Fishing Report

Catch and Cook (May-22-2012)

Media Availability “Catch & Cook” Partnership Program Launches in Michigan Members of the media are invited to attend the official launch of the “Catch & Cook” partnership program. “Catch & Cook” is the direct result of a partnership among the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Michigan State University Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Michigan Sea Grant, Michigan Charter Boat Association, and the Michigan Restaurant Association. “Catch & Cook” allows charter fishing clients who catch fish from Michigan’s Great Lakes an opportunity to take their fresh catch to a participating Michigan restaurant. The restaurant cooks and serves the fresh catch to anglers and their guests. It promotes and encourages creative, safe, marketing of Michigan Great Lakes sports fish through a partnership with the charter fishing industry and local restaurants. COHOOKER CHARTERS IS PARTICIPATING IN THE CATCH AND COOK PROGRAM WITH SPECTATORS RESTAURANT HERE IN SAUGATUCK. ENJOY A DAY OF FISHING AND THEN ENJOY A TASTY MEAL.

6th Grade Fishing Outing (May-22-2012)

Today we got a chance to take out about 70 Saugatuck 6th grade students as a reward for participating in the Salmon in the Classroom program. 17 boats (Saugatuck charter boats, private Saugatuck boats and a couple of Holland private boats) donated their time and boats to provide 5 hours of fishing for the students, writers and photographers. Better than 100 fish were caught and then cleaned by the charter captains and then cooked up by Ducks Unlimited and enjoyed by students, staff, observers and crews. I would like to thank two Holland boats, Cyndie Sue and Jim Bobber, all the Saugatuck private boats and the half dozen Saugatuck Charter Boats for taking part in this outing and making it a huge success.

Good spring salmon fishing (May-14-2012)

The salmon fishing this spring has been very good from 60 FOW out to 225 FOW. Today we caught 11 salmon, (2 coho and 9 chinook) with the majority of the salmon coming in 120 to 135 FOW. Today the best method was 200 and 300 foot of Copper line with Magnum Stingers and Stingray lures. We did catch a few fish on dipsy divers run at 80 foot and 150 foot of line with magnum stingers and stingray lures and white bladed mountain dew Pro Chip Flashers and Rapture wild fern flies. Last week Wednesday we tried to fish but 6 to 9 foot seas put an end to the trip. On Saturday the fishing was a little slower for us, however the salmon we caught was in 190 to 200 FOW with almost all the action on the wire dipsy divers at 120 and 200 foot of line. Each day is different, however if you are going out, I would suggest starting in 100 FOW and fish 200 and 300 foot of copper, downriggers at 60 to 120 foot down and dipsy divers from 80 to 200 foot out.. Magnum lures have produced better than the standard size lures.

Graduation Special (May-07-2012)

Graduation Special Plan ahead and give your graduate a gift that he/she will remember. Throughout the month of June, your graduate and their party can get an all day charter for the price of a half day trip. Call toll free 888-253-8372 for information and availability. There are no black out dates and charters can be booked on weekends as well as the weekday.

Shake Down Fishing Trip (May-04-2012)

We did our shake down fishing trip yesterday to make sure that everything is up and running. Went out at 9 AM and fished we were back at the dock about 12. We fished from 100 to 160 foot of water but all the action took place inside of 130 foot. We kept 4 chinook salmon that weighed about 12 to 15 pounds, returned one small salmon and lost a couple more. I later found out that the best fishing the day before was in 30 to 60 foot of water. It appears we may have overrun most of the fish, however we caught some nice fish and found out everything works and we are ready to start the charter season.