Fish Milwaukee Salmon Too Much Tackle
By Wisconsin fishing charter Capt. Jim Hirt
In previous article we covered lure speed as it relates to fish species. Correct speed along with good presentation in the temp location the target prefers will put fish in the cooler. Let’s talk about presentation. 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
How long is long enough?
Many of my fish reports talk about long leads on the downriggers. Early in the morning or low light days 20 feet behind the ball on the downrigger is fine. On clear blue skies late in the day cut down on the number of rods and run long leads behind the ball.
Strange happenings or not?
Has this happen to you? You start an afternoon trip clear skies lots of sun set the first line and you got a fish on before you can set the next line. You boat that fish get all the lines in and no more action. I believe too much tackle turns the fish off.
Well what do you do?
No one wants to run one line! Spread your presentation and go long. If the temp break is at 60 feet and you run 4 downriggers run the outside or corner riggers at 60 and center riggers at 90 and 30 feet. Experiment with the lead. If you are marking fish and not getting hits lengthen the distance from the lure to the weight.
SWR?
I run what some call a SWR. This consists of a two to five color leadcore. This presentation may be 250 feet back running 10 to 25 below the weight or ball. This is a killer stealth approach to for very difficult conditions.
Getting the edge with electronics!!
No two days are the same. Your ability to evaluate the changes will lead to your success. To complete this article you must know what tool will give us the most reliable measurement of depth and temp. A great product out in the market place for this purpose is the Smart Troll. This unit offers a sender/sensor that you connects to any of your presentations ( inline ) giving you depth and temp at the lure to depths of 300 feet. This information is sent to an easy to read display. If you would like to try the hottest spoons for salmon and trout in 2011 go to http://www.badgertackle.com 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.
Speed Advice By Species
By Wisconsin fishing charter Capt. Jim Hirt
In previous articles we covered my three most productive lures for July and August. This is a worth while read go back and check it out. Speed is a key in all types of fishing. Let’s get into 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
What fish likes what speed?
In this article let’s address lure speed as it relates to fish species. The easy way to remember how fast to run your presentation for your target is to think of the temperature they prefer.
Lake Trout
Lake trout like below 50 degrees water and they require the slowest lure speed. I run between 1.0 and 2.0 M.P.H. for Lakers.
Chinook Salmon
Chinook lure speed is all over the map. The book tells us 52 degrees is what they like. There is considerable variation in the temp of water you will find them. Early in the morning and just before dark they may come into the warm water to feed. As a general rule 2.5 M.P.H. will produce these fish.
Coho Salmon
Coho like slightly warmer water than the Chinooks. I look for water of 52 to 57 degrees for them at 2.7 M.P.H.
Brown Trout
When you are looking for Brown Trout fish 60 degrees and above at 2.5 to 2.7 M.P.H.
Rainbow Trout
This leaves the Rainbows. To catch Rainbows fish 60 degree plus water at 2.7 to 3.5 M.P.H.
Easy indicator
I use the fish I am catching as an indicator to my boat speed. When I catching Lakers I speed up to catch Chinooks. When catching Rainbows I slow down for Lakers. Catching fish every day is a constant evaluation of variables. No two days are the same. Your ability to evaluate the changes will lead to your success.
Tool needed for success
To complete this article we must know what tool will give us the most reliable measurement of speed and temp. A great product out in the market place for this purpose is the Depth Raider. This unit offers a probe that you connect to a special downrigger cable giving you speed and temp at the lure to depths of 200 feet. This information is sent to an easy to read display. I was very impressed with Curt Kell of Kell Laboratories the innovator of this product. His attention to quality and customer satisfaction sets him apart in the industry. The Depth Raider will set the standard for this type of product for years to come. To get information on this product call Curt at 262-534-2202. If you would like to try the hottest spoons for salmon and trout in 2011 go to http://www.badgertackle.com 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.
Hot Lures For Salmon And Trout
By Wisconsin fishing charter Capt. Jim Hirt
In previous articles we covered where to start if you have not been out for awhile. In this article I would like to help you with what lures to buy at the tackle store for a typical July or August trip on Lake Michigan. 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
Done right flies will work
This is a very difficult question. Where I cannot possibly go into all species and all situations, perhaps I can define what I believe will catch fish 90 percent of the time. Please keep in mind that the best lure not properly presented will not catch fish.
Huge Chinooks favorite lure
Milwaukee is known for excellent Chinook salmon fishing, so I will focus on salmon. If I were to run just one lure day in and day out in July or August and consistently catch fish, it would be a flasher and fly. Early and late season Flasher and fly may not be as good
Flasher Set Up
Flashers come in dozens of colors and sizes. The one I would select would be an 8-inch green blade with silver and glow tape with a green fly. The length of the leader from the flasher to the fly should be give or take 25 inches. I measure from the end of the hook to the back of the flasher. This measurement may change day to day. The length of the leader will affect the speed of the fly movement. The bigger Chinooks may require a longer leader but this is a good starting spot.
Spoons are Simpler Answer
My number two choice would be two different spoons. For first light fishing I like a Reaper Magnum Fish Fry Glow. This spoon has put more fish in the cooler than any other spoon I run. The other spoon I like is a Vulcan Magnum or Regular Silver with blue and green accent both are available at badgertackle.com. Use Magnum Glow spoons when fishing in over cast situations or below fifty feet down.
How and Where
Run spoons on your divers and flasher flies on your downriggers. A simple and very effective way to produce fish on calm days with clear skies is to run just two spoons. The lead from the spoon to the downrigger should be one hundred fifty feet. This presentation will not allow tight turns. When the morning bite stops, go long to continue catching fish. If you would like to try the hottest spoons for salmon and trout in 2011 go to http://www.badgertackle.com 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.
Where To Go, Fish Finding Tips
By Wisconsin fishing charter Capt. Jim Hirt
In previous articles we covered basic leadcore. I would recommend trying a leadcore line set up. This presentation will work when all others are dead. In this article I would like to explain where to start if you have not been out for awhile.
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
Resources
I find Internet fish reports invaluable for up to date information look for the most recent reports. If you do not have that option, ask at the local sporting goods stores or the other fisherman at the launch ramps. Marine radio is also helpful if you have one.
Tools
What if none of these options are available? Then follow the steps I recommend. The tools you will need are depth gauge, temp gauge and fish locator. I key on temp and food. In most cases when you find them you will catch fish. Start with a temp check on the surface. If it is too warm for your target species, you must take a temperature check from the top to the bottom in the water you are in to see if it is cold enough for your target.
How To
Wind will move water and predicting what it has done to the temperature of the water where you fish is important. The result may be water that is too warm or cold for your target. When you find this scenario move out to deeper or into shallower water. You may need to go to the opposite shore line (when possible) and check again. Repeat this process until you are satisfied with the temp. Look for a sharp break in temp from the warm surface to the colder water or colder water to the warmer. I work tackle both slightly above and below the break. Having said that, there are exceptions to every rule. I would also run one line well above and below the temp break. This may be out of the temp you expect to catch fish, but at certain times of the day they will be there.
Lures
Run your most aggressive lures with the most action on the warm side of the break. In contrast, use slower less aggressive tackle on the extreme cold side. Baitfish are a very important ingredient to this mix. Always fish schools of baitfish when you see them. When you are under power on the way out and see baitfish on the locator get the lines in. If you would like to try the hottest spoons for salmon and trout in 2011 go to http://www.badgertackle.com 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.
Fishing Tackle Auction
Sponsored by the Great Lakes Sport Fisherman
Saturday, March 3rd 2012 at American Serb Hall Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Huge selection with bidding bargains on all types of fishing equipment.
Meat raffles, Art work and tons of other items!!
Bidding Starts at 10am sharp!!
Open to the Public at 9am – Auction Starts at 10am!
Auction will end at about 4pm
5101 W. Oklahoma Avenue Milwaukee Wisconsin
Directions: Serb Hall is located at the corner of South 51st Street and West Oklahoma Avenue. We are just minutes from nearly any location in the greater Milwaukee area. Just exit eastbound or westbound I-894 at 60th Street and head north 2.5 miles to Oklahoma Ave. Turn right and head east on Oklahoma to 51st St. Or from the north, exit I-894/45 at Oklahoma Avenue, head east about 3.2 miles to Serb Hall.
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 8/18/11
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.
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March 26, 2012 7:20 pm | 
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