That is what ended up in the cooler the last two days, 47 on Wednesday, and 92 yesterday. The weather was GREAT yesterday, and Wednesday it was a bit choppy, both days it seemed like the fish were more actively feeding during the late afternoon period. Looks like my morning is booked cleaning fish.
Wednesday: Got a late afternoon start and went towards a report in 23/24 fow. Saying the fishing was slow out there would be an understatement, so about 3:30 we left for our spot just North of the River Raisin channel. At that spot we put 30 to 35 fish in the cooler, including a nice 11 incher caught by my neighbor. Pics will be coming after I clean all the fish.
Thursday: Mid-afternoon we were fishing near that spot from Thursday, having very little luck (20.3 fow). After an hour we split for the pack of boats near 23 fow. To be honest I am not sure what drew everyone there except for that pack mentality that creeps in when you aren’t catching fish. Picked up 20 or so fish there, but very slow going.
We moved a bit later and tried just NE of the last buoys on the channel….yawner. Finally ended up packing up again to get spot on the spot from Thursday and last Friday. As the anchor is getting set I dropped down my vertical rig and did a lil drift trolling with my shiners. Soon after the anchor took hold I took up the slack and a nice fish hits, 10 incher. Liking this move already.
The action came late in the afternoon, say from 3:30 on. It came in spurts, just like on the Friday before. It starts with a few dinkers coming in to sniff, maybe catching a white perch, then its a slamfest for 10 to 15 minutes with the 8 inch or bigger fish. This is how the bulk of the fish ended up in the cooler.
Played with the spreaders yesterday, and picked up a few fish. By far the most action came on the vertical perch rigs I tied up with the 4 inch lears and snells the other week. Most of the fish came on the #10 Mustad Ultra Point live bait hooks with a single glow 5 mm bead above the knot. Pearl (white), along with purple, orange and yellow pearl beads also produced some nice fish. Also, picked up some nice ones on the #8 hooks rigged with two and three beads with a small #00 or #0 klacker blade on top. The #6 hooks were just too big. Looks like I am going to need some more hooks and blades!
I much prefer making my own rigs vs. getting the ones rigged with wire and all the blades hanging off the side. I am sure its just me, but too much junk on the rig just seems like a distraction to the fish. Worse it might spook off the bigger fish.
Will have some pics after the sun comes up a bit and warms things up.