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Fishing Reports for Local Area - Location |
    
Capt Dan Manyen. (Walleye_express)
New member
Username: Walleye_express
Post Number: 7
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, December 06, 2003 - 7:05 am: | |
Hey, Gang.
Man, what's going on with them fishes this year? Not talking about the perch, they seem to have made a little comeback in both numbers and size this year. I mean the walleyes that should be in the rivers in at least fair numbers by this time. Yet, all indications from recent events, word of mouth and just plain checking, tells me most are still lounging out in the Bay.
A recent local tournament held on the Saginaw River, produced both smaller and fewer fish this year. When in recent years during this same time frame, even some heavy females starting to bulge from their eggs were weighed in. I thought the low water levels and Lac of rain was the culprit. But we have since received some decent rainfall, and a couple I would call heavy. Yet no big push of any big numbers or sizes of walleyes up into the rivers.
I have a theory for the reason. And it kinda ties into what was happening last summer on the Bay. When you were marking clouds of baitfish and bigger fish high and low on your graphs, yet still struggling to make anything bite. I believe the main bulk of the baitfish we had last year on the Bay has not come into the river yet. Oh, there's plenty of baitfish in the river. I've seen virtually millions of small shiners near the launches and calm water pockets all along the rivers length. But I think our newest baitfish, and our walleyes newest favorite food on the Bay (the Goby), might not have read the program guide about running up the river in the fall.
But there are walleyes in the river system. Seems quit a few of the juveniles from the massive 1.8 million plant the DNR put in last spring are willing biters. Talked to a few buds who recently caught upwards of 25 of these ravenous little rascals on the river in one day. But even though catching these 7 to 11 inchers is fun, I'd rather not risk hurting or killing these future 10 pounders chances of survival by hooking and handling them.
I personally have had just 2 trips on the rivers since my last report. Tried my favorite spots on the Tittabawassee both times with no success. Ended up hitting the mouth of the river and the Hot Ponds to scratch out a few bass, catfish and a couple walleyes. I'm including one new picture. I guess the best news is, it looks like the ice will be early again this year if this weather pattern holds. I'm not going to encourage anybody to contact me for a fall river trip on this report, because I like to at least know we'd catch a few keepers if you booked a trip with me. I will however encourage you to call me early if you wanted an ice fishing charter this winter. The safe ice window for those trips are narrower than open water opportunities. In the meantime as always, be safe and I'll keep you posted if things change anytime soon. Capt: Dan. |
Capt Dan Manyen. (Walleye_express)
New member
Username: Walleye_express
Post Number: 6
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, November 04, 2003 - 7:35 am: | |
Hi, Folks.
Captain Dan here with a special fishing report for this week. With our walleyes on Saginaw Bay and river going through their little quiet time before they become catchable again, I found my walleye fix in the neighboring State of Ohio. I don't have to tell anybody that Ohio has one heck of a walleye factory. And I often brag that Saginaw Bay may have less walleyes numbers wise, but have bigger fish on the average. Well, this may be true during the summer months when smaller fish make up the majority of the Lake Erie walleye catch. But come November and the colder months after it, the mature walleyes Erie holds gather in one corner of the Lake for a little HOG reunion.
This was the second time in as many years that I took the 3 1/2 hour drive to Huron Ohio. And even though we went prepared for November weather, we fished in light coats and T-shirts for parts of both the days we fished. Big cranks and spoons slow trolled in waters approaching 40 feet deep are the norm for catching these monsters. Lures that will dig down super deep like the Reef Runner, is the favorite local lure for this task. The schools of walleye that gather along this port towns offshore waters are gigantic. A local charter skipper we met the night before our first day, said he was on a school of walleyes 5 miles long and 2 miles wide just the week before we arrived.
Only persistent heavy winds and cloudy waters break up these schools and make the fishing tougher. About the only thing that this fishery and Saginaw Bay have in common. Me and my bud limited out (12 walleyes on Erie) on day one 11-01-03 with our big fish weighing 11.2. Wanting to get home early on Sunday 11-02-03, we only fished until 11:30am. We boated 10 walleyes on that day, with the big one going 9.35. This fishery stays productive virtually until ice-up, with only the elements keeping hearty souls from going out. Now that I'm back, I'm looking forward to catching some of our local walleyes on either the Saginaw or Tittabawassee Rivers. I can't promise a cooler of fish like the ones in the pictures I'm submitting, but I'll do my best. Give me a call for a river trip if the idea moves you.... God luck, be safe, Capt: Dan. |
Capt Dan Manyen. (Walleye_express)
New member
Username: Walleye_express
Post Number: 5
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, September 12, 2003 - 4:45 am: | |
Hey, Gang.
I've had a few more trips since my last report, so thought I'd chime in with an update. I actually had a decent walleye fishing day last week on Thursday 10-04-03. Trolled from the 49's to the 47's along the channel and caught 8 decent fish. All on the Ka'Boom Winning streaks, 90 back. I've also discovered that the bright gaudy colors are working best. The best colors the last 2 trips has been the 02 and 06 on the Winning Streak color chart. Rather these colors excites the fish more or just can be seen better, I won't argue with success of any kind after this season.
I've been splitting the day up into two parts on my trips the last few times out. If the trolling doesn't pan out for the first half of the day, I drop in on one of the perch packs, drop anchor and do some perching. It worked out pretty good for us last Sunday near the Defoe Island. We landed 2 walleyes and 48 perch in the 1/2 day charter I ran. The perch were not monsters, but kept everybody busy and entertained. Got decent reports from guys fishing virtually everywhere on the Bay for perch. Their doing a lot of sorting, but going home with enough for a good meal.
The waters high surface temps have been cooling down a few degrees each night now. The high temp last Sunday only reached 68 degrees. This will soon signal some of the walleyes to start moving closer to the rivers as the baitfish move into the river systems. Some of my favorite fishing is done in the local rivers. The jig and minnow hands on technique during the day or shore casting Husky jerks at night can be very rewarding. If you'd like to learn either of these techniques from an old experienced river rat, give me a call and we'll ply the waters....As always Be safe, report to you again soon. Capt: Dan.   |
Capt Dan Manyen. (Walleye_express)
New member
Username: Walleye_express
Post Number: 4
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, September 03, 2003 - 8:59 am: | |
Hi, Folks.
Hope you don't mind, but I'm going to split this report into two separate species and places reports. I spent the week of the 23rd to the 29th of August over on the West side of the state running river salmon charters, fishing my favorite Rivers. And fished yesterday the 31st back on the Saginaw Bay for Walleyes. So I'll be submitting a mixed bag of pictures for your enjoyment.
The first 3 days fishing the river were very disappointing. The low almost hot water temps on the river kept the main school of kings staging in the lakes at the tailwaters. While fishing hard those first 3 days we only managed 3 kings on and landed 5 Northern Pike. But on Tuesday the 26th, a heavy cool rain changed the whole equation and brought the waiting masses in all at once. While fishing from 6:00am to only noon on the remaining 3 days, the 27 to the 29th, we hooked 46 kings but landed only 19. These Fresh from the lake 20+ pound Freight trains loose little stamina when they come in fast and hard like they did this year. And with all the obstacles in the close confines of a river environment, little room is given and error and equipment failure is imminent.
Now, as far as the Bay is concerned there are still a few walleyes biting and the perch seemed to have come on strong this late summer. There were 3 distinct perch packs of boats on the Bay yesterday and from the radio chat all seemed to be doing very well, with reports of perch 8 to 11 inches. One pack was located just off the break in 20 FOW out from Nayonquin Point. Another was located just a hair North of the Pinconing Bar. And the last was located near and around the first Channel Spark Plug. I know, because I trolled over 12 miles near and around each pack.
The weird dilemma of having your graph loaded with fish from top to bottom with few biters didn't change much in my week long absence. And yesterday was no different. All of our action came in the last 20 minutes of my full day charter. As we lost about a 10 pounder 8 feet from the rod tip and followed it with about a 5 pounder. Last year we had decent walleye trips right into mid-September. I was hoping that might be the case this year. With the surface temps still in the low 70's we might still have a few productive days left. It's just a matter of finding the active biters. I'll be booking river trips now for the Fall/early-winter Saginaw and Tittabawassee Rivers, as well as my ice fishing trips for this coming winter. If any of these sound interesting to you, give me a shout and we'll give her a try. Be safe, Capt: Dan.   |
Capt Dan Manyen. (Walleye_express)
New member
Username: Walleye_express
Post Number: 3
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, September 03, 2003 - 5:17 am: | |
Hi, Folks.
Hope you don't mind, but I'm going to split this report into two separate species and places reports. I spent the week of the 23rd to the 29th of August over on the West side of the state running river salmon charters, fishing my favorite Rivers. And fished yesterday the 31st back on the Saginaw Bay for Walleyes. So I'll be submitting a mixed bag of pictures for your enjoyment.
The first 3 days fishing the river were very disappointing. The low almost hot water temps on the river kept the main school of kings staging in the lakes at the tailwaters. While fishing hard those first 3 days we only managed 3 kings on and landed 5 Northern Pike. But on Tuesday the 26th, a heavy cool rain changed the whole equation and brought the waiting masses in all at once. While fishing from 6:00am to only noon on the remaining 3 days, the 27 to the 29th, we hooked 46 kings but landed only 19. These Fresh from the lake 20+ pound Freight trains loose little stamina when they come in fast and hard like they did this year. And with all the obstacles in the close confines of a river environment, little room is given and error and equipment failure is imminent.
Now, as far as the Bay is concerned there are still a few walleyes biting and the perch seemed to have come on strong this late summer. There were 3 distinct perch packs of boats on the Bay yesterday and from the radio chat all seemed to be doing very well, with reports of perch 8 to 11 inches. One pack was located just off the break in 20 FOW out from Nayonquin Point. Another was located just a hair North of the Pinconing Bar. And the last was located near and around the first Channel Spark Plug. I know, because I trolled over 12 miles near and around each pack.
The weird dilemma of having your graph loaded with fish from top to bottom with few biters didn't change much in my week long absence. And yesterday was no different. All of our action came in the last 20 minutes of my full day charter. As we lost about a 10 pounder 8 feet from the rod tip and followed it with about a 5 pounder. Last year we had decent walleye trips right into mid-September. I was hoping that might be the case this year. With the surface temps still in the low 70's we might still have a few productive days left. It's just a matter of finding the active biters. I'll be booking river trips now for the Fall/early-winter Saginaw and Tittabawassee Rivers, as well as my ice fishing trips for this coming winter. If any of these sound interesting to you, give me a shout and we'll give her a try. Be safe, Capt: Dan. |
Capt Dan Manyen. (Walleye_express)
New member
Username: Walleye_express
Post Number: 2
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, September 01, 2003 - 5:27 pm: | |
Hi, Folks.
Hope you don't mind, but I'm going to split this report into two separate species and places reports. I spent the week of the 23rd to the 29th of August over on the West side of the state running river salmon charters, fishing my favorite Rivers. And fished yesterday the 31st back on the Saginaw Bay for Walleyes. So I'll be submitting a mixed bag of pictures for your enjoyment.
The first 3 days fishing the river were very disappointing. The low almost hot water temps on the river kept the main school of kings staging in the lakes at the tailwaters. While fishing hard those first 3 days we only managed 3 kings on and landed 5 Northern Pike. But on Tuesday the 26th, a heavy cool rain changed the whole equation and brought the waiting masses in all at once. While fishing from 6:00am to only noon on the remaining 3 days, the 27 to the 29th, we hooked 46 kings but landed only 19. These Fresh from the lake 20+ pound Freight trains loose little stamina when they come in fast and hard like they did this year. And with all the obstacles in the close confines of a river environment, little room is given and error and equipment failure is imminent.
Now, as far as the Bay is concerned there are still a few walleyes biting and the perch seemed to have come on strong this late summer. There were 3 distinct perch packs of boats on the Bay yesterday and from the radio chat all seemed to be doing very well, with reports of perch 8 to 11 inches. One pack was located just off the break in 20 FOW out from Nayonquin Point. Another was located just a hair North of the Pinconing Bar. And the last was located near and around the first Channel Spark Plug. I know, because I trolled over 12 miles near and around each pack.
The weird dilemma of having your graph loaded with fish from top to bottom with few biters didn't change much in my week long absence. And yesterday was no different. All of our action came in the last 20 minutes of my full day charter. As we lost about a 10 pounder 8 feet from the rod tip and followed it with about a 5 pounder. Last year we had decent walleye trips right into mid-September. I was hoping that might be the case this year. With the surface temps still in the low 70's we might still have a few productive days left. It's just a matter of finding the active biters. I'll be booking river trips now for the Fall/early-winter Saginaw and Tittabawassee Rivers, as well as my ice fishing trips for this coming winter. If any of these sound interesting to you, give me a shout and we'll give her a try. Be safe, Capt: Dan. |
Capt Dan Manyen. (Walleye_express)
New member
Username: Walleye_express
Post Number: 1
Registered: 8-2003
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, August 12, 2003 - 7:32 am: | |
Well, Folks.
Heres yet another up-again down-again fishing report for the Saginaw Bay. Before I get into any details, and in response to a couple of personal e-mails I received, let me first say these are just my honest observations and reports. I always try and back them up with the (real time) pictures I take on every trip out. They are exactly reports on how I do and exactly what I hear from fellow fishermen on the radio while fishing and from other charter Captains I know and stay in fair contact with. I try to continually stay tuned in as best I can to the areas I usually fish for my clients sake, but can't tell you with any certain reliability about places like the Charity Islands and other places North, unless I actually here from a reliable source about what's going on there. Let's face it, we have over a 1/2 million surface acres of water on the Bay, and somebody will be doing good at any one time in any one place on it.
Now, I fished 4 times since my last report with some mixed results. August 5th and 6th, things stayed pretty much the way the have been for quit a spell. Marking fish high and low with few biters. But on the 7th things broke loose for a day. We went 12 for 15 on that day with Winning Streaks taking the most fish 90 to 125 back behind the boards. But with Friday's BIG BLOW, the weekend score was right back to 4 for 5 and 2 for 4, with all the fishing signs staying at what should have been productive indicators. I'm done guessing what the problem is with these hordes of fish just watching, as almost every offering know to man goes cruising past for the most part both unnoticed and untouched. I've tried my best on every trip, but being the hero at the dock with 4 walleyes in the box is starting to look like a mighty poor season as a whole if you ask me.
The real shame has been that we have been really blessed with some decent days weather wise this summer. That's what really hurts when you can't get anything to go. But I won't give up until I know the walleyes have fallen into their early fall funk they get into around mid to late September. I start getting the fall/early winter urge for the river fishing again then anyway. Rather it's fishing the Tittabawassee River or Night fishing the Bay or the Saginaw itself, it's always a blast and a learning experience. Still got some premo days left for the Bay and virtually all the best days/nights for the river fishing if that interests you. Gimme a call and we'll howl at the moon and maybe catch you a wallhanger on the same night. Otherwise, stay tuned in and I'll keep you posted on what I know and where. Be safe......Capt: Dan. |
Capt- Dan Manyen.
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 05, 2003 - 3:48 pm: | |
Subject: Saginaw Bay/Tittabawassee River report.
Hi, Gang.
Very sorry about the lag time between my reports recently. But Mother Nature is doing her best to keep me and a lot of others off the Bay these last couple of weeks. Persistent N, NE winds are exactly the wind directions you don't want to see if you live on the S or W shores. And with the best fishing right now being the night time bite, any waves along with the still cold water temps during that time, makes it that much more dangerous to life and limb.
And the night bite has stayed pretty consistent, again, when it's safe to get out.
With the open waters of the Bay having been closed by winds the last couple weeks, the Inland walleye opener last Saturday was the big deal. The Tittabawassee and it's big tournaments produced some mixed results, with some of my own buds limiting out and others not even getting a bite. The water depths are usually the fly in the ointment on the river and it wasn't any different this past weekend on the opener. Saturdays water was good and by Sunday it was pretty shallow.
I fished the Tittabawassee yesterday, Saturday 5-3-03 and the water levels were surprisingly high. I think places west and well upriver got some heavier rains than us Bay City residents, as the river was running fairly stained as well. With the water temps still in the low 50's on the river, I believe there is still some catchable walleyes in the river system that have not dropped down yet. Many of the smaller males stay in the system as long as they can, until low water levels or warm water temp drive them back to the Bay.
Even though we didn't catch any walleyes yesterday, the action was intense. Between the hundreds of still spawning huge white suckers we were both catching and accidentally snagging, we caught many large Smallmouth and White Bass. The Smallies of course were released, but the Whites were thrown on ice for some tasty battered fillets back at home. I used to think these fish were not good for anything, I was wrong. They not only fight like crazy, but are excellent table fair when cleaned, processed and cooked properly.
I'm enclosing some of the pictures I took yesterday on the river with this report. This particular Bass bite will just get bigger and better the next few weeks. If catching fish after fish like these is something that you think might interest you, give me a call and we'll head upriver for some action. In the meantime, I'll try and get more diverse reports when and if Mother Nature will let me. Capt: Dan Manyen. |
Capt- Dan.
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, April 15, 2003 - 11:18 am: | |
Subject: Saginaw Bay Fishing Report.
Hey Folks.
Been hearing that a lot of you with Super Cabin Fever have been begging for another (up-to-date) report for the Bay, or any body of water for that matter. I like to think that your just missing the great pictures and honest reporting I offer you here on this site. Well, took a little fact finding fishing trip last night 04-13-03 on the Saginaw Bay, and had what I would call minimal success. Fished for 4 hours and went 3 for 5, with all being 3 to 4 pound males for some reason. The 1 to 2 foot waves kinda made things tough in the dark, and the weather man stiffed us (again) with his South Wind forecast again, but we did O.K.
Usually the males are the first ones in a river system and the last ones out of it after the spawn. So to catch all males, just seemed funny to me. The ones we caught were still squirting milt all over as well. Makes me wonder if there isn't a lot more open-water spawning going on in the Bay, than one would think.
Anyway, we took 3 of the 5 fish down near the Kawkawlin River in 9 feet of water, near the only two gravel humps I know of out there. That fact may also play into the equation, who knows? The hot plug was a new one I bought this past winter, when the new fishing guides came out. It's the Husky Jerk in the 1/2 ounce size and the New Glass Minnow color. I call it the Frosted Minnow color, as it looks like it has white frost all over it. The other hot crank last night was the Husky Jerk Tennessee Shad color. Both have those little sound beads inside.
All of these were run in conjunction with Offshore Inline planner boards with those cute little blinking lights attached to the flags on the boards. This all seems a little technical at times, but does the job quit well and makes things a lot easier in the dark. All of these items I've mentioned can be bought at just about all reputable sportinggoods stores.
I'd also like to put in another "plug" for what I both think is going to be a great replacement for the Hot-N-Tot, as well as an added fish catcher in the trolling arsenal. The kA-Boom Winning Streak is finally in just about every store outlet and catalog in the country. If you haven't seen this lure yet, check it out and get your summer supply now, before the good colors are picked over. Got a few charter dates left for the night bite as well as the river smallie and walleye bite. Give me a call, and we'll stretch some mono....Capt: Dan Manyen. |
Capt- Dan
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 27, 2003 - 4:50 pm: | |
Subject: Saginaw Bay Fishing Report.
Hey Gang.
Well, I'll get right to the meat and potato's of both the ice conditions as I know them, and how my own 3 fishing trips went this past week. This open water phenomena on the inner Bay has got me and many others puzzled. Last year was the first year In my life, that the Bay didn't freeze over. Now this year, with frigid temps but high persistent winds, the Bay still remains open in the middle. Virtually every access road/area West of the channel on the Bay, has ice only out about 2 miles.
The ice thickness is fairly thick and safe enough all right, but any off shore winds makes it precarious at best, wondering if your going to take a little ride to Canada or not. The ice East of the channel is better and extends father out. From Calahan Rd. around the shoreline all the way to Caseville. Anything West of Calahan has stayed unsafe because of the Hot Ponds flow. Getting out just 2 miles on the West side puts you mainly in 11 to 12 feet of water on most of the roads, with the exception being Linwood Rd. which may put you a little deeper. Not bad fishing depth for both the first 2 hours in the morning and the last 2 at night for walleyes. But those deeper depths are better for action all day.
Now, on the flip side the Saginaw River is getting more than its share of ice production. Seeing quad runners and snowmobiles running up and down its lengths isn't a sight often seen. But we fished near the mouth yesterday and had 12 to 15 inches of thick hard ice. Stay clear of the middle section from the mouth to Dow Docks for a few more days yet, as the barge that went threw during the middle of last week left a broken thin ice section. The Independence bridge area was giving up a few nice walleyes last week as well. And all the Saginaw Areas downtown have been fair to good. Everybody I've talked to, are getting or missing 2 or 3 strikes for an afternoons effort. Still a lot of small fish in the river right now, many 14 1/2 inchers, and the C.O.'s are checking pales and licenses quit often. Take a ruler or mark 15 inches with a felt marker on your pale or sleds.
Myself, I went out Monday 1/13/03 off Calahan almost 4 miles. Caught 1 walleye (to small) and 9 perch. Wednesday 1/22/03 1.68 miles off from State Park, 11 1/2 feet of water, very close to the open water. Had 3 walleyes come in the hole, take a look and keep right on going. 6 guys around us did catch 3 nice walleyes between them. Yesterday 1/24/03 went out from the DNR launch at the mouth of the river. Caught 3 walleyes and 9 perch. Two of the walleyes were 8 and the other 9. Inches that is. ;-) Sorry, no pictures, to cold. Good luck, think safe, be safe, report to ya's soon. Capt: Dan. |
Capt. Dan Manyen
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 17, 2003 - 5:11 pm: | |
Subject: Steaming Fresh Saginaw Bay Ice Poop
Hey group.
No, the city of Saginaw didn't get 3 inches of rain, and release their usual Brown tide of joy to us folks downstream. Just got back from a fact finding mission to see what the ice conditions were. Started off crossing the Saginaw River in Bay City. And where about 55% of the river was frozen about 3 days ago, it is now about 95% froze over. I estimate that it will be hard enough by next weekend to support any walleye fishing hopefuls.
Then crossed the Kawkawlin River. Not really a walleye river, but an indicator as to how the ice conditions are. Anyway, several quad runners and snowmobiles running up and down the river where I crossed it on State Park Drive.
Seen 2 quad runners running along the shoreline about 1/4 mile out from shore at the State Park. The ice pack was as far out as I could see from the road that passes near the Park.
Then hit the end of Boutell Road. Was one shanty about 1/2 mile out. Ice was out about 1 mile, then there was an area of open water. Using binoculars, I could see some impressive waves beating against the ice and ice mountains just beyond this opening.
Hit Linwood Road. Ice was out a lot farther but still ran into this open water pool section. There was one portable shanty out over a mile. He had obviously walked out, because there was no quad or snowmobile close by. I checked with the bino's.
Hit Ericson Road. Ice out about 1 mile but there was yet another open section after that, with some impressive waves working their destructive magic on the edges of what good ice was there. I could actually see the Spark Plug way out in the channel with the binoculars. And there is indeed more ice way out past both of these openings. I'd sure hate to head out prematurely though, and hit this (just frozen section) between the good/old ice sections.
What we need is the cold freeze we have coming in the next 10 days, combined with some calm wind conditions. But I'm thinking it will be safer both in about 2 weeks along with being tucked in more around the S.W. corner of the Bay versus the deep water expanses right now. |
Capt- Dan
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 04, 2002 - 6:46 pm: | |
Subject: Saginaw Bay/River report.
Hey Folks.
Gotta a little quickie report for ya's..........ICE. Yup, looks like were are going to be walking on water well before the Christmas holidays. One BIG change from last year No-show. Took a little ride this afternoon 12/04/02. There 1 1/2 inches of ice in the launching area of the Tittabawassee, so open water fishing there is done unless we get some milder Indian summer weather. As you all know, this can happen and open up the Tittabawassee in a hurry when and if it happens. The Saginaw is well on its way to icing over as well. Lots of shore ice is creeping its way towards the middle in every place I could see it today. And with these slight winds the last couple day, the Bay itself should be fishable, maybe, by this weekend. Those near shore perch should be hungry and ready to bite. Small Russian Hooks and some of Franks Super Shiners will do the trick for the perch. I've canceled my scheduled open water river trips for the next 2 weeks and will be hitting the Bay myself this weekend for perch. Got the camera back and hope to have a fresh report for you's after this weekend. I'm going to start booking some ice trips now, with the hopes the bay gets hard out far enough to catch some walleyes. Give me a call and with mother natures help, we'll ice some Eye's. Other wise, report to ya soon.........Capt: Dan. |
Capt- Dan
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 22, 2002 - 1:32 pm: | |
Subject: Tittabawassee/Saginaw River report.
Hi, Folks.
Won't be changing any pictures on this post, as my digital camera went into the Hewlett Packard Hospital for a few days. A microprocessor bypass is scheduled, but the prognosis is rosy.
Anyway, things have finally started to happen on the Saginaw and will hopefully, most likely spill into the Tittabawassee and other river systems soon. Still lots of smaller fish being caught and reported being caught near Hooters in Saginaw. This spot holds a lot of fish because of two very nice sharp edged holes in front of it, as well as the hard gravel bottom in them. Walleye love hard bottoms. Bigger fish have been reported being caught down near the granary, where the river channel is deeper. Larger females like to sulk around in these deeper holes, feeding and taking their own sweet time making their way up river.
As for me. I couldn't help myself the other night. My bud had caught his limit of 5 walleyes in 3 hours near Bay City in the Saginaw, casting Suspending Shad Raps the night of that full moon. One fish was 9.3 pounds. Ya, I was mad at him for not calling me, but he says it was a spur-of-the-moment trip, so I'll forgive him this one time. So, I went down and did some shore fishing near the Vets Bridge the following night. Caught one about 4 pounds and lost one much bigger near the shore. Didn't bring my net for some reason, and lipping a walleye is out of the question and gilling or tailing a walleye isn't easy. I would have released her anyway, so its no biggy.
Perch action has picked up just about everywhere. Hoyles Marina was giving up buckets full of decent perch last week as well as all the small rivers around the Bay shore. People were hauling perch 2 at a time over the bridge wall on the Kawkawlin River yesterday 11/21/02 when I went over it. Seven inches seemed to be the bigger ones. And there was standing room only at the Quanicassee Public Access when I went to Lindy's last Tuesday 11/19/02.
All this action of course means finally that the big, main fall body of baitfish, the chubs, grays and blue shiners as well as the shad, have started up these river systems. That above all, triggers the predator species to fallow them on in. Seems it was a lot later in coming this year though. And I'm sure the low water and weird weather had a lot to do with it. Got some Tittabawassee trips scheduled (Weather Permitting) in the next few weeks, as well as some open dates left for either river. If your boat is in storage and your looking for a walleye fix, give me a shout. If not, and you just need to know what's going on, stay tuned in for further developments. Report to ya soon.........Capt: Dan. |
Capt- Dan
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, November 08, 2002 - 8:21 pm: | |
Subject: Tittabawassee River Report.
Hey, Folks.
Well, the withdrawals from converting from Lake Erie Monsters, to Tittabawassee River small fry's hasn't been made any easier this last 2 weeks. We've boated 22 walleyes in the last 4 trips with only 5 being keepers.
So heres the new short, skinny. As these two words would most describe both the conditions on the rivers and the length of the fish for my last 4 trips. I fished 11/02/02, 11/03/02, 11/07/02 and 11/08/02. All but the trip on the 2nd were charters and done on the Tittabawassee River. The Tittabawassee is still at its Midsummer levels, low and crystal clear. Fortunately, some good news is that somebody, either the city of Midland or Dow themselves, dredged out the ramp area so at least after you do launch, you can motor out to useable water. THANK YOU, WHOEVER. Unfortunately, even when the Sanford Dam is operating, you have some serious shallow waters to go thru to get to the dam or areas below it. The Sanford Dam is owned and operated by the Wolverine Power Company and generates power daily from 7:30am to 2:30pm. It takes some 3 1/2 hours to reach the Dow area. How much power/water of course means how much water is available and how many wheels they run. No water is released on weekends, and by Sunday, Whew she's low.
I talked to the main man at the dam and he says minimum dam water flow is anticipated unless we get some serious rain soon. The ground water is also at an all time low he tells me, and this all plays into the equation. The water temp of the river was in the premium catch zone though, 40.6 today. There is a group of juvenile (12/13 inch) walleyes in the system now, along with a few 3 to 4 pound new Bay arrivals. I know because we see them darting out of the holes as we go in to anchor up and caught a couple during our trips. But when you catch 11 and keep 5 just 15 inches, like on the 2nd, the majority are river cigars.
I know that with the first good heavy rain things will get right in a hurry. Still haven't heard of any good fishing on the Saginaw yet, but any day now. Still booking trips both on the Tittabawassee for day trips and Night trips on the Saginaw. Give me a call and we'll try to write an eye-popping report. Tight Lines and report to ya again soon. Capt: Dan. |
Capt- Dan
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, October 26, 2002 - 9:45 pm: | |
Subject: Saginaw/Tittabawassee River Report.
Hi, Folks.
If you'll all forgive me this one time, I have another fishing report to post on the heels of the most recent report I just posted. I plan on having many more reports on both the Saginaw and Tittabawassee Rivers coming in quick succession, as I have several charters planed for the next few weeks and into December. But I'd like to share a few pictures and a report on some fantastic and unique walleye fishing I just got back from doing on Lake Erie. This particular place I went to and its unique fishing, has been kind of a secret until recently, maybe the last 5 years or so. Nobody will deny that Lake Erie has some great fishing, with some nice walleyes to be caught. But usually when I think of Erie, I think of a cooler full of nice eating keepers in the 14 to 18 inch range. And indeed this is usually/most often the case. But there is a place where the cream of the crop, (that being walleyes 5 to 14 pounds and larger) gather. And for reasons both unknown and obviously not objected to, by the guys close enough and savvy enough to catch them. I was invited for a few days this past week to sample this areas fishing, and to try for a true wallhanger. The place is called Huron Ohio, and is only a few short miles NE down shore from Cedar Point. The Huron River marina is first class and only a short hop to the fishing grounds straight out front. The fishing technique is one I'm familiar with but with a few twists. Like running Jet Divers in conjunction with small and medium size Stinger Spoons instead of the Hot-N-Tots and Rattle Tots we here on the Saginaw Bay are familiar with. Also, the big Reef Runners in bright colors, with up to 2 ounces of lead ran ahead of them are also used. When we were there the action was in 40 to 45 feet of water, but slowly moves closer to shore as the fall wears on. Until the walleye run into the Huron River itself feeding on the clouds of baitfish also running the river. The only thing to stop you from cashing in on the action is the weather. And Late October into early November can sometimes throw you a curve ball. We fished Thursday 10/24/02, thru Saturday 10/26/02. And we fished in some Lake waves and rollers from 5 to 7 feet on all three days, and up to 12 miles out and down the shoreline. {I won't be afraid of anything Saginaw Bay throws at me again from here on out}. Oh, my buds 30 foot Pursuit handled things safely enough all right, but was not what I'd call overkill believe me. Our big fish was 12.6 pounds and the small ones were in the 7 pound range. The fishing success progressively got worse for everybody as the persistent NE winds went NW as the weekend wore on. But I had the time of my life seeing so many huge walleyes caught in one spot by fishermen of all kind and experiences. A charter boat next to us at the marina, came in on that first day with 17 walleyes that weighed about 150 pounds. Oh ya, the perch fishing in this same area is also red hot and often produces slabs up to 15 inches. I will indeed be spoiled for a while catching just decent walleyes on the Saginaw and Tittabawassee. But I love that Hands-on Jig and Minnow action just as much as catching those Big Lake Monsters. Still got some great dates left for the river action, so lets hook up. Otherwise, report to you again soon. Capt: Dan |
Capt- Dans Report.
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, October 23, 2002 - 11:20 am: | |
Subject: Saginaw/Tittabawassee River Report.
Hi, Gang.
No, I didn't leave the country after my last report on Sept 9th. Just hasn't been any good fishing worth talking about till now. The fall perch run started on schedule then quit, but has started again at the mouth of the Quanicassee River in 6 to 8 feet of water and near the Man-made Island. Not being a devoted perch chaser, I spend very little time pursuing them, unless its a sure thing or a side bar to walleye fishing the bay. I've been kept busy the last month chasing Geese, Ducks and Pheasants. I'm enclosing a couple success pictures of these endeavors along with a couple walleye pictures I took today on the Tittabawassee. Yup, I ran a charter today in the EXTREMELY LOW waters of the Tittabawassee. How low you ask? I've personally never seen it as low as it was today, when I had to drag the Jet boat across the sand bar in front of the Gordonville launch. Good thing is, the Sanford Dam opened by days end and I was able to motor up to the ramp without another gut wrenching effort. Another good thing is all the baitfish in the river right now. Not many shad yet, but millions of Gray and spottail shiners. Our total catch today was 7 walleyes, one 24 inch Northern Pike and a 15 inch Smallmouth. My guess is, that there are now some catchable numbers of walleyes in the Saginaw River now as well. I'm heading out of town for 4 days next week to chase some Monster Lake Erie walleyes at the Huron River. A charter bud of mine has invited me to First mate for a day and fish for fun for three more. This is the same bud who's boat I fished on for Kings at Manistee in late August when we went 22 for 37 in a day and a half, so I expect to have some impressive pictures to share when I get back. All you guys who were waiting for the bite to start on the Rivers to book a trip, NOW's the time to give me a call. Report to you soon, Capt: Dan. |
Capt- Dan Manyen.
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, August 23, 2002 - 10:44 am: | |
Subject: 2002 Fish report roundup for Saginaw Bay.
O.K. Folks.
This will be my last report on the Walleye/Trolling/Summer bite for the Saginaw Bay this 2002 season. My big boat gets pulled out of the water this Monday 8/26/02 and stored till next summer. As usual, I'd like to do a personal assessment of what this years walleye catch and effort was like. The one positive thing that did happen this summer, is we recuperated some Lake water. And its still up some 6 to 10 inches right now from last year. But I don't think I have to tell anybody who fished the Bay the last few years, that this years catch rate was way down in comparison. In my own case about 30% to 50% down. And even the friends of mine, both professional and the weekend walleye warriors, were all disappointed with the catch rate versus the effort. So what's going on? Many I have talked to simply think the numbers of walleye are down and simply not there to catch. They think that (that every other year plant) our DNR tried a few years back, plus the disappointing walleye plants of the past 2 years is catching up to us. And with my fishfinder practically blank on many earlier summer trips out, I found it hard to disagree with this assumption. Also, I have noticed very few different year classes of fish this year as in years past. The majority of fish this year were in that 3 1/2 to 4 pound range, with both fewer bigger and smaller fish thrown in. Some blame the (NO ICE) winter we had. Some think this allowed more light penetration and didn't totally kill the vegetation to their roots from the previous years growth. So when this years heat kicked in, the weeds had a big head start, grew twice as thick and became a big factor. And with my home port being East of the Callahan Reef, I really found merit in this assumption. As I only got to fish 5 or so days in some of my favorite waters, because of the floating weed problems. Others think their forage times, habbits, preferences and locations are changing. This thought is worth considering if it had not been the same way Bay wide this summer. Actually, I personally thought we were going to have a banner summer this year. Heck, with fewer fish being taken out of the river systems last spring because of high water. As well as practically no fish being taken last winter because of no ice, I assumed less walleye taken meant more walleye available. "There I go assuming again." Its my understanding Lake Erie also had a slow start and didn't produce this summer as in years past. But, there isn't any complaining or head scratching going to change what's already happened. We can only hope things will change for the better, both planning and strategy wise by our fishery professionals, as well as with Mother Nature. I actually did pretty well my last few trips out, when you factor in how late its getting as well as the disappointing season as a whole. There is one serious pod of fish right now, all the way from in front of Hoyles down to Nayonquin Point in 17 to 20 feet of water. I believe many are walleyes staging for the coming fall river run. I'm posting these last summer pictures with the hope that my own coming fall and winter river charter pictures will make them pale in comparison. My next report might also be a while in coming, and will most likely be about river fishing of some kind. I have the best dates for walleye river fishing open right now. Give me a call, or watch for my next reports. And thank you all for your great support and kind words about my reports, both personally when we've met and in E-mails. Tight Lines, Capt: Dan. |
Capt- Dan
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, August 11, 2002 - 3:43 pm: | |
Subject: Saginaw Bay fishing report.
Okie, Dokie, Folks.
Heres the mid week Walleye report from Tuesday, August 6th to Friday, August 9th, today. Can you say big waves? Wulp, that's kinda what we had for the first couple of days, until things outright got hot and flat again today. Funny thing was, I seemed to be doing better when it was kinda bumpy. I stayed on my side of the world (East Side) all week with the weed problem being almost non-exsistant with the persistent N/NE winds we had keeping the vegetation blown on shore and away from the East side of the Callahan Reef. Seemed weird, trolling almost by myself with few other boats trying their luck. Must be the Salmon season pulling fishing hopefuls elsewhere in the state. The water temps have stayed surprisingly high for the cool nights we've had this last week. Surface temp was 77 degrees today when we pulled lines to come in. The quarter ounce Tot's have been doing the job running 45 to 70 feet back in the 10 to 14 feet of water I've been working East of the reef. That Purple with Red Bill has very little paint left on it, and seems to work no matter where it gets placed down the Planner board line. Anywho, My final tally for the week was 5x5x5x2. With a total of about 7 more lost behind the boat. I've started replacing the back hooks on the Tot's with Gamagatsu hooks and have noticed a better (in the net) ratio. Posting the new pictures for your enjoyment. Won't be long and the river bites will start. Got some Bay dates still open and the best river dates available right now. Give me a shout. Capt: Dan. |
Capt- Dan Manyen
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, July 29, 2002 - 8:54 am: | |
Subject: Saginaw Bay report.
Location, Location, Location.
Ever here this bit of Professional Angler knowledge spouted off by the guys with Sunburnt made Raccoon eyes and the shirts being held together by every fishing patch ever made? Its one of the truism that apply in just about every body of water that a finned critter swims in. Usually, this pail would hold little water on Saginaw Bay when your talking about the summer walleye bite. As once they turn on in the summer months, every corner of the Bay gives up some fish. Alas, not this year. And I'm sure your getting tired of me saying so in my reports. Fortunately, I did hit some nice fish in the last few days where the weeds had kept me and everybody else from fishing all summer. Yes, east of the Callahan Reef finally got the right wind combination directions to clear away the floating debris, at least partially and probably temporarily to allow some trolling effort. How does 21 for 27 sound? Followed by 14 for 16? Ya, I know, to good to be true this summer on the Bay. Can't prove the first story with pictures as my cameras batteries lost the pictures because of dead cells. Posting the second days effort 7/25/02 along with other so-so days I had. I don't really know how long this windfall is going to last, or if it will be lost to yet another west wind weed-out. But the best a man can do, is the best a man can do. Sounds like some good song lyrics. Still looking for volunteers to fill in a few early August charters I have available. Hey, cross your fingers, our August just may beat out July fish wise. Talk to ya soon. Capt: Dan. |
Capt- Dan Manyen.
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, July 17, 2002 - 4:06 pm: | |
Subject: Saginaw Bay fishing report.
Hey, Folks.
Ya know, one of my most often used and repeated fishing philosophies, is never count on the same fishing results from one year to the next during the same time, in the same area. Sad part is, I hate it when it really does come out that way. And this summer seems bent on rubbing this truism in our faces fish wise. The same places that were giving up 15 to 20 walleyes per trip last year during this time have all but dried up. The floating weeds are also very much worse this season and have all but robbed me and many others of 1/3 of the good fishing areas East of the Callahan Reef. I thought after last week and that 11 for 16 day I had, that things were going to turn the corner. I was wrong. I did manage to catch 6 respectable walleyes today (7/14/02) and lost another 4 near the boat. But this was after a very long run out of my immediate area into some fairly deep water. And even then, the catch didn't equal the positive signs I observed on my graph all day. Constant fish both high and low, yet, only the occasional rip. I don't know what to think or say about what's going on this season. The guys who fished on and near the Callahan Reef today (7/14/02) didn't catch squat, and by noon the Reef was all but abandoned. Many of my charters buds are saying it is going to bust wide open any day now. And indeed, there have been some impressive catches (Right Place/Right Time stuff) by these same buds on a sporadic basis. But all in all, she's slow and tough this season. I wish I had better news for you guys, but facts are facts. I will keep plugging along and doing my best for my clients and as always keep all you posted. But I guess that's why they call it fishing and not catching. Yet another truism I hate, later, Capt: Dan |
Capt Dan Manyen
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, July 08, 2002 - 6:11 pm: | |
Subject: Fishing Report for Saginaw Bay area.
Hi, folks.
My PC is still in the Gateway Hospital getting a modem transplant. But I'm going to have some impressive pictures to post when it finally gets done. My weekend fishing charters were not to bad. Saturday 7/06/02 I went 11 for 16, with two walleyes cresting that 8 pound mark. Today, 7/07/02 with the wind diminishing to 0 mph by 10:00am, and the stifling heat returning, the walleye also quit when the wind did. We did still managed to go 4 for 6 today, with one fish 27 inches and 7 pounds. The weeds did finally find their way closer to shore with the N/NE winds blowing both Friday and Saturday, and opened up some fishable waters near and East of the Callahan Reef. The surface temps were still in the high 70's low 80's and both the fresh water drum (sheepsheads) and the Saginaw Bay's catfish population were both on the Hot-N-Tot bite as well. Staying above that 1.8 speed seemed to keep many of the trash fish biters off the lines today. Some friends of mine also reported having just about the same success this weekend north of the Pinconning Bar and North of the Fish Point area on the East side. So, I guess I can safely say the Plastic bite has officially started in many places on the Bay. For Me, the Purple/Silver Bottom/Chartreuse Herrinbone/Red Lip 1/4 ounce Tot has been kicking butt and taking names. Followed closely by the Tootie-Fruitie flavor that you can't buy any more. The Blue-Green algae was in full bloom today and will present a problem after it starts dying in a few days. That's that green little goober you get that builds up after a short period of time on your line in front of the Tot. A small number 7 split shot 3 to 4 feet in front of your Tot stops a lot of this build up from fouling your Tot when trolling. Wulp, still got some decent dates left in August and talk to ya soon. Give me a call and we'll box some eye's, Capt: Dan. |
Capt- Dan Manyen
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, June 21, 2002 - 3:26 pm: | |
Subject: Saginaw Bay fishing report.
Hey folks,
Sorry for the lag time between reports. They'll come more often from here on out, as I started my summer trips on the Bay today, 6/20/02. Unfortunately, like Capt: Andy reported earlier, things are not what I'd call hot right now for walleyes on the Saginaw Bay. It's really no surprise, as historically this happens every year, yet everybody always wonders why the dry spell between the Post spawn spring night bite and the summer trolling bite. Man, I wish I knew the answer to that question. Even the weed-bed bite that some guys thrive on early, hasn't manifested itself this late spring/early summer as of yet. I trolled today for 6 hours, that equaled 30 miles on the old log meter and hit 3 fish all day. Got to the Finn Rd. area (my destination) about 10:00am, a little late as one of my buds had 6 walleyes already and was headed out deep when I arrived as the bite had already stopped there. Didn't take any new pictures, didn't have time as the floating weeds and Blue/Green algae has already started it's menacing ways with the recent winds. And keeping lines free and clean was a constant job. And I was kept busy going from line to line cleaning most of the day. The weeds were not a problem East of Callahan Reef though. The surface temps pretty much stayed in the high 60 all day and just touched 70 degrees when we headed in from in front of Quanicassee. And as you may or may not know, that's getting pretty close to that 72/74 degree mark, when the walleyes seem to turn on. A guy would almost think I'm talking about Bass fishing, looking for warm water layers. But something happens to the walleye hoard on Saginaw Bay when the water gets warmer and throws them into foraging gear. I know one thing, it was very hot on the Bay today and it will happen more sooner than later. Still got some good dates left. Don't be left out when she starts. Report to ya soon, Capt: Dan. |
Capt- Dan Reports.
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 31, 2002 - 12:34 pm: | |
Subject: Fishing report Saginaw Bay/Rivers
Took a boat ride/short fishing trip yesterday 5/30/02 on the Bay. Drifted light crawlers harnesses and bottom bouncers on the 8' humps off Finn Rd. Caught two really nice walleyes and a multitude of other ruff-fish species. Seen other guys trolling plastic, but didn't see any they landed, if they did. Come'on warm weather. |
Capt- Dans Report.
Unregistered guest
Rating: 
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 27, 2002 - 6:27 pm: | |
Subject: Fishing Report/Saginaw Bay/Tittabawassee River.
Hey, everybody.
Sorry for the delay on the report. I'm sure many of you have noticed the new pictures and were hoping I'd get a report on Before the Holiday weekend. Fact is, I've been almost to busy myself fishing, running charters, and getting my big boat ready for summer to get a report on line that would makes sense. As you can see by the added pictures, I've been mostly night fishing for walleyes and doing some bass'in on the river. The night bite on the Saginaw Bay has stayed surprisingly fair to good. I haven't seen it stay this good this late for almost 7 years, when we had our last (no show) Spring, followed by a (no show) summer. I hope this summer doesn't turn out the same, as we need that HOT/STABLE weather to get the summer walleyes in the mood. Anyway, heres the day to day skinny. Fished the night of the 17th on the St.Claire River with Pencil Plugs, went 8 for 11. Fished the night of the 20th and caught 7 walleye on the Bay. Fished the night of the 22 caught 5 walleye and one big Northern on the Bay. Fished today on the Tittabawassee River, caught 88 Big Rock Bass, 39 smallies with 8 being keepers 14 to 18 inches. Didn't get into the Whites but seen several big ones caught. I have a trip booked for tomorrow night on the Bay, but may switch it to the River as 70% chance of rain and thunderstorms predicted. Still got some great summer weekend dates left, and many weekday dates for the summer walleye bite on the Bay. I'm thinking this summer should be as good or better than last year. Heck, I know nobody killed any walleye this winter on the (no show) ice, so that's that many more in the system now. A deposit now will hold that weekend date for you and your buds. As always, good fishing and report to ya soon, Capt: Dan. |
Capt- Dan Manyen
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, May 02, 2002 - 10:20 am: | |
Subject: Saginaw Bay/Tittabawassee River Report.
Hey Everybody.
Thought I'd add some dialog to my fresh Fishing photo's I've been submitting these last few days. As you can probably tell, the Smallmouth and White Bass versus the walleyes have been making up most of my catches on the Tittabawassee River the last few trips. Fact of the matter is, the Tittabawassee has risen some 4 to 6 feet since opening day and locating the bass versus the walleye is a lot easier. And given the option, most people would just as soon bend a rod at a steady pace, rather than search all day for a few scattered walleye. The water on the river though has been staying relatively clear and debris free, given the rain and flow rate. And we did however catch a nice 4 pound walleye up near the spillway yesterday 5/01/02 while casting for some White Bass. And another guy at the ramp had caught 4 nice eye's down river near the Freeland High Banks, using just a chartreuse twister while hopping it down and through some pocket water areas. I've also heard some scuttlebutt about people catching limit catches of walleye at the mouth of the Saginaw River, near the Karn Weadock (Hot Ponds) intake. Don't know what on, but I'm assuming a jig and minnow or crawler harness offering. I haven't been back out on the Bay night fishing since my trip with Mike Avery on the 15th. That show we did will air this Sunday 5/05/02 6:30pm (locally) after the news on CBS. The weather has been such, that I'm not sure just how good or bad the night bite has remained out on the Bay since then. I hope this weird weather isn't a sign of things to come this summer. Steady weather patterns make for a lot better fishing than the upevils we've been experiencing. I'll continue posting success pictures for the next few days and update again after this coming weekend. It's an awful good time to catch some walleyes both on the bay and rivers before they hit that early summer (dead zone) period their famous for. Tight lines, Capt: Dan. |
Capt- Dan Manyen
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 28, 2002 - 1:33 pm: | |
Subject: Tittabawassee River Report.
Well, Folks.
I got the skinny for the Tittabawassee River for Saturday 4/27/02, opening day of the walleye season. Things were great, to pretty slow, to fruitless, depending on where you were on the river. I had a charter and launched at the Caldwell launch at 9:00am. There were as many people pulling out of the launch at that time as there were launching when we got there. 90% of the people pulling out had not even caught a single walleye, with many being there for 4 to 5 hours before daylight. The best catch coming from that ramp was a limit of 10 fish, caught well down river near the Freeland High banks, between 7:00 and 9:00am. The local C.O. told me this when she checked us around 4:00pm when we ourselves pulled off. Another bud of mine hit the mother load down near Germania Golf Course, near where the mouth of the Tittabawassee joins the Saginaw. He ended up boating 18 decent males while drifting with the current and dragging small double Zero bladed harnesses with crawlers. It's not unusual for the walleye to be grouped up in the river system in this fashion during this time of the year. The remaining small males in the river will drop back out of the system gradually when spring rains or hot weather keys their retreat mode. I've also been lucky enough to hit these pods in reverse, when everybody upstream did well and the lower river was void of any fish. It's actually a crap shoot, and determined more by what hand mother nature deals the river system before the opener. Anyway, we caught lots of fish yesterday, but no walleyes. We got into some very nice Smallmouth Bass and some huge, (early arrival) White Bass. The Jig and Minnow and the always faithful Shad Rap kicked butt on these bass, and turned a bad walleye day into a day with some sore arms for everybody at days end. I have 7 more charters booked for the next 10 days, so I'll be posting different pictures more for the next few days and refresh the report accordingly. I've had good walleye days well into May on the river in years past. There may be lots of walleye leftovers hanging around well upstream in the Chippewa River, or the 24 miles of Tittabawassee River left above Midland to Sanford Dam. Keep watching the reports and I'll let ya know. Capt: Dan. |
Capt- Dan Manyen
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 17, 2002 - 6:12 pm: | |
Subject: Recent Fishing report/Saginaw bay area.
Well, it’s been quit a dry spell fishing wise for the ol’ Captain Dan. Not wetting a line for over a month is worse than when I quit smoking 11 years ago. Anyway, the drought is over. I’ve been out 2 times in the last 4 days and have had some great success. With absolutely no thanks to mothernature. I mean Man, what the heck is going on? First we have no winter or ice to speak of, then we skip spring and go right into summer heat. The fish are in shock and disarray as well as us guys chasing them. One of my buds said that walleye are still stacked like cord wood over spawning gravel upriver on the Kawkawlin behind his house. Yet, the surface temperature on the Bay last night (4/15/02) was an incredible 55 degrees. I’m thinking that this pod of fish my bud seen, may be a group of recently washed-down post spawners from up river. The recent 1 ˝ inches of rain we received may have opened up those pinched off areas up river, to allow the walleyes retreat back to the Bay. That would also explain why the Kawkawlin’s mouth had about 20 hopeful wading anglers fishing it last night as well. Another of my buds tried fishing the mouth last Friday (4/12/02) for some post spawn walleye drop outs, and ended up catching 55 really nice perch going the other way on their spawning run. When you can catch perch on a jig and minnow, you know they are nice perch. Anyway, yours truly did some night time trolling on Friday (4/12/02) and last night (4/15/02). We got 6 Friday night with the biggest being about 4 pounds. I didn’t take my camera or any pictures that night because of the predicted rain that never showed up. Last night I took the camera but only had the opportunity to take a picture at the ramp when we were done. Reason being, I took Mike Avery from “Mike Avery’s Outdoor Magazine” to do a fishing show. Anybody wanting to view this show can see it in two weeks on channel 5 on Sunday after the weather. Or can catch it on the Outdoor Channel in 3 weeks. And what a show he got. With 5 walleye in the 4 to 7 pound range and a huge 40+ inch Northern Pike. All the fish were caught trolling the big #18 Rapala’s behind In-Line planner boards. 3 of the 6 fish were actually caught before dark last night. And all of the fish from Friday were caught well after dark and into the early morning. These big #18’s, closely imitate the smelt that should almost be in full spawning mode with the way this water temp is shooting upwards. Walleye dropping back into the Bay fresh from the spawning ordeal, are not intimidated by the size of these big baits. They are looking for a big (high energy) meal to get their depleted bodies back in prime predator shape. I’m thinking that this night bite is only about half done for this spring. I could still squeeze in a couple night charters before the Pencil Plug bite starts on the St. Claire. Anybody interested in either one of these should consider giving me a call or get off that lazy boy and try it yourself. See ya on the Water, Capt: Dan.
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Capt. Dan Manyen
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, April 17, 2002 - 5:17 pm: | |
Subject: Correction
Hey everybody.
About the Pike on the last report. That 40+ inches turned out to be 37 3/4 this morning when I cleaned him. Don't want anybody to get any negative
flack from my (Thumb to Little finger) tape measure embellishment. Dan.
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Capt. Dan Manyen
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 12, 2002 - 11:32 am: | |
03/11/02
Hey, everybody.
Well, if I had to give a winter roundup report on this winters fishing, it would be (not so good). The fall started out really great, with me catching my all time biggest walleye on the Saginaw River. But it seemed as the season went on, that first pod of fall fish were not joined by a lot of others, and it continued to stay sporatic all fall. And with the ice on the Bay being a no-show, it got worse. Anyway, just thought I'd get this late (and maybe last for a while) report in, and save a lot of you late season hopefuls a wasted trip.
I just got back from the Caldwell Boat Ramp on the Tittabawassee River. The water was just about level with the top of the launching dock. Unfortunately, the dock had been moved to the top of the Parking lot recently. In other words, the parking lot is under water (and ice) as I write this 03/11/02 10:28am. I also received a report from the Saginaw River, from the Zillwaukee Ramp. That also is at flood stage, cloudy and running at 40 knots. It's truly a shame old man winter waited so long to show his ugly face, as I was both seeing and getting some decent reports of a lot more fish in both rivers the last few days. I've caught some good catches in the Tittabawassee during high water, even at levels that now present themselves.
But add to the equation the ice flows I seen, along with the cold, wet weather predicted, and the rewards offset the endeavor. One good thing is, the walleye will be able to shoot upstream unhindered by low water. This often opens up spawning water they would not ordinarily reach, and usually prolongs the retreat of the post spawn fish. This will guarantee some catchable 2 to 4 pound males, sometimes for 2 weeks after the season reopens on the rivers. Anyway, I guess now I'll just have to suffer until something breaks loose on the Bay this spring. And that I'm sure is going to take a while. I'll start booking charters for both the night bite on the Saginaw Bay/St.Claire River this spring and the reopening of the walleye season on the Tittabawassee River, the last Saturday in April. If any of these interest you, give me a call and we'll see if mother nature will allow us catch some walleye, or at least try. In the meantime, If I get a chance to get out on any body of water for any reason, or hear of some fishing action of any kind taking place, I'll post a report. So, have a great spring, and get them summer boats out of storage and ready to Roll.
Talk to ya soon, Capt: Dan.
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03/07/02
Merry Christmas and Happy April Fools.
Could it get any more weird weather wise? I plowed my driveway twice from November to February, and 4 times since March 1st. The Saginaw Bay never got any ice to speak of all winter. Yet in one week, the Kawkawlin River went from flood stage and flowing, to frozen solid again. The Bay went from waves lapping the shoreline to ice out as far as you can see, (not safe of course).
And I can't remember that ever happening on the Bay in my 49 years of life. Yes, if this weather got any stranger I'd truly think the seasons were switching like the Global Warming guys say. As it is, it's making a guys fishing plans tough. I'm assuming and praying things will straighten around soon. Now the blood and guts of this weeks report. I'm submitting three new pictures I took today. I was actually going to wait until after the weekend, because I was planning on fishing one or maybe two of those days, but it looks like that's going to be a wash. We have everything from rain, thunderstorms, very high winds, and snow predicted. With highs rising in the high 50's on Friday and then ending with highs in the low 20's, 25 to 35 MPH wind with higher gusts for Sunday. I really don't know what that will do to the fishing and the conditions on the rivers, but yours truly won't be there to find out. We fished today 03/07/02 on short notice, for about 3 hours on the Saginaw. Knowing full well we might not get another chance for a while.
We did so-so, catching (4 walleye, 1 drum, 1 catfish). I was both surprised by all the boats and the decent water clarity given the amount of precipitation we've received in the last week. There were 30+ boats grouped near the granary between the Saginaw Gray Iron Plant (my old almamater for 25 years) and the I-75 Zillwaukee Bridge. We only caught one walleye and a drum there, but many of the boats that had fished there all day had 3 to 5 walleyes per boat, a couple had limits. Our other fish were caught closer to town and out of the fierce wind. The 20 MPH wind, with 26 degree temp made things a might brisk today. The boat control, because of the wind in certain places, was as hard as it gets. 3/8 White/Orange round head jigs with stinger, took most the fish. But I'm thinking that getting it in their faces no matter what the color was the key. I've canceled and rescheduled 2 of my Tittabawassee Charters so far because of the weather, and rebooked for after the season reopens. I'll still be running the last 4 days of the season if the parking lot stays above the water line. So I'll post what lady luck deals me.
Tight Lines, Capt: Dan. |
Capt. Dan Manyen
Unregistered guest
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, March 05, 2002 - 2:14 am: | |
Subject: Capt. Dan's Fishing Report
Sun 3/3/02
Hey, Michiganders.
What the heck is going on? This crazy weather is throwing yours truly off, walleye strategy wise. Before I get into any meat of the last weeks report, along with my experienced (often wrong) predictions, let me bring you up to date. If you've looked at my last report and the attached pictures, you could see the small ice pack off in front of the Bay City State Park. As I mentioned in that report, what the ice fishing horde was standing on, was nothing more than ice that had blown in from places unknown and had fused together in that South West corner. Well, I hope not too many of you headed out the next day using my report as a template. As the whole ice pack went bye-bye the fallowing afternoon and hasn't been seen since. In fact I golfed the fallowing day and was amazed as I went bye and seen the waves lapping the shoreline. Also, even though I didn't personally see anybody catch any fish that Saturday, a bud reported to me he caught two nice 3 to 5 pounders and seen 2 others caught near him. All this happened as I suspected, just at and after dark. He also said that they seen many more walleye's on their fish camera, so the walleye must have simply been in a fussy/ nervous mood, being so near shore. Of course now, with about 8 inches of snow on the level, things are really uncertain fishing wise the next 12 days of the open in-land season. And, with 5 charters planned on the River starting on the 10th of March, I'm a little more than concerned about where the water levels are going to be when all this white stuff starts to melt. The Saginaw, which was running like chocolate milk last week, has cleaned up some and actually gave up some nice fish to my bud yesterday 03/02/02. Yup, he went out on the Saginaw in that snow storm. He actually had no alternative. He invited 2 of his buds from out of state to come down this weekend and they surprised him and did. They caught 12 dandies, for an all day effort, all looking fresh in from the Bay. This fact tells me that there are indeed a good pod of early males already in and possibly moving up, the adjoining rivers. My guess is now, that the Saginaw will muddy-up again if this snow pack melts to fast.
And the Tittabawassee, will be running on the high side, cutting our fish catching spots in half. I guess this won't stop me as long as the ramps are launch able. As always, I'll keep you posted as much as possible.
Capt: Dan.
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Sun 2/24/02
Hey sports fans.
Yours truly has been down for the last 10 days. That little bout of sinus infection and strep throat turned into a kick butt case of walking pneumonia. I finally couldn’t stand it anymore and decided to see what was really shaking out in front of the Bay City State Park. I’ve included a couple of very unusual and intriguing pictures. They were taken from our boat in open water and show the mass of people ice fishing on the frozen ice flows that have stuck together out in front of the State Park. I've heard a lot of different stories, both from friends and the fishing reports on other sites. One of my buds, whom I golf with, said him and his 2 brothers have iced 19 walleyes in 3 days starting last Wednesday. I temper his fishing reports with the fact that he to often shoots in the high 30’s in golf, to be the (go-to) man for reliable fishing reports. Anyway, Saturday afternoon we launched at the DNR ramp on the Saginaw and worked our way around in front of the Park. In about 4 ˝ hours of jigging, both in close and a ways off the ice pack, I had one savage strike that caught me unprepared and half way through a dirty joke I was telling my buddy. It came on the Pearl/Orange-Tape Do-Jigger, tipped with a whole minnow. That was it for the whole evening. We also had a great view of what was happening on the ice and not one person we could see caught a single fish. If it did happen, it happened after dark. That's not to say it couldn't get hot in the next few days though.
The Kawkawlin River has opened up the last few days and is at flood stage at its head waters. This being the second most popular river for spawning walleye, its only a matter of time before this warmer, fresher water reaches out in the Saginaw Bay itself and temps those heavy spawners in close. The Saginaw River was getting ready to produce some good catches, until that 1 inch of rain we received last week. One of my buds caught 9 nice walleyes in front of Kentucky Fried Chicken on the river, the day before the rain. Since the rain, the river has turned to chocolate milk and has turned the walleye off. Of course this will change as the river clears itself off. The Tittabawassee is also running at higher than average levels. I just got off the cell phone with two of my buds who fished the Titt. Today 02/24/02. They had only 2 solid hits and suspect they may have been suckers, as they seen a few other boats who caught a couple white suckers today. This isn't what I’d call really bad news, as the sucker and walleye spawning runs pretty much coincide with each other on the Tittabawassee. I really think this high water will spell success by next week. I still have a few open dates left before the closing on the river. Give me a shout and we'll hunt for your wall hanger.
Capt: Dan. |
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