End of Summer

DATE:              August 21, 2012

LOCATION:    Lake Michigan, Muskegon

With:                 Katie and Ko. and Kelly S. (Numenon)

TIME:             6-9 PM

HOURS:          3 (fishing time, a couple of hours of run time!)

WEATHER/CONDITIONS: Clear and 70 F; winds WSW at about 8-10 knots; unexpectedly choppy seas.  Water temps 69-70 F.

I took advantage of possibly the last available weather window of the summer and took Katie and Ko. and Kelly S. out for another trip.  Rushed home from work, got out the boat and was at S’s house by 4:01 PM.  It’s been more than a month since my last trip, and I felt out of touch; but most reports and internet tools indicated lots of warm water, and fish out and down deep.

There was some breeze on Muskegon Lake, and as we approached the west end of the lake, I noted a few smaller boats fishing (trolling) in the lake and channel; was this a sign that it was too rough?  In the channel, I could see the explosive spray of a couple of boats starting to work their way out; another bad sign? 

Best friends on Muskegon Lake

Seas were only a foot or two; but steep, quick and choppy.  It was difficult to find and maintain the sweet spot for planing and making progress, but we eventually made it to the break at about 180 fow.  There was no indication of any cooler water, but I figured the “structure” here could at least be some sort of attraction/bait funnel.  Kelly drove the boat all night and basically criss-crossed the tightest contour lines, generally working north but bouncing between 180 and 250 fow or so. 

My initial spread included 3 deep riggers, full copper and wire diver with a heavy dipsey; supplemented by a shallow braided dipsey and available full cores and 150 Copper.  The deep stuff never produced and we went 3 for 4 on mostly the shallower stuff.  In order:

• 150 Copper with multi-color UV lure; 1 for 2 with a 7-pound steelie for Ko. and a lost fish for Katie
• Braided dipsey out 155 @ 3, with old white/mirage Bechold flasher; 3 pound coho
• Rigger down 60, Blue dolphin; 4 pound steelie

210 fow at about 2.1 mph sog seemed most productive.

Fish On!

Again!

Beautiful Lake Michigan Steelhead

There was apparently lots to talk about

We didn’t set any records, but it was a pleasant night and everybody enjoyed themselves.  More “World Class Fish” were caught by the S's!  I encountered more problems than usual with a couple of deep tangles (probably should not try to run multiple big paddles at depths over 100 feet simultaneously); a mysterious breakoff on the wire diver (near the rod tip; lost the diver, my blue/white – pickled sunshine fish-catcher and 200 feet of wire line); and a broken navigation light.

At times I kind of felt like we were pushing the envelope of what a little boat can do; four adults, long runs, deep water, choppy seas, lots of lines…but there were no real issues; all was handled in stride.

Finally, it’s just a bit scary how well Katie knows her Old Man.  Is she that smart, or am I really that predictable?

Beautiful sunset - but we're still 18 miles from the launch!