Archive for the ‘Community News’ Category

Luna Pier Heating Up

Friday, November 6th, 2009

If you still have the walleye bug, and your boat is put away, you still have options.  One of those is going south of Monroe and fishing in the evenings at Luna Pier. Bring the essentials; long rod, lots of floating cranks, long net is nice, and waders are optional if you have them.  Thermos of coffee is a must.

Best technique? Toss your bait out like fishing any other type of pier. As soon as you feel it ticking some rocks…..STOP!!!  Allow the bait to rise or float up a bit before beginning to reel it in some more.  This method will help you avoid those nasty snags.

If the water has been blown out by a good west wind, then is the time to break out the waders, or at least some good hip boots.  This will allow you to get further out with your casts where the fish are. Not as rocky passed a certain point, but still use caution when ticking along the bottom.

Dress like you are ice fishing, heavy boots…the whole 9 yards.  The cold damp air will cut through you, so a lil’ fleece under some gore tex is nice to have.  Couple of those air activated hot pads/bags come in handy too.

More Tournies in Monroe Needed

Friday, August 14th, 2009

Its crazy that there are not more fishing tournaments held in the Monroe area, considering  it is located on one of the nation’s best walleye and perch fisheries. Last year Matthews Bait and Tackle had one, it was a great time, good food, nice cash prizes, but they went out of business.

This year there was one held by Jeff’s Bait and Tackle, and they plan on having a perch derby over the Labor Day weekend.  If its conducted anyway like the walleye tourney was, I am sure it will be a good time for all who enter.

The point is, why are there not more being held?  You go up to Saginaw Bay and there is a local tournament practically every weekend.  The Marina has one, some auto repair shop has one..etc.  Every bait shop should be having one down here.  Good for business, free promotion in the paper and a whole more exciting than reading the softball beer league scores.  Not that I have anything against softball or beer for that matter.

If every tackle store held a tourney, that would be four in our area right there.  Throw in perhaps the new owners at Cook’s Sportland, and I know the name has changed, but I don’t know it yet, sorry. So there’s five, throw in two marinas in Brest Bay and Bolles Harbour, that’s seven. Start having them in May and by July when the eyes are normally getting scarce, its been a great season!

You learn a lot by talking with the anglers after the event is over.  What worked for them, or on the other hand you might be able to shed some light and help them out too.  Its not just about the competition, although that can be a good thing,  they really are just fun events.

Hopefully someone steps up in 2010, and this thing can start having that snowball effect that is needed in this area.

Monroe Co. Fair: Fishing at the Fair Aug 5th

Monday, August 3rd, 2009

I will be at the Monroe Evening New’s booth inside the Monroe Bank and Trust Expo Center between 6 and 9 pm Wednesday evening. I had a lot of fun doing it last year; talking fishing and seeing lots of friends.

St Croix has sent me some mini catalogs and I will be able to help anyone with some rod choices for the type of fishing you do the most.  Will also have some stickers from Vexilar, and Frank’s Great Outdoors….Michigan’s ultimate walleye shop.

Hunter’s Safety Course @ Maybee Sportsman’s

Tuesday, July 21st, 2009

Its that time of the year to get the youngsters out and ready to take the field for the hunting seasons that Michigan has to offer.  You will be hard pressed to find a program that offers a better training program  and facility than the course offered by the Maybee Sportsmans Club over on 11490 Hoffman Road over in Maybee.

The dates for this year’s training program are Tuesday, September 8th (5:30pm-9:30pm), then Thursday September 10th (6pm till 9:30pm) and it wraps up on Saturday the 12th (9am to 4 pm).  The course covers gun handling safety, first aid, survival, hunter ethics and sportsmanship, with instruction given by members with years of  DNR training experience.  If the weather is uncooperative the club offers a top notch indoor facility, as well.

To pre-register you can visit the club online at  www.maybeesportsmanclub.netor if you have questions you can call Donn Wobser at 734.269.6394.  Both Mr. Wobser and my neighbor Don Keck are well qualified, and Mr. Keck is a former Michigan state champion in archery.  So you really are getting your youngsters trained by some of the best in the state.

Jet Divers: Captain Dave’s Release System

Monday, July 13th, 2009

With all the posts that I have made recently about using Jet Divers out on Lake Erie,  I remembered that my neighbor had a couple of releases he had purchased.  I went to the net to look up some information and found that they were being made right here in Monroe by Captain Dave Benore of  Kingfisher Charters.  What’s better than a Michigan product?  A local Michigan product that has been put to the test on the same waters we all fish.

Instead of just going to the site and then posting links back here on the blog, I decided to call the captain himself and get some more details first hand. A quick call Thursday evening was followed up Friday morning with a more detailed conversation.  Captain Dave has been chartering on Lake Erie since 1986, and he was informative, and took me step by step through the process, the how’s and why’s of his Jet Diver Release.

jet release2

Don’t fight the diver, just the fish is the principle behind the release being used on the Jets.  Although he did not invent the first type of release for Jet Divers, Captain Dave has refined it.  During our talk it reminded me of those old commercials on television, ” We didn’t invent the widget, we only made it better”.

That’s what the owner of Kingfisher Charters has done by taking the original concept and refining it.  His product is one of the  lighter,  weight wise on the market, and yet uses sturdy  nylon coated wire on the release. The most popular sized Jet on Lake Erie, the #20 will not sink while letting out line from your rod and reel set-up.  This helps the anglers who use the Precision Trolling guides stay on the dive curves found in the book.

The releases were put to the test on Captain Dave’s charter boat, the King Fisher II .  When he was satisfied with their performance, he began to sell them.  They have now been available for a little over a month now on his website under Captain Dave’s Jet Diver Release System, then for a short time on Ebay, and now Craig’s List.

The releases are easy to install, and you only need an electric drill with an 1/8″ bit.  Basically its drill the hole, install release and go fishing.  Each package has detailed directions, and the website also has an instructional link/page as well with pictures to help walk you through the easy steps involved.  Just click on  “  Installation Instructions ” to see what is involved.

jet release

Give them a try, the price  is right at $21.00 for six releases,  and that includes shipping through the post office. Why fight the diver and the fish at the same time?  It will also give you a better idea of the size of your fish as you bring it in, because you no longer feel the drag of the diver.  Sounds like a win win.

Brandon Inge: Vote Now

Tuesday, July 7th, 2009

send the best fielding 3 rd baseman to the all star game

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/all_star/y2009/fv/ballot.html

Jeff’s Bait Shop Walleye Tournament

Wednesday, June 24th, 2009

Just another reminder to get out this weekend and have some fun with other SE Michigan walleye anglers at the tourney being held Saturday by Jeff’s Bait and Tackle over on 1756 N. Dixie Highway.

Here are some of the particulars:

June 27th, Presented by Domka Outdoors

$25 per person

Each boat weighs their five biggest fish

Times are 6 am to 2 pm, you have to be in line for weigh in by TWO PM.

I hope to have some more information after fishing today.

Garage Sales 4 fishing gear

Sunday, June 7th, 2009

Tis the garage sale season, where folks drive around and stop at the homes of strangers looking for goodies.  For the anglers, this is the time to pick up deals on fishing gear.  Seriously, you never know what you may find at these sales, and sometimes there are some real gems available.

Recently my neighbor decided to have one, just east of Geiger Road on Dunbar.  He needed some fishing gear, so Thursday and Friday I snell and make up 100 crawler harnesses, dig up some worm binders and lures for another table of gear.  Hopefully the weather holds out today, and it looks like next weekend this thing might be continueing.

Sometimes there are reels in really good shape when you shop.  I know some guys who have bought tackle boxes, full of gear for dollars, instead of the 100’s it would take to fill it up again.  So next time when the wife, girlfriend or buddy say “lets take a ride”, go, you never know what you might find.

Need Crawlers? Shop Locally

Tuesday, May 26th, 2009

I found a notice in the Monroe Evening New’s pet supplies section.  Roger Nocella is selling Canadian crawlers per 100 for $10.50, that’s about $4.50 less than many of the bait stores in the area.  You can also be like myself, and order a flat of 500 crawlers to save a little extra money for 40 dollars a flat.

Going panfishing?  They also carry the Jumbo Panfish Worms.  In either case call up and get more information at 734.241.3802.  They were very helpful and friendly when I called.  I am picking my order up on Thursday.

4/30 AAA Fishing Report

Thursday, April 30th, 2009

Wind and rain has plagued anglers for several days now creating tough fishing conditions in many areas of the state. Before heading to your fishing destination, visit www.AAATraffic.com for the latest traffic, construction, weather and road conditions that may affect your route.


 

Upper Peninsula:

Bergland anglers seem to be in a transition period now that the ice is gone. Very minimal activity on perch and most anglers are just waiting for walleye season to open on May 15.

Marquette received 18-inches of snow last week and it has rained ever since so the rivers are crested and very muddy, most look like chocolate. Activity is slow overall slow with the exception of a few Coho on Lake Superior.

Escanaba anglers dealt with rain and wind this week that created high water levels in the rivers. All of the boat landings are open as well as trout season. Trout activity got off to a slow start in the streams. North of Gladstone some perch are being taken in the narrows. Walleye season opens May 15.

Indian Lake is producing nice numbers of perch and anglers are doing well on the majority of inland lakes. The Manistique River continues to remain strong for steelhead on spawn. So far no activity on Lake Michigan, just off of the Lake near Thompson Creek the brown trout are starting to hit.

Off of the Sault Ste. Marie area perch are biting on minnows near Sugar Island. Rain has curtailed much of the angling activity this week overall.

Around Munuscong the St. Mary’s River is producing steelhead on spawn and spoons. Pike, walleye and musky season opens May 15.

Around Drummond Island some smelt can still be found in the Lake Huron tributaries and anglers are getting some perch on minnows and perch rigs.

St. Ignace received plenty of wind and rain this week idling fishing activity, but a warm-up helped a few anglers pull in some trout. Smelt has slowed down but persistent anglers heading to the north side of the Carp River are filling their two-gallon bucket.

Information Providers: Bay View Bait & Tackle-Escanaba; Gogebic Grocery-Marenisco; Top O’Lake Sport-Manistique; Gander Mountain-Marquette; Hank’s Sporting-Sault Ste. Marie; Wilderness Treasurers-Munuscong Bay and ACE Hardware-St. Ignace.


Northwest:

Rain and adverse weather has limited fishing activity in Alanson so far this week.

Traverse City anglers are doing well on the Boardman River for steelhead. Suttons Bay is producing some perch on wigglers and perch minnows. Walleye is slow so far.

Anglers getting out around the Frankfort area are doing well on most inland lakes for blue gill and crappie. Steelhead and suckers are still running at a good pace on the Betsie and Platte rivers. Spawn and flies are working well, spin fishing, bobbers and longer leaders are also in the bag of tricks for anglers. Walleye and trout season opens in the area on Saturday.

Around Kalkaska some nice size trout have been caught despite the rain. The rain should actually bring in more steelhead into the Boardman River for the weekend.

Gaylord anglers are finding very good steelhead numbers in the Boyne, Sturgeon and Jordan rivers. Spawn, egg flies and nymph patterns are working well. Good action for walleye on Otsego Lake and Big Lake with crawler harnesses and crank bait working well. Trout streams are slow but improving.

In the Cadillac area fishing this week has been quiet with some blue gill and crappie being taking from Mitchell and Cadillac lakes. Trout fishing is good in the streams.

Information providers: Alphorn-Gaylord; Backcast Fly Shop-Frankfort; Jack’s Sports-Kalkaska; Pilgrim’s Village-Cadillac; Young’s Bait Shop-Alanson and Gander Mountain-Traverse City.


West:

Excellent trout action is taking place around the Baldwin area on the Little Manistee and Pere Marquette rivers and streams throughout the area that include rainbow, brown and brook trout. Steelhead activity is also rated good to excellent when using spawn. Inland lakes are good for pike on sucker minnows and the pan fish are biting in nice numbers too.

Good fishing for anglers in the Muskegon area for perch, trout and walleye. Muskegon Lake is producing nice numbers of perch in 42-29 feet of water on minnows and wigglers. Perch action is good on Lake Michigan in 60-70 feet of water. The White and Muskegon rivers are both giving up tremendous trout catches. Off of the Muskegon piers the walleye fishing is good using crank baits and husky jerks.

In the Chippewa Lake area the channels are providing good counts of specks and Chippewa Lake is producing a few walleye on minnows.

Rain, rain and more rain is the word in Grand Rapids and with all that rain flooding is the rule for just about every river in the area idling fishing at this point. Inland lakes all have high water levels as well but are fishable.

Information providers: King Sports-Baldwin; East Bay Store-Chippewa Lake; Shoreline Bait & Tackle-Muskegon; Gander Mountain-Grand Rapids and Wolf Lake Motel & Resort-Baldwin.


Southwest:

Lake Michigan off of the Benton Harbor area is giving up good catches of Coho and Kings on Rapalas and orange spoons in 50-feet of water. Just about anything orange is doing the trick.

Wind and rain today has halted angling activity in the New Buffalo area.

High water from rain is causing for poor fishing conditions in the Kalamazoo area. Overall the angling action is slow and has been rough due to heavy winds. Pine Lake and Maple Lake are producing some blue gill. The St. Joe harbor is giving up a few brown trout.

Inland lakes throughout the Three Rivers area are providing nice numbers of perch and blue gill on wax worms and minnows.

Information providers: Tackle Haven-Benton Harbor; D.& R. Sports-Kalamazoo; Captain Cook’s-New Buffalo and Fisherman’s Luck-Three Rivers.


Northeast:

Alpena anglers continue to hit on good numbers of walleye near the shoreline of Lake Huron. Fishing in the evening hours with Rapalas seems to be getting good results. Fish are ranging from three to seven pounds. Steelhead and sucker activity is good near the Ninth Street Dam when anglers use spawn and flies.

Fishing is good in Oscoda for steelhead, suckers and walleye. Below the Foote Dam Pond steelhead and sucker activity is really starting to pick up. Walleye are hitting near the mouth of the Au Sable River.

Grayling anglers are doing fair for trout on the Au Sable and Manistee rivers. Best fishing seems to be mid-day. Lake Margrethe is slow to fair for pan fish. Anglers are getting best results in shallow water since fish are starting to bed up a bit. The walleye bite is slow so far. Crappie and blue gill are showing up in the canals. Live baits are working well on pan fish, wax worms on blue gill and jig heads with leeches while drifting for walleye.

Fishing is on the rise for Houghton Lake anglers. Today the weather finally broke and the walleye and pike are biting when trolling and using stick baits or Rapalas. The canals are producing decent counts of blue gill and crappie.

The sun finally popped out today on Higgins Lake after days of rain and wind. Walleye, trout and pike season are open, but so far no activity is taking place.

In the Au Gres area steelhead activity is still good on the east branch of the Au Gres. Sucker opportunities have dwindled. Good action for walleye at the mouth of the River.

Standish anglers are finding a slow and tough go for fishing due to northeast winds and rain causing dirty water and rough conditions. Some walleye are being caught near the mouth of the river and perch fishing seems to be over.

Information providers: Clem’s-Alpena; Skips-Grayling; Lyman’s-Houghton Lake; Sports Barn-Higgins Lake; Wright’s Sport Shop-Au Gres; The Dam Store-Oscoda and Eagle Bay Marina-Standish.


East:

Heavy winds have really curtailed the fishing for anglers around Bay City, Bay Port and Saginaw. Water is high, dirty and white caps were common on several days. Bay Port had a few small perch catches and a few anglers were catching and releasing some bass. Saginaw Bay gave up a few walleye on golden shiners, husky jerks, body baits and minnows during the evening hours, but overall the fishing opportunities have been limited. The Saginaw River has high water levels and is churned up like a chocolate milkshake.

Port Sanilac and Lexington anglers are trolling in 10-20 feet of water using some spoons but mostly body baits. Gold and orange are the best colors. Lexington Harbor has perch action picking up but you will need patience and put your time in. Anglers are finding that one day the fish are small in size the next day they are large, very inconsistent. The Port Huron Boardwalk has some nice numbers of Coho, Kings, walleye and steelhead for the taking. Red Eye spoons are hot on set lines. The mouth of the Black River the perch are starting to pick up with best results using Emerald Shiners and small perch bait. A few whitefish can be spotted at the mouth of the river and anglers are vertical jigging for walleye. Mill Creek the sucker run is slowing down.

Information providers: Anderson’s Pro Bait-Port Huron; 1st & Main-Bay Port; Michigan Sportsman-Bay City and Gander Mountain-Saginaw.


Central:

Water is high around Lansing and the fishing conditions are not good. The Grand River is muddy and the steelhead run has slowed. Pretty much all the fishing is slow on area lakes. Anglers are anxious for the weather to settle.

Anglers fishing throughout and around the Brooklyn area are finding slow activity due to wind. A few inland lakes are giving up good gill action and only a few walleye.

Information providers: Knutson’s Live Bait-Brooklyn and Grand River Bait and Tackle-Lansing.


Southeast:

East winds around the Harrison Township area has angling activity slowed today. A few anglers have been out catching and releasing small mouth bass in 6-8 feet of water on Lake St. Clair but overall rough conditions.

If the wind would just stop the walleye fishing would be phenomenal between Gibraltar and the Ambassador Bridge on the Detroit River. Over the past weekend, hundreds of walleye anglers were out despite very windy conditions and white caps. Anglers have been plagued with high winds since Saturday causing rough waters and tough fishing conditions. Today the winds are high again keeping anglers off the water. Shore fishing is decent from Delray Park for perch and silver bass, but walleye is only rated fair thanks to dirty water. Hand-liners are doing well at night. Baits of choice include Finesse minnows, Wyandotte Worms and a variety of gulp baits. Also try two-eyed jigs, chartreuse baits, Pumpkin Seeds and Melon Belly on the walleye. When the wind dies down, expect anglers to be back out at the hot spots that include off the wall near BASF, and near Great Lakes Steel Boat Club and the steel mill area where anglers were getting limits easily.

Off of Monroe, high winds kept anglers off of Lake Erie earlier this week but today some attempted are back at it fishing around Bolles Harbor, Brest Bay and near River Raisin seeking walleye. Most anglers are trolling with crawler harnesses, Rapala Shad Wraps popular in silver and black and Wyandotte worms. One ounce jig heads also seem to get results. Silver bass are very active and it is hard to keep them off the line when walleye fishing. Walleye activity is very good around Luna Pier, near the shipping channels, Turtle Island and the Toledo Light. Purple Hair jigs, minnows and worms are working well. The Huron River in Flat Rock still has some steelhead activity near Metro Park, by the Dam and near Edison.

Good fishing around Belleville where anglers are getting decent catches of walleye and pike on both Ford and Belleville lakes using suckers and Red Devil spoons. Pike are hitting on gold walleye shiners. A good location for some crappie action is around the flats on Ford Lake using minnows and walleye minnows. Blue gill are biting on the Huron River and both lakes on wax worms. A few anglers are catching and releasing bass. Popular baits include night crawlers and baby crawlers and wax worms for blue gill is starting to pick up.

Information providers: Gander Mountain-Taylor; Lakeside Fishing Shop-St. Clair Shores; Pro-Fishing & Archery-Harrison Township; South Street Tackle-Belleville; Bottom Line Bait & Tackle-Rock Wood; Erie Party Shop-Monroe and Andy’s Tackle Box-Melvindale.