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Fishing Reports for Local Area - Location |
    
Ron Westrate (Westrate)
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Username: Westrate
Post Number: 137
Registered: 8-2003
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, November 14, 2009 - 5:43 pm: | |
The steelhead fishing in the Kalamazoo River and in the St. Joe River is improving as the water level retreats and the leaves have already fallen. The best method for the steelhead is "walking spawn" down through the holes in the river. Almost all the fish that are being caught are males from 6 to 10 pounds. When the water is clear of leaves, small hot-n-tots and wiggle worts are back trolled into the holes. However, at this time, spawn is out-fishing the plugs.
There are also reports of good catches of white fish being caught off the Holland and Grand Haven piers. They are also catching some coho and chinook salmon along the shore line on the lake side of the piers. Rough water has limited open water fishing and very few catch reports are available.
For more fishing information or charter reservations, email me at captron@chartermichigan.com. |
Ron Westrate (Westrate)
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Username: Westrate
Post Number: 136
Registered: 8-2003
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 06, 2009 - 4:23 am: | |
The best fishing right now is in the Kalamazoo River with good catches of steelhead and an occasional salmon. With the high water level subsiding, the Kalamazoo River is almost back inside its banks. In addition most of the leaves are off the trees, so fishermen do not have contend with large number of leaves floating down the river and fouling lines. Most of the action is from New Richmond Bridge to the mouth of the Rabbit River by walking spawn down through the holes. Some fish are being taken by using small hot-n-tots and wiggle worts and back trolling them down through the same holes. River fishing should only get better as the river conditions stabilize.
There are still some decent catches out in the lake, when wind and waves permit. The last lake fishing report I received was that 2 and 3 year old salmon were being caught in 60 to 90 foot of water on 100 copper and half core with small stinger spoons. There also were some reports of good perch catches in 60 foot of water off of Laketown Beach. Once again the problem with the lake fishing has been the high winds and waves which changes water conditions and fish locations each day.
For fishing information or questions about charters, email me at captron@chartermichigan.com. |
Ron Westrate (Westrate)
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Username: Westrate
Post Number: 135
Registered: 8-2003
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, October 12, 2009 - 4:23 am: | |
The last 2 weeks produced some rough water (8 to 12 foot) due to winds that exceeded 60 miles per hour. When we could get out, the fishing was very slow with 2 and 3 year old salmon and a few small lake trout that needed to be returned. The water temperature was the same from the surface to 140 foot down and the color of the water was an opaque green due to the rough water. We caught fish 20 foot down and 120 foot down and from 60 foot of water out to 240 foot of water, which makes it difficult to run any pattern.
Report from the river was that there is a good population of salmon in the river, but due to the rainfall the river is running high and fishing is slow. The best method for salmon continue to be spawn on the bottom. There are also some very silver steelhead that are showing up in the river and the best method for these is also spawn rolled back through the holes.
The fishing reports will be every two or three weeks now since our season is about over and the boat will be coming out soon. I will try to keep you up to date on the river fishing and lake activity as things change or improve. For information, email me at captron@chartermichigan.com. |
Ron Westrate (Westrate)
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Username: Westrate
Post Number: 134
Registered: 8-2003
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 28, 2009 - 12:05 pm: | |
Last week produced some very good fishing with catches of 12 to 24 fish per boat. The best depth was 110 to 140 foot of water and some days out to 180 foot of water. Most of the catch consisted of 2 and 3 year old salmon up to 12 pounds with some steelhead and lake trout mixed in.
The best method was 200, 300 and 400 foot of copper with stingray and regular stinger lures (orange corey, NBK, orange crush, caramel dolphin). 11 in. prochip flashers (white/Kevorkian tape and silver/Kevorkian, white/glow, green?glow) with wild fern and frosted fern flies on the divers produced very well. The downriggers produced with stinger lures on the out-downs and a 11 in flasher down the center.
With the rough water Monday and Tuesday, the like should turn over and move the fish around. For information and charter reservations, email me at captron@chartermichigan.com. |
Ron Westrate (Westrate)
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Username: Westrate
Post Number: 133
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 14, 2009 - 6:09 am: | |
This past week produced some very good fishing for 2 and 3 year old chinook salmon, coho and steelhead. There are a few 4 year olds in front the piers and a person can catch a few, however there still is not a large concentration showing up. There are also reports of decent catches of salmon in the Kalamazoo River by floating spawn into the holes. However the most consistent catches of salmon (2, 3 and a few 4 year olds) occur in the 60 to 120 foot of water and in the 140 to 160 foot depth. There are also some boats fishing 260 to 300 foot of water and reporting some good steelhead catches.
For us, the best method this week was 200 and 300 foot of copper with magnum and stingray spoons (glow blue, orange corey, green and chartrouse, big dutchman). Even though the water was warm, we also took some nice salmon and steelhead on 1/2 core and 100 foot of copper with orange crush and orange corey stingers. The divers produced with the same magnum spoons that we pulled on the copper. To get the downriggers going we had to again pull 11 in pro chip and hot chip flashers and the wild fern fly and run them near the bottom. Most of the fish off the downriggers where lake trout, however we also caught a few 4 year olds on the bottom.
The season is winding down, however I think we will still get a run of salmon in front of the piers if the water cools alittle. If the water does not cool, they should just "trickle in" a little at a time, however the fishing off shore should remain consistent. For information and or charter reservations, email me at captron@chartermichigan.com. |
Ron Westrate (Westrate)
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Username: Westrate
Post Number: 132
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 07, 2009 - 1:45 pm: | |
Another strange week of fishing. After limit catches of Chinook salmon and CoHo salmon Monday in front the piers, the fishing slowed the rest of the week. The water was still cold and there was bait around the piers, however the run of Kings never developed. There are still some fish out in 80 to 120 foot of water, 140 to 160 foot of water and out in 180 to 210 foot of water as well as a few in front the pier, however, no large concentration anywhere. The 80 to 100 foot depth includes 4, 2 and 3 year old salmon as well as a good number of lake trout. the 140 foot depth includes mainly 2 and 3 year old salmon and lake trout. Outside in the 200 foot depth there are salmon, lake trout and a good number of steelhead.
The best method continue to be 11 in Pro Troll (white glow and green glow) with the wild fern Rapture fly pulled on the downriggers, and divers. 5 color leadcore and 100 foot of copper with orange crush and orange corey stingers produced well for steelhead. 200 foot and 300 foot of copper with glow stingray and nitro lures produced well on 2, 3 and 4 year old salmon.
The water temperature Sunday was 60 degrees on the bottom in 25 foot of water which may be a little warm for the chinook salmon. However, at this time of the year, 60 degrees should not prevent the schooling and run up the river. I do not know why the run did not continue, however I keep expecting it to pick up again. For information and fishing charter reservations, email me at captron@chartermichigan.com |
Ron Westrate (Westrate)
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Username: Westrate
Post Number: 131
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, August 23, 2009 - 3:16 pm: | |
Fishing continues to be very good. Both kings and adult cohos are being caught in the Saugatuck area. During the past week the fish slid back and forth between 65-160 feet of water. Strong winds changed the water temperature and the depths that we trolled the plugs and flashers and flies down in the water column throughout the week.
This week’s best flasher-fly combinations were: 8” or 11” white glow ProTroll flashers with Hypnotist flies; 8” HotChip white/mtn. dew with a no-see-um Rapture fly; 8” or 11” chrome HC with a Wild Fern Rapture fly, 8” blue-glow PC with a Last Supper fly, and the 8” blue wiggle PC with a blue bubble fly. Plugs produced on the copper lines. The best plugs were the silver red head, green splatterback, green glow with a black ladderback and the green lightning.
More and more of the kings are darkening up and getting ready for the run to start. Once we get a shot of cold water the pier head fishing will be active. Until then these fish should stay near by. There is plenty of bait and cold water in the 100’ area. |
Ron Westrate (Westrate)
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Username: Westrate
Post Number: 130
Registered: 8-2003
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, August 17, 2009 - 3:08 pm: | |
15 Fish in 75 Minutes
This week’s fishing was highlighted by the biggest fish of the season (a 25# king), and Wednesday morning’s catch of 15 fish in 75 minutes. Fishing was excellent for the first half of the week and slowed a little toward the weekend as the fish scattered. Most of the week we fished between 100-125 F.O.W., but fish were caught out to 170 and as shallow as 65 feet of water. Some of the salmon being caught are beginning to darken as they get ready to run the river. The first batch of cold water near the piers will certainly produce some excellent fishing for the mature kings. Highs in the 70 are forecasted for next weekend. The run may start early.
ProTroll flashers and Rapture flies continue to be the best producing presentation. The best combinations were: 8” blue wiggle w/ a blue bubble fly, 8” chrome w/ a wild fern fly, 8” green glow w/ a wild fern or hypnotist, 8’ white glow w/ a frosted fern, 8” chrome green w/ a no-see-um fly, and the 11” white glow w/ purple no-see-um or hypnotist flies. Ace-Hi Silverhorde plugs were productive on the 300’ copper. Green glow w/ black ladderback, silver redhead, and green splatter back plugs went consistently throughout the week.
Perch fishing was good this week. We caught 90 on Tuesday despite fishing 4-6 foot seas in 65 F.O.W. Cooler water on Thursday and Friday moved the perch into shallower waters, but the perch bite continued to be good. Perch were caught on minnows, shrimp, and salmon eggs. |
Ron Westrate (Westrate)
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Username: Westrate
Post Number: 129
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, August 09, 2009 - 6:57 pm: | |
It seems that ever day brings 3 foot seas or larger which challenges a persons ability to land fish. We never did get a chance to fish Saturday or Sunday because of the rough conditions. The salmon and lake trout are still in the 80 to 120 foot of water, however landing a 15 pounder in 5 foot seas is very difficult. Every day this week we caught fish from 80 (and some times 60) foot of water out to 130 foot of water. The best depth continues to be 100 to 110 foot, however the wind dictated which direction and which depth we could fish throughout the week.
Once again it was Hot chip and Pro chip flashers and Rapture flies that produced 90% of the catch. The other 10% came on “meat” and Silver Horde plugs. The divers did well with silver/green, blue wiggle, white/glow and sliver flasher’s and the best fly was the frosted fern and purple no see um. The glow green, silver red head and wonderbread Silver Horde plugs produced on 400 and 300 foot of copper. The “meat” was pulled on the bottom behind 11 in white/glow and white/blue bubble Hot chip flashers with Rapture glow Twinkie flies and a Pro Troll rotating bait head.
Check back next week and see if the winds and seas have calmed and if the fish start to move in. For information or charter reservations, contact me at captron@chartermichigan.com |
Ron Westrate (Westrate)
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Username: Westrate
Post Number: 128
Registered: 8-2003
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, August 02, 2009 - 1:05 pm: | |
If you could handle the rough water this past week, you could catch some very nice salmon up to the 24 pound range. Almost every day produced some high seas and winds in the morning and then often diminishing by the late afternoon. Winds on Saturday shortened our all day charter to 5 hours and on Sunday we never did get out in the morning. The salmon are still in the 70 to 120 foot range with the best depth being 85 to 90 foot. There were some reports of nice catches of salmon in the 55 to 65 foot range, however we did not fish shallower than 75 foot of water. During the week we took salmon the weighed over 23 pounds and many lake trout over 14 pounds.
The best method continues to be divers with flashers and flies and 300 and 400 foot of copper with stingray and magnum stinger spoons. The best flashers remain the hot chip and pro chip (silver/green, mountain dew, silver and blue wiggle). The best flies are the Rapture oceana, blue bubble, wild fern and the speed weed. We also caught some large salmon "pulling meat" behind white glow flashes and glow Rapture teaser flies with Pro Troll glow and green bait holders. We did not do well with downrigger during the week however there were some boats that reported decent downrigger results pulling white/glow glades with green flies. The copper did produce a few salmon with magnum stingers and stingray lures, however we did not find any color combination that produced consistently. I did talk to anglers that stated that glow magnum spoons produced well for them when pulled behind copper and lead core lines
Our salmon should stay in this depth if we do not see any major change in water temperature. Feel free to contact me for further information or if you would like to make a charter reservation at captron@chartermichigan.com. |
Ron Westrate (Westrate)
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Username: Westrate
Post Number: 127
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 26, 2009 - 2:47 pm: | |
BIg King Show Up
This week marked the arrival of the big kings around Saugatuck. The bait and fish are setting up in 85-130 feet of water, with some fish being caught out to 160 FOW. For the first time this year a sharp thermocline has developed. The temperature break of 10 degrees moved up and down a little day to day, but generally was around the 55'-65' depth. Catches throughout the week include a few steelhead and lake trout, but the catch was dominated by salmon. Thirteen to 17 pound kings were common and some kings over 20 pounds were caught.
Fish were caught from 20-100 feet down. The downriggers produced best fished 55-85 feet down with 8 inch ProTroll flashers and Rapture flies. Flashers and flies were also taking fish on the wire divers pulled 130-250 feet back. The best combinations were: a white blade mountain dew with a HItman no-se-um fly, chrome blade with bright green bubble tape and a green beaded no-see-um fly; white glow with a oceana fly, glow frog with a hypnotist fly, super frog with a green no-see-um and a chrome doulbe glow with a wild fern fly.
Stingray spoons and Ace Hi plugs produced on the 200' and 300' coppers. The best spoons were the green dolphin, silver orange tip, and nitro dolphin. Green glow ladderback and pearl glow Ace Hi were active on the 200s.
For the first time this year we pulled some cut bait. Herring behind 8 inch ProTrolls and Rapture teaser rigs produced activity on Friday.
Salmon fIshing should continue to improve and the thermal barrier stablizes and bait continues to move in toward shore.
Perch fishing was slow during the beginning of the week, but was good on Friday with many limit catches caught in 35 FOW just south of the Saugatuck piers. |
Ron Westrate (Westrate)
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Username: Westrate
Post Number: 126
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 19, 2009 - 2:06 pm: | |
Last week was another interesting week with lake trout being taken in 85 foot of water, Chinook salmon and steelhead showing up in 140 foot of water and perch being caught in 15 foot and in 40 foot of water. Bottom bouncing for lake trout continues to be a very consistent and reliable way to put fish in the boat, however by the end of the week the thermocline had set up in with 10 degree break from 55 foot to 65 foot and this depth started producing some very good steelhead and 4 year old chinook salmon. We also had some decent catches of perch in 15 foot of water one day and 40 foot of water another.
Just like the last few weeks, metal flashers and Rapture frosted wild fern and green no see um flies were the best bet for the lake trout in 85 to 95 foot of water. The salmon and steelhead were in 110 foot to 140 foot of water and hit Stingray NBK, green dolphin and nuclear green pulled on 300 foot of copper. The other method for salmon was the wire divers at 140 and 180 foot back with Hot chip and Pro Chip silver/glow and silver/green flashers and Rapture wild fern and green no see um flies.
The chinook salmon in the mid teens are beginning to show and the steelhead are also being caught up to the low teens in weight. For move information and/or charter reservations, email me at captron@chartermichigan.com. |
Ron Westrate (Westrate)
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Username: Westrate
Post Number: 125
Registered: 8-2003
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 12, 2009 - 7:26 am: | |
What a change in the fishing this week!!! Monday and Tuesday produced some of the best lake trout fishing we have had in years in 100 to 110 foot of water with up to 30 being caught in a trip, however 50% of them had to be returned due to being under the 20 in. limit. There were also some nice Chinook salmon mixed in the catch. Wednesday was like some one turned a switch and the salmon had disappeared and the we had to struggle to catch 6 legal lake trout. By the end of the week we fished we again were bouncing bottom in 90 to 100 foot of water similar to the previous week. We did fish a couple of hours each each trip on Friday and Saturday in 20 foot of water in front the piers and caught some nice steelhead and a couple of small salmon and many sheephead. There is solid bait in the 20 to 30 foot of water and a few silver fish are in there feeding, however there is not big concentration since the water is relatively warm. The boats that did fish the deeper water on Saturday and Sunday did come in with good catches, but almost all lake trout.
We did run a couple of perch charters on Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning but the fishing was slow unless you wanted to catch golbies. There were some perch caught in 25 foot of water off the south pier, 40 foot of water off the ball and in 33 foot of water off of Pier Cove. The fish ran good size but the action was slow and you had to drift to get a consistent bite.
The best method for the steelhead in the shallow water was 3 color lead core line with orange crush, orange corey and craigs christmas Stingray lures. (The 10 to 15 pound sheephead liked these also.) In the deeper water we again ran the metal flashers on the bottom with Rapture frosted fern, wild fern and lakeshore green flies on the bottom. Occasional salmon were taken on the divers with silver green Hot Chip flashers with the Rapture lakeshore green fly and magnum green dolphin and yellow fin Stinger lures. The 300 copper with the frog Stinger flasher and any green fly also produced well in the deeper water.
Check back and see if the salmon show up this week or email me at captron@chartermichigan.com for information or charter reservations. |
Ron Westrate (Westrate)
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Username: Westrate
Post Number: 124
Registered: 8-2003
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, July 05, 2009 - 3:54 am: | |
Finally we are getting that good salmon bite in the 100 foot depth that we had been expecting. During this past week we had been pounding the bottom for lake trout in 85 to 100 foot of water and catching 7 to 15 fish per trip. However, Friday and Saturday we concentrated on the 100 to 110 foot range to find the salmon and Saturday we finally got the consistent chinook bite. Saturday we caught 6 fish in the morning with 4 being salmon (however we lost the last 5 salmon we had on) and then in the afternoon we caught 12 fish with, 10 salmon and 2 lake trout, with 4 over 12 pounds. There are big schools of bait in this 100 to 110 foot of water and the salmon were full of adult alewife.
Once again we used the metal flashers and the Rapture Wild Fern, Frosted Wild Fern and Green NoSeeUm flies for the lake trout pulled behind the downriggers at 115 foot down in 100 foot of water. You have to check the fly constantly since they will pick up zebra mussels as it bounces on the bottom. The salmon are coming on Pro Chip and Hot Chip flashers (green glow, white glow and frog glow) with any Rapture fly, as long as it was green in color. The same flasher/fly combinations were run on the 300 foot of copper line and the larger chinook salmon (up to 16 pounds) were caught on this set up.
More good news!! Some consistent perch catches have been reported in the 65 foot depth in the rocks off the Douglas Point. The problem with fishing the rocks is that you have to contend with golbies in order to catch the perch. On Friday there were some nice perch caught in 25 foot of water north of the Saugatuck harbor, however you had to drift to catch them consistently.
There have also been some reports of nice steelhead being caught off the Saugatuck, Holland and South Haven piers during the week, however trolling in this water produced only a few fish.
For information or charter reservations email me at captron@chartermichigan.com. |
Ron Westrate (Westrate)
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Username: Westrate
Post Number: 123
Registered: 8-2003
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, June 28, 2009 - 6:42 am: | |
We are beginning to get a temperature break set up in 100 foot of water and we took 8 to 15 fish each trip during the week. At 40 to 45 foot, the temperature drops about 5 to 7 degrees and the salmon and steelhead are beginning to set up in this depth. There are still lake trout on the bottom along with an occasional salmon, however most of the silver fish are found suspended at this depth. The other good news is that the rocks are producing some limit catches of perch in 65 foot of water.
The salmon and steelhead are hitting the Stingray size spoons in the Orange Corey, Big Dutchman, Craigs Christmas color patterns pulled behind 200 and 300 foot of copper. On the bottom we are pulling metal flashers and 11 in. white glow Pro Troll flashers with Rapture Green Dude, Wild Fern and Speed Weed behind. Drop the downriggers and the divers to the bottom and then raise them a couple of feet.
To catch the perch we drifted form 72 foot of water in to 62 foot of water out side the refuse area off the ball. You have to take the good with the bad since you will catch golbies along with the perch, however some of the perch were over 14 in in length.
For more information about the fishing or to make charter information, email me at captron@chartermichigan.com. |
Ron Westrate (Westrate)
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Username: Westrate
Post Number: 122
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, June 23, 2009 - 4:31 am: | |
This past week turned out to be another week of looking for the salmon but catching 90% lake trout. We fished from 50 foot of water out to 270 foot of water and the water temperature ranged from 55 degrees on the surface to 41 degrees 120 foot down with no clear break. By Monday, the surface temperature was 62 degrees with a beginning of a temperature break at 35 foot but still 42 degrees 100 foot down. During the week we caught 6 to 12 fish per trip with the most consistent depth being 90 to 110 foot of water with flashers and flies on the bottom and 400 and 300 foot of copper with large spoons.
The best method for us continues to be the 11 in Hot Chip Flasher (white/glow and silver green) with the Rapture Wild Fern trolling fly which was run 105 foot down in 100 foot of water. We also caught fish pulling a metal flasher with the Rapture Green Dude fly. The second most productive method was 300 and 400 foot of copper with Stingray and magnum Stinger lures (glow frog and orange corey). Another technique that works for us was the 3 oz. and 4 oz.Stinger Dive Bomb that we added to the 300 foot of copper to get it down to the depth that the 400 foot of copper would run at.
Perch fishing success is improving with Sunday producing some limit catches in 55 foot of water. With the runoff of all the rain last week, you need to get outside this muddy water which extends all the way out to 50 foot and north of the Saugatuck channel.
The lake trout had all classes of bait in the stomachs with a majority being the 6 in large adults. With all the bait, I think it is only a matter of time before the salmon stage in the 100 to 110 foot of water. Contact me for information or charter information by email at captron@chartermichigan.com. |
Ron Westrate (Westrate)
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Username: Westrate
Post Number: 121
Registered: 8-2003
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, June 14, 2009 - 5:15 am: | |
This week produced another change in the fishing pattern. We began the week fishing out in 240 to 270 foot of water and as the week progressed, the number of fish seen and caught decreased from 8 to 12 fish per trip to 3 to 6 fish per trip. By the week end we were fishing in 80 to 100 foot of water and and catching Lake Trout on the bottom with an occasional Chinook's salmon 40 to 60 foot down.
The best method for the lake trout was the 11 inch Pro Chip and Hot Chip (white glow and green glow) flasher with the Green Dude Rapture Trolling fly behind. We dropped the downrigger just off the bottom and the wire divers were run out 250 foot. There were also some lake trout taken on metal flashers and Rapture Green Hypnotist fly. The salmon came mainly on 300 ft of copper and 300 ft. of copper with a dive bomb with magnum stingers and stingray lures (NBK and Green Dolphin).
The fish in the 100 foot depth had all ages of alewife in the bellies so I would expect to see the salmon stage in this depth soon. For information and/or charter reservations, email captron@chartermichigan.com. |
Ron Westrate (Westrate)
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Post Number: 120
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, June 07, 2009 - 4:04 pm: | |
This last week was a week of change with spotty fishing. Strong east winds and cool water scattered the fish this past week with catches of 6 to 12 fish per trip. We fished from 80 foot to 150 foot one day and the next we were in 180 to 200 foot and by the end of the week we fished 240 to 280 foot of water. Part of one trip we even fished in 30 foot of water the last hour and a half and caught one coho and missed 3 others. The water temperature ranged from 55 degrees to 50 degrees on the surface to 41 degrees 60 foot down which means the fish can be anywhere from the surface to the bottom and from the shoreline out 15 miles with not big concentration anywhere. One area did not produced any better than another and the fish came from the surface down to 70 foot with some fish caught bumping bottom in 120 foot.
The best method during the week was fishing the top 40 foot with half core, 7 color lead core, 100 copper, 150 copper, 200 copper and 300 copper with stinger and stingray lures that had orange and orange and green on them. Most of the action was on lures with very little action on flashers and flies. The divers at 150 foot dialed at 2 1/2 and downriggers at 30 and 40 foot produced but not consistently.
There were some reports of some perch being caught in 60 to 70 foot of water, but the action was not fast and furious. At this time we need to get some thermal stratification in the lake some a concentration of the bait. This will draw in the game fish into more concentrated groups. Feel free to contact me at any time for information and/or charter reservations by email at captron@chartermichigan.com. |
Ron Westrate (Westrate)
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Post Number: 119
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, May 31, 2009 - 5:05 am: | |
Strong east winds has blown the warm water out and the lake has cooled down to the low 50 degrees which quickly drops to the low 40 degrees as you go down in the water column. As the water cooled, the bait scattered and the fish followed. By the weekend you could catch a few fish in 70 foot, 100 foot, 130 foot, 160 foot, 180 foot and 200 foot however, not a large number of fish at any one depth. In addition, the big Chinook salmon that we had been taking have moved and most of the catch are in the 6 to 10 pound range. It is almost like the mid June fishing conditions. Fish are still being caught (9 to 14 fish per trip), however they are a different age class of fish compared to what we caught the beginning of the week.
Early in the week it was predominantly flashers and flies on 300 foot of copper, divers and downriggers. The best combination was Hot Chip and Pro Chip flashers (green glow, white glow, silver/green and silver) with the Rapture trolling flies (last supper, Lakeshore green, green mirage). By the weekend, most of fish were caught on stingray and magnum stinger lures (Craig's X-mas, NBK, Green side glow, gold orange crush, orange crush) on 100 foot, 150 foot and 200 foot of copper.
There were some perch caught in 70 foot of water this past week and we did see some school of perch in 40 foot and 60 foot of water as we ran in and out. I think that if someone did some drifting you could locate some decent perch in the deeper water. In addition, walleye are still being caught in the Kalamazoo River, however this has also slowed some what.
If we get some south winds and currents, we should see the bait start to re-stage in the 100 to 130 foot range and possibly in front the piers. If the bait shows, the salmon and steelhead will follow. For information and charter reservations, email me at captron@chartermichigan.com. |
Ron Westrate (Westrate)
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Post Number: 118
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 25, 2009 - 12:58 pm: | |
Another good week of fishing out of Saugatuck with chinook salmon, lake trout and steelhead making up the creel. Catches of 10 to 20 fish per trip were common. During the week, we fished from 90 foot of water all the way out to 220 foot of water with the most productive being 120 to 130 foot early in the week and 180 to 220 foot by Sunday. The water continued to change during the week in temperature and color and as a result the fish moved to whereever the break was that day. With the north and northeast winds toward the end of the week, the fish tended to be more scattered than in the early part of the week.
In the 130 to 150 foot depth, the best method was 100, 200 and 300 copper with stingray spoons in the copper orange Cory, green machine, NBK, gold orange crush, gold Craig’s X-mas and Craig’s X-mas color combinations. The downriggers were run from 40 to 80 foot down and the best bait was the green double glow Hot Chip and the Rapture Lakeshore green fly. Other flasher and fly combinations worked but not consistently. By Sunday, the magnum blue dolphin and magnum lemon ice produced well on the divers and copper line.
As we moved out to the 200 foot depth the catch consisted of steelhead with some kings and coho mixed in. The water out in this depth was in the low 40 degrees and the fish were in the top 30 foot with the regular size stinger reverse Crag’s x-mas, double orange crush and mixed veggie combinations.
The east wind today should conntinue to cool down the lake and the fish should continue to move both in and out and vertically. For fishing information or charter reservations email me at captron@chartermichigan.com. |
Ron Westrate (Westrate)
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, May 17, 2009 - 7:24 am: | |
May 17, 2009
This past week was another very good week of fishing out of Saugatuck with a mixed bag of Chinook and coho salmon, steelhead and lake trout. The Chinook salmon are running in the mid to high teens in weight, with the largest taken this past week going just over 18 pounds. During the week we caught from 12 to 20 fish per trip with 75% being Chinook salmon. The fish are located in to general areas, 85 to 130 foot of water and out in 160 to 180 foot of water. Most of our fishing was in the inside depth with 110 to 120 foot being the most productive.
Early in the week most of the fish were caught on 5 color lead core, 100 ft. 150 ft and 200 ft. of copper with Stingray lures and magnum Stinger lures. The best color combination was mixed veggie, freakin veggie, coyote ugly, NBK and the reverse Christmas. By the end of the week the best method were the wire slide divers at 100ft and 200 ft. and the downriggers at 50 to 85 foot. On these we pulled flashers and flies in a variety of color combinations. The best colors flashers consisted of Hotchip and Prochip 8 in flashers in the white/glow, green/glow, silver green tape and silver chartreuse tape. The best flies were the Rapture Tolling flies in the green hypnotist, last supper and purple mirage colors.
Early in the week the perch fishing out of Port Sheldon was still producing limit catches, however the winds this weekend may have prevented anchoring for perch. The walleye fishing in the Kalamazoo River was a littile slow, however I did get a report of one walleye that was over 16 pounds. I did not see it however a reliable source said it was the largest he had seen.
The good fishing should continue as long as the bait is in the area and we do not see any drastic changes in the water temperature. For information and or charter reservations, contact me at captron@chartermichigan.com. |
Ron Westrate (Westrate)
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 11, 2009 - 4:53 am: | |
Finally, some good consistent fishing though the whole week with catches consisting of a mixed bag of 12 to 22 fish per trip. The catches consisted of Chinook salmon in the mid to high teens, lake trout, a few coho and some steelhead. The salmon, both Chinook and coho are averaging a couple of pounds heavier than in past years. We started fishing in 110 to 120 foot of water early in the week and by Sunday we were in 60 to 80 foot of water. Reports on the perch are still good with good catches in 60 foot of water off of Port Sheldon and some spotty success off of Saugatuck in 40 foot of water.
If you are going out into the Big Lake, fish the downriggers from 50 foot to the bottom and 75 copper, 200 copper and 300 copper behind the boards. Our best success during the week was magnum stingers and stingray lures on all copper and downriggers in green/glow, green/blue and green/black combinations. Slide divers 100 and 120 foot out with pro chip and hot chip flashers (green/glow, white/glow and silver) with green hypnotist rapture tolling flies produced some nice fish.
Fishing in the Kalamazoo River is still slow for steelhead, however there are a few walleye being caught by drifting from the bridge into Kalamazoo Lake and by trolling between the piers.
It looks like our spring fishing is here to stay and it should only get better as more bait shows up. For information on the fishing or to make charter reservations, contact me at captron@chartermichigan.com. |
Ron Westrate (Westrate)
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 04, 2009 - 6:03 pm: | |
he Chinook salmon are showing up from Saugatuck to Port Sheldon. This past week has produced some very good catches of Chinook salmon with occasional coho and steelhead thrown in. The water along the shore is very discolored and most of the fish are found outside in the clearer water. On Friday the fish were found in 40 to 80 foot of water and then on Sunday they were in 60 to 90 foot of water. Today most of the fish came from 90 to 180 foot of water with 120 foot being the best.
The deeper the water the lower we are fishing. In the 40 to 80 foot range we were fishing from the surface to 40 foot down with stickbaits on the surface and then orange crush and orange and green Stingray lures behind 75 foot, 150 ft. and green and blue Killer Stingrays behind 200 ft. of copper. In the 60 to 90 foot depth the best method was 300 copper with Singrays behind and ProTroll Flashers and Rapture trolling flies. Out side of 100 foot the downriggers went as deep as 90 foot down with 300 copper and wire slide divers with the flashers and flies. Many of the salmon are running in the mid teens and a couple were pushing 20 pounds.
More good news is that limit perch catches have been reported from Saugatuck to Port Sheldon. Limit catches were reported in 60 to 65 foot of water from Port Sheldon north to the Bil Mar Resturant. Today there were a couple of limit catches in 40 foot of water just south of the Saugatuck pier. Another good report is the walleye fishing in the Kalamazoo river. Walleye are being caught by drifting down from the Blue Star bridge into Kalamazoo Lake while jigging off the bottom with jigging spoons or night crawler harness.
The only negative report is the Steelhead fishing in the river. With the muddy and high water in the Kalamazoo River the fishing has been very slow, however as the water receeds, the fishing should improve. For more information or for reservations for a charter, email me at captron@chartermichigan.com. |
Ron Westrate (Westrate)
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, April 27, 2009 - 4:19 am: | |
The walleye season opened this past weekend however the weather did not cooperate. Winds of 30 mph and rain on Saturday forced walleye fisherman into protected areas of the river and then by Sunday the Kalamazoo River was muddy due to the 2 in of rain and had risen 12 in. There were a few walleye caught on Saturday but I did not hear of any caught on Sunday.
The report on Lake Michigan is improving with the water beginning to warm and a few bait fish starting to show up. The wind has slowed fishing action, however when the weather cooperates, there have been good catches of Lake Trout and a few salmon reported. The temperature ranges from 44 to 49 degrees in 40 to 90 foot of water. Fish the top 35 foot of water in this depth. Full core and half core of lead core line with Stingers and Stingray lures and flat lines with green and red/gold thin fins produced well. Also Slide divers with ProTrol blue bubble and mountain dew flashers and Rapture Blue Hypnotist and Sour Apple flies produced well.
With the warming of the water and the appearance of the bait, hour fishing should improve and the salmon should follow the bait in. For information or if you would like to book a charter, email me at captron@chartermichigan.com. |
Ron Westrate (Westrate)
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 21, 2009 - 4:46 am: | |
April 21, 2009
Water temperature on Lake Michigan out of Saugatuck is 39 degrees so fishing continues to be slow for salmon, brown trout and steelhead, however the lake trout catch is very good. The problem is that lake trout season does not open until May 1, so it is catch and release. Some good news is that this past weekend, the perch fishing off the Holland pier and between the piers produced some limit catches. I would expect that even if the lake water temperature decreases with the present strong north west wind, the perch fishing should continue in the warmer river water.
Steelhead fishing on the Grand and Kalamazoo Rivers improved last week as the water levels declined and the clarity improved. Best method was spawn that was drifted through the spawning beds. There have also been some reports of some Brown Trout being caught on the Kalamazoo River by using spawn. The bad news is that with the rain Sunday and Monday, the river is on the rise (1 1/2 foot Sunday night) and will probably temporally slow the catch.
If you need information or want to book a fishing charter, email me at captron@chartermichigan.com. |
Ron Westrate (Westrate)
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Post Number: 112
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, April 16, 2009 - 5:03 am: | |
April 16, 2009 Fishing Report
High water on the river and cold water on the lake has kept the fishing slow at this point. The steelhead are on the beds in the Kalamazoo River and in the St. Joe River, however the water is still high (but receding) which makes the fishing tough. The most productive method is back rolling spawn along the bottom into the bedding area.
On the lake, the water is still 38 degrees and with the NE, E and SE winds will not warm up very fast. Most of creel consists of Lake Trout (which, with the season closed, need to be returned). There are an occasional chinook and brown trout showing up, however not very many at this point in time. The good news is that the coho that are being caught in the warmer southern basin are running 4 to 6 pounds instead of the 2 to 4 pounds that they ordinarily weigh. This should mean that when the coho migrate up to us in the next couple of weeks, they should be a good size. Hopefully, the chinook will also show this increase in size.
If you need more information or would like to reserve a fishing date, email me at captron@chartermichigan.com or call me at 888-253-8372 toll free. |
Ron Westrate (Westrate)
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, November 12, 2008 - 3:16 pm: | |
11/12/2008
There has been very little big lake fishing with cold weather and high winds, however the steelhead river fishing is beginning to turn on. Capt. Tony Walte reports that the fishing in the St. Joe was still a little on the slow side but should pick up soon. The Kalamazoo River, however has been producing good catches of steelhead. Back trolling body baits into the holes and bouncing spawn both have been very productive. Capt. Walte has been taking from 3 to 7 fish per trip and he thinks that with some shots of warm weather and rain, the run should pick up. Most of the leaves are off the trees so the river has cleared up and more lines can be run without fouling them up. If you are interested in this type of fishing contact me and I can set up a trip with Capt. Walte on either the Kalamazoo or the St. Joe. For more information email me at captron@chartermichigan.com. |
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