Wisconsin

[jim_blue_max_charters]

Milwaukee Fishing Lake Michigan Salmon Reports 6/1/2009
By Capt. Jim Hirt
May ended with decent fishing for Chinook, Coho and Lake Trout. You may have to move around to get a respectable cooler of fish. Deep and shallow water are two different fisheries. Water Temperatures are coming up and this should improve the action on all species.

Patterns and program under 60 feet
There are two different options for fishing, which should produce for all big and small boat anglers. Around the harbor break wall gaps we are taking Coho Chinook and Browns. This is an all spoon bite for Chinook on downriggers. With Coho coming on Church Walleye Planner Boards with 25-foot leads and 3/8-ounce weight. OO dodgers or 6-inch flashers and medium blue or green flies are my go to bait for Coho. When the gaps are slow move out east. Switch the presentation to five and eight color leadcore on boards or downriggers 25 to 48 down with all spoons. Our best spoons has been the blue and green Magnum Reaper Peacock or the Reaper Magnum Fish n Chip. Action has been in 50 to 60 feet. When the wind and waves keep you in, the gaps will produce. Water is still cold at 46 degrees and fish may be scattered.

Patterns and program 100 to 140 feet
Out in the deeper water South and East of the main gap Milwaukee is the best fishing for Lake Trout and Coho. Our fish came on Magnum Reaper spoons for Lake Trout or OO dodgers or 6-inch flashers and medium blue or green flies for Coho. Experiment with lengths of the fly leader to the dodger or flasher. Start with 3 times the length of the attractor. The standard presentation for Coho is Church Walleye Planner Boards with 25-foot leads and 3/8-ounce weight. The water is very clear and you must run the spoons 50 to 100 behind the downrigger weight 70 to 100 down to get Lakers.
Some of our best producing spoons have been Reaper Magnum Peacock Silver and Magnum Fish n Chip on sunny days. Try the Reaper Magnum Glow spoons on overcast cloudy days. For small spoons the Vulcan Dolphin Green Silver and combinations of silver spoons with green or blue accent colors. I tried plugs with no action. Run the boat speed at 1.9 to 2.3 MPH. Vulcans, Nestor Wobblers and Reapers are sold only on the web at http://www.badgertackle.com Have a great fishing season. Let's go fishing!! 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 Copyright© 2009, James J. Hirt, All Rights Reserved.

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Milwaukee Fishing Lake Michigan Salmon Reports 5/26/2009
By Capt. Jim Hirt
May fishing for Lake Trout has been steady and predictable with a few Chinooks to 18 pounds. We have been out over this Memorial Day weekend. Water Temperatures are coming up and this should improve the action on all species.

Patterns and program under 35 feet
Here are two different options for fishing, which should produce for all big and small boat anglers. Around the harbor and in the break wall gaps mostly Browns. This is an all small spoon bite. Church Walleye Planner Boards with 25-foot leads and 3/8-ounce weight is taking browns from 3 to 10 pounds. Downriggers at all depths are also working. Slide Divers are also producing. Our best spoon has been the red and white Nestor Wobbler Sunburn Glow, Vulcan Bloody Nose Glow and Vulcan OL Sherbet. When the wind and waves keep you in, the gaps are options. The water flowing into Milwaukee harbor is 67 degrees the lake is 48.

Patterns and program 80 to 110 feet
Out in the deeper water South and East of the main gap or Northeast of Milwaukee has held the best fishing for Lake Trout and Chinook 10 to 18 pounds. No action on Coho this weekend. Our fish came on Magnum and 3 inch spoons. Two, three, four, five and eight color leadcore or downriggers 12 to 48 down had action. The water is very clear and you must run the spoons 50 to 100 behind the downrigger weight to get fish.
Some of our best producers have been Reaper Magnum Peacock Silver and Magnum Fish n Chip on sunny days. Try the Reaper Magnum Glow spoons on overcast cloudy days. For small spoons the Vulcan Dolphin Green Silver and combinations of silver spoons with green or blue accent colors. I tried plugs with no action. Run the boat speed at 2.1 to 2.4 MPH. Vulcans, Nestor Wobblers and Reapers are sold only on the web at http://www.badgertackle.com Have a great fishing season. Let's go fishing!! 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 Copyright© 2009, James J. Hirt, All Rights Reserved.

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Milwaukee Fishing Lake Michigan Salmon Reports 5/19/2009
By Capt. Jim Hirt
May fishing is improving and action on Chinooks has been good. We have been out everyday for the six days. Tons of baitfish around and this should crank up the action.

Patterns and program under 35 feet
Here are two different options for fishing, which should produce for all big and small boat anglers. Around the harbor and in the break wall gaps mostly Browns with some Chinook and post spawn Rainbows. This is an all small spoon bite. Church Walleye Planner Boards with 25-foot leads and 3/8-ounce weight is taking browns from 3 to 10 pounds. Downriggers at all depths are also working. Slide Divers are producing very well set to #3 with 35 feet of line out. Our best spoon has been the red and white Nestor Wobbler Sunburn Glow, Vulcan Bloody Nose Glow and Vulcan OL Sherbet. When the wind and waves keep you in the gaps are options. The water flowing into Milwaukee harbor is 66 degrees the lake is 46.

Patterns and program 45 to 60 feet
Out in the deeper water South and East of the main gap Milwaukee has held the best fishing for Chinook 10 to 18 pounds and Lake Trout. All our fish came on Magnum spoons. Two, three, four and five color leadcore or downriggers 12 to 45 down had action. The water is very clear and you must run the spoons 50 to 100 behind the downrigger weight to get fish.
Some of our best producers have been Reaper Magnum Peacock Silver and Magnum Fish n Chip on sunny days. Try the Reaper Magnum Glow spoons on overcast cloudy days. Run the boat speed slow in the 1.8 to 2.1 MPH for the cold water. I tried plugs and flasher flies with no action. Vulcans, Nestor Wobblers and Reapers are sold only on the web at http://www.badgertackle.com Have a great fishing season. Let's go fishing!! 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 Copyright© 2009, James J. Hirt, All Rights Reserved.

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Milwaukee Fishing Lake Michigan Salmon Reports 5/11/2009
By Capt. Jim Hirt
May fishing is good. On the overcast days the number of fish are better. We have been out every other day for the last week. Mostly Browns with some Lake Trout and Coho. The Browns are coming on Vulcan Bloody Nose Glow spoons inside and outside the harbor, with Coho on small spoons like the OL Sherbet. We fished in the rain Saturday and action was good. The water flowing into Milwaukee harbor is 64 degrees the lake is 44. We have been fishing the temp breaks in front of the harbor gaps marking fish at all depths. Picked up a couple of fish in 30 feet of water on the Filtration Plant reef also. Our best presentations are Church Walleye planer boards with 25 foot leads behind the boards and downriggers 20 to 25 feet down. The fish have been very picky for spoon color and size. Some of our best producers have been Vulcan Bloody Nose, OL Sherbet, Orange Slush and Reaper Cheese Weasel sold at http://www.badgertackle.com also Michigan Stinger silver orange spoons. Inside the harbor and depending on wind direction the north and south gaps are producing fish. The fish at the north gap came on small spoons. Silver blue spoons worked best for us running 60 feet behind the ball on downriggers 8-15 feet down. Our best boat speed was 2.4 mph. Slide Divers are producing very well set to #1 with 35 feet of line out. Have a great fishing season. Let's go fishing!! 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 Copyright© 2009, James J. Hirt, All Rights Reserved.

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Milwaukee Fishing Lake Michigan Salmon Reports 5/3/2009
By Capt. Jim Hirt
April fishing is good to ok could be better. Most of our charter trips are catching 4 to 7 fish. Mostly Browns with some Lake Trout, Rainbows and Chinooks. The 4 year old Chinooks are coming on Reaper Magnum Fish Fry Glow spoons inside the harbor. We fished clear skies Saturday wind was west. The water flowing into Milwaukee harbor is 54 degrees. We have been fishing the temp breaks in front of the river mouth and harbor gaps marking fish at all depths. Picked up a couple of fish in 30 feet of water on the filter also. Our best presentations are Church Walleye planer boards with 25 foot leads behind the boards and downriggers 20 to 25 feet down. The way I set up a planer board is with 20 lb. mono to a 1/4-ounce bead chain sinker. Use 6 feet of 15 lb. Seaguar fluorocarbon leader from the sinker to a size #1 Cross Lock snap and lure. The fish have been very picky and this changes day to day. Some of our best producers have been Vulcan OL Sherbet, Orange Slush and Reaper Cheese Weasel sold at http://www.badgertackle.com also Michigan Stinger Natural Born Killer and most of their silver orange spoons. Inside the harbor and depending on wind direction the north and south gaps are producing fish. The fish at the north gap came on small spoons. Silver blue spoons worked best for us running 60 feet behind the ball on downriggers 8-15 feet down. Our best boat speed was 2.2 mph. Slide Divers are producing very well set to #2 with 30 feet of line out. Have a great fishing season. Let's go fishing!! 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 Copyright© 2009, James J. Hirt, All Rights Reserved.

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Milwaukee Fishing Lake Michigan Salmon Reports 10/15/2008
By Capt. Jim Hirt
The two and three year-old Chinooks have been active with action in 90 to 210 feet. This has been an all spoon bite. Work from 50 to 160 down on Magnum Fish N Chip Silver and Fish Fry Glow spoons. Read my report to get the best tips and presentations for the silver Chinooks.
We are catching mostly Chinook, Lake Trout and Brown Trout. The main and north gap Milwaukee has been holding some Brown Trout but that area has been slow. Our most productive presentation at the gaps has been Reaper Magnum Silver or glow spoons. The best colors are Peacock, Fish N Chip and Green Fox Glow.
The best action is to go deep to 150 feet and deeper. We are fishing north off the Filtration Plant. Downriggers, divers and 10-color leadcore are all working. To optimize this presentation troll slow at 1.8 to 2.0 MPH. The Reaper Spoons work very well at these slow speeds and slower is better most of the time for Chinook. I run my divers set at #1 with 150 feet of line out. Downriggers 60 to 160 down are also productive. First light and last light fishing will yield the most fish on the sunny days.
You must check the water temps look for cooler water. Most of the water is 60 degrees. We are finding our fish in this warm water. On Saturday the fish were 50 to 165 down and Sunday about the same. Church Walleye planer boards with 10 colors Cortland Kerplunk leadcore are taking Chinook. Leadcore with magnum spoons has been my best producer on sunny calm water days.
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!!

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Milwaukee Fishing Lake Michigan Salmon Reports 10/8/2008
By Capt. Jim Hirt
The last four days two and three year-old Chinooks have been active with action in 150 to 200 feet. This has been an all spoon bite. Work from 25 to 60 down on Magnum Fish N Chip and Fish Fry spoons. Read my report to get the best tips and presentations for the silver Chinooks. I do have openings on my schedule to put you on some great eaters in the 5 to 12 pound size give me a call.
We fished every day the last four days catching mostly Chinook and Brown Trout. The main and north gap Milwaukee has been holding some Brown Trout but that area has been slow. We did pick up this 15 pound 9 ounce Brown. It was caught by David Miller of KC Missouri. Our most productive presentation at the gaps has been Reaper Magnum Silver or glow spoons. The best colors are Peacock, Fish N Chip and Green Fox Glow.
The best action is to go deep to 150 feet and deeper. We are fishing due east off the US Bank building. I tried north but found better action south. Downriggers, divers and 10-color leadcore are all working. To optimize this presentation troll slow at 1.8 to 2.0 MPH. The Reaper Spoons work very well at these slow speeds and slower is better most of the time for Chinook. I run my divers set at #2 with 150 feet of line out. Downriggers 30 to 60 down are also productive. First light and last light fishing will yield the most fish on the sunny days.
You must check the water temps look for cooler water. Most of the water is 60 degrees. We are finding our fish in this warm water. On Saturday the fish were 30 to 65 down and Sunday about the same. Church Walleye planer boards with 10 colors Cortland Kerplunk leadcore are taking Chinook. Leadcore with magnum spoons has been my best producer on sunny calm water days.
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!!

[jim_blue_max_charters]

Milwaukee Fishing Lake Michigan Salmon Reports 9/29/2008
By Capt. Jim Hirt
The last six days four-year-old Chinooks have been active with action in the gaps and out to 40 feet. Work the areas near the gaps with Reaper Spoons and plugs. 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 every day the last six days catching Chinook, Coho, Lakers and Brown Trout. The main and north gap Milwaukee has been the magnet for fish. Our most productive presentation is Reaper Magnum Silver or glow spoons. The best colors are Peacock, Fish N Chip and Green Fox Glow. 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 best days for an all day bite have been overcast. First light and last light is hot on the sunny days.
Another option for you, if the gap fishing is slow, try going deep to 60 feet of water and fishing 25 to 50 down. Spoons, plugs and flasher flies are all working. You must check the water temps. On Saturday the fish were 25 to 42 down and Sunday about the same. The area south of the Filtration Plant has been best. 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. White flashers with white flies have been working. . Church Walleye planer boards with 5, 8 and 10 colors Cortland Kerplunk leadcore are taking all species. Leadcore with magnum spoons has been my best producer on sunny calm water days.
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!!

[jim_blue_max_charters]

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!!

[jim_blue_max_charters]

Milwaukee Fishing Lake Michigan Salmon Reports 9/3/2008
By Capt. Jim Hirt
The last three days of wind has kept the temperature break and currents on the move. Correct boat speed and presentation has been the answer to catching fish. Key in on 50 degree temperature for success. Surface temperature is 70 with the Temperature break moving each day. Trolling west to east will cover a large spread of temperatures and currents. When you mark fish on the locator without success change direction and see if that helps. Currently the action down is at 25 to 120 feet. We are catching mostly Chinook and Big Brown Trout to 14 pounds. The photo with this report is of two big Browns. The fish are in 45 to 120 feet of water. The best action is over 100 feet east of the Filtration Plant and north for 2 and 3 year old Chinook. Four year old Chins are in the warm water and the rain the next two days should bring some of them up the Milwaukee River. Look for them outside the harbor and out to 65 feet of water. Church Walleye planer boards with 8 and 10 color Cortland Kerplunk leadcore and 300 feet of copper wire are taking Chinooks. For all species on sunny days use Reaper Magnum Monkey Puke, Peacock, Fish n Chip and Big Joe Silver spoons. Use all glow spoons early in the morning and inside the harbor. On overcast days and low light try the Reaper Magnum Blue Fox Glow spoons. We are getting good reports of action in the warm water conditions on both sides of Lake Michigan on these glow spoons. This makes sense as most of the fish are coming deep and the glow spoons are most visible for the fish in deep water presentations. 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 ranged in size from 3 to 21 pounds. Trolling at 1.8 to 2.0 miles per hour at the ball will get more fish. Experiment with speed up to 2.6 MPH. Lately a faster speed has worked for the big Chins. 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!!