Great Lakes Lure Set Ups 2011 Part #1
By Lake Michigan Fishing Charter Milwaukee Capt. Jim Hirt
Current information is critical to being at the top of your game in any sport. Fishing is no exception and perhaps more critical than other sports. This article will focus on what to use and where for the 2011 season. Read all my articles and see video fish reports at http://www.jimhirt.com
What to use and where?
In this article I would like to help you define when and where to use spoons, minnow type baits, flasher flies, dodger flies, squids and a variety of other lures. The way I decide what to use is determined by many variables. Let’s look at each of them separately. What we are looking for is the right color, size, lure action and location that will get your target species to strike.
Two ways to go
This is the first of two approaches with every fisherman putting his own twist on each. Some fishermen believe it is better to run all of the same kind of lure at one time and use a selection of colors or sizes. This type of presentation is called bait sets. Let’s say they are running six rods. They will run the same type of spoon on each rod in a variety of colors and sizes, or all flashers and flies in different colors. Bait sets work well when you know what’s happening but you leave no room for error. If you’re hot you’re hot or if you’re wrong you may not be in the game.
Second set up
The other approach to presentation is running a different lure on every line. This set up is called shotgun. Mixing lures this way is tricky; some lures may be too fast or too slow to work well. On most days, I run a mix of different lures doing what I call Mini Sets to minimize this problem. This is what I might do in a summer presentation. I am usually running 12-16 rods. I split up my rods into three mini sets.
Check out http://www.badgertackle.com for Reaper, Vulcan and Nestor Wobbler spoons proven and tested by anglers worldwide. 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.
By Lake Michigan Fishing Charter Milwaukee Capt. Jim Hirt
I would like to share a family favorite for many years and hope you try this simple recipe. It will work well on most fish, I like to use salmon and trout. For anglers that catch boney fish like Northern Pike this is the answer as the bones dissolve in the fish when pickled. Come to http://www.jimhirt.com to read all my fishing article and reports.
Fillet and skin any fish you care to use. Be sure to remove the rib cages. Now cut them into about 1 1/2 inch square chunks or 1 inch strips. Fill a qt. jar about 3/4 full of sliced fillets plus 1 diced onion. Pack very loosely. Add the following:
2 Tbsp. canning salt
1/2 cup sugar
2 tsp. whole mixed pickling spice
1 1/2 oz. dry white wine
Apple cider vinegar
Fill the jar with wine and vinegar right to the top. Now shake the jar to thoroughly mix the ingredients. Refrigerate for four days and they are ready to eat. During the four days shake the jar from time to time.
If you like it sweeter, add a bit more sugar, but do not change the salt content. If you like a more vinegar taste leave the wine out, as all this does is cut the vinegar a bit. Optional, 1 red pepper and/or clove of garlic.
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.
Ultimate Salmon Boat Part #2
By Lake Michigan Fishing Charter Capt. Jim Hirt
In part number one we discussed basic tackle for boat, rods and safety. Let’s continue with essential and in most cases must have items for an productive salmon and trout fishing boat. Read all my articles and fish reports at http://www.jimhirt.com
Reels
Line counter trolling reels are important to precision and don’t cost much more than reels without line counters. Look for a quality based on the amount of times you expect to use them each season. A basic bushing or one ball bearing reel is affordable and will last a long time with good maintenance. A $50 reel that will hold 300 yards of 20 pound test has the capacity for a half core of lead and all of the mono or fluorocarbon set ups you may want to try down the road. Penn fishing tackle makes some great quality entry level and top end reels and rods that are a value for all anglers
Fishing Line
Spool up with 20 lb Berkley Trilene XT ($7) monofilament. A slightly more expensive but worth it option is to try the advantages of fluorocarbon line. The low stretch near invisible Berkley Vanish ($15) will put more fish in the cooler.
Downriggers
Types of presentations are endless and the budget minded fisherman couldn’t include all the options. The key here is where are the fish. You must be able to fish at all depths. Plan “A” would be two manual downriggers at about $130 each with an 8 pound weight included. The Great Lakes spawned the use of downriggers and they are very simple and effective at all depths. This is one of the most basic of presentations. The use of this tool is limited only by your imagination.
Terminal tackle
I have tried most of the different styles of downrigger releases. I like the Blacks release ($10) with the clip to attach the weight. The Blacks releases are completely adjustable to set the hook when the fish bites and never tangle or wear the line. A sturdy net ($40) that will handle fish to 40 inches will be needed.
Electronics
Electronics will be important to safety and success. I would not go out on any of the Great Lakes without a marine radio. Expect to spend $150 but your safety is worth it. Knowing how deep the water is and where the fish are is critical to safety and your ability to put fish in the cooler. The starting price for a fish locator that works to 600 feet is $120.
Treasure your catch
Always ice your catch a 70 quart cooler ($25) will lend to the table quality.
This package will offer the opportunity to catch reel screaming Chinooks, dancing Rainbows, huge Brown Trout, tasty Coho and rod bending Lakers. At a modest price compared to other sports of $825. Split the cost with a buddy and have a blast!! Check out my blog for detailed instructions on set up and presentation of tackle and up to date video fish reports. 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.
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.
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.
Milwaukee Fishing Salmon Reports August 9th 2010
By Capt. Jim Hirt
The fish have been moving around and some days are great and some days you have to work for fish. Most productive presentation the last several days has been Magnum Reaper spoons in silver with green or blue green accent stripes. The Magnum Peacock and Fish n Chip have been my go to spoon for my 4,5,6 and 8 color lead cores. Downriggers are also producing with the same spoons and some flasher flies. The best depths for downriggers have been 25, 35, 45 and 60 feet. As you can tell the high lines are taking most of the fish in depths of 60 to 100 feet. We have had some great Coho to 11 pounds with many Chinook in all sizes up to 22 pounds. Lake Trout are always available 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. Shore anglers are having decent action with cold water now at the break walls near the bottom. 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 3 miles at a 60 degrees compass for the cold water that holds the fish. Look for fish from 20 to 60 down on all presentations. Slide Divers with 70 feet of line out are a steady producer 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 July 26th 2010
By Capt. Jim Hirt
Steady and productive is the best way to describe the Lake Michigan Milwaukee salmon fishing. Chinooks of all sizes with four year old Chinook averaging 15 pounds. Rainbows and Lake Trout are plentiful when fishing with all presentation. Shore anglers are having a rough go of it with cloudy water from recent rain run off. Some recent east wind has not changed the location or depth of fish. Very good action in working 40 to 80 feet of water in White Fish Bay three to seven miles north of Milwaukee’s north gap. Let me tell you where and what to use. To see my how to video fish report go to http://www.jimhirt.com
With 59 degree surface temperature 2,3,4,5,6 and 8 color lead core are working. Travel northeast out of the North Gap about 3 miles at a 50 degrees compass for the cold water that holds the fish. Look for fish from 10 to 60 down on all presentations. Slide Divers with 70 feet of line out are a steady producer 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. Downriggers from 40 to 65 down on long lead spoons are my go to rig with magnum silver or glow spoons. Customers are enjoying great action on Chinook salmon to 20 pounds. A combination of Salmon and Trout in all sizes are active. The boat speed of 2.1 gave the best results. 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.
February 26, 2011 5:37 pm | 
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