Milwaukee Fishing Lake Michigan Salmon Reports 9/23/2008
By Capt. Jim Hirt
The spawning Chinooks are active with action in the gaps and out to 50 feet. Work the areas near the gaps with Reaper Spoons. Read my report on to get the best tips and presentations for the biggest Chinooks of the season. I do have openings on my schedule to put you on trophy kings give me a call.
We fished the last two days catching Chinook, Coho and Rainbows. The main and north gap Milwaukee has been the magnet for fish. Our most productive presentation is Reaper Magnum Silver spoons. The best colors are Peacock, Fish N Chip and Big Joe. To optimize this presentation troll slow at 1.8 to 2.0 MPH. I run my Slide Divers set at #2 with fifteen foot leads and forty feet of line out. Downriggers are a staple in gap fishing. Set them to cover every five feet from top to bottom. Short leads of ten feet on the bottom lines and longer leads on the higher lines. I like to set my highest line 60 feet behind the ball. Chinook to 25 pounds are possible but they average 15 pounds. The photo with my report is of Rita Quisenberry of Missouri with his 25.5 pound Chinook. The best days for an all day bite have been overcast. First light and last light is another option on the sunny days.
Another option for you, if the gap fishing is slow, try going deep to 90 to 150 feet of water and fishing deep. Spoons, plugs and flasher flies are all working. You must check the water temps. On Saturday the fish were 20 to 62 down and Sunday 70 to 100 down. The area north of the Filtration Plant allows you to get to the deep water closer to shore. The silver and glow Reaper Magnum Spoons will get the job done. Once again slow the boat down to 1.8 t0 2.0 MPH. The Reaper spoons mix very well with flasher flies and I usually mix them up and down the water column.
For anglers that have not tried the Reaper and Vulcan spoons from Badger Tackle.com I recommend you give them a try. They are offering a buy 4 and get 1 free at this time. The fish out deep ranged in size from 5 to 12 pounds. The only place you will find Reaper and Vulcan spoons is on the Badger Tackle web site at http://www.badgertackle.com Jim charters out of Milwaukee, WI. With Blue Max Charters He can be reached at 414-828-1094 or visit his web site at http://www.bluemaxcharters.com I am always available for a comment or update. Thanks!!
