Lake St. Clair Fishing Reports from Michigan

August 15th, 2008

SALMON FISHING ON LAKE MICHIGAN

This week I invited 5 of my fishing friends to join me on a Salmon trip to Manistee Michigan. Hot bed of Salmon fishing on Lake Michigan. This year I decided to just charter with Captain Paul Shlefly from Riverside Charters. He’s one of the best Salmon Captains in Manistee. We arrived at his 34' Tiara art 3:00 p.m. and proceeded to the 140' reef area.

After setting out his program of 8 different offerings, we waited anxiously for a hit. NOTHING bit ????? On the way out Captain Paul noticed another boat netting a salmon in just 30' of water, close to the Harbor. That morning he had limited out in the area we were trolling. Nothing happened in the first hour of fishing?????

Captain Paul retired his program and we pulled lines. He really wanted to stay out side the deep reef but with out any action we really had to bite the bullet and move inshore.

When we arrived in the 30' depth all lines were set, with a different program of lures and baits. Even a new B-17 lure I brought up for Captain Paul to try out. It looks like a shad and really looks to good to fish with. Out in the distance we noticed big black sky was building up!!!!!!!!!!! After a weather radio check we were told a big storm is coming!!!!!!!!!! This would either turn off the fish bite or turn them on???? As the clouds kept getting closer we all got on our foul weather gear. As the storm hit us 2 of the rods went off. The bite was on!!!! Rocking and rolling waves built to 3' to 4' and we boated two nice salmon in the 15 to 20 lb range. The winds whipped up a froth on the seas and then the rain started too. Rain actually beat down the seas and calmed down. After the front moved thru the sun came out and we again had more bites and landed a few more Salmon. The inshore area was loaded with bait fish and so were the Salmon. We all took turns in landing our hook ups.

We even caught a nice big one on the B-17 Shad too. Lost several nice fish including a big Steel head trout . At 8:30pm the sun set and we pulled lines. 12 nice Salmon in the fish box The next morning at 5 am we boarded "Killin Time" with Captain Craig on board. We discussed last nights success with Captain Craig and he talked of the inshore Harbor area for our program to fish. After setting up all our lines, We waited anxiously for the sunrise to turn on the bite. To our disappointment all we hooked up with and landed one small salmon, missed another bite too. In the hour after sunrise no bites. Captain Craig said they just moved out over night. Captain Craig discussed by phone the morning with a few other Captains, he decided to move out to the deeper reef. Pulled lines and ran out to the 140' reef. After our lines were in, action started. We had many hook ups and boated some nice Salmon. Also lost many too. At 11:00 o’clock we trolled our way in shore and picked up another fish as well.

20 nice Salmon made our trip a real success.

Two big Salmon went to the Smoke house for processing and gets smoked. All the other Salmon was filleted, bagged, and put on ice for the ride home. We all have plenty of fish to feed our families and friends too.

Next week I’m back on Lake St. Clair for the rest of the summer. Come fishing with Captain Frank on the "Golden Streaker" call me for a date 305 509 1547