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Went fishing...caught a smile!
Michigan Fishing
May 25, 2023 13:50:01   #
fishyaker Loc: NW Michigan (Lower Peninsula)
 
Started the day out in West Bay near Traverse City, MI in hopes of stirring up some shallow water lake trout action. After 3 hours of trolling 2 lines...I never even had a strike! I have a hunch that the fish are starting to move back out into deeper waters and I was not set up for that today.

Marked some occasional fish, both suspended and hanging near the bottom, but nothing with an appetite to try my lure offerings that were running at 10 and 18' of depth in 20 to 25 feet of water.

It was calm for almost two and a half hours but the North wind had other ideas and started to create little whitecaps with side rolling waves near the end of my intended stay on the lake. It was time to head back to the safety of the beach.

Passed by a couple of guys in a boat, and they were calling it a day already after having had the same lackluster morning.

The Great Lakes Maritime Academy is located right where I made my shore launch from, and at least I got to enjoy watching students and cadets perform training maneuvers with the "classroom" tug boat. The large "mini ship" that they have on hand was already gone for the day on another training exercise out of sight so I did not have too much "big boat" traffic to contend with.

Upon returning to shore I spoke with a fellow that was heading out to free dive for fish with a spear. I mentioned that the water temps were still rather chilly, especially at depth. He was no novice, and was geared up appropriately for the task at hand. He had been out a few days before and harvested a couple of burbot, sheepshead and a 28" catfish.

Sometimes a day on the water is all about awaiting those glorious days when the fish cooperate regardless of what you do...and for the moment...you leave empty handed! I drove home with a smile just for having had a chance to get out and paddle today....

Leaving shore adjacent to the Maritime Academy. From what I hear, graduates are plying the waters all around the world after their training here. The small campus is out of sight to the left.
Leaving shore adjacent to the Maritime Academy. Fr...

I suspect that I am showing up as a small "blip" on the tugboat radar.
I suspect that I am showing up as a small "blip" o...

This photo is not from today, but was taken on a previous kayak fishing trip. It's always nice to be reminded of why I went fishing in the first place!
This photo is not from today, but was taken on a p...

Reply
May 25, 2023 14:25:06   #
saw1 Loc: nor cal Windsor
 
fishyaker wrote:
Started the day out in West Bay near Traverse City, MI in hopes of stirring up some shallow water lake trout action. After 3 hours of trolling 2 lines...I never even had a strike! I have a hunch that the fish are starting to move back out into deeper waters and I was not set up for that today.

Marked some occasional fish, both suspended and hanging near the bottom, but nothing with an appetite to try my lure offerings that were running at 10 and 18' of depth in 20 to 25 feet of water.

It was calm for almost two and a half hours but the North wind had other ideas and started to create little whitecaps with side rolling waves near the end of my intended stay on the lake. It was time to head back to the safety of the beach.

Passed by a couple of guys in a boat, and they were calling it a day already after having had the same lackluster morning.

The Great Lakes Maritime Academy is located right where I made my shore launch from, and at least I got to enjoy watching students and cadets perform training maneuvers with the "classroom" tug boat. The large "mini ship" that they have on hand was already gone for the day on another training exercise out of sight so I did not have too much "big boat" traffic to contend with.

Upon returning to shore I spoke with a fellow that was heading out to free dive for fish with a spear. I advised him that the water temps were still rather chilly, especially at depth. He was no novice, and was geared up appropriately for the task at hand. He had been out a few days before and harvested a couple of burbot, sheepshead and a 28" catfish.

Sometimes a day on the water is all about awaiting those glorious days when the fish cooperate regardless of what you do...and for the moment...you leave empty handed! I drove home with a smile just for having had a chance to get out and paddle today....
Started the day out in West Bay near Traverse City... (show quote)


Can't blame you for getting off the water when the wind picked up if you were in a Yak.
Hopefully next time you will find some that wanna play.

Reply
May 25, 2023 14:33:00   #
Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.
 
fishyaker wrote:
Started the day out in West Bay near Traverse City, MI in hopes of stirring up some shallow water lake trout action. After 3 hours of trolling 2 lines...I never even had a strike! I have a hunch that the fish are starting to move back out into deeper waters and I was not set up for that today.

Marked some occasional fish, both suspended and hanging near the bottom, but nothing with an appetite to try my lure offerings that were running at 10 and 18' of depth in 20 to 25 feet of water.

It was calm for almost two and a half hours but the North wind had other ideas and started to create little whitecaps with side rolling waves near the end of my intended stay on the lake. It was time to head back to the safety of the beach.

Passed by a couple of guys in a boat, and they were calling it a day already after having had the same lackluster morning.

The Great Lakes Maritime Academy is located right where I made my shore launch from, and at least I got to enjoy watching students and cadets perform training maneuvers with the "classroom" tug boat. The large "mini ship" that they have on hand was already gone for the day on another training exercise out of sight so I did not have too much "big boat" traffic to contend with.

Upon returning to shore I spoke with a fellow that was heading out to free dive for fish with a spear. I mentioned that the water temps were still rather chilly, especially at depth. He was no novice, and was geared up appropriately for the task at hand. He had been out a few days before and harvested a couple of burbot, sheepshead and a 28" catfish.

Sometimes a day on the water is all about awaiting those glorious days when the fish cooperate regardless of what you do...and for the moment...you leave empty handed! I drove home with a smile just for having had a chance to get out and paddle today....
Started the day out in West Bay near Traverse City... (show quote)


Looks like a beautiful day for a boatride anyway Yaker. You'll find them next time. Thanks for the report and pictures.

Reply
 
 
May 25, 2023 15:01:29   #
kandydisbar Loc: West Orange, NJ
 
fishyaker wrote:
Started the day out in West Bay near Traverse City, MI in hopes of stirring up some shallow water lake trout action. After 3 hours of trolling 2 lines...I never even had a strike! I have a hunch that the fish are starting to move back out into deeper waters and I was not set up for that today.

Marked some occasional fish, both suspended and hanging near the bottom, but nothing with an appetite to try my lure offerings that were running at 10 and 18' of depth in 20 to 25 feet of water.

It was calm for almost two and a half hours but the North wind had other ideas and started to create little whitecaps with side rolling waves near the end of my intended stay on the lake. It was time to head back to the safety of the beach.

Passed by a couple of guys in a boat, and they were calling it a day already after having had the same lackluster morning.

The Great Lakes Maritime Academy is located right where I made my shore launch from, and at least I got to enjoy watching students and cadets perform training maneuvers with the "classroom" tug boat. The large "mini ship" that they have on hand was already gone for the day on another training exercise out of sight so I did not have too much "big boat" traffic to contend with.

Upon returning to shore I spoke with a fellow that was heading out to free dive for fish with a spear. I mentioned that the water temps were still rather chilly, especially at depth. He was no novice, and was geared up appropriately for the task at hand. He had been out a few days before and harvested a couple of burbot, sheepshead and a 28" catfish.

Sometimes a day on the water is all about awaiting those glorious days when the fish cooperate regardless of what you do...and for the moment...you leave empty handed! I drove home with a smile just for having had a chance to get out and paddle today....
Started the day out in West Bay near Traverse City... (show quote)


Looks great!

Reply
May 25, 2023 15:58:17   #
fishyaker Loc: NW Michigan (Lower Peninsula)
 
saw1 wrote:
Can't blame you for getting off the water when the wind picked up if you were in a Yak.
Hopefully next time you will find some that wanna play.


Thank you Saw1! Yes...the waves were parallel to the trolling direction I needed to fish my way back, and without a spray skirt on the water was flinching in on me at times over top of the cockpit coaming. At 50 degrees water temp it is too chilly to get wet!

Reply
May 25, 2023 16:00:41   #
fishyaker Loc: NW Michigan (Lower Peninsula)
 
Fredfish wrote:
Looks like a beautiful day for a boatride anyway Yaker. You'll find them next time. Thanks for the report and pictures.


That you Fredfish! Yes...absolutely spectacular. The air temp was 37 this morning, and rose to 45 while I was out. I wore a long sleeved sweatshirt to stay warm and definitely had fun just giving it a try! This time of year the lakers are still typically in 20 to 30 feet of water so I was surprised that nobody took a swipe at my rigging!

Reply
May 25, 2023 16:03:47   #
fishyaker Loc: NW Michigan (Lower Peninsula)
 
kandydisbar wrote:
Looks great!


Thank you Kandisbar! It was a great time just soaking up the warmth of the sun and gliding thru what I thought might be some promising waters. We will be entertaining house guests for the next 7 days, so no more solo paddling for a while.

That being said, however, I will be able to spend some time fishing with our 2 grand boys if they have the patience to go after some bluegills and LM bass from shore at a local inland lake! I hope they want to go without too much coaxing!

Reply
 
 
May 26, 2023 00:32:34   #
NJ219bands Loc: New Jersey
 
Nice 👍

Reply
May 26, 2023 12:05:37   #
Cougar Loc: Tennessee/Michigan
 
fishyaker wrote:
Started the day out in West Bay near Traverse City, MI in hopes of stirring up some shallow water lake trout action. After 3 hours of trolling 2 lines...I never even had a strike! I have a hunch that the fish are starting to move back out into deeper waters and I was not set up for that today.

Marked some occasional fish, both suspended and hanging near the bottom, but nothing with an appetite to try my lure offerings that were running at 10 and 18' of depth in 20 to 25 feet of water.

It was calm for almost two and a half hours but the North wind had other ideas and started to create little whitecaps with side rolling waves near the end of my intended stay on the lake. It was time to head back to the safety of the beach.

Passed by a couple of guys in a boat, and they were calling it a day already after having had the same lackluster morning.

The Great Lakes Maritime Academy is located right where I made my shore launch from, and at least I got to enjoy watching students and cadets perform training maneuvers with the "classroom" tug boat. The large "mini ship" that they have on hand was already gone for the day on another training exercise out of sight so I did not have too much "big boat" traffic to contend with.

Upon returning to shore I spoke with a fellow that was heading out to free dive for fish with a spear. I mentioned that the water temps were still rather chilly, especially at depth. He was no novice, and was geared up appropriately for the task at hand. He had been out a few days before and harvested a couple of burbot, sheepshead and a 28" catfish.

Sometimes a day on the water is all about awaiting those glorious days when the fish cooperate regardless of what you do...and for the moment...you leave empty handed! I drove home with a smile just for having had a chance to get out and paddle today....
Started the day out in West Bay near Traverse City... (show quote)

Looks like a Beautiful Day in Northern Michigan!!! Great story Fishyaker. Hope you and your family have a Great Memorial Day weekend.

Reply
May 26, 2023 13:12:06   #
fishyaker Loc: NW Michigan (Lower Peninsula)
 
NJ219bands wrote:
Nice 👍


Thank you NJ! I think you are way ahead in the catch rate, but at least we are both getting a chance to be out at the waters edge from time to time!

Reply
May 26, 2023 13:14:30   #
fishyaker Loc: NW Michigan (Lower Peninsula)
 
Cougar wrote:
Looks like a Beautiful Day in Northern Michigan!!! Great story Fishyaker. Hope you and your family have a Great Memorial Day weekend.


Thank you Cougar! Indeed it was...even when the wind came up towards the end of the paddle. My wife and I returned to the spot several hours later on a drive and the wave intensity had grown quite a bit. I got off just in time!

Hopefully things calm down around here so folks can get out and enjoy bass season opener. If it's calm in the morning I just may sneak out and get back home before our guests awake!

Enjoy the Memorial Day weekend as well... as we think about...and "thank" the Veterans that made freedom as we know it possible.

Reply
 
 
May 26, 2023 13:19:28   #
40GRIT Loc: San Ramon, CA
 
fishyaker wrote:
Started the day out in West Bay near Traverse City, MI in hopes of stirring up some shallow water lake trout action. After 3 hours of trolling 2 lines...I never even had a strike! I have a hunch that the fish are starting to move back out into deeper waters and I was not set up for that today.

Marked some occasional fish, both suspended and hanging near the bottom, but nothing with an appetite to try my lure offerings that were running at 10 and 18' of depth in 20 to 25 feet of water.

It was calm for almost two and a half hours but the North wind had other ideas and started to create little whitecaps with side rolling waves near the end of my intended stay on the lake. It was time to head back to the safety of the beach.

Passed by a couple of guys in a boat, and they were calling it a day already after having had the same lackluster morning.

The Great Lakes Maritime Academy is located right where I made my shore launch from, and at least I got to enjoy watching students and cadets perform training maneuvers with the "classroom" tug boat. The large "mini ship" that they have on hand was already gone for the day on another training exercise out of sight so I did not have too much "big boat" traffic to contend with.

Upon returning to shore I spoke with a fellow that was heading out to free dive for fish with a spear. I mentioned that the water temps were still rather chilly, especially at depth. He was no novice, and was geared up appropriately for the task at hand. He had been out a few days before and harvested a couple of burbot, sheepshead and a 28" catfish.

Sometimes a day on the water is all about awaiting those glorious days when the fish cooperate regardless of what you do...and for the moment...you leave empty handed! I drove home with a smile just for having had a chance to get out and paddle today....
Started the day out in West Bay near Traverse City... (show quote)


Great report FY, good to see and hear from you and that you are out of hibernation and on the water!

Reply
May 26, 2023 13:23:57   #
fishyaker Loc: NW Michigan (Lower Peninsula)
 
40GRIT wrote:
Great report FY, good to see and hear from you and that you are out of hibernation and on the water!


Thank you 40Grit! Yeah...it sure feels good to get back into the kayak seat and be paddling around...even though the water is still rather cold. I rec'd a text from my 3 other fishing/kayak buddies yesterday and they have "recruited" a few more "waterbugs" to join us this season for group paddles and fishing. I'm looking forward to meeting them.

Our boat is ready to hit the water as well, and my wife mentioned that she was hoping to use it more this Summer so I can hardly wait for our first run of the season.

I have enjoyed your saltwater posts...especially the halibut outings!

Reply
May 26, 2023 13:30:59   #
40GRIT Loc: San Ramon, CA
 
fishyaker wrote:
Thank you 40Grit! Yeah...it sure feels good to get back into the kayak seat and be paddling around...even though the water is still rather cold. I rec'd a text from my 3 other fishing/kayak buddies yesterday and they have "recruited" a few more "waterbugs" to join us this season for group paddles and fishing. I'm looking forward to meeting them.

Our boat is ready to hit the water as well, and my wife mentioned that she was hoping to use it more this Summer so I can hardly wait for our first run of the season.

I have enjoyed your saltwater posts...especially the halibut outings!
Thank you 40Grit! Yeah...it sure feels good to get... (show quote)


Thanks FY, I’m going to Alaska next month for an 8 day Sockeye, Halibut and King Salmon trip with the group I went with last year. I’m told the halibut there are gonna spoil me and make the ones I post here look like infants. Can’t wait……I’ll be posting the trip as it happens.

Reply
May 26, 2023 13:42:28   #
fishyaker Loc: NW Michigan (Lower Peninsula)
 
40GRIT wrote:
Thanks FY, I’m going to Alaska next month for an 8 day Sockeye, Halibut and King Salmon trip with the group I went with last year. I’m told the halibut there are gonna spoil me and make the ones I post here look like infants. Can’t wait……I’ll be posting the trip as it happens.


Sounds like a blast! You will definitely get spoiled...but...to have the fishery you access easily right at home could spoil a guy too! Big or small...they taste the same!

When I lived in Anchorage, AK back in the early 80's, a gal from work used to put on a halibut fry every season and invite the entire office to take part. We all ate halibut bites until we could barely move! I miss the annual fish migrations up there that kept me out on the water nearly every weekend!

Enjoy your trip!

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