Fishing Michigan

I had a lot of nice emails and a good comment about the sunrise pic in the Bay blog.  So here is the full sized pic of the sunrise over Saginaw Bay this past Saturday.  It makes a great desktop pic for your computer screen.  Thanks for the comment and mail,  if anything else comes up that you want an answer to, just click on MASON   below any title of the topics covered to email the questions.

Spent a quick day and a half up on Saginaw Bay this weekend.  Packed up the truck Thursday night, loaded up the trailer with the quad and 3-wheeler and headed out at 4:30 in the morning for the two hour drive to Saginaw.  Going with me was good friend, Thom Christnagel.  This was his first time ice fishing and I was hoping for a good weekend for breaking him in right.  The fish had other plans.

The drive was nice, I never realized that we had gone around the “14″ split on US-23 north of Ann Arbor.  When going over the Zilwaukee Bridge I called my buddy Adam Marchbanks to let him know that one quick stop at Frank’s Great Outdoors for bait and we would be on the way.  I behaved while there, just staying in the front section where the bait is,  although tempted to do a little roaming around.   Frank’s was very good to us on the bait, and they even held my scoop that I had dropped when I came back in!!!

The fishing was poor to say the least.  Adam’s Nextel walkie talkie was chirping all day with friends and family calling to see if we were on fish at all.  There were reports of of one or two here and there, but mostly the same as us…zilch.  It was like that all day Friday, and the half of Saturday we fished. 

I don’t know what made me feel worse, that Thom’s first time ice fishing was not going well, the frustration on Adam’s face from trying to get us on fish, or the fact that we were marking fish all day long on the Vexilar and only one walleye took our baits over 9 hours on the ice.  The weather patterns or the absence of one pattern actually holding for a couple of days, really had the fish screwed up.  Nothing worse than seeing them rise off the bottom, follow your jig up for a foot or two, and then do a quick sniff and finally slowly fall back to the bottom again.  It seemed like an hour or longer Thom had one teasing him like that on day  one.  This is him, if you can tell through the clothing, standing over his hole with the FL-20 from Vexilar.  I had 12 rods rigged up for us to use, and not one presentation seemed to work on Friday.  Saturday night I rigged them all again with different baits trying to settle one productive bait.  Spoons, jigs, swimbaits, big or small and nothing could trigger a good bite.

I took this picture Saturday after having breakfast at the Gobbler’s Roost, which was excellent, and came at a good price, too.  Not only was the pic breathtaking, but there wasn’t much in the line of fish to photograph so I thought I better get snapping.  You might be able to see the two black dots after downsizing the photo for the website.  They are just in front of some huge ice piles formed by the wind two weeks earlier.  The dots are anglers heading out into the bay in the morning.  Don’t think I have ever seen a prettier sunrise. 

A two pound crappie doesn’t turn many heads down south,  it is like going out to Erie during the summer and catching a healthy four lb walleye,  folks just say, ” Nice fish. ” , and go back about their business.  Up here where the cold waters of the north grow crappies slowly over years,  a 2 lb slab will turn some heads and usually end up at the local taxidermist, with a final destination on the lucky angler’s wall.

Barry Williams is one of those guys who goes about his business and doesn’t try to impress, but when he talks about fishing, people listen.  One of the Brooklyn gang who made up Team Wolverine on the old Ice Team circuit,  Barry is a skilled angler, who also turns out some outstanding jigs and flies meant for use through the ice.  The original “Iceman” just goes out and fishes whenever he can, where he can.

Recently he went out with his partner in crime, Dave Hunt and tackled one of the local lakes in the Irish Hills.  Dave sent some of the pictures from the little expidtion back to me in an email.  Barry’s crappie actually went over 2 lbs, by another quarter of a pound to tip the scales at 2 lbs and 4 ozs.  Now some pics are pretty useless when it comes to studying methods and means,  but others tell a story.  They can be evaluated and studied like a textbook.  Pick them apart, learn and ask questions.  Look at the rod, the reel, the line and the lure, envision the technique and form your hypothesis, then go out and test it.  You might not do it exactly the same,  but my bet is that you will have fun with the results.

While my toes thaw out from plowing snow (I LOVE THIS TIME OF THE YEAR…seriously) thought it would be a good time to wrap up the camera phase on the talk on electronics.  There are a few other small companies, but MarCum and Aqua Vu are the main two in the category.

MarCum offers several models in their “VS” series of cameras, ranging in price to meet the needs of the anglers looking to purchase.  The VS-250 is the basic model, and what you see is what you get.  You can downview by wrapping the cord around the back fin of the unit. 

The VS-560 is a unique unit in the feature it provides.  The camera actually rotates 360′ allowing the angler to pan around and see everything at once.  You can set the speed at which it rotates or keep it one position.  It reads out the water temp, the direction the camera is pointing, and lets you know how much juice is left in the battery.

The VS-825c is a unique unit that offers a LCD flat screen with a color monitor.  There is also a version for a bit less that comes in black and white.  If you have the same concern I had about LCD units in the winter, MarCum answers that question with a built in heater unit to keep things moving on the screen.  There is also a unique lighting system with bright LED lights mounted above the camera to cut down on glare.

MarCum also offers a tool to lock the camera into position while protecting the hole from freezing up.  This lid, has studs in the top to wrap the cord through, much like an anchor tie down on boats.

Two companies pretty much have the underwater camera industry sewed up; Aqua Vu and MarCum.  Aqua Vu might have been the first kid on the block, but MarCum has made a dent in their chunk of the market in recent years.  Each company has some unique products available to choose from, and like I mentioned yesterday they are a tool well worth having.

Aqua Vu, as mentioned has been around the longest.  Back in the day this is what their cameras looked like.  Although the unit comes with a 4″ black and white screen, this is still my favorite model for hole hopping and checking out the ice.  I was able to use a strap for a gear bag to hang around my neck and check out the holes as you go.  Another big bonus was the batteries would keep the camera going for up to 8 hours of continuous use.  Although the company has discontinued the ZT, SV and DT models there is good news, they are available on Ebay for hundreds less that original cost brand new, and many of the accessories available are compatible with these older units.

The newer models all look similar to the early version of the Scout camera that was introduced three years ago.  They are housed in a soft case that when opened up also acts as a sun shield.  This particular model is the Quad Cam, that actually shows fishing coming to your bait from four different directions.  You can also switch the mode to full screen in one direction.  The units now are less bulky and a little easier to carry around, but you cannot hook the unit to a strap like in the past, and you do not get the battery life that you used too.  Most folks carry extra batteries out on the ice with them when setting up for an all day trip, or all night excursion.  There are several models available, and very in price ranges to fit the consumer.  One neat thing is the way they have designed the camera themselves, back in the day they were kind of an ugly thing, but in the last four years they have come in a variety of different “fish” skins.  This one is in perch.

Some of the things that set the units apart is the lighting available with each model.  IR lighting refers to infra red.  Although the light is invisible to the naked eye, its there.  This also seems to be the choice to use when the fish are being skittish.  Drawback is that it doesn’t function well during night time conditions.  SR lights mean spectral response lights like those featured in the picture.  They work best at night, in deep water where little light reaches and really cloudy days.

There are two accessories that make the use easier, and the other is just plain fun stuff.  The first is the pod developed to lock the camera into position while viewing your jig and the activity below.  Set this up over a hole 10 feet or so from where you will be fishing.  Locate your jig on the viewer and set up shop.  Run the cord back to your location, and watch the activity below while you fish.  There is a motorized pod available that can be run with a remote.  I like the simple one the best, it might take a little extra time to get setup, but you will never have a durability issue with a non-electric device.

Next up is the DVR recorder.  This attaches to all models, old and new.  Tech stuff really can be too cool when it comes to fishing, specially ice fishing.  This has 1G of space, and will record images for up to 2 hours.  Ok, yes its fun, no argument there.  What better way to record your own fishing video’s, but there is a useful plus side to this.  This is an incredible learning tool.  Consider your time on the ice as a practical classroom,  take the DVR back home and study the images like doing your homework.  How did the fish react to the lure, to the motion, and what could  you have done more effectively to respond to the actions of the fish.  All very useful things to consider for your next trip out.

Times ticking down to the trip this weekend and wanted to cover at least one or two more things on the electronics question.  There is a saying that has been going around for years, ” I won’t go fishing without my Vexilar “.  Its true, I have known guys who been an hour into their fishing trip while still driving, only to realize that they have forgotten their flasher at home,  they will lose the two hours it takes to go back home and get their Vex.

To me, its just as important to bring the underwater camera with me, specially when fishing a new lake for the first time.  Flashers keep you on fish, GPS’s get you close to the spots you have fished before, but the cameras are a tool not to be forgotten.  The best thing about a camera is that you go to a spot, and drill a hole.  Drop the camera down and pan around 360′ and you know what is down there.  You see the structure, the drop-offs, gravel beds, weeds and even what the fish species you have picked up on your flasher is.

I can still go and drill a couple of 100 holes in a day looking for fish,  but the use of a camera is a time saver, and a back saver for that matter too.  Cameras, used while another person is drilling holes, allows the user to jump around every 20 yards or so and check out the lay of the lake bottom.  Working together in that fashion allows fisherman to make the most of the time they have on the water.

Ok, its a time saver, got that covered.  Why else are cameras an important tool?  In deeper water where you can’t just lean over and see through the hole inside a shanty, the cameras help determine what mood the fish are in.  If the fish are aggressive that is one thing, they will just streak in on the flasher and nail the bait.  But, if you are seeing fish on the flasher screen, and not getting any action is when the camera finds another use.  Drop the camera down about 10 yds from your hole and locate your lure, get it all set up and return to your fishing.  A lot of times the camera will allow you to see what type of mood the fish are in.  There are times where an aggressive jiggle of your bait will drive fish off never to return.  Times like these call for very subtle action, or none at all to entice the fish to bite.

Another tool for the arsenal for any angler.  Is it necessary, that’s up to the individual.  Is it helpful, always.

Had another good day at the MI-OH show at the fairgrounds this afternoon.  Spent some time talking with the reps, and even though it was geared up towards fishing open water, spent a lot of time talking fishing the hardwater with many of the reps.

As I turned the corner on one of the isles I turned around and ran smack dab into Captain Mike and Jay from Matthews Bait and Tackle.  Couldn’t believe that I had missed their display yesterday, but made up for it today.  The guys were fuzzy jig ready for the spring season to hit, with many of their casting jigs on display that are geared for fishing Ohio water early in the season.  Told them next year to get a bigger sign, you can see it just behind them on the back wall of the booth.  The guys are psyched for a bigger and better year at the bait shop.  This week they will be in the shop getting it geared for the spring opening, although the shop will be closed until then, there is going to be a lot more tackle for folks to choose from on their walleye and perch needs.  One addition will be from Fishlander, including downriggers, spoons, harnesses, beads and blades.  They will also be carrying some of the hottest glow spoons from Moonshine in the shop this year.  The glow paint on these baits is unreal on how long it lasts.  Charge them once during a trip and you shouldn’t have to do it again during the whole trip.

I picked up some new blades and clear Fishlander Divers for myself.  Will get a picture of the blades later, time for dinner and staying warm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You would think this was a scene from Alaska, but its just a few hours north of us on Lake Huron’s Saginaw Bay.  All across the bay are sighting reports of huge ice piles, scattered from one end to the other other.  This one was estimated at 20 to 25 ft high.  Its actually quite a sight to see one of these, and I haven’t seen ones like these in 10 yrs or so of fishing the big water.

The fishing wasn’t too bad yesterday either.  After some initial mishaps with a quad getting stuck in some slush, for three hours of trying to get it out, the fishing started for my friends on the bay.  Between Adam and his Dad, they caught 13 and lost two at the holes.  Together as a group 23 walleye were caught between 10 am and 1 pm.  Pretty nice day, or a half.