Archived past results from July, August & September 2012

9/30/12  Tomorrow at midnight tackle sales cease at: www.michignangler.com
for the rest of 2012.  Plans are unclear for 2013 at this time.
               Making underwater videos with cameras not meant to deal with low light conditions taught me a lot.  Massive amounts of light we're used to see topside is almost nonexistent down below.  I now see why flashers and meat rigs are so deadly.  The "why" part is the darkness & the large target my tackle present to the fish.
               Today's photo shows the snakelike action as a flasher and meat rig circles thru the water like a corkscrew on steroids.   Click underwater Smurf Combo
               More underwater video tests soon.  Next test will be with the highly reflective Super Silver Bullet flasher with the hyper holographic lure tape at various depths.

9/29/12  Today's featured photo is the bottom of Lk. MI off the Port of Manistee, MI in 30' of water on top of the shelf before it plunges to deep water.  You can see for yourself the bottom is a living viable environment.  Always in a constant state of flux evidenced by the current caused windrows that furrow the bottom. Click floor of Lk. MI 30' down
              Natural sunlight filtering down is changed to almost a fluorescent green.  I found this very interesting.  Fishermen topside seldom see bottom detail.  We fish in a zone of invisibility.  I will do my best to unlock this complex unseen zone, as we all try gain a better understanding of what's going on down below. 

9/28/12  All technology comes with a price.  That means in most cases you become a slave to it.  I have several cameras that shoot video, everyone of them requires a different set of instructions to make them work.  Regretfully, there is no industry standard.
              1st try with the Rigger-Cam left a lot to be desired.  Learned there's hardly any light visible to the camera down at 100'.  Click underwater pic of Rigger-Cam
               There's enough light to present a fairly good picture to maybe 50' before darkness blanks out the video.  Smurf 12" combo can be seen 100' down, but just barely.
               Did see every pebble and stick encrusted with mussels in 30'-40' of water which was no great surprise.  Being able to see this only confirmed what I already knew.
               Rigger-Cam is a work in progress that needs further major tweaking before I'd recommend anyone spending their hard earned dough to buy one.

9/27/12  Today the world debut of my new Rigger Cam.  The fish shaped weight has adjustments on the tail fin to get the camera angle right. Click Rigger Cam
               Plan for today is to see what's on the bottom of Lk. MI at various depths.  Seeing the exact depth will let us know just how much available light there is.  The video different flasher/meat-rig/fly combinations for visual acuity ...i.e. what's visible?
               I'm armed with a lot of technology when I hit the pond today.  2 styles of underwater video gear and a topside video recorder.  Melting all this together is no easy feat, but I am up for this challenge that will stretch to the limit my video skills.
               This camera like a lot of things from this website are made possible thru it's members.  My thanks for Frank at Calumet Marine for furnishing the Contour video camera and Steve S for hooking me up with Joe A who made this very special weight.

9/26/12  Was going to comment on the MDNR Chinook/King Salmon plant reduction, but figured it would be like poking a stick into a hornets nest.  2016 is when this will play out.
               What catches fish is in the eye of the beholder.  Fishermen hold certain colors almost like a religion.  A lot has been said about UV and what the fish can see. 
               Me? ...don't have a clue about what any fish can see, but my 2 top selling meat rigs for 2012 are the Rage Red SUV and X-Glow Smurf SUV.  These 2 colors lead the hit parade by a fairly wide margin and rank as the highest reordered patterns too!

9/25/12  Press release from the MDNR yesterday:

"Under the lake-wide plan, the 3.3 million Chinook salmon annually stocked in total in Lake Michigan by the four states would be reduced to 1.7 million starting in 2013...
                             Click for 9/24/12 MDNR press release in full
Because of the significant natural reproduction occurring in Michigan, the DNR will shoulder the majority of the stocking reduction. Michigan will reduce stocking by 1.13 million spring fingerlings, or 67 percent of the 1.69 million recently stocked by the state. Wisconsin will reduce by 440,000; Indiana will reduce by 25,000; and Illinois will reduce by 20,000." 
  My commentary on this tomorrow, but it sure as hell ...don't look fair to us MI anglers!

9/24/12  Took a short trip to Pine Creek that's only a few miles from my place to checkout our fall run of Salmon.  There were no Salmon to be found ...just yet!
               This will be the 6th season I've posted pictures of this designated Trout Stream in a time study that began in 2007. Click 9/23/12 no fish yet Pine Creek
               Part I of the history of the website debuted yesterday.  The goal here to to explain how this site came about, cuz it certainly wasn't planned.  Part II will focus on how the internet has leveled the playing field.  My web presence exceeds all tackle manufacturers with photos, videos, & written articles to help you ...catch fish!
               None of these efforts would have been possible if we had no internet.

9/23/12  The history of this website begins in late December 1999 with the purchase of my 1st computer.  I was dumber than a stump when it came running one, but persevered to gain knowledge in land of computerville.  Click 7/7/00 customer contact mailer
               Idea behind buying the first computer was to do mailing labels for charter customers, but first had to learn how to form a data base/spread sheet to print labels.  This was quickly accomplished within the first month of i2k. 
                Addressing 500 mailers by hand sucked big time, cuz in the charter business it's a lot harder to catch customers, then it is fish.  Making my own mailing labels back in January i2k was a time saving godsend and helped book more trips.
                By July i2k my skill level had progressed to design and print-out customer contact mailers at home ...instead of pricey print shops.  End of Part I.

9/22/12  Plans for the coming week include visits to the Little Manistee Harvest Weir and to Pine Creek in Manistee County, MI.  Been doing photos of the fall Salmon run on Pine Creek for the last 5, or 6 years.  This year videos will be added.  Hearing the sounds of fast running streams will add an extra dimension for those unable to see this in person.
              Just about to enter the last week with my webstore being open for 2012.  This was a monumental decision that didn't come easy.

9/21/12  Posted an aerial photo of Frankfort, MI's Betsie Lk.  I'm very familiar with this area.  Started my charter career out of this port in back in 1983. 
              At the top end of the longest line is Mike Bradley's East Shore Marina.  I docked there in 1989-1990 & know there were issues reaching deeper water back then.  It's far worse now with low water levels in Lk. MI.  Click sand bars in Betsie Lk.
              St. Clair River erosion is said to be an issue, because it's flowing more water.  Then, my pet peeve, the Chicago River that drains our Great Lakes water into the Mississippi basin.  This connection provides a highway for the Asian Carp too!!!
              Great Lakes water needs to stay in the Great Lakes as nature intended. 
If it did? ...maybe, ...just maybe ...the low Lk. MI water level would be slightly higher!

9/20/12  Fall 2012 officially begins this Saturday.  Fall is a great time fish with crowds of summer long gone.  Many turn to hunting and that just means less people fishing.
               Problem with fishing in the fall is wind.  September seems to be the windiest month of the big lake trolling season.  Fast moving fronts with wind coming from all directions keeps most boats tied to the dock, or on the trailer during this month.
               I'm primed and ready hit Lk. MI at least a couple more times this year.  First part of next week looks like stable temps ...that might be OK.  When each day ...daily high temperatures are going up and down like a yoyo, you can bank on it being windy.
              Yesterday it was mentioned the closure of Frankfort, MI's  Betsie Lake due to the exposed sand bars with returning Salmon having difficulties migrating up the Betsie River.  Anglers wading on the sand bars are spooking ...in turn, causing fish to beach themselves.  Found a link pertaining to this on the MDNR website: Click for more info  

9/19/12  Low water is forcing the closing of certain portions the far E end of Betsie Lk. in Frankfort, MI.  Water is so low the fish are barely making it over the sand bar where the Betsie River dumps into Betsie Lake.  This part has never been closed to fishing before.
              Almost the same deal with Manistee, MI's Little Manistee River from what I noticed during my travels yesterday.  The little river is dreadfully low with exposed sand bars normally not seen.  There's been a Bald Eagle hanging out in this same area on a daily basis.  Hope to photograph these low water conditions.  Will be checking out Little Manistee Harvest Weir soon.  To me? ...it's fascinating to watch the fall run of Salmon. 

9/18/12   Lot's of good stuff yet to come.  This Friday looks like Lk. MI might be fishable.
Have plans for some new underwater video from the big lake, rivers, and streams soon.
                Webstore is closed for the rest of 2012.  Kicked around the idea for 10 days during the Christmas season, but that would interfere by delaying my winter plans.

9/17/12  Think it's about time to start recapping the 2012 Great Lakes Salmon season.  This year taught us never ever stays the same, as every season is different.
               2011 was Kings in the 20 pound and over range was no big deal.  2012 was Kings in the 12 to 15 pound range for the most part.  Salmon were probably more plentiful in 2012 for those who were dialed in.  Me? ...I fished more this year, but averaged about the same fish count per hour as the last few seasons.

9/16/12  Today's reel-story is the classic do as a I say, not as I do.  Saturday's chat focused on the page I use most off this website click for: Great Lakes Info page
               On this page every conceivable piece of info pertaining to wind and waves is assembled.  It's no small secret fishing the Great Lakes is controlled by the seas.
               Now, to cut to the chase, checked yesterday's wind at 11am prior to a planned afternoon trip.  Wind was barely puffing at 6 knots.  So, I headed to the boat launch in Manistee, MI around 2:30pm.  Low & behold, the wind had increased by almost 3 times.
               The 22' hard cut deep vee hull on my 1979 Sea Ray is miserable in any sort of beam seas.  SW wind means taking waves on a north troll on the port stern corner is not my idea of fun.  So, after trailering to the launch, I turned right around and came home.
              This effort for nothing could have been avoided ...if the the info page was re-checked at 2pm.  I'd have seen increasing wind & stayed home in the first place!

9/15/12  Wind has laid down ...somewhat, with 1 footers off the Port of Ludington, MI.  Temp of 54 degrees is 72' down.  More info can be found by clicking here
             This & more data for your home port can be found at the
I made this page to assemble all pertinent facts to see what the conditions are, or what might be when planning a fishing fishing trip.  Found the Ludington down temp, or thermocline is generally pretty close to what I see off Manistee, MI (my home port).
              Sitting at home, seeing in reel-time what's happening is the 21st century!

9/14/12  T.G.I.F.  Here's this weekend's wave forecast for Manistee, MI:

Saturday: SE wind 5 to 10 kt becoming SSW in the afternoon. Sunny. Waves 1 ft or less.
Saturday Night: S wind around 10 kt. Clear. Waves 1 to 2 ft.
Sunday: SW wind around 15 kt. Sunny. Waves 2 to 3 ft.

9/13/12  Lk. MI looks like it's going to be very fishable this weekend.  My plan is to catch
a few fish needed to do a new You Tube fish cleaning video. 
             This video will not be about speed.  The focus will be how to keep a knife sharp, technique/knife angle to fillet, skinning, washing fillets, pin bones, and the often overlooked sanitary precautions that are a major concern.
              Since 1968 I've cleaned at least 25,000 Salmon and Trout.  Most of which was during my charter days (1983 thru 2003) and want to pass on what I have learned.

9/12/12  This website is on autopilot for now as I handle the decision making process of where I want to be 2 years from.  Been kicking around a lot of alternatives concerning the potential sale of my tackle company.  Tackle store closing on 10/1/12 is firm. 
               Considering taking a hiatus from daily updates too.  My sincere gratitude to all that have followed this website and use my tackle.  I look at updating this website everyday for the past 12 years as the crowning achievement of my life to share my passion for Great Lakes fishing with you.  Besides, it been to windy for any big lake fishing reports.  September is always a windy month and this one is true to form.

9/11/12  Today we remember the victims of the horrific tragedy that befell our nation on September 11, 2001.  This shocked our country, the USA into the 21st century.

9/10/12  October 1, 2012 will be the last day my web based tackle store will be open as the quest to find a person with enough vision to buy my tackle manufacturing company.  Learned volumes from my first failed attempt last year that was a mess.
               Most wanted me finance their livelihood and were just not the right fit.  Being a successful business owner requires supreme dedication. 
               Having computer skills is another part of this deal.  Web based sales? ...there's at least 4 programs involved to design, display, process, and maintain the books.  New owner will get my support for a year and own: www.michigananger.com
               Back to fishing ...I'm a long ways from storing my boat and see more Lk. MI fishing well into October, as I extend my season.  Wind went full circle since last Friday and expect we had a lot of Kings make their annual pilgrimage upstream.

9/9/12  Part II on my attempt to sell on tackle manufacturing operation begins on 10/1/12.  Which also coincides with the 2012 closing of the webstore. 
             I will not be handling the sale.  Hired an MBA on commission to handle the details.  To sort the wheat from the chaff those interested in purchasing? ...an up front 250 dollar consulting fee before any financial info is disclosed.
             Exploring several possibilities that include: liquidating my inventory, taking a year off, or closing down operations all together.  Hard to say now what course of action will be taken.  This I promise you ...I've worked my last 100 plus hour weeks forever.  At almost 66 years old personal time becomes more important then making money.
            Way too rough yesterday out of the Port of Manistee, MI.  Fishing was good this past Friday with a strong deep water bite.

9/8/12  Damp, cool and windy best describes Manistee, MI today.  Looking forward to next week.  This passing week was not good for me.  Wisdom tooth pulled on Tuesday and a root canal on Thursday was not my idea of fun.  Lost one of the best weeks to fish of the entire season.  The new week beginning tomorrow has to be better!
             Introductory sale prices on the new 2013 Kevorkians and Super Silver Bullet tackle ends soon.  Click info & pricing on the new stuff for 2013

9/7/12  Big blow from the N and NW is predicted for Manistee this weekend.  Depending on how hard it does blow factors in how many Salmon will head upstream from the lake. 
           September is always a windy month with fast weather changing front that leads to up and down thermoclines.  More warm water being pushing S will not enhance the fishing at our more southerly Lk. MI ports already plagued by a reel-deep temp break.
            Fall is definitely in the air.  Maple trees at my place are just beginning to change color and leaves are falling.  How in the heck can summer go by ...so fast?

9/6/12  Today's featured photo is from website member, John J aka Megan Ann on the message board.  John called me from the water yesterday morning and was sitting on a skunk around 10:30am.  The mid day bite helped him put 3 fish in the boat.  4 fish is no big deal, but it's a lot better then coming back to the dock with the black kitty.
             The new 2013 Super Silver Bullets have been a surprise to me.  Glow and colored patterns are usually the big deal for this late in the season.  Having the plated Super Silver tackle working now ...proves how deadly the new crystal ice holographic tape is.
             New 2013 Kevorkian patterns are holding there own as a late season winner too.  Multi colored sparkle, twinkle and glint best describes this new model for 2013 in case you haven't seen the video debut. Click Super Silver Bullet & Kevorkian video
             Having cutting edge tackle is a confidence booster that eliminates the fear, worry. and doubt that can throw you off your game.  The industry leading 2013 Super Silver Bullets and Kevorkian tackle are at special introductory pricing thru this coming Saturday at midnight. Click info & pricing on the 2013 models
                I'm proud to say the 2013 hyper holographic metalized vinyl lure tape on the new deadly tackle for 2013 are world exclusives to my line of tackle.
             My online tackle store will be closing on October 1, 2013.  More info about shutting down next Monday and the reasons behind it.

9/5/12  Abbreviated update due to wisdom tooth that departed ways with me yesterday.  Lk. MI temp did come up to 65', but it's a very sharp break with not a huge comfort zone to hold fish.  Yesterday's trailer boat yield averaged about 3 fish a boat.

9/4/12  Best to postpone any fish reports until I get a better handle on what's up.  Deep was the last word and that was from this past Saturday morning.
            Special bargain prices on the just introduced 2013 tackle will end on 9/8/12 at midnight.  That's this coming Saturday.  Hope to have fresh Lk. MI news soon.

9/3/12  Installed the new tackle for 2013 at my webstore.  These new models with the hyper holographic lure tape are exclusive to my line of tackle.  I'm proud to bring you industry leading 21st century tackle. Click new Super Silver Bullet & Kevorkian tackle

9/2/12  Here's fish report from Onekama, MI about yesterday's fishing:
"John. Another adventure went 4 for 7 Onekama straight out 180 feet water. 100' down all on new flasher and red meat head.  Lines went in at 10 am. Finished by 1pm. Started to get real lumpy & Lisa is a newbie as first mate but good driver.  Every fish wrapped around other lines, or cannon balls made an interesting challenge.  So, 4 for 7 wasn't bad. Anyways ...the new flasher tape is awesome." Richard E  Click for these fish

9/1/12  Have a great-safe Labor Day Weekend that marks to unofficial end of summer.  There's still plenty of the big lake season left for adult Salmon.  This week will be gangbusters for the fleet providing the seas cooperate.  Last week of August and first 10 day of September has been traditionally best for big numbers with little effort.
            We're lucky to have the world's best freshwater fishery on our doorstep.  This magnificent doorstep is all the Great Lakes from MN, WI to NY!

8/31/12  There's great news for the weekend warrior trailer boat fleet.  Lk. MI is gonna play nice with 1 footers over the upcoming Labor Day Weekend.  This is after yesterday's breezes that exceeded 25 knots (about 30 mph) pushing 6 foot seas from the S.
               Fish we caught this past Wednesday evening all came deep. 120' down on the rigger towing a 12" X-Glow Frog.  Mag divers were hot at 250' out dialed on 2.  New King Kevorkian Glo with cloned 2 fly meat rig along with the Super Silver Bullet BTI with new Super Silver Bullet Green 2 fly meat rig did most of the damage.
               To see the hyper holographic effect the below video can do a far better job visually than I could ever do with words.  Enjoy and thanks for tuning in!

8/30/12  If you fish enough sooner or later you will catch a monster King (at least for this season) as today's featured photo proves. Click Todd the Rod with 25 lbs. of King
              The reel story begins yesterday afternoon and it was lumpy.  Ran the boat down past Guerney Creek S of Manistee.  Then put the waves to our fanny and trolled N towards Manistee.  Line went in the water about 5pm & we began pulling rods at 8:30pm while doing battle with the biggest fish aboard my boat this season.
              Tried to stay over 200' in a SW choppy sea, but the angler of the wind meant with had our transom taking sloppy waves on the port corner abaft the beam.
               More vitals to come ...later today.

8/29/12  Catching has been absolutely phenomenal out of the Port of Manistee, MI lately.  That's why why I didn't saying fishing and started today's update with "catching."
               Here's what Capt. Tom from Sue Lee Charters in Manistee had to say:
"The fishing remains good for some and tough for others. As you can see in the photos if you have your deep fish program in tune you can have a nice catches of adult kings. Meat rigs took all the fish with 1 exception ...a plug fish.
              We fished the flats N to Onekama, MI in 120' to 135' of water. Then, we turned ...went S 160'-175' of water, finishing the box off. We fished the marks with no regard to water temp."  Capt. Tom Rasmussen  Click for Sue Lee's boxes of Kings

8/28/12  Weather for the Labor Day Weekend appears to be decent.  Low 80s and no rain is the forecast for now.  Hopefully, the seas will play nice too.
               Reports from Frankfort, MI's Benzie Frenzy Tournament winning weight totals are way down compared to last year.  Boxes that averaged 12 lbs. a fish were winners.
               Word is there's a green gooky algae bloom going on in the inside of 250' off Frankfort.  More on this down the road, but suspect warm inshore waters are the cause.

8/27/12  Long range wind forecast for Lk. MI is for more S & SW wind towards the end of this week.  Today going into Tuesday there's light N & NE wind before it swings again out of the S.  This means a deep thermocline that going to get progressively deeper.
              Some have attitudes that prevent them from being successful once the preferred water temp range (54 to 44 degrees), or thermocline goes down below 100'.
              Deep fish can be caught and I have articles devoted to this reel-fact.  Stiffer rigger releases. braid rigger rods, and extra sticky-sharp hooks will improve hook-up ratios.
              One more thing about fishing over 100' down.  Relax, ...it's just a number, cuz back in March of this year we were catching fish on the riggers to 150' to 175' down off the Port of Manistee, MI.  So, it's no big deal now ...to do the same.

8/26/12  Safety means being on full alert at all times.  Manistee, MI's piers collect boats every season from those who are over confident.  Even if you have radar & a plotting GPS relying on instruments to navigate is plain stupid.  You MUST navigate at a safe speed where your boat does not outrun your field of vision. Click 8/25/12 boat on S pier
               2 people were critically injured when a throttle jockey crashed into Manistee's S pier yesterday morning at 6am.  6am is pitch black now and not the time to be in a hurry.  In fact, navigating in total darkness is dangerous in the first place.  Boats don't have headlights, or brakes.  Remember this and safety afloat comes before catching fish!

8/25/12  As of yesterday, the big deal out of Manistee, MI was flashers and meat rigs down about 140' over 150' to 300' of water.  S wind is driving the thermocline ever deeper.  If you're setup to fish with meat, braid rigger rods, and special thin rigger cable? ...deep fish (plus 100') are dumber than a stump and EZ to catch.
              Day 1 of the Benzie Frenzy tournament going on in Frankfort, MI.  I know we have at least 3 top-notch teams in this 2 day event from our message board.  Good luck to all and especially our website members fishing today!

8/24/12  T.G.I.F. as we head into the busiest weekend of the season for the Port of Manistee, MI.  Patience and courtesy is needed on everyone's part.