Need fishing Suggestions

[bkwapisz]

Up here in Northern Michigan we are entering a time where the temps vacillate between 60 degrees during the day to frost temps at night. I have been trolling a dropoff all summer and doing ok getting some smallmouths, but lately it's like the fish are just GONE. Nothing much on the graph and definitely nothing biting the line. I'm trolling in water between 15 and 20' deep and using differnt crankbaits, which has worked all summer but all of a sudden nothing. Water temps is about 58 degrees as of last night.

I'm trying to get back into fishing but this is ridiculous. Any suggestions as to what to do? In the lake I'm fishing we have smallies, pike and any number of assorted panfish with a few trout moving this time of year. My boat is equipped to do most any kind of fishing (except out on Lake Michigan) and the deepest it gets in my area is around 35 feet or so in the middle.

Thanks in advance.

 

[HopeSheFloats]

Re: Need fishing Suggestions

I'm down-state from you, but, both here and up near Alpena at this time of year...I seem to have better response going shallow. 6-12 fow and sometimes even shallower trips the hits for me. Slowing your trolling speeds seems to help as well as the water continues to cool.

Another observation... this time of year, the fish really put on the feed bag for winter survival, and at times I've seen an increase in hit's by using fatter/wider body baits{shad raps etc.} just my thoughts.

When all else fails...live bait will fill the livewell...minnows are our friends lol

 

[bkwapisz]

Re: Need fishing Suggestions

Thanks Ken, I'll give that a try. To be honest, this is the first time in my life I haven't used live bait and the first summer I've EVER caught fish on lures. :redface: Maybe I need to go back to the live stuff for now. I hear the perch are hitting deeper now, might try for those as well. I have an 8 year old who was an avid fisherman up until the last 4 times out when we got skunked. I fear I may be losing him on the fishing fervor...

 

[HopeSheFloats]

Re: Need fishing Suggestions

Congrats on the lure catches, feels great doesn't it! I luv my live bait, but there's no better feeling if you ask me, than knowing your presentation of plastic &/or metal tricked ol' big mouth into thinking 'easy snack'

The perch down here{Lake St.Clair} are definitely moving shallow, of course the lake itself is shallow compared to most.

Keep at it with your lures, just keep some live bait for emergencies and to keep the young fisherman into bites, even if that means chasing after panfish to ensure that skunking only happens once in a blue moon...a bluegill in the hand beats twenty 'almost hads' any-day.

IMO, it only gets better between now and ice-up, finding them is, has, and always will be the necessity....Enjoy!

 

[bkwapisz]

Re: Need fishing Suggestions

Congrats on the lure catches, feels great doesn't it! I luv my live bait, but there's no better feeling if you ask me, than knowing your presentation of plastic &/or metal tricked ol' big mouth into thinking 'easy snack'

The perch down here{Lake St.Clair} are definitely moving shallow, of course the lake itself is shallow compared to most.

Keep at it with your lures, just keep some live bait for emergencies and to keep the young fisherman into bites, even if that means chasing after panfish to ensure that skunking only happens once in a blue moon...a bluegill in the hand beats twenty 'almost hads' any-day.

IMO, it only gets better between now and ice-up, finding them is, has, and always will be the necessity....Enjoy!

Will do. Used to live down there and fished Anchor Bay quite a bit many moons ago. Used to hit a lot of bass and some panfish during the week, weekends there were too many crazies with the cigarette boats out for my liking. I'll take him still fishing this week sometime. Keeps getting darker sooner and sooner up here.

 

[HopeSheFloats]

Re: Need fishing Suggestions

Finances are killing me this year...had to sell my fresh restore to keep keeping on. Now I'm down to 'begging tag along status' during my favorite time of year..Grrrr

I hear ya on the crazies...weekends on St.Clair are not for the faint of heart,lol. A 3/4 oz jig, cast towards the nut jobs, usually will divert them next time thru

Fishing after dark is a blast, dress for the weather change, keep a ship shaped ship. and drop a wadded up mess of crawlers to the bottom for some catfish fun. Walleye like the dark conditions as well

Wish I had a young'un to take along again, most of my younger nephews are too trapped in video game-land, and no longer seem to have anytime for anything else aw well, their loss for now lol.

 

[gonefishie]

Re: Need fishing Suggestions

Go shallow! They have moved from the drop off (summer hangout) to the shallower water, cruising and getting fat. They'd be back on the drop-off when they go into their winter pattern. Trolling won't work in the shallow, you'll have to cast. Try a jerkbait, smallies like fast and erratic retrieve but the colder the water gets the slower you'll work the lure. Or, go into the miles of canals off the main lake. Fish the boat docks, the largemouths will wear you out.

 

[scanman]

Re: Need fishing Suggestions

Think your son would understand that we call it fishin, not catchin?
Those crappie in my avatar were caught in 16" of water, just 5" from the bank, in February! bout 50 degrees water temp.

 

[bkwapisz]

Re: Need fishing Suggestions

Think your son would understand that we call it fishin, not catchin?
Those crappie in my avatar were caught in 16" of water, just 5" from the bank, in February! bout 50 degrees water temp.

Well I explained that to him, but he went from "Gaga for fishing" to "Nah, I'll stay home this time" and I think I need to get him on something here soon. I gotta change my setup or something here soon as I'm getting bored as well....

 

[Mark_VTfisherman]

Re: Need fishing Suggestions

troll Erie Dearies off remaining weed edges for pike. Chartreuse or green body. Big fat crawler. Stinger hook 2-3/4 3" off back. Hop a jig around rock piles or structure for smallmouth. Fish where the bait is: use your sonar.

 

[Huron Angler]

Re: Need fishing Suggestions

I agree that hitting the shallows is a good plan to track down the Pike. We caught 7 yesterday in the Looking Glass river and they all hit spoons and spinners in less than 3 ft of water.

The live bait only fed the Bullheads. Do you have any rivers flowing in/out of the Lake? Maybe try near an inlet for fish stalking passerby baitfish.

Good luck, and glad to hear you are also passing along the fishing passion to another generation, my 5-year-old loves catching some Bluegill