Fishing Report Lake Michigan Milwaukee July 6th 2010

Milwaukee Fishing Salmon Reports July 5th 2010

Milwaukee Fishing Salmon Reports July 5th 2010
By Capt. Jim Hirt
Fishing Milwaukee is excellent with Big Kings Coho and Lake Trout filling the cooler. Southwest wind has pushed the warm water out. Very good action on all species working 40 to 70 feet of water in White Fish Bay three 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 48 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 40 down on all presentations. Slide Divers with 100 feet of line out are a steady producer with magnum Reaper Peacock or Fish n Chip spoons. Downriggers from 20 to 40 down on long lead spoons are my go to rig with magnum silver spoons. Customers are enjoying great action on Chinook salmon to 18 pounds. A combination of Salmon and Trout in all sizes are active. The boat speed of 2.0 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.

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Getting started With planner Boards

Equipment for getting started

While there is some expenses involved the rewards will be great. Initially two boards will get you going. Expect to pay between $25 and $35 each for individual board with many more or less expensive choices. I will give details on my first choice and then offer some others.

There was a time when long lines with weight were the standard for getting the baits well behind the boat. This is a system of inline weight attached to the line about four feet ahead of the bait. By changing the weight size you will raise or lower the spoon or bait in the water column.

The function of a planer board is to increase your odds by moving the bait off to the side of the boat. By presenting lures outside of the boat’s path in undisturbed water you will find them more likely to bite. Each board is made in a way that when trolled behind the boat it will move to left or right of your travel path. Some boards, like the Church Tackle TX 22, are reversible allowing you to run them left or right.

Primary Trolling Tool For Fishing

Water in our ecosystem has gone from low visibility to extremely clear. With this change of environment the angler must evolve in his presentation to produce consistently. This article will talk you through a very effective way to meet these demands for sunny conditions with spooky fish.

Now is the time to move to the next generation of presentations. If you find yourself behind the pack when it comes to putting fish in the cooler, a system of planer boards will improve your learning curve.

Allow me to outline and give details of several options in planer board fishing. This will provide some ideas you may want try in the upcoming season. I highly recommend them.

Board Fishing Get That Speed Down

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.  If you adjust the idle down too low on your motor, you will most likely have spark plug fouling or worse.  Slow trolling with planer boards 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 be productive.

   I run a mix of minnow type lures, crankbaits and small spoons.  The lures you run is all about the amount of light, baitfish size and the size of fish you are looking to catch.  Mix it up!  When one lure produces I would double up on that lure.

    The Badger Tackle Reaper Peacock, Big Joe and Fish Fry spoon in regular size sold at http://www.badgertackle.com are a popular 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© 2009, James J. Hirt, All Rights Reserved.

Spring Salmon and Trout Lures By Temperature

You have your boards set up and rods rigged 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.  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 and 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 active Browns in spring will be found in the top 20 feet of water where bright lures like the Badger Tackle Vulcan OL Sherbet or Orange Slush are best.   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.  Continued tomorrow please come again

Planner Boards For Salmon Fishing

Here’s How To Set Up For Boards

    I run a 1/4 to 1 ounce bead chain trolling sinker at the end of the 20lb main line to avoid line twists and get the depth I want.  From the sinker to the lure I use 7ft of a 15lb fluorocarbon and a small round cross lock snap.  When the fish hits, the board slides down to the trolling sinker.  With the sinker in line, it will not knock the fish off as it would if the board ran down to the lure.  When setting this presentation, I set my boat speed at 1 to 2 mph and let out my lure about 30 to 100 feet and attach the board.  This distance will change with the amount of light, type of lure and depth you want to fish.  When action is slow, adjust this distance and see what happens.  Once the board is attached, carefully lower the board into the water and let out enough line to allow room for more boards, between that board and the boat.  Boards should be spaced about 30 feet apart. Important, put the boards with the least amount of trolling sinker weight on the outside board.  When a fish hits, the board releases and it will drop back behind the boat.  Land your fish and reset this board by letting out enough line to allow the board to fly back into the same spot it came from.  Avoid changing out to many lures if you are getting action because at times one lure feeds off another.  By this I mean, a spoon may be attracting the fish but they will hit the crankbait next to it.