Apostle Islands

[Handsonthepole]

Making our first trip to Apostle Islands next weekend and was wondering if I could gte some advice? I just rigged my boat up with downriggers and was hoping someone could steer me in the right direction on where to start my adventure. Mostly want to fish lakers but wouldn't mind trying for some salmon as well. We are camping north of Bayfield and using the casino marina. I don't even know what tackle to use or what pound wieghts! Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[tunrevir]

This time of year you can troll stick baits near shore. Spread out a bunch of baits and troll along the shorelines and eventually your going to find fish. There are a lot of different species available in and around the islands and along the shore of the mainland this time of year. I like to run a variety or stick baits in flashy and bright colors, chrome clown, cheap sunglasses, eeriedescent, 57 chevy to name a few. Marine General in Duluth can point you in the right direction. work the 20 to 60' range with dypsies, snap weights and your riggers. You can run a spread and tour around the islands which can be a great way to sight see and fish at the same time.

Tunrevir~

[bmc]

A relative of mine fishes up by there every spring, he was just there over the Memorial Day weekend.

He pounded the fish, mainly lake trout up shallow running stick baits behind planer boards.

Sounds like he usually fished in a few feet of water at times.

Hope this helps.

Brian

[Handsonthepole]

A little late with this report but overall I would say my first Lake Superior trip was a success. Unfortunately we didnt get to really utilize the downriggers as all the fish we caught were on the surface in less than 20 ft of water. Using planer boards and stickbaits we ended with 5 lakers, 6 coho and 1 chinook. Fished 2 days for about 5 or 6 hrs each day and the last day just for an hour as it was too nice out to pass up before heading home! We did lose a few as well and had one on that felt quite heavy. One of the coho's was pushing 5 lbs or more. I don't know if that is considered good fishing but it was definitely fun trying something new. I am really chomping at the bit to run the downriggers so pretty sure it won't be long before I head back. Thanks to everyone who helped out with the info!

[tunrevir]

Great job and great report! I know a lot of folks that get stumped pretty quick when it comes to great lakes fishing. You did very well! It is fishing like that, that will keep you coming back! Great job! Any hot baits you want to clue us into?

Tunrevir~

[Handsonthepole]

Definitely orange and anything with purple in it. All were 6in shallow running raps. 60ft of line behind the board. When they hit it was awesome. Jumped 3ft out of the water. No clue how deep the raps were running but I am guessing pretty close to the surface. Supposedly there is a formula to figure that out but I have no clue what it is. Started running 20ft behind boards and ended up being much farther. Maybe because they were so shallow?