2008 Youth Deer Hunt

Now that fishing is taking a back seat to hunting for the next few months, and since it's been a while since my last post, I thought this to be appropriate. This weekend was the Wisconsin Youth Gun Hunt. In following in the tradition of her mother, our daughter took her first deer a first light. Don't know who was more proud, us or her?

The Spawning Fish Cometh

The time is quickly approaching when the spawning Chinook, Coho Salmon and Brown Trout begin to stage for their run up local rivers that feed Lake Michigan. As the fish congregate, J-plug-type lures, stick baits, and spoons work well for taking these fish.

If large fish are what you are after, now is the time to be fishing.

Good luck and please fish smart by offering ample room to others who are on the lake.

Slim Pick-ns

Went out today with the family and managed to boat 100% of the fish we had on. One of them.

We went south to TR and went arou8nd the South side of the nets. Go figure, we should have went north. Many people up there managed a cooler-filler amount of fish (two - three).

The water is getting very warm, and what is needed is a few days of strong west winds to send this hot water over to our friends in the East side of the lake.

There are fish out there, they just need to be convinced to eat.

Laying Our First Egg

During the weekend of July 26th, I ran three trips (the 4th annual U.W. Stout fishing weekend for some college friends). Besides 4 releases, the net never went in the water (I think they wanted to keep the ice clean for when we returned to the dock.....). This summer has not been kind to shore fishermen, private boat fishermen, or many of the charters.

Though some fish are getting caught, the back-to-back limits of fish are not showing up. Nobody is quite sure what the problems are, but there is some bad JUE JUE on this side of the lake. I have found if the fish are not cooperating, performing a ritualistic fish dance may help.

Where Have The 5B's Been?

Some of you may be wondering why our fishing reports have gone. We have not gone away, but during the 4th of July weekend we discovered some boat problems, and decided to postpone fishing in the name of safety for everyone and our vessel.

For the many of you that fished with us this year we hope you enjoyed the experience we offered to you. It is for that reason and our dedication to safety and quality that we decided to cancel all fishing trips aboard the 5B's until all of the necessary repairs are made.

We have been running our back-up boat (Lady Luck - see attached photo) and getting a few trips in, but with that boat, we are limited to two or three-person groups.

For everyone who has ever , or has thought about fishing with us, our intention is to be back on the water in September or next year. Because of the feedback that we have recieved, we are planning to return to the water as soon as as is safely possible.

A Great Day Fishing

On Tuesday (7-1-08) we enjoyed great weather, calm water and cooperative fish. For the third year, we had a group from the Twin-Cities area that comes over every year for a family vacation. We were setting lines by 5:00 am, and had our first fish around 5:45. The fish were not jumping in the boat, but the action was frequent enough to keep everyone from catching a nap.

We fished on the East side of the nets, and started right in front of Two Rivers. We trolled South in 140 fow and kept the lures down in 120 - 130 depth. The salmon are feeding on the schools of bait fish, every time we marked bait fish, a downrigger released. We went 11 for 14.

As for lures, large green flashers (mudflaps) with green flys with any combination of additional color. Most of out fish came on downriggers, but one came on a dipsey, and one on a pumphandle.

Thanks again Gregg, Chris, Killian, and Willie, we enjoyed the fishing trip.

Will Mother Nature Ever Stop Dishing Out Bad Weather?

We tried to fish a 6-hour afternoon trip, But Mother Nature reared her ugly head again. At just over half way through the trip the weather warnings came across the radio (Severe T-storms, Tornadoes, Hail, Gusting winds at speeds of up to 70 mph, and Lightening). Well, after the lightening started, and the static electricity began humming on the antennas, we decided getting to shore was priority #1.

Now for the fishing report:

We fished on the south end of the nets down by Manitowoc in 110 to 165 FOW. Most of our bites came on dodger and flies that were green on green. Oddly enough, we even managed a #12 Laker 30 feet down in 170 FOW.

We also fished for 3 hours in the AM, but only managed 3 kings. As bad as that sounds, there were reports of some people fishing for 6 hours and only being able to show one or two fish, while I know of at least one boat that came in with 14 fish this AM.

The Fish Are In!!!!!!!

We went out last night for two hours and managed to go 8 for 11 on what was a perfect lake for fishing. We fishing in a little North of TR, and in 150- 180 fow.

White flashers with flies that had green and LBB colors in their skirts. Most of the fish came at depth below the 100' mark.

This trip was a special one for me as it was a chance for me to spend time with my brother before he leaves for Iraq for the fourth time (they don't do much salmon fishing over there).

The Fishing Season Off To A Slow Start

The other day we had the honor of celebrating a wedding anniversary with a very fun couple (Mr. and Mrs. Kreger). We fished mid day from 12:30 to 4:00. Though not ideal fishing times, we did manage what would be this fall, to be a spawning king.

As a unique twist to their fishing trip, they had a few goals of the fishing trip. They were: to have a relaxing time on the water, catch what would be their dinner last night (we have made arrangements with a local restraunt where our clients can have their catch prepared for them), and take home memories that they would not be forgotten for a long time.

As for the fishing report, we managed our fish in 180 fow straight out of Two Rivers on a Mountain Dew flasher with a green and glow fly. Unfortunately the fishing right now is spotty. As soon as all the weather cooperates, the fish should turn on hot and heavy.

The Begining Of 2008 Fishing On the Big Lake

Due to work commitments, and then inclement weather I have not made it out on the lake as of this posting, but some close friends of mine have. Making their maiden voyage for 2008 they managed about 8 fish. As for the critical information regarding how these fish are caught, stick baits trolled only a few hundred yards off shore. Some key things to remember when trolling shallow clear water, run the lines planer far away from the boat.

Good luck and watch for submerged rocks.

Sue and Jamie
www.5BsFishing.com
www.RigYourBoat.com

The month of February is gone, and we move one month closer to when the ice will leave the marinas. As the weather gets warmer, the phones are ringing more and the emails are starting to fill the Inbox.

Even though right now many people are starting to plan their summer vacations, it's a good idea to verify if your charter of choice is still available for the vacation dates you are selecting. If you are in the processes of planning that special family vacation and not aware of some of the unique places of interest along the (Manitowoc, Brown, and Door county) lakeshore, drop us an email. We can let you know of some local events (and area attractions), and while you are planning for things to do, we can help you schedule a family fishing trip. From feedback (from past trips), a family fishing trip can easily be one of those special events of your family vacation that everyone talks about for weeks, and moths later.

Though gas prices are on the rise, there can never be a price placed on the value of doing family-oriented events. Children grow up too fast, and time on the water offers many memories that will never be forgotten.

In roughly 45 days, we could be chasing football Browns along the shore.

Is it January or April

Well, 2007 has come and gone. 2008 is here, and so is the 40 - 50 degree temperatures. As the warm weather moves in (temporarily), I wish I had some extra time to hit the big lake to try for some winter Browns.

Regardless, now is the time to begin going through our equipment and making repairs as needed, and even adding a few new things to our bag of tricks. To cure an "itchy" case of cabin fever, respooling, or reverse spooling all of our reels will take most of the month of January.

The warm weather is also affording us the opportunity to begin getting our new boat measured, and set up for the fishing season.

For those who may be looking for tips and tricks for the off season, keep visiting our Blog, for ideas.

Fishing line. To replace or not to replace. That is the question. Because of UV damage and its diameter, mono-line typically requires replacement. super-braid lines on the other hand, because of their UV stability and small diameter offer the option of respooling the line backwards on another reel.

Different people have different thought processes on the use of super-braid lines. Some fill their reels with a few hundred yards of mono, and then add 100 - 200 yards of super-braid line. In this case, respooling will probably not work.

But for those that use less than 100 yards of mono backing, and then fill their reels with 900 to 1000 feet of super braid, respooling backwards is a valid consideration. Respooling backwards involves starting with an empty reel that is the same size as the reel that is full of line. Then:

1. Install 100 yrds (approx) of mono backing to the empty reel.

2. Cut back about 50 feet of super braid line from the full reel. This is the end of the line that has been exposed to abrasions, knots, and rubbing on the downrigger releases.

3. Tie the freshly cut super braid line to the newly installed mono backing on the empty reel.

4. Begin winding the super braid line from the full spool to the empty spool. If all the measurements work correctly, by the time you reach the mono backing on the soon to be empty spool, the originally empty spool should be properly filled.

When you get to the backing on the soon to be empty reel, leave that backing in tact, and go to your next fishing reel. Repeat step 2 through 4 until all your reels are finished.

Some people ask “how does this work?” When using so much super braid line, the line on the bottom half of the spool never sees the light of day. Being that it is not exposed to UV, abrasions, or stress, the line is basically flawless and in perfect condition.

Please understand, there are exceptions to every rule, but for some people, this may work perfectly.

Lady Luck Strikes Again

Opening day of the 2007 gun season rendered nice results for my wife Sue. Two nice Does and an 8-pt buck.

Prep Work During The Winter

After fishing has ended, and hunting is over, all that's left is a severe case of cabin fever. We are starting a blog for people to read and add information about fishing on the big lake, and in the off season, feel free to post other outdoor activity information.

There is more to come in the coming weeks, please check back often.

***Please note, any inappropriate posts will be deleted***