 feet
The temperature break to 50 degrees is at least 100 feet down. The deepest we have caught fish is 145 feet down with the majority of our fish coming 95 to 130 feet down. This is my recommendation for location after the gale force wind. Head out 80 degrees from the north gap and set up in 100 feet of water. Check the down temperature and key on 50 degrees. Use Fish Fry Magnum Glow Spoons at first light working lines at all depths.
You will find great action on Rainbows with 2, 4, 8 and 10 color leadcore with Badger Tackle Vulcan and Reaper Magnum spoons. Downriggers 95 to 140 down are taking two and three year old Chinooks. I use Church Walleye Planner Boards for all my lead cores.
Some of our best producing spoons have been Vulcan Magnum Silver Lizard, Reaper Magnum Peacock Silver, and Magnum Fish n Chip. For small spoons the Vulcan Dolphin Green Silver and combinations of silver spoons with green or blue accent colors. Run the boat speed at 1.6 to 2.1 MPH.
Vulcans, Nestor Wobblers and Reapers are sold only on the web at http://www.badgertackle.com 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© 2010, James J. Hirt, All Rights Reserved.
Milwaukee Fishing Lake Michigan Salmon Report 10/4/10
By Capt. Jim Hirt
The high wind out of the north has not effected the fishing. The water temperature will be the key to finding fish on your next trip out. As of Monday morning the warm water is in and the fish were out. A temperature break was in 120 to 170 feet of water. The best action for Chinooks and Lake Trout was 110 to 140 down. Magnum spoons are the best option for all size fish. To see my how to video fish report go to http://www.jimhirt.com
Patterns and programs 120 to 170 feet
The temperature break to 50 degrees is at least 100 feet down. The deepest we have caught fish is 145 feet down with the majority of our fish coming 95 to 130 feet down. This is my recommendation for location after the gale force wind. Head out 80 degrees from the north gap and set up in 100 feet of water. Check the down temperature and key on 50 degrees. Use Fish Fry Magnum Glow Spoons at first light working lines at all depths.
You will find great action on Rainbows with 2, 4, 8 and 10 color leadcore with Badger Tackle Vulcan and Reaper Magnum spoons. Downriggers 95 to 140 down are taking two and three year old Chinooks. I use Church Walleye Planner Boards for all my lead cores.
Some of our best producing spoons have been Vulcan Magnum Silver Lizard, Reaper Magnum Peacock Silver, and Magnum Fish n Chip. For small spoons the Vulcan Dolphin Green Silver and combinations of silver spoons with green or blue accent colors. Run the boat speed at 1.6 to 2.1 MPH.
Vulcans, Nestor Wobblers and Reapers are sold only on the web at http://www.badgertackle.com 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© 2010, James J. Hirt, All Rights Reserved.
Temperature is the answer to more fish. You will find action from 30 to 106 down when the temps are right. Look for 50 degrees and run tackle above and below the temp break. This is the place in the water column where you see a dramatic shift from the warmer surface water to the colder deeper water. This break moves with the wind and is different every day. You must present tackle for all species from the top ten feet of water to the bottom in all depths you fish. I would like to be more specific however it doesn’t work that way. Yesterday the best action was in 80 to 90 feet and you can bet that this will change tomorrow.
A nice mixed bag will be your reward. On the high lines (2,3, and 4 color lead core) the Vulcan regular size Dolphin Green Silver is picking up Rainbow Trout. Mid way down the water column in a temperature of 50 degrees use Magnum Reaper spoons in silver with green or blue green accent stripes. The Magnum Peacock and Fish n Chip have been my go to spoons on a SWR. The Magnum Peacock and Fish n Chip have been my go to spoon for my 5, 6, 8 and 10 color lead cores. Downriggers are also producing with the same spoons and some flasher flies. The best depths for downriggers have been 45, 60, 70 and 100 feet. The Chinooks are in depths of 30 to 140 feet of water. Lake Trout are always available near the bottom even on the slower days when you slow the boat down to 1.5 MPH measured at the ball with the Depth Raider. The Depth Raider is an essential part of your tools for trolling with the current we have on Lake Michigan. Speed up to 2.1 when working the Kings Let me tell you where and what to use. To see my how to video fish report go to http://www.jimhirt.com
Travel northeast out of the North Gap about 4 miles at a 55 degrees compass for the cold water that holds the fish. Look for fish from 10 to 100 down on all presentations. Slide Divers with 90 feet of line out are also working with magnum Reaper Peacock or Fish n Chip spoons. Glow spoons have also been working all day long in the magnum size like the Reaper Fish Fry.
Vulcans, Nestor Wobblers and Reapers are sold only on the web at http://www.badgertackle.com 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© 2010, James J. Hirt, All Rights Reserved.
Milwaukee Fishing Salmon Reports August 23rd 2010
By Capt. Jim Hirt
Widely scattered is the best way to describe recent action for salmon and trout Milwaukee. You must present tackle for all species from the top ten feet of water to the bottom in all depths you fish. A nice mixed bag will be your reward. On the high lines (2,3, and 4 color lead core) the Vulcan regular size Dolphin Green Silver is picking up Rainbow Trout. Mid way down the water column in a temperature of 50 degrees use Magnum Reaper spoons in silver with green or blue green accent stripes. The Magnum Peacock and Fish n Chip have been my go to spoons on a SWR. As usual temperature is the key. The Magnum Peacock and Fish n Chip have been my go to spoon for my 5, 6, 8 and 10 color lead cores. Downriggers are also producing with the same spoons and some flasher flies. The best depths for downriggers have been 45, 60, 70 and 100 feet. The fish are in depths of 60 to 170 feet of water. Lake Trout are always available near the bottom even on the slower days when you slow the boat down to 1.5 MPH measured at the ball with the Depth Raider. The Depth Raider is an essential part of your tools for trolling with the current we have on Lake Michigan. Speed up to 2.1 when working the Kings Let me tell you where and what to use. To see my how to video fish report go to http://www.jimhirt.com
Travel northeast out of the North Gap about 4 miles at a 45 degrees compass for the cold water that holds the fish. Look for fish from 10 to 100 down on all presentations. Slide Divers with 110 feet of line out are also working with magnum Reaper Peacock or Fish n Chip spoons. Glow spoons have also been working all day long in the magnum size like the Reaper Fish Fry.
Vulcans, Nestor Wobblers and Reapers are sold only on the web at http://www.badgertackle.com 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© 2010, James J. Hirt, All Rights Reserved.
boating needs | captjim | 
February 16, 2011 10:06 am | 
Comments Off on Ultimate Salmon Boat Part #1 
Subscribe
