Showing posts with label Lake Michigan Salmon Fishing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lake Michigan Salmon Fishing. Show all posts

Sunday, May 17, 2015

05/17/15 BIG BIRD CHARTERS FISHING BLOG - LAKE MICHIGAN SALMON FISHING REPORT & NEWS.


king salmon, lake trout, coho salmon, steelhead, michigan fishing
VERY SUCCESSFUL 2 BOAT FISHING TRIP.  ALWAYS FUN WITH THIS CREW! - BIG BIRD CHARTERS

Welcome to BIG BIRD CHARTERSBLOG & DISCUSSION.  Fishing this week has been great and we have had a lot of fun with our group's on the water.  Right now we are finding our fish in deeper water and all throughout the water column from the surface to the bottom as there is not much change in water temperature from top to bottom.


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AWESOME CATCH KIDDO!
michigan sport fishing, sw michigan fishing, saint joseph mi fishing, salmon charters
FISHIN' & GRINNIN'!
We love having kids out on the water to experience Salmon Fishing on Lake Michigan.  This fishing is much different to other styles and types of fishing and we take pride in teaching and educating people of all ages about this fishery.  To the left, this King Salmon fought hard and Carson never gave up and refused the help of other's to land this beauty in the boat.  To the right, is Connor and his Lake Trout.  Lake Trout are indeginous to Lake Michigan and right now they are very active and prevalant in our daily catch.  Many prefer to "smoke" their trout, but is also delicious baked in a marinade or even just lemon and butter. 

michigan family fishing, perch fishing, bluegill, crappie, bass fishing, rapture trolling flies, stinger trolling spoons, dreamweaver spoons
TIM & HIS KING SALMON
moonshine lures, berts custom tackle, luhr jensen, yakima baits, okuma reels, daiwa, shimano
KERNIGHAN FAMILY FISHING
 Our fishing gear is designed to cover the entire water column range.  Right now, most of our smaller fish are caught from the surface to 30 feet down even though we may be in 200 foot of water.  We use a variety of rod/reel combos consisting of leadcore line, trolling spoons, and body baits. Our deeper running rigs include downriggers, dipsy diver rod/reel combos, and rods/reels that are equipped with different lengths of copper line to achieve varying depths.  Although our 300' copper rigs are not a high producer yet, they will be soon!



  
big bird charters, salmon fishing charters, salmon and trout charters, st joseph river, steelhead
Spring fishing is really shaping up nicely and we are always eager to see what each day of fishing will reveal.  If any of you have questions or comments about Lake Michigan Salmon Fishing, please feel free to drop us a line for discussion.  For inquiries on setting up a fishing excursion with us at Big Bird Charters, please contact us at the info below.  Thanks for viewing our blog and good fishing to all!


Captain Eric




http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g42673-d6212968-Reviews-Big_Bird_Charters-Saint_Joseph_Berrien_County_Michigan.html 









Sunday, May 10, 2015

05/10/15 BIG BIRD CHARTERS FISHING BLOG - LAKE MICHIGAN SALMON FISHING REPORT AND NEWS



 

tackle, salmon, lakes and streams, fishing charters
Gary and his 18 lb. mammoth Lake Trout - BIG BIRD CHARTERS


tackle haven, salmon, king salmon, coho salmon, lake trout
Before........

Welcome once again to BIG BIRD CHARTERS FISHING salmon fishing & news.  For those that follow weekly, we regret not posting a report for last week.  With various tasks and fishing at hand, we have been busy none the less....not too busy to hit the water and drop some lines!  The last two weeks of fishing have produced a lot of meat in the box.  Just this week alone we have had trips everyday with over 114 fish caught and taken home!  Though, fishing is fishing and some days are better than others, the month of May salmon and trout fishing is shaping up greatly.  More and more numbers of fish are caught every day and the spring King Salmon are making their presence known.  

fishing tackle, stinger spoons, lake michigan, salmon trips
and after....- BIG BIRD CHARTERS


Bob and Kevin are great to have on board "Big Bird" and we always love finding the fish for them.  Today we caught 4 King Salmon, 4 Coho Salmon, 4 Steelhead, and 1 Lake Trout. 


salmon fishing, penn reels, chigaco, alaska, king salmon, pacific salmon
Slammin' the King Salmon! - BIG BIRD CHARTERS

 

 

Our own Danville, IL. native Dr. Conn showing off his beautiful King Salmon.  Big fish are biting!

 

  

Hungry? - BIG BIRD CHARTERS

Great times with Gary Martin and crew.  A mixture of King Salmon, Coho Salmon, Lake Trout, and Steelhead bit the line and hit the ice.  A great crew and awesome fishing had by the whole crew!

 

 

 

Stay tuned for more fishing news and updates,

Captain Eric - BIG BIRD CHARTERS

Dates available: Captain Jim - 269 470 4149

                           Captain Eric - 615 426 2179

 

Monday, April 27, 2015

04/27/15 BIG BIRD CHARTERS FISHING BLOG - FISHING REPORT AND NEWS







king salmon, coho salmon, lake trout, brown trout, steelhead, rainbow trout, michigan fishing charters
Just A Little View From The Marina - Big Bird Charters


Welcome to Big Bird Charters Fishing Blog and Discussion.  This week will be short and sweet as we are preparing to kick off our heavy month of May fishing.  Lake Michigan fishing is picking up and our gear is more than ready for the tasty Coho Salmon, Spring Kings, and Trout. 


lake michigan fishing, salmon charters, field & stream, cabellas, bass pro, fishing gear, lake trout
BIG BIRD READY TO GO!

The fishing report for this week is not a strong one, but it does show promise for how things will shape up.  The main factor of the "hot & cold" fishing is all of our April storms and heavy winds.  There have been many fish caught already, but as soon as the good fishing starts to set up...the heavy weather scatters the fish which resets the tracking of the fish.  This is common for this time of the year, just increases the challenge of fishing.  Baits commonly used for this time of the season are crank baits, dodgers and fly's, and smaller trolling spoons consisting of blue, green, red, and orange color schemes.  We are highly anticipating May fishing and are ready to rock n' roll!

 

New for "BIG BIRD" in the 2015 season is the use of a Go Pro action camera.  We will catch plenty of reel time action so we can deliver the real feel of what salmon fishing is like on Lake Michigan.  Stay tuned for all the "live action" and see what the Lake Michigan Salmon Fishing buzz is all about!!

 

Until next week...If the fishing ain't easy, fish harder!

 

Captain Eric – Big Bird Charters


















Sunday, March 29, 2015

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






michigan salmon charters, spring coho fishing, king salmon, mi charter boats, sw mi. fishing
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!
 
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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!



Michigan boat captains, fishing Mi., michigan sport fishing, Mi. vacation
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!

salmon fishing, tackle shops, lake trolling, king salmon fishing, Saint Joseph Michigan
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!


* 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

Sunday, March 15, 2015

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

www.bigbirdcharters.com

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


great lakes, michigan fishing, salmon, king salmon, coho salmon
Saint Joseph, MI. North Pier.  Fishing is right around the corner! - Big Bird Charters


The Craze For Spring Kings & Coho Salmon



mi. charter boats, tourism, lakes, streams, rivers, lake trout, steelhead
Spring Kings & Coho Salmon
warrior trolling spoons, mixed veggie, sport fishing, marinas, boats, okuma reels



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”.

chinook salmon, coho salmon, bait shops, fishing gear, lake michigan, great lakes
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, walker, cannon, downriggers, fishing rods, berkley, penn reels, fly fishing, michigan
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


big bird, tackle shops, family vacations, michigan charters, catching salmon, rod and reel
Effective crankbait
church tackle, planer boards, inland lakes, ocean fishing, walleye fishing, yellow perch, big fish
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 baits, dreamweaver, trolling spoons, dw spin doctors, gamakatsu hooks, trolling gear
Coho Killers
luhr jensen, coho candy, salmon angler, pacific salmon, atlantic salmon, spring coho fishing
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. 

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Flasher & Fly
family fishing trips, fishing trips, mi. charters, mcba, catch and cook, st. joseph river fishing, trout, salmon
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!
www.bigbirdcharters.com  (269) 470 - 4149












Sunday, March 1, 2015

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

www.bigbirdcharters.com

BIO

michigan fishing, saint joseph mi charters, salmon, lake trout, steelhead, gamakatsu, eagle claw
 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.

big bird, chicago fishing, vmc hooks, owner hooks, luhr jensen, church tackle, rapalla, bass pro
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 


raymarine, carver yachts, tiara, costa del mar, cabellas, fishing, michigan steelhead
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

yakima bait, michigan piers, mi. sunsets, sw michigan, salmon fishing, trout
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!