| Author | Message | ||||||||||||
| Atthewall
Bass Username: Atthewall Post Number: 718 Registered: 11-2004  Rating: N/A |
I've been up along the shores of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee Wisconsin, on business this month. So seizing the opportunity of venturing into uncharted waters, during the height of the steelhead, brown trout and salmon (Kings & Cohoe) run....well what would you do?  These fish are staging along the edges of Milwaukee harbor in Lake Michigan, inside the harbor and the lower reaches of the Milwaukee River. For the most part, these fish are lock jaw, not feeding and you have to really make them mad to strike. Some of the Kings are cruising at roughly 15-30lbs, the Cohoes are smaller and range 10-25lbs. The brown trout are in the 10-25lb range. Darn things are jumping here and there, roaming schools with excellent water visibility. At times I wished I couldn't see them, it drives me nuts!!! Schools move through 2-10 fish at a pop, you sight cast and nothing. Those that you don't see are the ones you score. I'm casting Cleo 3/4 spoons (various colors), Mepps #5 spinners and 1/2 oz Rattletraps (in colors we don't cast). Some of my stuff glows at night and the other stuff is blue, green, orange, yellow and gold. Milwaukee in her splendor on the SW shores of Lake Michigan. The skyline along the seawall view facing SW over the Mckinley Marina.  Along the waterfront. Milwaukee river scene working upstream.    The gap to the Inner Harbor gets pretty darn busy.  Lake Michigan is HUGE!!!  With size big enough to surf.   Not my pic but you can get the idea of the power along these shores.  These guys are tough as snot to hook. All I can say is you better be willing to cast like you never have casted before. It's a mad world chasing these fish, thousands of them out there and you can see a few dozen cruise by all the time. Lockjaw city and I've never fished for salmon that simply defy logical reasoning with everything...including the kitchen sink! Since the water is all fresh, they don't act like salmon in salt to fresh mix. I've fished them in the Pacific Northwest to Alaska and never in my wildest dreams would I have expected them to act like they do in the Great Lakes. Fresh water, year around simply changes the attitude. This brute was simply a handful. God Bless landing nets! My first Lake Michigan salmon, a King around 20+lbs.  Then my first Cohoe at roughly 18lbs   Tonight, I scored another Cohoe working the land troll technique. Land trolling is basically making a long cast, sinking the spoon to the bottom and then walking along 20-30 yards dragging the bottom with a slight swing or arc as the bait swings in on bounce.....FISH ON! The spoon is a 3/4 ounce Cleo glow/charty. The back side is silver for flash. Tonight was clear skies, no wind, full moon, and glassy clear water.  PQ this one needs to find it's way over onto the fishing pic page. It's freshwater just ain't Texas  | ||||||||||||
| Charles
Moderator Username: Charles Post Number: 970 Registered: 7-2004 Rating: N/A |
Living Large! Excellent recap. | ||||||||||||
| Ozziefish
Bass Username: Ozziefish Post Number: 655 Registered: 8-2004  Rating: N/A |
Way cool. I did some trolling a few years back and it was fun...It's also a good way to drink some beers... OzzieFish "Glory to GOD in the Highest" | ||||||||||||
| Wes
Moderator Username: Wes Post Number: 381 Registered: 8-2004  Rating: N/A |
Way to go rob. Show them yankees how to fish | ||||||||||||
| Atthewall
Bass Username: Atthewall Post Number: 720 Registered: 11-2004 Rating: N/A |
Thanks guys! LMAO!!! I am Wes and the locals are starting to swing by and check in with me LOL! Every now and then I do the old BASS cast keeping the rod outin front of my body, hit the 360 twirl and ZING! Folks walking by behind me, but I don't miss a beat with the cast. LOL! I lost a huge 3ft long King last night. Hooked him up in 20ft of water after letting my Cleo sink all the way to the bottom and working a snails pace retrieve. King hammered the bait about 15 yards out on the upswing. Fought him for awhile and then had him at the net when the hook pulled out. He wouldn't fit in the net, and it's a huge net. I suppose the angle of the line trying to head him in as it made the bend over the nets loop might have had something to do with it. Hard to land fish 15ft above the waters edge with hand nets. Probably would have given him to the Asian fella with the net if he wanted it, and I know he wanted it. He was more upset with losing him at the net than I was. Good folks up here. Headed home tomorrow. | ||||||||||||
| Hawlin_bass
Bluegill Username: Hawlin_bass Post Number: 268 Registered: 1-2005  Rating: N/A |
Once again you are the Man Rob! I know you probably miss home and family, but what a cool deal to be able to see different parts of the country and fling an arrow or fish while your there. Not to mention all the people you meet. Congrats on the fish! | ||||||||||||
| Tomc
Bluegill Username: Tomc Post Number: 117 Registered: 12-2006  Rating: N/A |
Way too kewl. Awesome pics and story. Thanks for sharing! Thanking Him, all day long --- tomc | ||||||||||||
| Bigun
Lunker Username: Bigun Post Number: 1500 Registered: 8-2004  Rating: N/A |
You should have brought some Tsunami baits with you Rob!!! Quit being a mad, little bald man! | ||||||||||||
| Picou
Wall Hanger Username: Picou Post Number: 2736 Registered: 8-2004  Rating: N/A |
Most excellent coverage there Rob and it looks like you had a great time. I'll get that one added to the photo gallery soon -- along with some of the others you sent me. Thanks for sharing the pics buddy!  Thank you Lord for my family and the waters I get to fish
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| Atthewall
Bass Username: Atthewall Post Number: 722 Registered: 11-2004 Rating: N/A |
Thanks guys and PQ I know you will..sometime after deer season LOL! |
