Hot Locations For Salmon And Trout

By Capt. Jim Hirt

I would like to share with you some of my key locations to find fish and the hottest set ups for early summer presentation.

The most important factor at this time of the year is water temperature. I recommend a must-item for you is a surface temperature gauge. Your gauge can be a simple hand held thermometer or a unit built into your fish locater.

Early summer is a great time for Coho and Chinooks. They prefer water temps in the mid fifties. Think about it, the temperature of Lake Michigan is in the 48-degree range. The most active fish are in the top twenty-five feet of water.

Find the warmest temperature you can. Sometimes I am fishing a temperature break of only a degree or two. You will find these temperature breaks at mouths of rivers, power plants and protected bays.

The wind direction will be a major player in warm water location. The surface warms first and wind will move this water around. On Wisconsin’s shore a light east wind does wonders for improving action.

The reason I used most of this article on temperature is because it is a key factor in finding fish. Temperature is almost more important than the type of lure you use.

Motor trolling is the method I use for most of my fishing, and I will explain one of my basic setups. If possible I would max out the number of rods, because more is better this time of year. I fish 50% of my lines on Yellow Bird planer boards. Find a brand you like and run all the same type.

The balance of my lines are on Slide Divers and downriggers. For lures I like Vulcan and Reaper regular spoons. On most days all of their colors will work. The water is too cold for flasher flies and they will be used when the water warms to over 52 degrees.

When fishing early in the season, fish metabolism or body temperature is very low and requires a slow presentation. I run my boat speed between 1.8 and 2.4 miles per hour.

The color of the lure is dictated by the amount of light and water color. On most days, in clear water, I use silver or glow lures. Hotter colors work best in cloudy water. You can’t go wrong with chartreuse in both conditions. The new glow in the dark lures are an excellent option.

I get my spoons at http://www.badgertackle.com The old rule of thumb applies, bright lures bright days, dark lures dark days.

Good luck!

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© 2008, James J. Hirt, All Rights Reserved.