03/29/15 Big Bird Charters Fishing Blog - Saint Joseph/Benton Harbor, MI. Tourism and Region Insight.

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Lake MI. Iceburgs - Big Bird Charters

Welcome to this weeks blog posting by Big Bird Charters.  We are slowly escaping "Old Man Winters" grasp and it won't be long until we launch our 2015 salmon fishing season.  Only a few weeks until we are in full swing fishing operation!

 

Downtown St. Joseph, MI. Map - Big Bird Charters

Saint Joseph, MI. not only attracts fishing enthusiasts, but also offers a unique vacationing experience for all that visit.  Whether it's just a daily get-away or a week's vacation, there are diverse activities that entice all who visit.  From the family vacation to the guys/gals weekend retreat, St. Joe has got you covered on entertainment!

Sweet Sassy, Our loyal mascott!

Big Bird Charters is located at  143 Anchors Way, Slip #94 which is less than a mile from downtown St. Joseph*.  In the streets of St. Joe you will find a broad selection of locally owned shops and restaurants.  On most Saturdays you can find discounts at many of these stores to encourage "Shop Local".  One of our favorites is Fuzzy Butts, a store for your furry friends.  

Within a few blocks is the bluff in which you can catch a vast view of Lake Michigan and beautiful sunrises/sunsets.  Just down the bluff is the Whirlpool Compass Fountain, Curious Kids Museum, Silver Beach Carousel, Silver Beach Pizza, and beautiful Silver Beach County Park where everyone can soak up some rays and play in the sand.  The south pier is easily accessible from the beach where people like to walk and for many, fish.  Whether it's King Salmon, Coho Salmon, Steelhead/Skamania, White Fish, or Lake Trout...the pier sure packs in with eager fisherman.

For the golfing enthusiasts, you can get your swing on at The Golf Club at Harbor Shores that was designed by Jack Nicklaus and has held 2 Senior PGA Championships.  A wide range of Saint Joseph, MI area events including festivals, fairs, parades, and music concerts  take place in and around the streets and waterfront from May through October.  For the adult side, wine tasting venues and breweries can easily be found.  Czars, located in downtown St. Joseph is a popular music venue that attracts many that want to party and cut loose!

If it's tasty food your looking for, look no further. Downtown Saint Joseph has some great eclectic places to eat.  My top 3 recommendations is Thornton's Hometown Cafe for breakfast, The Buck Burger and Brew for lunch as they have amazing burgers and Tim's Too for dinner a unique style Asian noodle cafe where YOU get to put together your meal as you would want it.  Please be aware that these are great places to eat but everyone knows it!  The restaurants in this area are small so there will most likely be a wait, but it is well worth it!

South Pier Spring Coho Fishing, Lake MI - Big Bird Charters

Big Bird Charters Fishing Report:  Similar to last week.  Fishing is still a bit slow for the river and pier
fishermen.  Few fish caught at the Berrien Springs Dam.  Coho Salmon are biting at the piers and in the river, but nothing fast and furious.  Just a matter of time before the Coho bite is on!  We just need warmer weather to make the water temp just right.  Release your grip, cold temp!

Next week I will continue with Things To Do and Where To Stay in the Saint Joseph/Benton Harbor area.  Until then....All anglers be safe, keep your hooks sharp, and fish hard!

Captain Eric - "Little Bird"

* Just 100 miles @ 2 hours driving from Chicago, Illinois or 50 miles via Lake Michigan

   35 miles @ 45 minutes driving from South Bend Airport, Indiana

   188 miles @ 3 hours driving from Toledo, Ohio

   188 miles @ 3 hours driving from Detroit, Michigan

   218 miles @ 3.5 hours driving from Indianapolis International Airport, Indiana

   365 miles @ 6 hours driving from St. Louis, Missouri

3/22/15 Michigan Salmon Fishing Report – BIG BIRD CHARTERS

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Welcome to Big Bird Charters Salmon Fishing Blog.  With another week behind us, fishing is picking up here in the St. Joseph, MI. region.

St. Joseph, MI.  Piers 3 weeks ago - Big Bird Charters

Although the piers are still ice covered, it does not stop the hardcore anglers from dropping their lines.  Coho Salmon fishing is picking up, but still a slow catch rate.  The pier fisherman are also catching Steelhead, Brown Trout, and White Fish.  Yesterday, a five foot long Sturgeon found itself hooked on an anglers line, what a catch!  It was caught and released, as Sturgeon are not legal to keep at this time.  The basic baits used are spawn bags and chunks of skein.  The rig consists of a slip sinker ahead of a barrel swivel on the primary line(usually a 1.5 oz. to 2.5 oz. pyramid sinker).  A 3 to 4 foot floro-carbon leader is then tied to the barrel swivel with the hook at the end.  An egg loop knot is used when tying to the hook for using skein.  The loop harnesses the bait in place, otherwise much time will be spent on just changing out bait. 

Winter Steelhead Shoreline Fishing - Big Bird Charters

Another gathering spot for fisherman is the Berrien Springs Dam.  This dam is at the top of the St. Joseph River and separates the river from Lake Chapin.  Many of the big game fish that have made it this far upriver congregate and also navigate through the fish ladder of the dam.  When the fishing is ON, the shoreline is packed with anglers.  To avoid tangles, they systematically cast their drift lines in rhythm with each other.  When the rhythm is off, everyone knows it because the tangles and tempers flare up.  Many anglers use corkys, wobble glos, flys, skein chunks, and spawn bags.  They basically have a drop sinker ahead of their leader and bait, cast upstream and let their bait drift downstream….and repeat until someone yells FISH ON!

For those fishing by boat in the river, fishing is still a slow catch.  The best steelhead river fishing is taking place up by the dam.  They use the skein and spawn bag rigs as well as trolling plugs like hot n’ tots, flat fish, and mag lips. 

Ice cover on Lake MI. is still very prevalent, but it won’t be long until we are back out on the big lake!  I will cover more Lake Michigan Salmon Fishing trolling techniques as we get into our season.  To all anglers….be safe, keep your hooks sharp, and fish hard!

CAPT. ERIC – BIG BIRD CHARTER FISHING

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Saint Joseph, Michigan Summer Early Evening - Big Bird Charters

03/15/15 Big Bird Charters - Spring King & Coho Salmon Fishing www.bigbirdcharters.com

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Welcome to Big Bird Charters Sport Fishing Blog.  With the temps rising and the snow melting, the spring fishing is soon upon us!

Saint Joseph, MI. North Pier.  Fishing is right around the corner! - Big Bird Charters

The Craze For Spring Kings & Coho Salmon

Spring Kings & Coho Salmon

Standard trolling spoon

In one regard, fish are very similar to people as the warming temperatures emerge from the frozen land of the Midwest.  People are more upbeat and excited to take advantage of the outdoors and more comfortable weather.  The spring months that build our anticipation of fishing are creeping upon us as the fish rise from “hibernation”.

Healthy Spring King Salmon

As the river and lake thaws and water temperatures rise, this spikes the beginning of our fishing season.  The Spring Coho Salmon gather around the southern tip of Lake Michigan(Portage, IN., Michigan City, IN. area) due to warmer water temps because of shallow water close to shore.  Imagine how we notice a 10 degree difference in temp, fish are exponentially more sensitive  to temperature change.  All fish have a temperature range in which their bodies function with peak performance.  Coho Salmon – 40 to 52 degrees water temp.  These Coho start to migrate north following the bait 
 fish and desired water temperature which leads them straight to us in Saint Joseph, MI. 

Dipsy Divers

The Spring Kings follow a similar pattern as Coho.  Although these juvenile salmon don’t necessarily congregate in the southern shores like Coho, they are attracted to the warming waters of southern Lake Michigan.  They are most lively in 40-48 degree water temps.  They typically start their spring run just behind the Coho.  Needless to say, the fishing season starts off with a bang and provides plenty of fishing action and savory table fare.

“BIG BIRD BLING”  Lake Michigan Tackle & Baits

Effective crankbait

Planer Boards

Our Spring gear includes Shimano Ugly Stik rods (7’ and 9’) paired up with Abu Garcia Ambassador 7000 high speed reels and Okuma Convector reels.  The shallow water fishing gear include reels spooled with 20 pound test mono-filament line combined with leadcore line, which allows for covering different depth ranges.  Our normal fishing setup starts with downriggers(baits closest to boat), dipsy divers(sends baits down and away from the boat), then our planer board lines which allows more baits in the water by taking the lines out and away from the boat.  We cover the water column  range which often makes for steady action!

Coho Killers

Coho dodger & fly

As top producing baits and colors change year to year, some baits have held a top producing reputation for years on end.  One “go-to” bait for spring Coho is the “Brad’s Thinfish” crankbait.  The red body with black squiggles (presented to the right) is a coho-killer and can be found in most tackle boxes upon Lake Michigan.  Next up would be the 6” Luhr Jensen red/orange dodger(image on left) paired with what many call a peanut fly or Coho Candy.  Blue and green color schemes are the most common for Coho fishing. 

Flasher & Fly

Electric Perch

Last year(2014) prevailed some fast and furious Spring King Salmon fishing.  Our top producing rigs involved our dipsy diver rods in combination with an 8” flasher(Dream Weaver Spin Doctor - right image) and fly known as a Blue Dolphin color scheme.  The “Electric Perch”(image to left) colored trolling spoon made by “Warrior” held it’s own as well.  Year to year the desired colors can change, so we shall see what recipe our salmon prefer this season!

Thanks for dropping in and checking us out!  For those interested in experiencing our Spring King & Coho Salmon fishing….dates are available!

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03/01/2015 Big Bird Charters Bio, Introductions, Current News, More To Come www.bigbirdcharters.com

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BIO

 Jim Conder "Big Bird" - Owner/Captain

CAPTAIN JIM "BIG BIRD" was raised in Jackson, Mo. where he spent much of his childhood fishing the local creeks and ponds . Needless to say, fishing has been a passion of his for years.
Years later in June of 1980, he and a few buddies hit the road from IL. with a 20 ft. Sea Craft on trailer and headed for St. Joseph, MI. to try their luck with the big lake salmon fishing.  Although they caught 2 Lake Trout and got ran off by a storm, it was enough to have him "hooked".  In 1982 Jim purchased a 24ft. Sea Ray and off it went!  The birth of Big Bird Charters took flight in 1983 which led to 32 years of Lake Michigan Charter Fishing.  Years later he stepped it up with the purchase of a Carver Santa Cruz flybridge cabin cruiser.  Tough as nails and a fishing machine to current date.  His love for water, boating, and the challenge of fishing transcended into decades of sea time on Lake Michigan.

Eric Conder - Captain/Blog Writer

CAPTAIN ERIC,  son of Jim “Big Bird” made his return to the family fishing business in 2013.  Many of his childhood memories revolve around the marina and boating/fishing life.  As far back as childhood, Lake Michigan Fishing and boating was his “back yard” in the summer with fond memories of family fun.  He began working as first mate with his dad in his early teens.  From 2003 to 2011, he pursued a career down the music route in Nashville, TN.  There, he professionally trained in guitar building and sharpened his skills constructing high end custom instruments.  Although the great “Music City” etched lasting memories for him, he still could not resist the calling and return to the water life and thrills of Lake Michigan Fishing.  He obtained his 50 Ton Master Captain License in 2011 which enabled jobs from Alaska, Florida, and finally…back to Michigan!

INTRODUCTION

Welcome fishermen, fisherwomen, and all that are interested in Lake Michigan Fishing!  Our goal is to create a discussion “plate” in which EVERYONE is invited to interact, from the bluegill angler to the marlin angler….all are welcome.  If you aren’t a fisherman/gal but are just plain interested, this blog is for you!  We encourage all questions and opinions so that we may raise awareness and educate folks about our Great Lake Michigan Fishery as well as gaining knowledge of fisheries nationally and internationally.  All positive energy so that we may all gain and learn from each other.  

CURRENT NEWS 

Big Bird In Flight - End Of Season Blues - Big Bird Charters

This is the time of year when we are just busting at the seams to get our season started.  The anticipation and anxiety rises to get back out on the lake and start fishing.  Gear and tackle is prepped and now we wait until April.  Once the cover of the boat comes off from it's winter hibernation, it is time to attack the "to-do" list and get the boat ready for the season.  We will start our season the last week of April and bust right on into May for the spring Kings and Coho Salmon.

According to NOAA satellite reports, Lake Michigan is right around 75% frozen over and the St. Joseph river is completely locked up with ice.  There is a very small portion of open water close to the Berrien Springs Dam.  Just about the same as last year.  Although the lake is frozen over, it is not safe to ice fish.  There is always water current flow below the ice which creates inconsistent ice thickness.  With ice cover as far as the eye can see from the pier heads, it sure is a sight to see, but we are ready for the big thaw!

Folks are doing well at ice fishing on the local smaller lakes and tributaries.  From bluegill, crappie, pike, perch, and walleye there is bound to be fun had by those motivated to get out there.

MORE TO COME

King Salmon Delight - Big Bird Charters

Next week I will talk more in depth about our various methods and techniques used throughout our fishing season.  Topics will include fishing shallow to deeper water, baits used for targeting certain species, copper line vs. leadcore, and insight on how all this ties together.  We look forward to hearing your feedback and hope that the information is beneficial to those that are interested.  Snow be gone and let's get to fishing!

BIG BIRD CHARTERS - CAPTAIN ERIC

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