Grand Rapids Lunker Hunter Spoonpluggers Meeting
July 2, 2009

Fishing Reports

Don Stephens reported catching bass and catfish on Mona Lake but no pike or walleye.  Tom Moore fished Fremont Lake and caught crappie, pike, and a few walleye.  The crappie were very cooperative and he is bringing 13 pounds of fish filets for the Muskegon Outing meal!  John Stepanovich fished with a friend on Green Lake and caught several bass trolling Spoonplugs from a ski boat.  John reported that he learned much from John Bales when he came up to our spring outing at Lower Herring Lake , and caught many fish then as well.  Roger Bouwkamp fished in Canada and caught many pike up to 40 ½ inches using a rattletrap in shallow water.  He found the weather colder and the fish not as active as last year.  Rules have changed, so check before you go up.  He also fished Murry Lake , boated a 36 inch musky, and lost a 46-48 inch one at the boat.  Charlie Myers fished Murry Lake also, and had a 40 inch musky hooked on a jerkbait over deep water.  Charlie also fished Wabasis Lake and had several pike and a 26 inch walleye from there.  Clarence Allen caught some decent crappie to 10 inches on Big Pine Island Lake .  Terry Velting fished Indian Lakes , which is man-made, 6 foot average depth, and stumps all over.  He caught 15 bass to 5 pounds, most on lighter weight jigs.  He emphasized that an erratic retrieve, close to the bottom, with horizontal movement was important.  Grant Hendrixson fished a White Lake bass tournament and caught fish on wacky style worms at very slow speeds.


PROGRAM

Charlie Myers talked about “Boat Control”.  He mentioned that the difference between an average and exceptional fisherman is the attention to detail that is paid.  It was noted that John Bales pays strict attention to important details in his fishing (Spoonplugging Guidelines).  Some of the methods of boat control discussed were:

1)   Anchoring---This allows for the very accurate depth and speed control, especially for the slower speeds with the use of jump lures.  Anchoring and casting should always be done when a fish is caught on the troll to check the area more thoroughly.  Anchoring also allows for accurate placement and coverage of medium speed presentations casting Spoonplugs.  With wind or current, it is more accurate to anchor the boat at both ends.  Reanchoring often is necessary to check an area suspected to have a school of fish.

2)   Slow back or forward trolling---Moving slowly backward with live bait or vertical jigging is another way of pinpoint fishing at slow speeds.  Also, front mounted electric motors are used to move slowly forward in the same manner.  For checking larger area structures at slower speeds, these methods are used while casting jump lures or crankbaits.  

3)   Controlled drift---Where fish are over a larger area, the wind is used to move the boat through the area using the gas or electric motor on and off to control the drift.  With high winds, a drift sock can help slow the drift speed down.  Jig and plastic and blade baits are often used for this slow speed boat control.

4)   Forward Trolling---This is the most important method of boat control for a Spoonplugger.  On a new lake, it should be used 80-90% of the time since trolling allows us to learn the structures more quickly (“trolling is our teacher”).  Spoonplugs are the most effective tools to use while mapping a lake because they are the most accurate in depth control and a variety of speeds can be checked.  Normally in summertime, faster speeds are the most effective and forward trolling gives us the fastest presentation speeds.  Retrieving crankbaits as fast as possible on the cast equates to a medium slow trolling speed of a Spoonplug.  Using short lines often adds to the effectiveness of summertime trolling.  The proper tools are important here also.  A trolling reel, No-Bo line, and Spoonplugging trolling rod controls our presentation most accurately, and telegraphs information to us the best.


A balanced and versatile fisherman should use both casting and trolling most every fishing day.  Knowledge and experience on the water helps us to evaluate (interpret) a situation and select the best approach to use.  Seasonal considerations enter into the picture also.  Numbers 1,2, and 3 above are methods of boat control that are used more in the colder water periods.  Number 4, forward trolling, should be used in all seasons.  The more familiar one becomes with a lakes’ structure, the more pinpoint presentations can be done.  We had a lively discussion on structure, muskies, jerk baits, blade baits, and GPS that added interest to a great program.  Thanks, Charlie!

                                 Chase Klinesteker