5/22/13  On tap is a great human interest story about a 5th grade class project raising a few hundred King, or Chinook to plant in Manistee, MI's Bear Creek.  Bear Creek is the one of the original birthplaces of our beloved Great Lakes Salmon back in 1966.
               Brethren, MI's Elementary School where this takes place.  Brethren is small town America on the N side of the Big Manistee River. Click rearing tank
               Raising these fish is great hands-on life lesson that covers everything from biology to economics.  I commend the Kaleva Norman Dixon school district for do so.

5/21/13  Ludington, MI's Loomis St. boat launch is being dredged & might not be ready for the upcoming Memorial Day Weekend.  Copeyon Park boat ramp on S. Washington Ave. in Ludington is useable.  Oh, by the way ...they are catching Kings at this port now!
               After a good month of waiting can report on how this Salmon season is taking shape.  Looks like a return to the big fish we had in 2011.  When over 20 pounders were common place in July, August & September.  Early indications is less Kings then 2012, but size will be up 4 to 5 pounds compared to 2012.  Click 2011 five Kings at 96 lbs.
               So far, another common thread for this year's Kings is meat and deep.  Hearing a lot of 150' to 240' down over out to 400' of water at central MI ports.  Can you fish this deep effectively?  It does require super braid on rigger reels & Stealth rigger cable.

5/20/13  Sweet, sour and optimism is today's main theme.  Manistee, MI did not offer easy gravy train fishing for the Tight Lines for Troops event held this past Saturday.
               Promising reports are finally filtering in on a much improved May Salmon fishery from S. Lk. MI.  At first glance it looks like we're about a month behind due to a cold April.
               Notice to Manistee, MI Mariners:  The white light in the lighthouse on the N pier is being changed to green by the USCG.  Remember: red, right, RETURN.  Meaning: Keep the red blinking on Manistee's S. pier light to the starboard side of your vessel UPON ENTERING the harbor.  Leaving the harbor opposite is true.

5/19/13  Good news from East Chicago, IN.  The Kings finally showed up and big is the word.  May Kings 18 to 22 pounds is what Tom M relayed to me about fleet results.
            His 5/18/13 catch was a pile Coho and some Kings to 18 lbs.  He ran a 100% dedicated meat program, as his pic clearly shows. Click Tom's big guy King
More tomorrow and a 5/18/13 Manistee, MI fishing report.

5/18/13  Manistee, MI's fleet will be out today in full force for their annual Tight Lines for Troops event.  This do is to honor all vets that's served in all branches of the military.  Stand by for fishing report when the dust has settled.

5/17/13  Today's featured pic kinda explains itself with a before and after add on Navionics Micro SD card/chip.  Enhanced detail and with safety navigation aids is what this optional chip brings to the table.  Click before & after navigation chip
              Still learning the ins and outs of the new 12" GPS/sonar I indulged myself with.  Neat fishing toys are more than worth it, cuz you only get one go-round in life.

5/16/13  Looking for the silver lining to slow start of Lk. MI spring King Salmon?  This year's population of spring Kings has not been touched by the fleet.  In turn, meaning there should more fish should be available as this season progresses.
              One reason for the slow start on the waters of my home port, Manistee, MI begins with a temp map lacking defined surface temperature breaks.  Sharp 10-12 degree vertical thermobars act like structure herding Trout, Salmon, & bait. Click temp chart
              Fall 2012 did not offer the easy no brainer catching like October 2011 did.  Suspect the fish moved offshore, or towards deeper waters 300' to 500' down.

5/15/13 Today's topic is the virtue of patience.  A mindset all fishermen need, but seldom have.  Take this season for instance that's off to a slow start at my home port of Manistee, MI.  Brown Trout, once a staple of Manistee's early season fishery should be put on the endangered species list.  The MDNR needs to fix this, cuz our April Brown Trout season has been on hard times for 10 years and we're all out of patience on this issue.
  Tomorrow ...likely reasons why Manistee's Salmon fishery has not materialized yet?

5/14/13  Planned topic of cartography has been semi put on hold until I install the Navionics Micro SD card on my new GPS/Sonar.  These add on charts are a miracle at adding overlaid detail to the plotter function on your GPS. Click Micro SD card
              Nuances that take years to learn are instant knowledge with contour depth lines for ports that have major structure.  You see the drop off, or rise in depth long before your boat reaches it.  Before & after pic cartography is in the works.

5/13/12  26 degrees at my place this morning.  Improving weather by mid-week is good news.  This means more boats fishing towards next weekend to gather reports from.
              As of midnight last night my web server was offline when this site is normally updated.  Offline status was fixed by 7am this morning.
              Working on a last half May webstore special.  Have a new original ground breaking product I hope to share with you very soon.  Byline for this secret new piece of tackle borrows from the TV series, Star Trek: "going where no man has gone before."
         Tomorrow's topic? ...cartography that instantly makes anyone a port expert!

5/12/13  Cool, rain, and snow is the conditions in Manistee County, MI.  Making this a good weekend to take care of pre-summer chores.  Not much from the fishing front yet.  When I hear some news you'll be the first to know.

5/11/11/13  Have a great weekend, because you deserve it!  It's no big secret Lk. MI spring Salmon have not been abundant around Manistee, Mi ...yet.  There's a trap here trying to use last year's results, as a guideline for this season.  Spring Kings off Manistee is towards later May, ...when we look at the long term history.  Even seen June offer a huge bonanza of feisty spring Salmon on the rampage off my home port of Manistee.
               Did some video/sound checks on my fishing trip this past Wednesday (5/8/13)& learned a bunch.  Quality live audio aboard is a lot harder than the video part.
               Click for photo of the beautiful Lk. MI conditions we had on 5/8/13.  

5/10/13  5/8/13 Manistee, MI port report is pretty uneventful, but did notice some reel facts.  Like, there was a pocket of 52 degree water on the surface 3 to 4 miles due W of port.  This water was stained a brown-green color.  Which explained the darker water drew heat from the sun and was a good 8 degrees warmer then the main body of Lk. MI.
               John J, Todd the Rod. and I had lines in the water from 9am thru 1pm and took nary a bite.  Depths fished was 30' to 160' down over 60' out to 330' of water.
               Today's featured pic 1 shows a 40 minute clean sonar screen with no marks. 
               Blue horizontal bars at 90', 110', & 160' down are the rigger balls going thru an area void of Mr. Fish. Click featured pic 2: 5/8/13 Mr. Skunk fish box
               Traditionally, Manistee's spring King Salmon fishery takes off later this month.  Your guess is as a good, as mine, ...as to when? Click empty sonar screen

5/9/13  Great time on the water yesterday out of the Port of Manistee, MI.  Seas were calm and weather was flat-out gorgeous.  Fishing like always, ...was reel-good, but you'll have to check back tomorrow for the straight skinny.  Click 5/8/13 fish box
            Only snafu was figuring out how to configure the new GPS/sonar into split screen and 50kz transducer mode.  Instruction-operators manual is mind-numbing 300 and some pages long.  New machine marks OK left on auto settings. Click sonar over 200 fow
             Work continues on Manistee's new fish cleaning station with the cement block walls being erected. Completion is slated for later July. Click to see what's done

5/8/13 In box and out box have been cleared up.  So, it's time take a morning off and go fishing.  I have no great expectations, because what I've heard about Manistee, MI's early season fishery taint all that promising.  I do know there's a day when fishing will improve, a day when it gets worse, and days where it stays the same.  Question is: what kind will today bring?  Focusing on video exposures at various depths will happen.

5/7/13  Reports I'm privy to, ...are random scattered Trout and Salmon action from Lk. MI's more southern ports.  No big numbers yet, but this spring is way behind last year. 
This I do know, Ludington's Brown Tout fishery has been a lot better than Manistee.
             Need to stop being a landlubber and get afloat soon.  Worked too many consecutive weekends not to make time for at least a morning off.  Working is good, because working makes money and things like new sonar/GPS possible.  But what good are new toys unless you have time to use them?  Time is a very valuable commodity.

5/6/13  Probably just like you, ...I'm eager to hear some good fishing reports.  With good fishing, the word tends to travel fast.  Slow fishing? ...not much is said.
            Finished the sonar-GPS install yesterday.  Still learning how to add detail from the micro-SD card, but at least the unit is working.  Click 12" GPS display screen
            Need to thank Todd the Rod for his expert help with the Sat-Sun electronics install job.  Todd is an excellent all-around gifted mechanic who's skills smoke mine.
            Today's featured photo shows what the Port of Manistee, MI looks like on a plotter.  Manistee is unique, because 2 major river systems empting into Manistee Lake. Then, this lake empties into Lk. MI via a channel that runs thru downtown under 2 drawbridges.  Manistee has a lot to offer, as the sport fleet already knows!

5/5/13  Hope to finish installing my new sonar-GPS system display today.  The un-fun part was yesterday disassembling the boat to run power and transducer cable.
             Features are severe technology overkill and shows how far behind the times with marine electronics I am.  I do not need: Horizontal Dilution of Position (HDOP), AIS, CHIRP, WiFi, Bluetooth, mobile aps, thermal camera, video in and out, Multiple data sources (MDS), SIRUS weather radio, ...etc.  Click 5/4/13 boat all torn up.
             I just want a machine that turns on, tells me where I am, shows depth, and marks fish.  Suffering from information overload ...is just not me!

5/4/13  Mounting a new GPS-sonar system today.  New electronics were installed when I purchased my boat in 2008.  After 5 years it's time for an upgrade.
             Installing electronics is the EZ part.  The difficulty factor comes in learning to operate the menus and how the pages function.  So, there'll be a lot of trial & error messing with the controls.  Should have D.I.M. (did it myself) photos for you tomorrow.

5/3/13  T.G.I.F!  Have fun this weekend,  Tomorrow's weather is supposed to be nice and the winds light.  What more could you ask for?

5/2/13  Word is Lk. MI has came up about 5 inches thus far and is predicted to rise another 3 inches this spring.  Counting inches? ...normally we wouldn't, but near record, or record low water makes every inch we get ...extremely important.
             There are marinas in Manistee, MI that have no boats in them until dredging happens.  Several boat ramps around my area are still unusable for the time being.

5/1/13  Today's tip is Spring Kings do not mark very well in cold water.  Fished Kings twice of Manistee during April of 2013.  Caught fish both times in 35-36 degree water 150' down on meat and had nary a mark on the sonar. 
            For some reason unbeknownst to me sonar in sub 40 degree water does not put marks on the screen like we're accustomed to seeing later in the year.
            I've heard it said, cold water fish don't have much of an air bladder for the sonar to bounce a signal off of.  I'm no sonar expert, but understand the principle.
Moral of today's reel-story?  Marks, or lack thereof has zero to do with what you catch!

4/30/13  If this recent warm weather doesn't make you feel like summer will soon be here? ...nothing will.  Good to see 60s and 70s finally grace Manistee, MI.
              Finalized the lineup for the new 2013 diver die cuts in 5 desirable colors.  Having tackle you can be confident in is part of the big picture. Click diver tape
              Look for action to pick up on Lk. MI with the onset of May.  Spring Salmon can offer some of the best action of the season, if you're in the right place, at the right time!

4/29/13  Here's a customer testimonial about the new 2013 Super Snubbers™:

4/28/13  Found another "neat" way to use Leader Lockers™.  Solved a nagging problem of how to store multiple hook stickbaits ...securely.  Prior, I was using a cut off box that could/would spill and make a mess, or jab my paws trying to get out a lure.
              Leader Lockers are more than just for storing Meat Rigs®.  If it has hooks, then store it safely.  The cost of lures make this a wise move! Click stickbaits stored
              On 5/1/13, or this coming Wednesday the price on the multifunction Leader Lockers™ will go up 5 bucks from 24.95 to 29.95 and be worth every cent of the hike.

4/27/13  Taking today off.  Stomach flu has me laid low.

4/26/13  Safety on the Great Lakes is a full time job.  If you own a boat it's not a question if you're going to hit something, ...it's a question of when? 
              I've hit flotsam on Lakes Erie, Huron & MI during my long tenure, as a Great Lakes angler.  The point I'm trying to make is with rivers flowing at, or near flood there's going to be a lot of junk in the water.  I've seen floating trees, picnic tables, wooden cable spools, carpet etc.  So, be careful.  Careful is a lot cheaper and you'll live longer.

4/24/13  Posted a current satellite photo of Lk. MI.  Please note the amount of muddy water being dumped in at St. Joe & rivers northwards. Click Satellite view
              A few of our website members fished Lk. MI, and Lk. Huron last week.  For the most part everyone caught some fish.  The best catch numbers came from S Lk. Huron.
              Lost power yesterday around noon.  This outage will cause some shipping delays.  All backlogged of orders will be cleared up by tomorrow.
              Thanks to all for your response to the new Hyper Holo™ page at my webstore.  Counts and prices will be adjusted as needed once we get a better handle on the labor/time involved to custom cut every order. Click for more info & pricing.

4/23/13  Mondays?  ...a curse in the business world.  If it's going happen and be bad, 90% of the time? ...it's Mondays.  I was greeted with a shop heater that wouldn't heat and promised important parts that were delayed.  Then, we got hit with a slew of orders.
              Major progress on my video efforts for 2013.  Used part of a camera tripod clamped to a rod holder on the hardtop.  Shot some test video & still photos tweaking the aim.  Presently, it's far from perfect, but on the right track. Click rod holder cam
              Reason behind getting video camera field of view dialed in precisely? ...this way video can prove the Super Snubbers™ mean stuck fish on diver hits.  It's one thing to make a claim.  It's another to prove what you're saying thru videos and pictures!

4/23/13  Mondays?  ...the curse in the business world.  If it's going happen and be bad, 90% of the time? ...it's Mondays.  I was greeted with a shop heater that wouldn't heat and promised important parts that were delayed.  Then, we got hit with a slew of orders.
             Major progress on my video efforts for 2013.  Used part of a camera tripod clamped to a rod holder on the hardtop.  Shot some test video & still photos tweaking the aim.  Presently, it's far from perfect, but on the right track. Click rod holder cam

4/22/13  Yesterday worked on creating a better sound system for onboard video system.  Live sound is part of any video and makes editing faster.  Alternative is to narrate/voice-over the action.  That sounds a lot easier than it is.
             Predicted wind forecast is not all that great for Manistee, MI.  First sign of improvement? ...I will be back out to test onboard video/sound system modifications.
            Hope to have a good handle on the GoPro cameras before the end of May.  There is a steep learning curve that needs to be conquered.

4/21/13  Built & installed a new page for my webstore at: www.michiganangler.com
Die cut tape is now being offered for 12" flashers, meat heads, divers, & all major brands of spoons.  Need a tape display photo for the spoon die cut part before I can call it done.
             This page will not be available in July and August.  No special orders accepted!
             More than earned my next day off to go fishing with nose to the grindstone yesterday.  Doing shopping cart technology code eats up massive amounts of time.  Developing new pages for the webstore is the least favorite thing I do! Click die cuts
             OK, now for the happy stuff.  Today's plan is to mount a new video camera placement on the hardtop of my boat.  This should be a major improvement.

4/20/13  Today is making a new mount from my overhead GoPro mini video recorder.  Lens on the Hero 3 Black Edition is too wide at close to 180 degree coverage.  This cam was mounted on the rocket launcher between the rod holders. 
               You can plainly see the rod holders on both sides of the camcorder.  This needs to be fixed before my next trip.  Click GoPro video cam pic
                There are field of view settings that will narrow the frame width once you figure out the miracle to press the buttons in the right order when paging thru the menu.
               GoPro Hero 3 review:  captures HD 1080i video and does an OK job.  However, videos need an audio track and sound capture on the Hero 3 is junk.  Battery life is an hour to the outside when you're shooting video.  Standby mode is longer.  In my opinion these cameras are way-way overhyped and I'm not satisfied with their performance.
               Seen the GoPro cameras on the Discovery Channel's Gold Rush Show. 
               Then came to realize these might not be not stock cameras, but highly modified versions with special lenses.  Or, extremely costly video editing software that can un-skew the annoying fisheye bubble effect.

4/19/13  Started off the 2013 season with a Brown Trout doubleheader out of the Port of Manistee, MI this past Wednesday.  "Todd the Rod" and I fished from about 9am thru 1pm on what's best described, ...as mostly a sea trial for the boat & video equipment.
              We took a 2fer at 11:30am, then added another one shortly thereafter.
              Water temp on the beach was 40-41 degrees with a light chop from the NW that built as the morning wore on.  Click Todd the Rod with our 4/17/13 double
              Close to the harbor there are water clarity issues that looks like diluted tea and milk.  This murky water was pushed further N.  S looked a little bit better, but this water was carrying a grey silty tint. We pulled stick baits at 2-3 mph.
              Relearned how hard/dense cold 40 degree water is when we smacked a wave hard on the way back to the harbor.  It was like pounding the boat thru a concrete wall.  Cold water is a ton thicker and does not move like warmer 70 degree summer water does.
              Needless to say, safety is a ultimate must when fishing frigid water conditions. Hypothermia can set in fast in cold water.  Long-long before anyone can rescue you.
             Tomorrow will focus on my 1st experiences with GoPro video recorders.

4/18/13  Good news for those concerned about launching their boats out of Manistee, MI.  The 1st Street launch is fine.  At the end of the concrete (where the ramp ends) there was 5' of water on the west docks.  There was no sharp drop-off.  Maybe, 5 inches or less where the concrete transitions into gravel.  Click dock and deeper dock
              In today's featured pic you can see the difference on 3/30/13 to yesterday with the dock being noticeably deeper.  Manistee has a world class boat ramp.  Above all, this city knows how to take care of their fishermen!
              Oh, just about forgot to talk about our fishing trip.  Guess you'll have to tune in tomorrow to see how we did.  Relearned important lessons that will be shared too.

4/17/13  Today is a special holiday for senior citizens over 66 years old and caught their first Salmon on 10/1/1968.  Anyone who fits the above criteria has the day off!
         So, not wanting to be a rule breaker ...I must take today off to go fishing!

4/16/13  If all goes according to plan? ...first Lk. MI trip from my homeport of Manistee, Mi will happen soon.  Rods all have new 15# test string, shoreline lures are aboard, and all that's left now ...is stowing the gear.  Click boat almost ready
             This is my 45th season fishing the Great Lakes. And you know what? ...my anticipation level has not diminished one iota.  What will the 2013 season bring?  Don't have the slightest clue, but it will be big fun finding out.

4/15/13  Shipping our first bonus/free Hyper Holo™ silver die cuts for divers today.  Every Super Snubber comes with free silver die cut lure tape until the end of this month.
               Need to do a short You Tube instructional video on how to lineup lure tape the EZ way.  This will be accomplished in the near future when time allows.
               Came up with a way for our Leader Locker™ inserts to hold spoons.  Peg with a paper clip and you can get 25 spoons on one card.  Securing spoons helps tone down paint chipping on the edges that leads to the finish peeling off. Click more info

4/14/14  Added 2 new requested products to my webstore.  Harness Lockers with 3 inserts to securely store lots of crawler harnesses for 29.95. 
              You can purchase hard foam inserts less the case.  Inserts go for 7.95 apiece in any number you want.  Insert dimensions are: 7.5" by 13".
              Bonus Hyper Holo™ silver Diver Decorators come with every Super Snubber™ purchased.  This is a win-win.  You get the best snubber available and precision die cuts to dress up Dipseys, or Slide Divers. Click to order Super Snubbers™

4/13/13  Last year, 2012 my first trip for Kings out of Manistee, MI was on 4/25/12.  We caught 5 down deep.  Like 150' to 120' making this the first time I ever fished meat this early for Salmon at my home port. Click 4/25/12 box of Kings
              These deep Kings were more interested in non-glow G2 Green SUV flashers aboard my boat.  Glow comes into it's own as the season progresses. 
               I suspect last year was an anomaly due the 2012 warm March.  Normally, we don't see much Manistee King action until mid to later May.

4/12/13  Wet, soggy and cold is the deal for Manistee County, MI.  Wet is good, cuz Lk. MI needs every drop it can get.  Next week at least we'll be in the mid 40s.
               Here's a recent product testimonial to close out this week:
"I recently received the new snubbers in red and green. I am very pleased with them, they are the highest quality snubbers I have seen. You have made an advancement in snubber technology and I look forward to using them should the weather ever warm enough to get out on the lake this year." ....John from Manistee MI
               Due to high volume my Super Snubbers™ there will be no price hike for rest of this season.  Plan was for a dollar hike, but strong demand trumped the increase.

4/11/13  Today's topic focuses on Diver Decorators.  Took an old beat-up plated diver and installed my Hyper Holo™ silver lure tape on it. Click Hyper Holo™ diver Part II
              Today's photo shows the reel-dramatic improvement.  21st century offers up the world on a silver platter with tackle options that exceed my dreams about this fishery when I started back in 1968.  Recycling old into better than new condition is smart.

4/10/13  Today's featured Hyper Holo™ Kevorkian diver pic is going to be in the eye of the beholder.  Some will swear by arts and crafts (decoration), others will swear at it.
               Made master dies to cut diver tape and might add this as a product to the webstore in the future.  Please note the upright fin on the diver has tape on it too.
               WTP's 820 laser and 830 crushed glow are likely candidates if, or when I add  custom die-cut lure tape my webstore.  Click Hyper Holo™ Diver Decorators
               Thinking of adding a poll to see if the public is ready for custom die-cut Hyper Holo™ and glow tape for divers and the major brands of spoons.
               Installing batteries in my boat project got put on hold due to a rainy-damp-chilly 42 degrees for yesterday's blazing high temp.  With not much relief insight for better temperatures until next week? ....I'm definitely not in big hurry to splash my boat.
          Besides, short term wind and wave forecast doesn't look that good either.

4/9/13  Reserving this afternoon to prep my boat.  Too much work and not enough play is not good for anybody.  Latest word on Manistee, MI's inshore fishery is maybe 2 bites a boat and one fish ...if you're lucky?  For being about 3 weeks into spring ...weather is pitiful!
             Daily high temperatures are 10 to 15 degrees below the norm.  Snow is predicted for tomorrow.  Long range outlook for next week is a little better, but not by much.

4/8/13  The words Meat Rig® were never strung together until I did it 2003/2004 and sold tackle under the name of Meat Rigs®.  I did not copy other manufacturers intellectual property to name was I was selling, or talking about.  My competition seems to have forgot who came up with these words.  Meat Rig® is NOT a generic term free for the world to use.  Meat Rig® is my registered trademark sanctioned by Government of the USA.  Click for proof
                                       More on this story tomorrow.....

4/7/13  Video update on how to use our 2013 Leader Lockers™
 

4/6/13  Big news coming Monday on how I am now fully protecting my intellectual properties.  Far too many competitors selling tackle ...are stealing words I created without even asking.  Then, acting like it's business as normal?
             Beware of companies calling themselves manufacturers.  In truth, most are buying components, or just rebranding tackle from desperate manufacturers willing to hitch a ride on my coattails.  Where are their videos?  Where are their written articles?
             We make our flashers & meat heads in MI, USA and buy supplies from companies making their products in the USA.  Mostly, all are from Great Lakes States.

4/5/13  Jockeyed vehicles around in my storage barn to move my boat into ready position for 2013.  Now comes the "to do" list so nothing gets overlooked and I mean nothing.  Looks like next week I will be ready to hit Lk. MI's shoreline off the Port of Manistee, MI.  What will our target specie be? ...anything that will bend a rod!
             Our maiden voyage will depend on how the weather cooperates.  Lots of new video equipment to test and get comfortable with.  Click boat out of the barn

4/4/13  Probably one the easiest things to forget before your first big lake trip of the season is your fishing license.  In the rush to ready a boat things can be overlooked.
             Buying an MDNR online fishing license is a piece of cake.  Have your drivers license in hand with a credit card and you're good to go. Click my senior license
             My senior all species fishing license for 11 bucks is the biggest bargain in this universe.  Even when I paid full price pushing 30 bucks? ...it's still a super reel-deal for the hours of enjoyment offered in the 2013 season. Click for MI online licenses
              When online licenses are folded up, they're about the size of a credit card.  Just make extra copies when you print out your license & receipt.  Keep an extra copy on your boat.   
Make sure you have ink and paper in the printer and it's a done deal!

4/3/13  Low temp for last night at my place in Manistee County, MI was 19 degrees. March 2013 average temps were below average probably by a good 10 degrees.
            Thus far, April 2013 shows no signs of being much better until next week.
            This extended cold snap has my big lake season delayed.  Reason?  ...very cold night-time temperatures says keeping my boat winterized makes more sense.  Sure, you can drop a trouble light in the bilge to keep the motor from freezing.  But why risk it?
             Fished extreme weather when I was in the charter business for 20 years and have no yearning to brave cold weather ...when there's no need to!
                     Tomorrow? ...purchasing 2013 MI fishing licenses online.

4/2/13  The City of Manistee, MI caters to the trailer boat sport fishing fleet.  I know of no port on the Great Lakes where you can launch, or retrieve 14 boats at a time.
             The city launch is located on prime real estate close to the beach of Lk. MI.  It takes about 5 minutes, or less to reach Lk. MI once your boat leaves the launching ramp.
              The City of Manistee retains most of the ownership of the S side of the river channel.  While there are marinas on this S side of this channel, the city does this by leasing their waterfront rights back to the private marinas.
              Manistee knows how important your sport fishing dollars are and will have their new fish cleaning facility up and running for primetime summer Salmon season.

4/1/13  Manistee, MI's fish cleaning station has been torn down.  New redesigned fish cleaning station is slated to open on 7/1/13.  This is well in advance of when the fleet arrives for summer Salmon in later July and August. Click old fish cleaning station
             Water level at Manistee's boat launch is low and care must be given when launching, or retrieving.  Water level to me looked a lot like when I last used this ramp during the first part of October 2012.

3/31/13  Thanks to everyone who placed an order during my special preseason sale that ends tomorrow (4/1/13) at midnight.
               Story about conditions at Manistee, MI's boat launch and the new fish cleaning station construction tomorrow.  Manistee treats their fleet first-rate!

3/30/13  Reserved this afternoon for something very important.  That being putting the batteries back in my boat for the 2013 season. 
              Predicted high today is supposed to hit 54 degrees in Manistee County. MI.  This week we lost a lot of snow cover and it looks like we will have a spring after all.
              Thanks to all who have purchased tackle in my preseason sale thus far.  This sale will end on midnight 4/1/13.  There will be some price increases for the 2013 season on 4/2/13.  So, procrastinators this is your last chance to purchase at lowball prices!

3/29/13  Whew ...what  a week!  With Herculean efforts we cleared up the backlog for Leader Lockers that goes back to February preorders.  All orders have been shipped!
               Preseason sale got extended by about 10 days, because Leader Lockers were slow coming into full product stage, ...in-hand ready to ship. Click Leader Lockers
               This weekend hope to get video footage video about the Leader Lockers.  Been using these since 2008 and have some enlightening wisdom to share.

3/28/13  Current preseason sale has been extended thru 4/1/13.  Special offer lowball 2004 pricing will be going up on 4/2/13.  New 2013 Leader Lockers will increase from 24.95 to 29.95 on that date too and ...be worth every penny of it!
               If you liked yesterday's Mamba-ized rigger weight photo? ...now, there's a trio of 3 Mamba weights ready to go wet in 2013.  Will this help catch rates? ...don't know? 
              Do know I've caught at, or over 30,000 Trout & Salmon from the Great Lakes with plain-Jane lead balls going back to 1968.  Click trio of fancy Mamba weights
              Good news!  We're finally shipping Leader Lockers today.  Hope have the backlog completely caught up by tomorrow.  Many thanks for your patience.

3/27/13  Title of today's featured pic is, frustrated fisherman.  Maybe, you share this same malady waiting on the big lake fishing season to begin?  Too much thinking and a little extra free time led me to Mamba-ize my rigger weights used for shooting video.
               Hyper holo tape on rigger weights with Mamba spots might be a little overkill,  but it sure is eye catching for this frustrated fisherman. Click Mamba-ized weights!

3/26/13  Renamed the formerly Meat Rig Cases to: Leader Lockers, because that's exactly what they are.  Our 2013 Leader Lockers secure and organize meat rig strings and trolling flies like nothing else.  I've been using them since 2008 and know how durable the Plano Pro Latch boxes are.  That's 6 seasons of hard usage with zero issues.
              White vinyl lettering is to cut down on the sun heating up the dark colored inserts while still offering a peek-a-boo see thru effect. 
              On sale until 3/31/13 for 24.95. What does the 24.95 sale price buy?  Peace of mind, protection and organization for 24 meat rigs, crawler harnesses, or trolling flies for many, many seasons! Click to purchase 2013 Leader Lockers
              Will be shipping Leader Lockers very soon.  Plano shipped the Pro Latch boxes last Friday.  So, our truck shipment should arrive today, or at the latest ...tomorrow.