thompsm7

Could anyone tell me what methodology they use for what finish they use on the backs of Michigan Stinger spoons for browns? I've seen some success using copper backs, but don't really know why that is. I was hoping to better understand why one selects a certain back finish. Thanks for the info.

I run a B60 with my Humminbird 957 and love it. It is very clear and picks up marks significantly better than the stock transom mount 'ducer. Go for it, you won't regret it. On the Fish Hawk, I find I get interference on the Fish Hawk (not the Humminbird) when I have the gain on my 50Hz element turned way up. The symptom is the down temperature dropping out occasionally. That said, the transducer is solid and you don't need the gain turned up to see fish while trolling.

I run a B60 with my Humminbird 957 and love it. It is very clear and picks up marks significantly better than the stock transom mount 'ducer. Go for it, you won't regret it. On the Fish Hawk, I find I get interference on the Fish Hawk (not the Humminbird) when I have the gain on my 50Hz element turned way up. The symptom is the down temperature dropping out occasionally. That said, the transducer is solid and you don't need the gain turned up to see fish while trolling.

Use Spin Dr's and flies. Mountain Dew and green with chrome work well. Also Chrome Frog took all our kings today. They were hitting 65 down on the riggers. [ Post made via iPhone ]

Oh, and the 1 foot or less forecast certainly wasn't accurate. We stayed in by the pill boxes in 75-95 fow to keep out of the chop. [ Post made via iPhone ]

We were one of the boats out today in the trench. We went 4 for 4 with all coming on a Chrome Frog Spin Dr with Pro Am fly down 72 on a winger. We marked a lot of streakers, but a lot seemed to disengage. They didn't touch any other pattern we tried. The fish are definitely darker and not quite as wild as summer Kings. It was great fishing the trench without a hundred boats. [ Post made via iPhone ]

I was in the trench on Saturday too, and heard it was on fire.... Funny, I never saw it. We landed three kings over 25lbs but that was it. We took our fish off the high rocks in 95 fow with our riggers almost bouncing the bottom. Temperatures on the bottom were 59 degrees and our down speed was 2.5. We were on the shallower side of the flotilla and only saw about two or three boats land a fish. One of my buddies fished out west of the trench and took three kings that morning too. It just seemed like the wind moved the fish inside the trench or out on the flats.

Bill Saiff out of Henderson Harbor does a great job. I've fished with him many times. Tell him Matt sent you.

There was a bass/walleye tournament, and there was a ton of boats along the shores and around every shoal. We ran out of Henderson to 170 fow and did five kings. We took half our hits on the riggers with Dreamweaver SS Midnight Special spoons, down 75 to 95. The other half came on dipsy's out 210 with Carmel Dolphin Spin DR's. The temperature down 85 was 53 degrees and down 100 it was 49 degrees. We didn't take anything deeper than 95, so the active kings must have been above the ice box.

Have you looked into Wingers? They help pull the side riggers away from the back of the boat and your back riggers. I've not had an issue since going to them. Also, using different weights probably isn't the best approach. Essentially you have 4-5 feet max between the riggers and different blowback could become problematic, especially on modest turns. The Wingers will help you get around that though.... They were a great addition to my spread and I seem to catch more fish off the Wingers than the back riggers.

How'd you guys do this weekend?

The "wall" will be productive. There's a bass/walleye tournament this weekend, so I imagine the pressure out there should be pretty light. Last year, the shallows were packed with boats, and we had the deep water to ourselves. I plan on hitting the shipping lanes if weather allows, otherwise I'll probably be on the mountain. You can reach me on the radio, "Yellow Fever" on channel 18.

I would start my spread where the temp drops to 42 degrees and then set riggers from there down. You can also figure your diver rods go down approximately 30 feet for every 100 feet back. That should help you bracket that temp break. [ Post made via iPhone ]

We fished browns on Stony Point and did well with Michigan Stingers and J11 Rapalas on weight rods off the planer boards. Similar program as above with natural colored spoons/stickbaits. We also did well in the trench 25 to 45 down over 90'. We did have to compete with a lot of boats in the trench, so I'd shoot for drowned island or off the lighthouse in 60 fow.

I assume that may be the new Fish'N Chip, but I'm not sure. I think Navionics may be moving away from the Fish'N Chip. You can still get the Fish'N Chip for the Great Lakes from West Marine, but I'm not sure for how long. Make sure you get the 1' contours though. Regards, Matt