great akes salmon?
 

anyone go without trolling? i was thinking of going but dont have planers and downriggers and was wondering if i could just drop live bait down 40 ft and give a slow troll? anyone think this will work for salmon? and does anyone have any tips? thanks

I do not know about the great lakes for as far as fishing goes.. But, they sure have a lot of nice fishing in those areas that is for sure.. I do think if you know what depth they are at that drifting with some live bait would do the trick. Either have your bait right in the range they are at or five feet above them.. I normally shoot for two to five feet above them and it works pretty decent up here.

thanks phil from maine!

hurley; which Great Lake are you planning to fish and what time of year? If it is lake Ontario in September thru October,I may be able to help you.

Hurley, we have been doing very good in Lake Michigan out of Central-Western Michigan.

Without weight it is very difficult. you may let out 60 foot of line, but if you troll, even very slowly, your bait will raise a large amount. Fishing if fishing though, so anything is worth a try to wet a line.

A tip for you may be to use LEADCORE. Google this and read up on it. It is fishing line with a leadcore center and ever 10 yards it changes to a different color. I believe every 10 yards of line you release, that depth increases by 5 feet or something. For example, if you let 100 yards of line out, you are fishing 50 foot.

Just research the information for better results.

If you are going to Lake Ontario try the rivers in September. They are all usually chuck full of spawning kings and coho salmon. Easy to catch and lots of room to fish. Expect some crowds though but it is still fun.

room to fish isnt exactly the truth you should see the salmon river in ny

thanks guys, Ill be on lake michigan. i planed on using some split shot or bullettype wieghts to help get the line down. will that not work to get the line down there?

True it is crowded but there are places on the river that are a ways away from access and sometimes you can have it to yourself. All the rivers around there have a run and they are less crowded than the Salmon River.

In the early years (70's through the early 90's) we went there to fish for steelhead all winter. When late August came and then in September we went there and fished all around the Salmon River mouth both in boats and from shore. Back then before the paid access at the Dougleston Run we used to fish that whole stretch from the lake to the Black Hole without many people being around. We parked in that field on the north side of the river below town and had all that water pretty much to ourselves. Then after a few years they put a person down there and charged 2 bucks a car, then it was 2 bucks a person then 3 and then it was 20 per day and now it is 30 per day per person and they only give out limited numbers. Other areas we fished were the short bridge, tall bridge, behind the ball park, and then some selected areas above town all the way to the school house pool. When we first started to go there hotels were few and just about the only place in town was the Log cabin bar and hotel. We used to group up in a room and sleep on the floor and drink in the bar. We used to eat there and at Frick and Fracks, and at another place on the corner at the left turn in town going towards the hatchery. I remember when the Mickey D's went in and it was so crowded at 5:30 in the morning. The guy said at the time it did more business than any other east coast golden arches. Back then we could pitch a tent almost anywhere and often did right in town in the park or ball field. Other times we went to selkirk shores. One of my friends even drove an old school bus out there and convinced a farmer to let him park it there and we all used that. Those were the days. I haven't fished it in quite a few years but went through town this year on the way back from Colorado 3 weeks ago. Lots of places to stay and eateries now.

In the very early 80's I took my boat out there. It was a 22 foot starcraft center console with 4 big John electrics and all the planer gear etc. It was the first time out on the broad lake and it was in August. We went out about 5 miles in over 100 feet of water west of Polaski. I was using the tackle we used on Champlain and I had a 9' med action down rigger rod with a level wind reel and 10 pound maxima line. I had on a jointed rebel rainbow color and got a release. The line screamed off the reel and I fought that fish for about 1/2 hour and we actually had to chase it because of the lite tackle. I finally got it in and my bud reached out with the 8'-10' net I had on the boat and lifted and the handle bent down into a u and broke. We learned pretty quickly to grab the hoop and pull it in. The fish weghed 30+ pounds and was my first broad lake King Salmon.

anymore advice?

No splitshots or bullet sinkers will not get you to the fish.

Hit some garage sales or look on craigslist for some deals on down riggers etc. It's worth the in investment.

You can also use dipsy divers to get your line down and away from the boat.


The first Salmon I every caught was on a J-plug without any weight, didn't even have a rod holder, almost lost the rod but, I was hooked after that.

CI, Every watch the sun go down at Rainbow shores restaurant?