Hey, Paul. Love the channel and videos. I've got to tell you that you and a couple others (but mostly you) inspired me to step up my game. I sold my 14' jon boat and bought a 19' Starcraft that is already setup with riggers, Traxtech track, rod holders, Garmin, Lowrance, Minn Kota Terrova etc. I'm loading up on trolling gear and tackle and I'm going to be hitting Huron and Lake Michigan as much as possible. You are welcome aboard anytime. Holler back. I'm retired so I plan on getting out anytime the weather is cooperating. Thanks again.
Thanks for the videos and taking the time to explain what you are doing. I just bought a similar size boat to start fishing the big water more and I’ve watched several of your videos to help learn the process. Lots of good info. I look forward to more.
speedelancer69 thank you so much! Man that is great to hear! I started this page for that reason alone. I learned by trial and error and I wanted to shorten the learning curve if I could for anyone. I hope to see you on the water or at the port someday! Tight lines!
Pretty cool. Nice that you all get to fish a few more rods. In CA we are only allowed 1 rod per person when fishing in the bay/ocean (unless commercial). Nice video. Hope you get after them again soon.
Bad Dog I would love to do it, but I don’t have the time! Lol! Also, I’ve found that doing hobbies for money tends to make them a job, and I hate working! Thanks for the kind words man! I appreciate it a ton!
Liked, subscribed, and I think I really wanna drink a few beers with you. Just got into salmon on the big lake outta northern IL/ WI border and this helps. Luckily I have the Lake Michigan Angler shop right in my back yard so I’ve learned a lot from him too. Got a new Lund 1875 crossover that I have to pull a couple buckets behind to troll down that low but this winter I’ll install a kicker. Didn’t know how much I’d love trolling on the big lake when I ordered the boat :). Use my Ulterra to steer with ipilot. Running dipsys and boards now but may get a down rigger or two real soon when warmer temps push me farther offshore.
I’m sorry I just saw this! I hope you’ve been doing well! Thanks for the views! Let me know how it’s been!! You sound like you have everything how it needs to be!
Great video very good info. I went out of Saugatuck caught 6 3 steelhead and 3 coho. Used my big motor with bags until I can get me a pro kicker Also used my i-Pilot to steer Thanks again for your awesome videos
Scott VanNuil hell yes! I need to make a run up there one of these days. I love that port. I just haven’t fished there much. I’ve made the run down from Muskegon when it’s calm and it’s a great time. I’m heading to Ludington Friday. I can’t wait! Thanks for the kind words! See you on the water! Tight lines!
Matt Gentry Outdoors Scotty bases and rod holders from amazon on traxtech track and mounts. Downrigger mounts are amazon also. I’ll see if I can find any of the old links.
Okuma. Not Okama. How do you know there's no current without a temp/speed unit on your DR. Your SWR is actually at app. 91' depending on current. You evidently like the Ballyhoo cut bait from DW ? Have you tried others? I've not tried the Alewife cut bait but have been wondering if it would out do the Ballyhoo?
I follow the noaa current maps and I stack my baits at different depths. When I hit a fish, I mark it’s location, check the maps, and see if I was right. I also have a high def transducer and I can see most of my lines running on the screen and at why depths they are. When I mark fish, I drop my tackle to that depth get it in their face, then catch fish. Pretty much how everyone caught fish before fishhawks were around and I don’t need one to catch fish so I don’t care. I make videos for people who want to start fishing or want to learn how to fish Lake Michigan salmon in a small boat. Fish hawks are not necessary to catch fish at all. I like the ballyhoo because they are tough fish. Their skin is like leather, alewives aren’t nearly as tough, and herring are even worse. I have a few varieties and have used them all, but I prefer the premium ballyhoo. I stock my freezer with a few different kinds from the whole fish to the Dream Weaver premiums.
@@thechosenlifeoutdoors5437 Yeah I agree about the Ballyhoo. They're tough. I've never used the alewife. And, I've just started using meat the last couple years. But I disagre about the Fish Hawks. I think we both can agree that speed and temp are the two most important things to catch salmon. I fished for 5 years without one and the last 11 with one and it's extremely important. I've said this to others before and I still believe it. " if you use a temp and speed device you'll increase your catch by 30% year after year. ". The problem with NOAA charts is they're not accurate. Hell...NOAA can't even get wind and wave forecasts right! I've seen 3.8 SOG and 1.9 at the ball down 45'. Or just the opposite of that in the morning and in the afternoon, same area 2.5 SOG and 1.9 at the ball. That's a 1.3mph difference at the ball from am to pm fishing. NOAA doesn't tell ya that and the charts aren't real time. Secondly, temp you don't know where the TC is unless you have one. I'll not be catching fish and will raise or lower the DR and watch the temp change. I'll find the TC or even a small change and will set up just above that change. Most fish I catch I never mark on my Humminbird Helix mega 9 si, di. Sometimes.... but not most. I think it's interesting to see the different approaches from each guy that work for them. But I also think when we have some success we think that's what works and we never change it to something that works twice as good. I'm always looking for what helps put more fish in my boats.
I’m not saying it isn’t useful, what I am saying is that it’s not necessary to catch fish on Lake Michigan. My page is about sharing information with people and helping them take a plunge into something new they’ve never done, or if it’s something I can shed light on to help them put more fish in the boat. I know how fish hawks work, but it’s advanced compared to the info I currently share on my page and channel. I think helping people learn is a very simple process. Keep things simple, don’t overwhelm them, and show results. My goal is to get more people fishing the largest fresh water ecosystem on the planet and have them find success while doing it, while at the same time not overwhelming them because it can look extremely overwhelming to get into and even find a starting point. My point is, this video is titled “how to catch salmon on Lake Michigan.” Só people who are searching that phrase can come across some basic intel. The fish hawk is above basic intel. All in good time. I appreciate your feed back a ton though! Thank you for commenting!!
I haven’t salmon fished much. A lot of things going on in my life. All good stuff, but it takes away from my time I can film. I’m currently chasing a big southern Ohio whitetail I have a lot of history with, and hopefully I’ll get him on the ground before the season closes in February. After that it’s big walleye in Erie in March and April. I’m hoping to get after more kings this year, but my business has exploded and April-October I’m working 6-7 days a week to keep up. I appreciate the support and the comments! I’ll be back as soon as I can be!!
Kris Hanus thank you for watching! I caught one small coho well after dark. The bite has been tough as of recent apparently. I’m going to try to fish Ludington this weekend. By far my favorite port!
You can fish in a 14 footer with a 20 horse tiller steer if the weather is good and you know how to pick it. All of that aside, an 18 foot deep V is probably the minimum I would fish with. My boat is a tracker targa 20 with a 150 merc on it. It’s small enough where I can trailer it to any local Lake for panfish, yet big enough to make 50 mile runs on the Great Lakes in good weather and still feel safe if the wind switches and I have to Battle 4 foot waves that I didn’t plan on. It’s a happy medium for the kind of fisherman I am. Convenient for everything I like to do and as safe as I can afford it to be.
Like a lot of others in the comments, your videos helped me decide to buy some trolling gear. Started last year with walleye and this year started for salmon. I had some luck earlier in the spring out of St Joe. Seems it’s easier early with the water is cold. My question is how do you know where to fish. I think you said in this video you are out in 200 feet of water. I’m in a 16 foot boat and have made it out as far as 140ish. I feel more comfortable out that deep but it’s a big damn lake. How do you identify where to start fishing? Is it water temp? Marking baitfish?
We’re always chasing the cold water. I check the current maps often and see what the current is doing and where it is pushing nearest to shore and that’s where I fish. Also, check the DNR reports. If fishing is slow out of a port, the fish have moved out to chase the bait because the water is warm. The best bet is the go as far out as you can to find the cold water because most people don’t fish that far out and there are always fish out deep. For example. I went fishing Sunday out of st Joe. The reports said people were catching fish 170+ feet the water is warm in close and all the people I know said the same thing. Slow fishing because of warm water. So I went and started at 200 feet. It was flat calm so it wasn’t a big deal. I went 1 for 6. Caught a laker, lost 5 more including a nice steel head at the boat. I fished the top 100 feet of water and most of my hits were 60 feet down on a rigger with a mixed veggie spoon and a 300 copper with a stinger yellow killer spoon. So all my hits were 60-70 feet deep in 200 feet. Read the reports on Charter captain pages, DNR, forums, anything you can find that will steer you to where you need to be. It gets a lot easier the longer you do it!!
@@thechosenlifeoutdoors5437 thanks for the reply. When you find that cold water, do you just start fishing or are you marking fish or bait balls? It seems the fish that I did catch this spring, I never marked anything. I’d get marks on the bottom, which I assume are lake trout. So when I’d catch a king or a coho, it seemed more like dumb luck as I wasn’t marking fish, but I knew I was in good water temp.
I rarely mark bait, I always mark fish or I pull lines and go somewhere else. When I stopped in 200 feet Sunday, I instantly had fish on the sonar 60-80 feet down so I knew I was in good water with suspended fish feeding. I had my first hit before I had all 3 lines in the water. I take all the data, surface temps, wind direction, current direction and I get a good starting point from there. When I get on the water I usually have a plan according to all of it combined. Where the reports are, the current and where it’s pushing, surface temps, all of that. Then I take a stab with my gut feeling and head there. I’m usually not too far off of where I should be. Getting them to bite is a whole other story, but that’s how I get my plan together.
@@thechosenlifeoutdoors5437 thanks again. I’ll keep researching and learning. It does seem that in most of your videos you are away from crowds. At this point, I tend to follow crowds to some point I hope that they know where fish are! Great info. Thanks for taking the time to help out.
It’s all about the species and when they are best to fish. Coho school up in the spring and will damn near bite anything if you get in the middle of them, and lake trout are the same. If you get where they are they will bite. Kings are the only picky species on the Great Lakes. Rig your boat for kings, and learn to find cohos and lakers when the kings aren’t around and every trip you fish on the Great Lakes you will be successful. I promise you that!
Abdul Alkurdi It is possible. It's tough. While it can CAN cause line twist your best bet would be to loosen your drag until the line goes out. I did that one year when I was first starting on the big water.
I was going to say the same thing. I’ve actually put a couple colors of lead Core on a big spinning reel and caught some coho, but the drag set up is rough for fish any bigger. It’s rough trying to fight anything over 5 pounds on spinning tackle when the big fish want to run. That’s from a boat though trolling. I grew up pier fishing with 10 pound test and spinning reels though casting spoons in the fall. That is very doable. Tight lines!
Joey Helton I prefer real herring and cut bait. It’s more realistic in my mind. Plenty will disagree I’m sure but I think it adds another element that helps catch fish.
Shirt Jack I haven’t fished out of there, but I want to. I’m slowly working my way through every port on the lake! Good luck out there! Let me know how you do!!
The Chosen Life Outdoors ok thanks. I was wondering if they would hold up to the 12lb ball. Seems like they work good for you. I also fish out of St Joe. Thx again for the info!
daniel stone no problem, they work well. I still have the original cable on them as well and I’ve had them for like 6 years now. Good luck and see you on the water!
Not really. It all depends on where you are fishing them. Currents change and bait patterns change. Lake Michigan is a pretty solid 2-3 mph top water grill speed
Phill2tj23 I honestly couldn’t answer that, I do know that it is universally known that Michigan stingers have a higher speed tolerance and don’t “flop” like other brands tend to do at higher speeds. They also have held up better for me. Other brands I’ve used like moonshine have issues with paint chipping pretty fast also. To be honest, the Michigan stinger yellow killer spoon on 10 color has caught more fish for me than any other spoons combined so I am partial to it. I caught my first steelhead on it on the Great Lakes several years ago so it never leaves. It could be superstition, but it pulls a lot of fish and I’m a loyal customer! Hahaha!
Hey Paul, I love all your videos! One question: When you put your planer board on your lead core, are you taking a wrap or two around the front or back clips? I have tried that because my boards keep coming off- it hasn’t worked real good, but I don’t feel comfortable just clipping the board to the line.
T H what kind of backing are you using? All of my boards have offshore tackle or-16 clips on the back clip and they hold any line without a problem. I usually tighten down the front clip fairly tight as well with a screw driver. Micro lines will require you to wrap. Monofilament won’t. Most of my leadcores have mono backing. I used to have micro line like power pro, I just started replacing them with mono when they needed it. Mono is much cheaper and it works just as well.
Paul, on my lead core rods (x 2), I am using 30lb Power Pro braid. I think tou are right (and will only wrap the back clip) and see how that goes. I also have OR-16 clips on the back and the OR-18s on the front. Thanks much!
Just a few questions. How we're you able to set your rigger down so fast? If I did that with mine it would pop right off? Maybe you use different clips on your downrigger that attaches to the line? Also wondering where you suggest getting bait from for meat rigs I'm in the central WI area between bago and Michigan any suggestions?
nathan kaplon thank you for commenting, I have tried a lot of different clips, but the best ones I have used so far are the offshore downrigger clips. If you set the line in the back of the clip, they will hold down to 150 feet deep no problem and are super sturdy. I’m not sure where locally you can buy the meat over that way, but every major port I fish has at least one bait shop and all of those bait shops carry them. The two best known brands are Dream Weaver and familiar bite. You can order them but you have to order a lot. My favorite ones personally are the Dream Weaver premium meat strips. They are cut ballyhoo and ballyhoo is tough as hell. One piece of meat will last you a couple fish.
Hey, Paul. Love the channel and videos. I've got to tell you that you and a couple others (but mostly you) inspired me to step up my game. I sold my 14' jon boat and bought a 19' Starcraft that is already setup with riggers, Traxtech track, rod holders, Garmin, Lowrance, Minn Kota Terrova etc. I'm loading up on trolling gear and tackle and I'm going to be hitting Huron and Lake Michigan as much as possible. You are welcome aboard anytime. Holler back. I'm retired so I plan on getting out anytime the weather is cooperating. Thanks again.
I just luv watching ur TH-cam shows they are very helpful...
Hey Paul, this was a great video. Love the channel!! Thanks again 🤙🏼
Always give this guy a like. He takes the time to answer everyone's questions/ comments
Bad Dog I just love talking fishing! Thanks again for the kind words! Tight lines!
Thanks for the videos and taking the time to explain what you are doing. I just bought a similar size boat to start fishing the big water more and I’ve watched several of your videos to help learn the process. Lots of good info. I look forward to more.
Thanks for the kind words! I hope you’re getting on fish! Let me know!!
I literally bought a lake Michigan boat and have been doing great catching salmon because of you. Lol thank you.
speedelancer69 thank you so much! Man that is great to hear! I started this page for that reason alone. I learned by trial and error and I wanted to shorten the learning curve if I could for anyone. I hope to see you on the water or at the port someday! Tight lines!
That was a perfect day on the big water...Great videos man, keep em comin!
Cergie Cergnul I’ll do my best! Thanks so much for the support!
Excellent video, enjoyed the heck out of it.
Thank you!!
Pretty cool. Nice that you all get to fish a few more rods. In CA we are only allowed 1 rod per person when fishing in the bay/ocean (unless commercial).
Nice video. Hope you get after them again soon.
Hard to believe Cali isn’t more liberal with Rod allotments considering the source! Hahah tight lines!!
@@thechosenlifeoutdoors5437 yea it’s a terrible place to live these days.
You look like the kind of guy who should own a charter boat. You'd do well I'm sure! But you have to much fun with the way you're doing it. Great!
Bad Dog I would love to do it, but I don’t have the time! Lol! Also, I’ve found that doing hobbies for money tends to make them a job, and I hate working! Thanks for the kind words man! I appreciate it a ton!
Liked, subscribed, and I think I really wanna drink a few beers with you. Just got into salmon on the big lake outta northern IL/ WI border and this helps. Luckily I have the Lake Michigan Angler shop right in my back yard so I’ve learned a lot from him too. Got a new Lund 1875 crossover that I have to pull a couple buckets behind to troll down that low but this winter I’ll install a kicker. Didn’t know how much I’d love trolling on the big lake when I ordered the boat :). Use my Ulterra to steer with ipilot. Running dipsys and boards now but may get a down rigger or two real soon when warmer temps push me farther offshore.
I’m sorry I just saw this! I hope you’ve been doing well! Thanks for the views! Let me know how it’s been!! You sound like you have everything how it needs to be!
Love your set up must try but I gotta have my dipsy divers Keep them coming
Great video very good info. I went out of Saugatuck caught 6 3 steelhead and 3 coho.
Used my big motor with bags until I can get me a pro kicker
Also used my i-Pilot to steer
Thanks again for your awesome videos
Scott VanNuil hell yes! I need to make a run up there one of these days. I love that port. I just haven’t fished there much. I’ve made the run down from Muskegon when it’s calm and it’s a great time. I’m heading to Ludington Friday. I can’t wait! Thanks for the kind words! See you on the water! Tight lines!
Nice info friend
Can you send me a link to what your using for your rod holder track setup? Just got a similar boat using the versatrack
Matt Gentry Outdoors Scotty bases and rod holders from amazon on traxtech track and mounts. Downrigger mounts are amazon also. I’ll see if I can find any of the old links.
The “ahh bitch” killed me 😂😂
What size reel for your ten color ,love the video
david fox the big okuma connectors 45DX are the higehest capacity and the best priced ones I can find.
Okuma. Not Okama. How do you know there's no current without a temp/speed unit on your DR. Your SWR is actually at app. 91' depending on current. You evidently like the Ballyhoo cut bait from DW ? Have you tried others? I've not tried the Alewife cut bait but have been wondering if it would out do the Ballyhoo?
I follow the noaa current maps and I stack my baits at different depths. When I hit a fish, I mark it’s location, check the maps, and see if I was right. I also have a high def transducer and I can see most of my lines running on the screen and at why depths they are. When I mark fish, I drop my tackle to that depth get it in their face, then catch fish. Pretty much how everyone caught fish before fishhawks were around and I don’t need one to catch fish so I don’t care. I make videos for people who want to start fishing or want to learn how to fish Lake Michigan salmon in a small boat. Fish hawks are not necessary to catch fish at all. I like the ballyhoo because they are tough fish. Their skin is like leather, alewives aren’t nearly as tough, and herring are even worse. I have a few varieties and have used them all, but I prefer the premium ballyhoo. I stock my freezer with a few different kinds from the whole fish to the Dream Weaver premiums.
@@thechosenlifeoutdoors5437 Yeah I agree about the Ballyhoo. They're tough. I've never used the alewife. And, I've just started using meat the last couple years. But I disagre about the Fish Hawks. I think we both can agree that speed and temp are the two most important things to catch salmon. I fished for 5 years without one and the last 11 with one and it's extremely important. I've said this to others before and I still believe it. " if you use a temp and speed device you'll increase your catch by 30% year after year. ". The problem with NOAA charts is they're not accurate. Hell...NOAA can't even get wind and wave forecasts right! I've seen 3.8 SOG and 1.9 at the ball down 45'. Or just the opposite of that in the morning and in the afternoon, same area 2.5 SOG and 1.9 at the ball. That's a 1.3mph difference at the ball from am to pm fishing. NOAA doesn't tell ya that and the charts aren't real time. Secondly, temp you don't know where the TC is unless you have one. I'll not be catching fish and will raise or lower the DR and watch the temp change. I'll find the TC or even a small change and will set up just above that change. Most fish I catch I never mark on my Humminbird Helix mega 9 si, di. Sometimes.... but not most. I think it's interesting to see the different approaches from each guy that work for them. But I also think when we have some success we think that's what works and we never change it to something that works twice as good. I'm always looking for what helps put more fish in my boats.
I’m not saying it isn’t useful, what I am saying is that it’s not necessary to catch fish on Lake Michigan. My page is about sharing information with people and helping them take a plunge into something new they’ve never done, or if it’s something I can shed light on to help them put more fish in the boat. I know how fish hawks work, but it’s advanced compared to the info I currently share on my page and channel. I think helping people learn is a very simple process. Keep things simple, don’t overwhelm them, and show results. My goal is to get more people fishing the largest fresh water ecosystem on the planet and have them find success while doing it, while at the same time not overwhelming them because it can look extremely overwhelming to get into and even find a starting point. My point is, this video is titled “how to catch salmon on Lake Michigan.” Só people who are searching that phrase can come across some basic intel. The fish hawk is above basic intel. All in good time. I appreciate your feed back a ton though! Thank you for commenting!!
What are the tooth picks for while baiting ??
Dustin Font they keep the piece of meat in place better and prevent it from flopping
You going to put up Amy new videos this year I hope u did not give up
I haven’t salmon fished much. A lot of things going on in my life. All good stuff, but it takes away from my time I can film. I’m currently chasing a big southern Ohio whitetail I have a lot of history with, and hopefully I’ll get him on the ground before the season closes in February. After that it’s big walleye in Erie in March and April. I’m hoping to get after more kings this year, but my business has exploded and April-October I’m working 6-7 days a week to keep up. I appreciate the support and the comments! I’ll be back as soon as I can be!!
thanks for all the info. how did you end up doing out there
Kris Hanus thank you for watching! I caught one small coho well after dark. The bite has been tough as of recent apparently. I’m going to try to fish Ludington this weekend. By far my favorite port!
Made it out of muskegon twice this year. One skunk and one steelhead. Been a tough season for me. Awesome videos man!
awesome thanks for replying.. good luck maybe I'll see ya out there one day. keep the videos coming there bad ass
Kris Hanus thanks again! I’ll do my best!
What leadcore you like
What is the best "speed" range for trolling salmon on Lake Michigan?
Friend I start at 2.5 and never go above 3 mph speed over ground. It’s worked for me well.
@@thechosenlifeoutdoors5437 Thanks! My boy and I will give it go when we get our boat...take care.
Would it be safe to fish out there in big water on a bass tracker pro?
Krazy Be Riding good weather you can do anything, but I wouldn’t fish far, and I wouldn’t fish on anything but glass flat
how big of a boat would you recommend at minimum for lake Michigan?
You can fish in a 14 footer with a 20 horse tiller steer if the weather is good and you know how to pick it. All of that aside, an 18 foot deep V is probably the minimum I would fish with. My boat is a tracker targa 20 with a 150 merc on it. It’s small enough where I can trailer it to any local Lake for panfish, yet big enough to make 50 mile runs on the Great Lakes in good weather and still feel safe if the wind switches and I have to Battle 4 foot waves that I didn’t plan on. It’s a happy medium for the kind of fisherman I am. Convenient for everything I like to do and as safe as I can afford it to be.
Like a lot of others in the comments, your videos helped me decide to buy some trolling gear. Started last year with walleye and this year started for salmon. I had some luck earlier in the spring out of St Joe. Seems it’s easier early with the water is cold. My question is how do you know where to fish. I think you said in this video you are out in 200 feet of water. I’m in a 16 foot boat and have made it out as far as 140ish. I feel more comfortable out that deep but it’s a big damn lake. How do you identify where to start fishing? Is it water temp? Marking baitfish?
We’re always chasing the cold water. I check the current maps often and see what the current is doing and where it is pushing nearest to shore and that’s where I fish. Also, check the DNR reports. If fishing is slow out of a port, the fish have moved out to chase the bait because the water is warm. The best bet is the go as far out as you can to find the cold water because most people don’t fish that far out and there are always fish out deep. For example. I went fishing Sunday out of st Joe. The reports said people were catching fish 170+ feet the water is warm in close and all the people I know said the same thing. Slow fishing because of warm water. So I went and started at 200 feet. It was flat calm so it wasn’t a big deal. I went 1 for 6. Caught a laker, lost 5 more including a nice steel head at the boat. I fished the top 100 feet of water and most of my hits were 60 feet down on a rigger with a mixed veggie spoon and a 300 copper with a stinger yellow killer spoon. So all my hits were 60-70 feet deep in 200 feet. Read the reports on Charter captain pages, DNR, forums, anything you can find that will steer you to where you need to be. It gets a lot easier the longer you do it!!
@@thechosenlifeoutdoors5437 thanks for the reply. When you find that cold water, do you just start fishing or are you marking fish or bait balls? It seems the fish that I did catch this spring, I never marked anything. I’d get marks on the bottom, which I assume are lake trout. So when I’d catch a king or a coho, it seemed more like dumb luck as I wasn’t marking fish, but I knew I was in good water temp.
I rarely mark bait, I always mark fish or I pull lines and go somewhere else. When I stopped in 200 feet Sunday, I instantly had fish on the sonar 60-80 feet down so I knew I was in good water with suspended fish feeding. I had my first hit before I had all 3 lines in the water. I take all the data, surface temps, wind direction, current direction and I get a good starting point from there. When I get on the water I usually have a plan according to all of it combined. Where the reports are, the current and where it’s pushing, surface temps, all of that. Then I take a stab with my gut feeling and head there. I’m usually not too far off of where I should be. Getting them to bite is a whole other story, but that’s how I get my plan together.
Luck does have a lot to do with it though! There are plenty of fish! You just have to find them!
@@thechosenlifeoutdoors5437 thanks again. I’ll keep researching and learning. It does seem that in most of your videos you are away from crowds. At this point, I tend to follow crowds to some point I hope that they know where fish are! Great info. Thanks for taking the time to help out.
are the rigs the same for king and coho? and do these work for lakers aswell? thanks in advance!
It’s all about the species and when they are best to fish. Coho school up in the spring and will damn near bite anything if you get in the middle of them, and lake trout are the same. If you get where they are they will bite. Kings are the only picky species on the Great Lakes. Rig your boat for kings, and learn to find cohos and lakers when the kings aren’t around and every trip you fish on the Great Lakes you will be successful. I promise you that!
Is it possible to troll with a spinner reel? I can put about 300 yards of line on it.
Abdul Alkurdi It is possible. It's tough. While it can CAN cause line twist your best bet would be to loosen your drag until the line goes out. I did that one year when I was first starting on the big water.
I was going to say the same thing. I’ve actually put a couple colors of lead Core on a big spinning reel and caught some coho, but the drag set up is rough for fish any bigger. It’s rough trying to fight anything over 5 pounds on spinning tackle when the big fish want to run. That’s from a boat though trolling. I grew up pier fishing with 10 pound test and spinning reels though casting spoons in the fall. That is very doable. Tight lines!
Bushonry thanks for the kind words! It’s been a weird year out there. Keep after them!
Is real bait or a lure better
Joey Helton I prefer real herring and cut bait. It’s more realistic in my mind. Plenty will disagree I’m sure but I think it adds another element that helps catch fish.
Thanks for the tips. Heading out of Leland on Sunday morning with my son. Really hoping for some luck. You ever fish up here?
Shirt Jack I haven’t fished out of there, but I want to. I’m slowly working my way through every port on the lake! Good luck out there! Let me know how you do!!
Wish I could hear more of what you said. But what I could was informative.
Clintsilver94gt I’m working on the Audio. Thanks for the comment! I appreciate it!
Your a cool dude !! Love video
Thanks for watching! I appreciate it!
Thanks for the info. Looking to get downriggers for my boat. Which ones are you running?
daniel stone thanks for watching! I run the cannon easi-trolls. Pretty cheap as far as downriggers go and haven’t failed me yet!
The Chosen Life Outdoors ok thanks. I was wondering if they would hold up to the 12lb ball. Seems like they work good for you. I also fish out of St Joe. Thx again for the info!
daniel stone no problem, they work well. I still have the original cable on them as well and I’ve had them for like 6 years now. Good luck and see you on the water!
Paul, what was the difference with the board you used for the 10 color?
It’s an offshore board and OR-15 offshore clips. They will hold just about anything. Just a beefed up, tougher board set up.
Interesting that's a very fast Trollfor salmon
Not really. It all depends on where you are fishing them. Currents change and bait patterns change. Lake Michigan is a pretty solid 2-3 mph top water grill speed
Are Michigan Stingers heavier than Silver Streaks?
Phill2tj23 I honestly couldn’t answer that, I do know that it is universally known that Michigan stingers have a higher speed tolerance and don’t “flop” like other brands tend to do at higher speeds. They also have held up better for me. Other brands I’ve used like moonshine have issues with paint chipping pretty fast also. To be honest, the Michigan stinger yellow killer spoon on 10 color has caught more fish for me than any other spoons combined so I am partial to it. I caught my first steelhead on it on the Great Lakes several years ago so it never leaves. It could be superstition, but it pulls a lot of fish and I’m a loyal customer! Hahaha!
Hey Paul, I love all your videos! One question: When you put your planer board on your lead core, are you taking a wrap or two around the front or back clips? I have tried that because my boards keep coming off- it hasn’t worked real good, but I don’t feel comfortable just clipping the board to the line.
T H what kind of backing are you using? All of my boards have offshore tackle or-16 clips on the back clip and they hold any line without a problem. I usually tighten down the front clip fairly tight as well with a screw driver. Micro lines will require you to wrap. Monofilament won’t. Most of my leadcores have mono backing. I used to have micro line like power pro, I just started replacing them with mono when they needed it. Mono is much cheaper and it works just as well.
T H if you wrap I always wrap the back clip.
Paul, on my lead core rods (x 2), I am using 30lb Power Pro braid. I think tou are right (and will only wrap the back clip) and see how that goes. I also have OR-16 clips on the back and the OR-18s on the front. Thanks much!
great video u relay know ur stuff
sam anouti thanks a ton!
Just a few questions. How we're you able to set your rigger down so fast? If I did that with mine it would pop right off? Maybe you use different clips on your downrigger that attaches to the line? Also wondering where you suggest getting bait from for meat rigs I'm in the central WI area between bago and Michigan any suggestions?
nathan kaplon thank you for commenting, I have tried a lot of different clips, but the best ones I have used so far are the offshore downrigger clips. If you set the line in the back of the clip, they will hold down to 150 feet deep no problem and are super sturdy. I’m not sure where locally you can buy the meat over that way, but every major port I fish has at least one bait shop and all of those bait shops carry them. The two best known brands are Dream Weaver and familiar bite. You can order them but you have to order a lot. My favorite ones personally are the Dream Weaver premium meat strips. They are cut ballyhoo and ballyhoo is tough as hell. One piece of meat will last you a couple fish.
Any bait shops in Sheboygan or Manitowac will have them.
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Why does it take you 3 days to set up one rod ?
CDandR Thats the best shit you can come up with? WEAK.
The Chosen Life Outdoors yeah screw you for doing it slowly so us new guys learn. Sarcasm aside bud, keep up the good videos!
i like white to
What are the tooth picks for while baiting ??
The tooth picks hold the nest strip more firmly and stop it from flopping. It just makes the presentation look more natural