MyFishFinder Forum
MFF US Midwest => Indiana => Topic started by: Spencerville on Jul 04, 2020, 04:56 AM
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I see some action has been working around Michigan city, has anyone been out of New Buffalo? Going to try to fish Monday. Maybe hit Indiana and the Michigan side....
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You should be able to find them anywhere shallower than 25. Good luck. Some days you have to work a little harder than others. Watched a few guys catch steelhead on a perch rig.
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I heard a generalization on a text forum today that claimed the perch are biting from Hammond to Michigan City and all the way up to South Haven. I would be surprised if you were not successful with this stable, hot weather.
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So is the perch bite related to water temp.I noticed the temp in Michigan city is 75 and 50’at st joe I’ve always done good when it’s 60-65 any ideas?
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With the south winds and warm temps for the next 2 weeks the perch should start to group up and move shallow. Ought to keep getting better every day. I have to wait till next week to get back out.
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So is the perch bite related to water temp.I noticed the temp in Michigan city is 75 and 50’at st joe I’ve always done good when it’s 60-65 any ideas?
For me 67-72 degree surface water temp has always been ideal. With fish snapping in the skinny water. What the actual water temp is in 15-24 f.o.w., idk. Lol.
The teenage boys jumped in for a swim the other day. We were in 10 foot of water. They said 5 foot down the water was cold.
The surface water temp was 78 degrees in that 10 f.o.w.
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Fishing was horrible this morning lots of boats out and not much catching at all. Ended up with two keepers in 4 hours ! Water temp was 73 this morning. Only marked one big pod. And everything else was scattered
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With all the boat action this weekend I am wondering if they have been scattered. Just my 2 cents.
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With all the boat action this weekend I am wondering if they have been scattered. Just my 2 cents.
The boat action I've seen this weekend isn't any different then any other perch season. I was told today chiefs bait has sold 600 lbs of minnows in 5 days. I would think by Wednesday it should be on fire as long as we don't get a big blow or alot of lightning with the storms they are calling for
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Buddy and I went from MC yesterday (Sunday) with similar results as others. We managed to scratch out a dozen fish. Definitely found some fish, but they were reluctant to bite. Hope to get out again soon!
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I've never fished the big lake but years ago I had buddies that would buy several dozen soft craws and use for perch. Is minnows the bait of choice or would craws including white meat from tail be better if I could get them. Fat heads or shinners? Thinking of heading up for a new challenge. Won't be for a week or two.
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Soft craws always a good choice Ah the old shiner or fat head debate. I like baby shiners. Some days fat heads work best. Mix it up
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Just picking peoples brain here. Do the shinners or minnows need to be very lively or just fresh looking since it's hard to keep them alive this time of year. If you could get any bait, craws or fish or other what would you experienced guys choose? Here's a couple more what might seem like dumb questions. Keep in mind I'm I've never fished the big lake and I can't really find answers in the Indiana reg book on lake Michigan waters. Number of hooks per line and I'm guessing a perch spreader that may have as many as three single hooks is considered one bait if they are made as such. So three hooks on a single pole with as many as three poles per person. Is a trout stamp required to fish for perch OR trout if you do not keep the trout?
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I've always used shiners or fatheads both have always worked for me they are not that hard to keep alive I have an insulated bait box with a pump and I never have minnows died in the heat I even bring mine home leave the area later running and change the water every day with ice in it and I can save my bait till the following weekend. You don't need a trout stamp to fish for them most everybody who fishes the lake goes to chiefs bait and tackle on highway 12 and buys The Perch killer rigs or make there own. they have them in a single hook with a blade and some beads kind of like a crawler harness you would use for walleye or they have them as a 2-foot leader with two hooks with a fly tied on them and about a quarter ounce weight clipped to the bottom just lowered off the side to touch bottom real up half a turn you want to be close to the bottom.
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Bait of choice... pinchers from soft craws. If i cant get those then baby roaches is a close tie with shrimp. After that. Rosy reds. Then finally i will buy fathead minnows.
As far as the minnows being fresh or lively. I prefer mine to be rather fresh and lively. But have a buddy i fish with regularly, and he uses the dead roaches and does just fine.
So, i dont throw the dead ones out until we are done fishing. I maintain them with ice while fishing and an aerator. Will even keep them over night for nexg days adventure if i know im going back.
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Alot of good info... maybe by Wednesday I'll be able to go.... been using the trolling motor pointed in the wave direction to slow the drift and seemed to help me last year when the bite was slow. I'd I make it up I'll give a report.
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Good luck! Will I get my boat in the water is the question.?!
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I’ll be chasing them tomorrow,any one else
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Just read marine forecast ,will the high water temp in Michigan city hamper the bite
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Nope, they're anywhere from 12-25 fow
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I plan to be out tomorrow for a bit. Anyone use steelhead eggs to target perch, either tied in bags or skein? Asking because I have plenty of it...
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Good luck! Will I get my boat in the water is the question.?!
Idk... you've had it long enough...lol
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I’ll be chasing them tomorrow,any one else
I'm on the fence... wanting to make the trip but its 2.5 hr drive...anyone hear any reports for today? Was hoping a couple of lower pressure days would get things going.
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I’ve never done to good when the water temp is as high as it is right now ,I’m holding off untill Thursday and see if the south wind blow will bring in cooler water
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Get after it , you guys that are waiting on temps are missing out ! All it takes is a big north blow and it doe for days or more I know guys that was out today and pounded the big ones !! I wish I could get out but unfortunately for me it will be mid next week and the following weekend for me
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Get after it , you guys that are waiting on temps are missing out ! All it takes is a big north blow and it doe for days or more I know guys that was out today and pounded the big ones !! I wish I could get out but unfortunately for me it will be mid next week and the following weekend for me
For sure. The temps are high on the surface but there is lots of cool water that is pretty shallow. And the thermocline in relatively shallow water means all the perch are crammed into a relatively narrow depth band
And that means its EASY to find them. Which means awesome fishing!
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I’ve never done to good when the water temp is as high as it is right now ,I’m holding off untill Thursday and see if the south wind blow will bring in cooler water
Don't wait, they are killing them! The current weather pattern is fantastic and if you wait for it to change the bite could die
I heard of 4 person limits yesterday and 1 or 2 hours to hit multiple limits this morning out of Portage
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My son went up to New Buffalo Monday evening after work and got two limits and was home before dark cleaning perch in the garage. Pretty quick action off New Buffalo with a more generous limit... I fried a batch the other night on the side burner of the grill and was once again amazed at just how easy this was and just how good they tasted...
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Best fish on the planet .
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I’m headed for the Rockies. You gents feel free to catch my share while I’m gone. Good luck
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Here's another crazy question. If a person wanted to fish from a kayak and winds stay from south southwest at low numbers like they are now and forecasted to remain about the same could I reach the perch waters easily enough and is there a point of entry that could make reaching the area easier, say like the Indiana dunes beach area.
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I've seen guys on st. Clair couple miles out.. just got to peddle or paddle...
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U can access from Michigan City Beach but I'm sure u have to pay and as many boats as are out there big and small u couldn't pay me to get anywhere near them in a yak ! And it is a good paddle
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Pretty much cost anywhere you access doesn't it? If fish are being found in the 12 to 25 ft range I would think that means they are not far off shore and I've read that out in front of mt baldy is a decent location right now. The at the dunes would be an easy drag across the short beach and a very short paddle to reach fish I think. Boat waves should not be a problem as long as some idiot doesn't come barreling thru group of boat creating a 4 ft wake. Even then it would only be a roller and not a breaker. Just thinking out loud since fishing from a big boat for me would be a lot more work. I don't mind alittle exercise and as long as I'm not in yak more than a few hrs.
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There are a couple guys that yak fish the perch out of portage every year. Have seen 2 of them out there already this year.
There are a few guys that yak fish the steelies and kings when they come in, trolling.
I have seen guys park at the pavilion by the river walk in portage, and access with yaks from there.
If you are going to be fishing in water upto 25 foot by portage, just west of the ditch. You will be within a half mile of the shoreline.
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I have paddled off the of the state park beach before and caught a couple of perch. No idea of the timing with regards to weather was right... and only went out a quarter of a mile or so. If I remember that would have been mid to late July a couple of years back. Definitely possible to do... and a flag would be a good idea. I do remember I had the wind push me down the beach more then i thought and it was a bit of work getting back.
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My son is going with a guy who booked a perch charter tomorrow morning. Havent seen any perch charters (didnt look), but most charters are after the chrome? How much does a perch charter go for these days?
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My son is going with a guy who booked a perch charter tomorrow morning. Havent seen any perch charters (didnt look), but most charters are after the chrome? How much does a perch charter go for these days?
They are going to be going with doug strempluski (spelling on that??) Most likely. I think he is like 75 or 100 bucks a guy. He is in the calumet river all winter long. He is a Retired carpenter i think?
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Talked to a friend of mine a little bit ago he said they fished East of the ditch on the 7th and caught 20 that were in the 8'' range,got on the water around 6am.
Seems like a lot of smaller fish being caught now,hopefully the size picks up for everyone.
Greg
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So... made trip up on Wednesday with my 12yr old. Went out of New Buffalo. Headed north past red roof about a mile or so... lines in...2 right off the bat then nothing...after an hr or so a boat pulled out and told me his spot was on ( 60yrds away)... we moved in and proceeded to catch. Ended our day with 4 hrs on the lake and ran out of minnows at 35 nice perch and 2 questionable fish at the cleaning table but I managed a couple more pieces of fish from them. Got out late... 830 MI time was home and in the pool with a mixer by 5pm. Didnt get any perch pics...sorry for that but we did do alot of sorting...I'm sure we could have scratched a limit with more bait.
(https://i.postimg.cc/Ty3P1tkd/20200708-132354.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/Ty3P1tkd)
(https://i.postimg.cc/fJQTmzHg/20200708-132350.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/fJQTmzHg)
(https://i.postimg.cc/fJMQMJqZ/20200708-152047.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/fJMQMJqZ)
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That's called living the dream.
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Buddy and I took our 6 and 7 year olds out on Wednesday. Managed a decent mess of perch. Best parts were watching the young ones catching some, and just as we were pulling up anchor buddy's pole doubled over and drag started screaming. Well, after a good fight on the ultralight we managed to get an 8lb steelhead into the boat with no net. I had actually thought that morning to not bring a net just to tempt the fish gods. Guess it worked. We celebrated with a swim and lunch on the beach.
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Who needs a fish picture when you get a picture of your kid like that?!! Glad you got some! Was going to try this weekend but I guess it will wait will this north wind and cold front. More steady hit coming though.
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Steelhead on perch rod!!! There is nothing better ;D Did it take you down to the knot on the spool?
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Got up at 2 30. Turned on the weather and with all the thunder and lightening and changing winds I decided to go back to bed. Did anyone venture out?
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Steelhead on perch rod!!! There is nothing better ;D Did it take you down to the knot on the spool?
Just about! Fortunately, it turned and ran back toward us, before spooling him.
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yea we went out. we limited out in 2hours after finding them and getting set up. the 2 of us couldn't keep up with the bites. the school was huge under us. about 4-5ft of perch off the bottom. didn't keep anything under 11" biggest was 14. sorry my boat cameras batteries must have died over the winter. maybe pics next time. 18 feet of water, on 3/8oz jig with twistertails drug on the bottom. after we sacrificed a couple of the first fish for meat strip trailers we got bigger hits.
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yea we went out. we limited out in 2hours after finding them and getting set up. the 2 of us couldn't keep up with the bites. the school was huge under us. about 4-5ft of perch off the bottom. didn't keep anything under 11" biggest was 14. sorry my boat cameras batteries must have died over the winter. maybe pics next time. 18 feet of water, on 3/8oz jig with twistertails drug on the bottom. after we sacrificed a couple of the first fish for meat strip trailers we got bigger hits.
Interesting... glad you had a good trip.
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Got 4 days off starting Monday....then back to back 6 day weeks (vacation coverage). Hopefully a good perch bite after that. Would love to go back and camp a few days with my boy and hopefully a friend and his son. We did last year...didnt so well on the fish but had a great time. Been years since we had camped.
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Just looking at the forecast... 8mph n wind... 2 footers... is that really a bad forecast for smaller boats?
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I usually only go out in my 17' Lund vee when the wind is out of the south and the waves are showing 1' or less. The wakes you get from other boats can be worse than the waves sometimes, as I remember.
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Any updates? Might try Michigan city this weekend.
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Last night there were 8 footers with strong north winds. I was planning on going after work in the morning, but, now I am going on Saturday instead. Hopefully, the lake will be back to where it was before the blow.
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Wow, 8 footers! Hopefully it calms down, thinking about maybe Sunday. Good luck if you go.
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Saw that Washington pk beach is closed ,I the boat launch closed also or can you still put a boat in
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Saw that Washington pk beach is closed ,I the boat launch closed also or can you still put a boat in
Trail Creek Marina is still open
Wow, 8 footers! Hopefully it calms down, thinking about maybe Sunday. Good luck if you go.
According to the MC Buoy last night they topped out around 4 feet. And they are around 1.5 right now. Sunday looks a mite windy, if you can swing Saturday I'd think about going then
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From what I'm hearing I may just wait. Sounds like it's going to be a crap shoot with the wind there has been the last couple of days.
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I 2 am trying it tomorrow. Did anyone venture out today? How did you do?
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Anyone have a report? Schedule to launch at MC early Saturday Lord willing!
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Last few days have been spotty because the thermocline has been moving all over the place
It looks like it is starting to move a bit shallower and stabilize, so i would expect fishing to get better this weekend. Forecast looks pretty nice
https://glbuoys.glos.us/45170
You can see as of right now (8 AM eastern) the thermocline is between 36 and 39 feet deep. Most of the perch should be shallower than 39 feet if that holds steady
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Thanks for the info, new to this game. I didn't see a place where you could look at the temp history. How quickly does it change? I understand a big north wind has a great effect. Assume also that strong wind from any direction has some effect. Looks like light N winds for the next day or two.
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Should be fine. Going Saturday also, Portage.
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Good luck. I think I'm just going to go regardless. I did see on the Sea Grant website that they have a daily and weekly water temp graph.
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Thanks for the info, new to this game. I didn't see a place where you could look at the temp history. How quickly does it change? I understand a big north wind has a great effect. Assume also that strong wind from any direction has some effect. Looks like light N winds for the next day or two.
The history is on there. For any given depth, click on the zig zag black line on the left side - it has 4 dots on it.
Water temp at depth can change massively in less than an hour. Or it can be stable for days. Recently there have been swings between warm and cold every 10-15 hrs or so if you check the history
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Interesting. Heading up Saturday regardless. My brother in law is coming on from Ohio just to help out so I can go so it really doesn't matter if the conditions are ideal. It will be good to get on lake Michigan for my first time.
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My plan is to be out Saturday as well
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Just got a good report. Hopefully more of the same tomorrow. Can't wait to get on the water!
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Couldn't get out today. How was the bite. Guess I have to wait till next Saturday. Should be even better then, (I hope).....
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Very slow today lots of boats out. Managed about 20 big ones but took about 4.5 hours
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Very slow today lots of boats out. Managed about 20 big ones but took about 4.5 hours
Heard it has been tough. Glad you found some.
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Buddy and I had similar results out of St. Joseph today. Still wishing for some hot and heavy perch action! We'll see what the weather does for next week
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Made it out, beautiful day on the water. Couldn't find the big ones other than the sheaphead that stretched my line. Buddy ran out of gas so it cut our fishing short and made for a tow job. Maybe well get some good ones next time.
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(https://i.postimg.cc/5jrXCgHX/IMG-20200725-181331666.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5jrXCgHX)
Hear Is today's catch nothing special but got dinner for tonight
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(https://i.postimg.cc/5jrXCgHX/IMG-20200725-181331666.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/5jrXCgHX)
Hear Is today's catch nothing special but got dinner for tonight
Nice job... way to smacken in thought conditions!
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Nice job... way to smacken in thought conditions!
I'm sorry - - I'm really not trying to be a wise guy . . . but what does that mean?
Is "thought conditions" a typo for "drought conditions"?
And what's "smacken"? Is it a Midwestern thing?
I really don't understand - - and I'm dying of suspense to find out.
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Maybe “smack em in tough conditions”?
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Thanks Spencer , I know what ya mean lol
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I guess you just need to be a "local"! ;D
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I'm sorry - - I'm really not trying to be a wise guy . . . but what does that mean?
Is "thought conditions" a typo for "drought conditions"?
And what's "smacken"? Is it a Midwestern thing?
I really don't understand - - and I'm dying of suspense to find out.
My sincerest apologies, mac attack wins for breaking the code... often my big thumbs coupled with a quick text at work and whatever my phone decides I'm trying to say can sometimes lead to a post like this...
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I guess you just need to be a "local"! ;D
Maybe so but I've also noticed that sometimes it's a fine line on where you catch and where you dont.
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My sincerest apologies, mac attack wins for breaking the code... often my big thumbs coupled with a quick text at work and whatever my phone decides I'm trying to say can sometimes lead to a post like this...
Understood. I assumed it was something like that.
You're ahead of me - - I couldn't text to save my life. I even have trouble on a lap top.
About the only way I can properly type is with a desktop PC.
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Maybe so but I've also noticed that sometimes it's a fine line on where you catch and where you dont.
I was referring to deciphering your post!
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I was referring to deciphering your post!
HA! One of the guys you towed is the king of deciphering my text.
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Anything happening? With the north winds I may have to look elsewhere to fish this up coming Saturday.
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Another typical year on the big lake.Cant get a break from the north blow.Hopefully it will calm down and get set up for us perch chasers with small hoats
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Looks like we should get some favorable weather...
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Anyone make it out today?
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Anyone have a report? Would like to give it a try Saturday. Maybe have to go after the gills.
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everyone is limiting in 30 min. and they are all 14"+ go gettum!!!!!!
someone has to be the one to spend their time checking why not you? go fish and see man!
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Real nice ! Most guys don't mind giving some info. Not like you're going to be crowded on the Big Lake?! Have a nice day!
Teach
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Heading up tomorrow ,hope they’re hungry
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Good luck let us know. ty
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abish - I have heard no news on the big lake - I appreciate you pursuing this topic and will contribute what I hear or experience...
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I've been watching winds and havent even thought about going up. Hope you find some... off Saturday through Wednesday....maybe if the winds are right I'll give it a shot.... looks like favorable winds for a bit....hmmm
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I've been watching winds and havent even thought about going up. Hope you find some... off Saturday through Wednesday....maybe if the winds are right I'll give it a shot.... looks like favorable winds for a bit....hmmm
I'm with Spencer , it's been a southwind for the last two days and supposed to be Saturday and Sunday as well if I am off work I will be out there Saturday as well
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Well the south to southwest wind blow didn’t bring any perch to my boat today.I only marked one decent pod in 35 ft of water and no biters.Stoped and talked to most of the boats that were out and same story.Most of the boats were in front of blacks ditch .It will probably turn on tomorrow when I can’t go.Perch are the@&&@&& child of panfish,here today gone for a week !!!!!!!!!
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Well the south to southwest wind blow didn’t bring any perch to my boat today.I only marked one decent pod in 35 ft of water and no biters.Stoped and talked to most of the boats that were out and same story.Most of the boats were in front of blacks ditch .It will probably turn on
tomorrow when I can’t go.Perch are
the@&&@&& child of panfish,here today
gone for a week !!!!!!!!!
Maybe the next to days will help stabilize them...
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Haven't heard any reports that were promising, so went after gills. Kept 23 nice ones largest was 10 1/2.
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Haven't heard any reports that were promising, so went after gills. Kept 23 nice ones largest was 10 1/2.
Nothing wrong with gills...especially 10+!!!
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Not even a bad report?
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Not even a bad report?
Oh yeah, a few that were BAD. Might try and squeeze a Friday morning trip after I get off. If the weather holds true. Hope that the gold will come back by then cause north winds are forecast for Saturday.
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I never did make it had to work. But didn't hear good reports
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Heard through the grapevine that a friend and his family went out Sunday evening in front of Michigan City to search for perch. They kept 25 perch and threw back several smaller fish. The only detail I heard was they fished just out front as they exited Trail Creek. I did not hear depth and as we know, this can change daily. So, with the hot, stable weather this week, let's get out and give it a try. I also heard things were productive in front of New Buffalo, Michigan. Enjoy...
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I hope the reports keep coming and the weather stays stable. If so, I will go Friday morning after I get off.
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crazy, sounds like Erie has been better than MI!
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Hope the weather cooperates for another trip.I have to break in my new boat .2020 Crestliner 1650 fish hawk it should be a lot smother than my 16.5!polar kraft
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Congrats on the new boat ! Let us know how you like it on the big water . I've decided to buy a new boat as well. I have Ben looking at the same boat in a 20 footer . And the lund pro v. I'm ready for a full wind shield boat.
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Congrats on the boat! I've been eyeing some used ones for a couple years but just cant pull the trigger yet.... getting close though...
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Congrats on the new boat ! Let us know how you like it on the big water . I've decided to buy a new boat as well. I have Ben looking at the same boat in a 20 footer . And the lund pro v. I'm ready for a full wind shield boat.
Didn't you just get that thing last year?
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Didn't you just get that thing last year?
I got it in 2018, it's a great boat I absolutely love it and I'll be sad to see it go but it is catered between a hunter and a fisherman and it's more towards hunting.last year I only used it twice on the big lake duck hunting then I fish way more than I hunt so I've decided I want something catered more to fishing. It's one of those things where you look at boats over and over again and you decide you want a certain one and when you get it there is always something you would change or do differently. This is the case here with me. I wish they would let you demo things for 30 days before you buy them LOL
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And the wife about lost her marbles when I told her that I was thinking about getting a new boat lol
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And the wife about lost her marbles when I told her that I was thinking about getting a new boat lol
Hahahahaha
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I bet she did, they never understand!
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After nothing perch for 3 weeks and the weather finally getting stable, still nada. Just makes me wonder if with this north blow, whether or not the perch will come back in close to shore????? The salmon usually start to appear in Sept. Chasing the perch away. Guess time will tell.
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I'm not holding my breath ! Worst perch season since I can remember
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Last year was the best imho, for at least 5 years. This year??? At least I got out 3 times. Was hoping for a couple more outings to stock up the freezer. MAYBE...