Downriggers

Downriggers can ruin your fishing experience, yet without them, your chances of catching the big fish are severely limited! Learn how we lost the big ones and how you can keep yours.We left port around 7:00pm and headed out with our 15 foot Sylvan Sportsman modified with two downriggers. We didn’t have to go far, just outside the Channel at Muskegon into about 60 feet of water.

Our usual spot is around 110 feet, but the experts at Shoreline Service Bait and Tackle suggested 60 feet. Shoreline bait and tackle also suggested using two types of glow spoons with our downrigger and of course we added them to our arsenal.

Just as the sun hit the horizon, the first fish hit - Massive and a fighter that eventually cut the line. The second one was a smaller Salmon but well over the limit and also a fighter.

The third one was a massive Salmon that provided us with the longest and most aggressive battle yet. It was the type of battle that every fish enthusiast hopes to experience, but rarely does!

The Eyes of the Beast!

It’s the scream of the line being taken out that excites the soul and this night was no exception! We finally brought the beast close to the boat when it appeared to look at us, then took off with renewed strength.

In the end, we thought we had the beast, but just then it went straight for the downrigger, wrapped itself around the line, and broke free. At the same time, we lost our weight, the back light went out and said goodbye to another spoon.

Downrigger

Moral of the story: If you’re using downriggers Get your weights up ASAP when a fish is on and when the guys at Shoreline Bait and Tackle tell you what spoons to use, do it!

We’ll be posting pictures of the spoons used and of the guy who lost the fish crying.

The Mean get Meaner!

Note: The fish are becomming more aggressive as they get closer to the river, so if you’re looking for a good fight, now is the time!