Consistency is a good thing, especially when it is GREAT Weather and Fishing. Although Mother Nature brought storms and rains to the area early in the week, however, on Thursday and Friday, she gave us calm seas and pleasant temps, Captain Craig was scouting for the up coming tournament in Manistee, so he was fishing on Thursday from the 13's to the 15's in 100 to 140 foot of water. Everyone always says there is no place like home, for Captain Craig, that is to the 05's down to the 03's, Big Point Sable. Water temperature was 51 on the surface and 44 degrees 60 foot down in both areas. The direction of troll really didn't matter, but the baits of choice changed from the meat program over to spoons. The Program produced 32 and 22 bites respectively each day and the guests landed 20 & 18 fish. The fish size increased on Friday which is a good sign for the tournament!
The best baits were as follows:
- RIGGERS: Best spoons were the Moonshine Blue Shorts, DW Bumble Bee, Mixed Veggie, and Wrecking Ball all in the standard size. Leads were 30 to 50 back with the depths set 40 to 60 down. Free Sliders were very effective with Bumble Bee and Wrecking Ball, however small fish did pick these out, with the larger ones on the main line.
- WIRE DRIVERS: High Divers Back 140 with the DW Yellow Sparkler rotator attractor with the Yellow Gasoline Meat Rig. Chrome Mountain Dew NBK 10 inch DW Spin Doctor with Yellow Gasoline meat rig, along with the Chrome & Green DW rotator & the DW Green Moo Meat Rig. Low Divers back 120 with the DW Frog Racer attractor & the DW Green UV Gasoline Meat Rig, along with the John King Black Mamba attractor and Red Meat Rig.
- CORES & COPPERS: All baits were the standard size spoons. Cores were 5 & 10 colors Yeck Fire Ball and Moonshine Mace Face producing best. Coppers of 200 & 250, with the DW Mixed Veggie and The Moonshine Blue Shorts and Mace Face
The Meat bite was not as dominate as it had been in the past. The standard size spoons mentioned above were best by far. You must pay attention to the riggers and cores for draggers. If a producing rod suddenly goes dead, check it, as a pup may be going for a ride. Try and release these young fish as best you can, as they could be a wall hanger of the future.