Milwaukee Fishing Lake Michigan Salmon Report 8/8/2013

Milwaukee Fishing Lake Michigan Salmon Report 8/8/2013

By Milwaukee Wisconsin fishing charter Capt. Jim Hirt
Lakers dominate the catch with some Chinooks and Rainbows. Not much has changed for the last month. 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! Ron and Valerie Dent landed this double of a Rainbow and Chinook. Good battle great charter!! Both fish were taken on Reaper Magnum Fish n Chip spoons.

How Chinooks
Chinook are taking flies and also magnum spoons. Wire divers set to 1.5 with 100 feet of line out have been the most consistent. Chinook are coming in 105 feet of water 55 down. I use the Depth Raider to measure speed at the ball. The boat speed of 1.9 to 2.2 has been best.

How Lakers
For Lake Trout magnum Reaper glow spoons presented within inches of the bottom will bring in some hogs with the most running 8-10 pounds. A size 0 dodger and Spin N Glow may be needed on some days.

Good year for Rainbows
Lead core in 3,4,5,6, and eight colors are best for working the Rainbows. I like magnum spoons. Reaper Peacock has been a good choice.

Where!

Fish are marking from 80 feet and all the way out north or south of Milwaukee to 140 feet. Have a great fishing season. Let’s go fishing!
Note I have openings on the schedule. I am the only charter offering an extra hour for $35 when added to any five hour charter. 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© 2013, James J. Hirt, All Rights Reserved

Milwaukee Fishing Lake Michigan Salmon Report 7/18/2013

Milwaukee Fishing Lake Michigan Salmon Report 7/18/2013

By Milwaukee Wisconsin fishing charter Capt. Jim Hirt
Lakers dominate the catch with Chinooks and Coho coming on strong. 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! Gavin and Dale Proctor teamed up to crank in four hundred feet of line to land this 27 plus pound Chinook. Great job guys!! This fish was taken on a Vulcan Magnum Silver Lizard spoon.

The lake is finally warming up and action on all species is heating up. If you have been waiting for fishing to improve now is the time to hit the water

How Coho
Coho are coming in 105 feet of water 55 down. Eight inch coyotes in green with Howie aqua flies have been the best with some action on small size spoons. Reapers and Vulcans made by http://www.badgertackle.com have been working for us. The small silver Vulcan has been working on the 300 copper. Coho are down as the water has warmed to 73 degrees on top. Water temperature varies from one area to another it pays to turn and go back over productive spots. Tie your flies 24.5 inches on 8 inch flashers. I hope this helps.

How Chinooks
Chinook are taking flies and also magnum spoons. Wire divers set to 1.5 with 100 feet of line out have been the most consistent. Chinook are coming in 105 feet of water 55 down. I use the Depth Raider to measure speed at the ball. The boat speed of 1.9 to 2.2 has been best.

How Lakers
For Lake Trout magnum Reaper glow spoons presented within inches of the bottom will bring in some hogs with the most running 5-8 pounds. A size 0 dodger and Spin N Glow may be needed on some days.

Where!

Fish are marking from 80 feet and all the way out north or south of Milwaukee to 140 feet. Have a great fishing season. Let’s go fishing!
Note I have openings on the schedule. I am the only charter offering an extra hour for $35 when added to any five hour charter. 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© 2013, James J. Hirt, All Rights Reserved

Milwaukee Fishing Lake Michigan Salmon Report 7/9/2013

Milwaukee Fishing Lake Michigan Salmon Report 7/9/2013

By Milwaukee Wisconsin fishing charter Capt. Jim Hirt
Lakers a plenty with some Coho and Chinook too. 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! Alyssa Bryant brought her beautiful family out fishing and after a hard fight landed this 17 plus pound Chinook. Great job Alyssa!!

How Coho
Coho are coming in 105 feet of water 75 down. Eight inch coyotes in green with Howie aqua flies have been the best with some action on small size spoons. Reapers and Vulcans made by http://www.badgertackle.com have been working for us. The small silver Vulcan has been working on the 300 copper. Coho are down as the water has warmed to 66 degrees on top. Water temperature varies from one area to another it pays to turn and go back over productive spots. Tie your flies 24.5 inches on 8 inch flashers. I hope this helps.

How Chinooks
Chinook are taking flies and also magnum spoons. Wire divers set to 1.5 with 100 feet of line out have been the most consistent. Chinook are coming in 105 feet of water 55 down I use the Depth Raider to measure speed at the ball. The boat speed of 1.9 to 2.2 has been best.

How Lakers
For Lake Trout magnum Reaper glow spoons presented within inches of the bottom will bring in some hogs with the most running 5-8 pounds. A size 0 dodger and Spin N Glow may be needed on some days.

Where!

Fish are marking from 80 feet and all the way out north or south of Milwaukee to 140 feet. Have a great fishing season. Let’s go fishing!
Note I have openings on the schedule. I am the only charter offering an extra hour for $35 when added to any five hour charter. 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© 2013, James J. Hirt, All Rights Reserved

Milwaukee Fishing Lake Michigan Salmon Report 6/25/2013

Milwaukee Fishing Lake Michigan Salmon Report 6/25/2013

By Milwaukee Wisconsin fishing charter Capt. Jim Hirt
Fishing has been on again off again but improving the last three days. 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 Coho
Coho are coming up high on small size spoons and dodger flies. Reapers and Vulcans made by http://www.badgertackle.com have been working for us. The small silver Vulcan has been working on the lead cores. Six inch flashers or dodgers with green or blue Howies peanut flies must be part of your presentation for Coho. Coho are in the top 35 feet. Some action on Slide Divers set to #3 no ring and 35 feet of line out. Tie your flies 14.5 inches on 6 inch dodgers, 24 inches for 6 inch flashers. All orange dodgers and flashers. I hope this helps.

How Chinooks
Chinook are taking magnum spoons. Run 2,3,4,and 5 color Cortland lead core and downriggers 12 to 48 feet down. I use the Depth Raider to measure speed at the ball. The boat speed of 1.9 to 2.2 has been best.

Where!
No change…. fish are scattered from 70 feet and all the way out north or south of Milwaukee to 140 feet. Have a great fishing season. Let’s go fishing!
Note I have openings on the schedule. I am the only charter offering an extra hour for $35 when added to any five hour charter. 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© 2013, James J. Hirt, All Rights Reserved

Coho Salmon Crazy In Milwaukee

Coho Salmon Crazy In Milwaukee

By Lake Michigan fishing charter Capt. Jim Hirt
From Brown Trout we go to Coho Salmon. This article will point out and explain what has worked for me over 25 years of fishing. In my opinion Coho are the most predictable of all salmon species. Activity and habits of fish are dictated by many variables. Get on board and allow me to share some tricks for Coho with you. Now let’s look at Coho Salmon as it applies to Lake Michigan and other big water ecosystems. Get caught up by reading article number one titled Busting Spring Brown Trout Milwaukee. This information you may find necessary to understand the following article.

Questions
Should you have a question please e-mail me from my Blue Max website contact us page. Read all my articles and see video fish reports at http://www.jimhirt.com

Zones By Species
Lake Michigan Milwaukee is an outstanding fishery with many options for anglers. The most popular targets of anglers here are Chinook salmon, Coho Salmon, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout and Lake Trout. Allow me to offer environmental preferences for each of these. Breaking each fish down by their preferences is the best way to find steady consistent action on any fish.

Coho Salmon Zone By Temperature
Coho offer great action with the reward of some of the best eating of all Lake Michigan fish. Once again the answer to putting them in the box is temperature. Look for them in temperatures above 50 degrees up to 57 degrees. Exceptions to this temp zone are possible but not the norm. As they come in to spawn they will be less sensitive to temperature. They will tolerate colder water and temperatures below 50, however they are less active.

Location And Forage
The principal types of forage for all game fish in Lake Michigan are the Alewife and Goby. Look for pods of forage for consistent action. I have caught Coho at all depths all season long. Don’t make the mistake of not running tackle for them, but they do require a different approach.

May and June on fire for Coho
Most consistent action is in the spring months of May and June. The reason for this is the water is very cold and the top water is the best habitat for them. The shallow water, or the top 25 feet where warm water has accumulated, is the answer to your best numbers. Early May run your baits in the top five feet and progress to deeper in the water column as the water warms up. The reason for outstanding spring fishing for Coho is that the cold water of Lake Michigan concentrates them.

Fish the break
Finding a temperature break is the key to finding fish. A break is defined as a major or minor change in water temperature. At times a small change of a degree or two will hold fish, but I have found the greater the change the better the concentration of fish. In spring the Coho that have wintered on the southern end of Lake Michigan will migrate north. You will find some action near shore and this is a good starting spot. My experience is deep water can be very productive. I fish out to ten miles off shore in 250 feet of water for fantastic action and limits on this exciting spring fish.

Presentations For Limits On Coho Salmon
Anytime of day is a good time for this quarry. I categorize them as day feeders with angling success all day. Water temperature will dictate your best bait. I will break this down by temperature. Below 50 degrees use small crankbaits, minnow type lures and small spoons like the regular size Vulcan in silver or bright colors sold by Badger Tackle. Above 50 degrees the cold water baits will produce but not as well as six inch orange flashers or dodgers with flies or squids. The distance between the attractor and the fly or squid will vary with the temp of the water. Try one and a half times the length of the flasher or about nine inches up to eighteen inches. Longer lead on the fly seems to work better in colder water. You may catch some fish on downriggers but they are not my first choice for presentation. Church Tackle Walleye Boards are the way to go. I run four or more on each side of the boat working an area over three hundred feet wide. Set up for Coho with a six foot 15 pound leader tied to a 3/8-ounce keel sinker attached to the 20-pound main line to your reel. Baits are attached with a ball bearing snap and ran 10 to 25 feet behind the planner board. The planer board will run well off to the side of the boat out of your travel path.

Hot Lures Define The Day
Let’s wrap this up with my favorite lures. For Spring crank baits, minnow type lures and small spoons like the regular size Vulcan. I have selected four of my top Coho spoons and assembled them in a Coho Trophy pack at Badger Tackle. Later use six inch orange flashers and dodgers with flies or squids. As the Coho put on weight later in the season go to larger 8 inch dodgers and flies along with all size spoons in silver green. Magnum Reaper spoons did very well for us later in the season on Coho in recent years. Baitfish size should be considered when selecting your spoon size. Vulcan and Reaper spoons are both sold by http://www.badgertackle.com I will continue with Zones for Rainbow Trout 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© 2013, James J. Hirt, All Rights Reserved

Busting Spring Brown Trout Milwaukee

Busting Spring Brown Trout Milwaukee

By Lake Michigan fishing charter Capt. Jim Hirt
Spring is definitely the season for coolers full of Brown Trout. Let me explain how to be more productive by following some basic rules and using basic tools. Activity and habits of fish are dictated by many variables. A rather basic approach will put you on fish and keep you there. I will cover how to find the most productive zones by species in the next several articles. Now let’s look at Brown Trout as it applies to Lake Michigan and other big water ecosystems.

Questions
Should you have a question please e-mail me from my Blue Max website contact us page. Read all my articles and see video fish reports at http://www.jimhirt.com

Zones By Species
Lake Michigan Milwaukee is an outstanding fishery with many options for anglers. The most popular targets of anglers here are Chinook salmon, Coho Salmon, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout and Lake Trout. Allow me to offer environmental preferences for each of these. Breaking each fish down by their preferences is the best way to find steady consistent action on any fish.

Environmental Preferences
The top of the most important list and what I look for is food and temperature. When you are in a zone with the correct temperature and good forage you will increase your chances. Other important factors are cover, habitat, maturity of fish, light intensity, water depth, weather, current flow, current intensity, oxygen level and fishing pressure. Your ability to measure, monitor and locate the ideal set of fishing preferences for your target is key.

Brown Trout Zone By Temperature
Big browns are common in the estuary created in the Milwaukee area by three rivers. Brown Trout are a warm water species, so look for them in temperatures above 55 degrees. They will tolerate colder water and temperatures above 65 however my biggest browns over twenty pounds have come at near 55 degrees. Keep your baits in 55-degree temperature and you will increase your odds on big fish. When I am catching small fish, I know the water is too warm for a trophy. It is time to adjust the tackle to colder water. A temperature gauge is a tool a trout fisherman cannot be without.

Location And Forage
The principal types of forage for trophy fish in Lake Michigan are the Alewife and Goby. Look for pods of forage for consistent action. I have caught browns in water as shallow as 5 feet and out to 100 feet. Most consistent action however is in shallow water or the top 25 feet where warm water has accumulated. Early spring in the months of March April And May we find are consistently the best for browns. Over the years 90% of this species are caught when the water is below their preferred temperature. The reason for outstanding spring fishing for this fish is the cold water of Lake Michigan concentrates the fish. The Lake temp is in the mid to high thirties and this causes the fish to stay near the warmer water of the river mouths and harbor gaps. Later in the season the browns disperse along the shoreline. Finding a temperature break is the key to finding fish. A break is defined as a major or minor change in water temperature. At times a small change of a degree or two will hold fish but I have found the greater the change the better the concentration of fish.

Presentations For Lunker Browns
First light of the day is the best time to catch this quarry. They seem to be more sensitive to light than other types of fish. Light up a Vulcan or Reaper Magnum Glow spoon sold by Badger Tackle before first light for fish in the box ahead of the rest of the pack of anglers. A stealthy approach is necessary for the biggest fish. In definition stealth is a presentation that avoids being notice. Several are used for trolling.

I would skip the downriggers as a presentation for browns. I have found this to be the least productive of presentations I have tried. The most successful for me is Cortland leadcore. A weighted line with a Seaguar fluorocarbon leader is attached to a Church Walleye Planer board. The planer board is run well off to the side of the boat out of the travel path. Leadcore is graduated to allow five feet of depth for every color. Five colors will run lures approximately 25 feet down 10 colors fifty feet and so on. This allows you to fish any depth you want.

Hot Lures Define The Day
Let’s wrap this up with my favorite lures. Magnum spoons are my first choice. Use Glow in dark for before first light and in heavy overcast. When fishing in very bright conditions or with the presence of small baitfish go to regular or small lures. My magnum spoons are about five inches long, regular four inches and small three inches. The two most productive spoons for me during the 2012 season was the Vulcan magnum and Reaper Magnum both sold by http://www.badgertackle.com For a slow 2.0 M.P.H. or slower presentation I use the Reaper. Above 2.0 speeds the Vulcan is best, it mixes well with most big plugs and flasher flies.

I will continue with Zones for Coho Salmon 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© 2013, James J. Hirt, All Rights Reserved

Milwaukee Fishing Lake Michigan Salmon Report 9/5/12

Milwaukee Fishing Lake Michigan Salmon Report 9/5/12

By Wisconsin fishing charter Capt. Jim Hirt
Fish Everywhere You Go In Milwaukee!
Surface temperature is 70 degrees and the fish are in the harbor and out to 190 feet 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!

East wind again
Warm water is back in after the northeast wind last weekend. Anglers are catching all species and you find the fish of your choice by working the temperature preference of your quarry.
The father son team of Brian and Michael Greenlees boated this great combo of Rainbow and Lake Trout in 155 feet of water on a Badger Tackle Reaper spoon. Reaper spoons are made by http://www.badgertackle.com

Presentations
Our best presentations are 8 color Cortland lead core and 225 copper on Church Walleye Planner boards. Downriggers 40 to 100 down and divers set to #2 with 125 to 150 feet of line out with the ring. Fish have been on regular and magnum spoons in a blue and silver or green and silver pattern. Our best boat speed is 1.7 to 2.0 mph on the Depth Raider.

Where!
Cold water is out over 100 feet of water 60 feet and down. Set up in 100 feet and troll east. Whitefish Bay is the shortest distance to deep water. Harbor fishing is turning on and on lumpy days you will find big Chinook on plugs and spoons. Out in front of the water filtration plant in 60 feet of water is a good option for small boat anglers. The water is warmer in 60 however this has not slowed the 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© 2012, James J. Hirt, All Rights Reserved.

Milwaukee Fishing Lake Michigan Salmon Report 8/29/12

Milwaukee Fishing Lake Michigan Salmon Report 8/29/12

By Wisconsin fishing charter Capt. Jim Hirt
Hog Lake Trout and All Size King Salmon in Milwaukee!
Surface temperature is 70 degrees and the fish are 35 feet to 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!

All day action
If you haven’t been out for awhile now is the best time to fill the freezer with Chinooks, Coho and trout. In recent weeks the fish have been deep but not any more. There are fish down deep but the best action has been 35 to 65 feet down. Thirteen year old Master Jack Hansen battled this sixteen pound two ounce Lake Trout up from 100 feet down. The trophy came on a Vulcan Magnum Monkey Puke Glow Spoon. Vulcan spoons are made by http://www.badgertackle.com

Presentations
Our best presentations are 8 & 10 color Cortland lead core and downriggers 40 to 75 down. Fish have been on regular and magnum spoons in a blue and silver or green and silver pattern. Our best boat speed is 1.7 to 2.0 mph on the Depth Raider. Divers are producing very well set to #2 with 50 to 125 feet of line out with the ring.

Where!
Cold water is in and there is an all day bite from the break wall and out to 150 feet. With all the current troll southwest to northeast. Set up in 60 and troll northeast. Out in front of the water filtration plant is a good option for small boat anglers the fish seem to be closer to shore in that location. 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© 2012, James J. Hirt, All Rights Reserved.

Milwaukee Fishing Lake Michigan Salmon Report 8/1/12

Milwaukee Fishing Lake Michigan Salmon Report 8/1/12

By Wisconsin fishing charter Capt. Jim Hirt
King Salmon Fishing Has Maxed Out in Milwaukee!
Surface temperature is up to 74 degrees and the fish are 40 feet to bottom. The weather has been great! In about a month the four year old Chinooks will run the rivers. Now is your chance to wrestle the biggest KINGS of the year. Fishing has been exciting with a mixed bag of all species. Mostly Chinooks, Rainbows and Coho. Chinook to 19 pounds are screaming line and all are enjoying some great action. Fish from 100 to 180 feet of water anywhere east of Milwaukee. Grant Courley landed the biggest fish of his young life on a Vulcan Magnum Silver Spoon! It was just under 18 pounds. Vulcan spoons are made by http://www.badgertackle.com

How!
Our best presentations are 8 & 10 color Cortland lead core and downriggers 80 to 155 down or five feet off the bottom. Fish have been on regular and magnum spoons in a blue and silver or green and silver pattern. The Vulcan Magnum or Reaper Magnum spoons by Badger Tackle have caught most of our fish. Our best boat speed is 2.0 to 2.1 mph on the Depth Raider. Slide Divers are producing very well set to #2 with 50 to 85 feet of line out with the ring.

Where!
Head north south or due east compass bearing and set up in 100 feet of water. Out in front of the water filtration plant is a good option for small boat anglers the fish seem to be closer to shore in that location. The gaps are dead and the shore fishing is zip nada nothing! 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© 2012, James J. Hirt, All Rights Reserved.

Milwaukee Fishing Lake Michigan Salmon Report 7/12/12

Milwaukee Fishing Lake Michigan Salmon Report 7/12/12

By Wisconsin fishing charter Capt. Jim Hirt
East Wind and the Fish Went Deep in Milwaukee!
Surface temperature is up to 72 degrees and the fish are 40 feet to bottom. The weather has been great! Fishing has been good with a mixed bag of all species. Mostly Chinooks, Rainbows and Coho. Chinook to 21 pounds are screaming line and all are enjoying some great action. Fish from 100 to 160 feet of water anywhere east of Milwaukee. The hot bait for Rainbow Trout was the Magnum size Reaper Watermelon spoons made by http://www.badgertackle.com

How!
Our best presentations are 8 & 10 color Cortland lead core and downriggers 80 to 155 down or five feet off the bottom. Fish have been on regular and magnum spoons in a blue and silver or green and silver pattern. The Vulcan Magnum or Reaper Magnum spoons by Badger Tackle have caught most of our fish. Our best boat speed is 2.0 to 2.1 mph on the Depth Raider. Slide Divers are producing very well set to #2 with 50 to 85 feet of line out with the ring.

Where!
Head north south or due east compass bearing and set up in 100 feet of water. Out in front of the water filtration plant is a good option for small boat anglers the fish seem to be closer to shore in that location. The gaps are dead and the shore fishing is zip nada nothing! 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© 2012, James J. Hirt, All Rights Reserved.