Fishing this past week was good with 4 to 10 fish per boat, however the fish averaged an amazing 12 pounds. Steelhead from 9 up to 14 pounds and Chinook salmon from 12 to 18 pounds with an occasional lake trout that ranged up to 11 pounds. The fish are concentrated in two areas, 90 to 130 foot of water and 180 to 200 foot of water. The bait in the 90 foot area is located from the bottom up to 30 foot and the bait in the 180 foot region is mid water. Fishing was the best early in the day (6 AM to 10 AM) and then at dusk (8PM to 10 PM)
Most of the catch this past week occurred on downriggers and dipsy divers. Downriggers were run at 30 to 65 foot down and the green glow Hot Chip flasher and Last Supper Rapture fly produced well on the deep rigger. The other riggers produced with Mixed Veggie, Freaky Veggie, Carmel Dolphin and Lemon Ice Stingray. Stingrays produced better than the smaller lures since they where about the same size as the alewife in the schools. On the dipsy divers we ran Hot Chip blue glow and white glow flashers with Oceana, Citron and Green Hypnotist Rapture flies. The flashers and flies produced well early and then the Stingrays turned on latter in the day. 200 foot of copper (and to some degree 300 foot) produced with the X-Mass and Reverse X-Mas Stingrays as well as the orange crush and coyote ugly.
Perch fishing is improving with reports of limit catches in 12 to 14 foot of water in South Haven and Holland. I have not heard of any perch reports out of Saugatuck.
We had some wind mid week and some rough water, however the deep water temperature remained the same while the surface temperature dropped. As a result the bait is still here and the salmon stayed in the area. For more information or to reserve a charter call toll free 888-253-8372 or email me at captron@chartermichigan.com.