Door County in late July

[evntam]

Hello all. I can usually be found commenting on the BWCA/Duluth page, but I find myself in the fortunate position to be able to go to Lake Michigan the last full week of July. My wife has a week long seminar - in the morning hours, in Egg Harbor - that's on Green Bay's side of Door County, opposite of Baileys Harbor. I haven't been out there since the mid 80s, so I need help here. I know its over a month away, but I'm getting antsy allready for some big kings. I'm interested in two things:
1) any tips for me? I'm getting pretty good at fishing L. Superior around the Apostles, but I know L Michigan is a different animal. So, broad question, what's working out there?
2) Anyone else going anywhere out there at the same time. I'd sure be willing to share info with anyone when I go, and/or when I get back.
Thanks
E

[Guest]

Boy oh boy, I just came back from Sand Bay Resort owned by Dale Strocheim and fishing around little and big sturgeon bays for smallies was post spawn and should be awesome in july, spinnerbaits were the hot ticket especially in rileys bay because of all of the floating weeds, try rocket shad in perch or slip a white tube on a strike king #2,and blue chrome rattle traps, on any of those bays, the east side was best. 4# was average size and they were really spread out on the flats from 10' in to shore. We got some kings and steelies on bank reef, white or pearl dodgers or flashers with greenish flys were tops there, also a few on dipsy spoon in raspberry about 10-15 passes. Wish i was still there

[SuddenlySummer]

God I love fishing Kings in Door County! Be sure to sign up for the Kewannee/Door County Salmon Tournament.

If your going out of Bailey's Harbor, I'd run a bit south to Jackson pt. It's the first point you'll see on the horizon looking south. You can also run North to the "candy stripe".

Start shallower in the morning (50 ft. 5 a.m.) then work deeper as the sun rises in the sky. Beware of the nets!

You are looking at a fly/dodger bite and some spoons. Pick up some 00 and 0 Lure Jensen dodgers in Yellow, Pearl, Silver and Orange. You'll also need to get some flies. Howie flies work well. Green, Pearl, Green/Blue. Get an assortment of colors.

The key to fishing flys successfully is the length of the leader from the dodger to the fly. 22 inches from the end of the hook to the dodger is where you should start. Experiment with the length of the leader. The more active the fish, the shorter the leader. I'd go no longer than 30 inches. Get some 40lb test and retie the flies.
Also pick up some #2 Gamagatsu EWG hooks and replace the hook that the fly comes with.

Put at least 40 feet of line behind the cannonball, maybe even more. The bigger kings get spooked from the cannonball. Just experiment. Also put a slider on your deep cannonball.

Get some Dipsey divers. Run your inside dipsy's at 1.5 and your outside dipsy's at 2.5. You can run flys and dodgers behind them or get some Mauler spoons.

Have fun!

[evntam]

To SuddenlySummer:

Thanks for the great info! I love the idea of seeing the sun shine off a silvery king in the early morning hours, as it enters my landing net....I have to stop day dreaming, or my boss will fire me. Ha!

E

[can it be luck?]

SS has some very good info. The salmon really start to pick up as July and August approach. Here's a few reports others have posted elsewhere on the net. The area is Kewaunee/Algoma......I'll be heading there tomorrow if all goes well.

6/24
Rough weather and calm, double digit catches, and even many limit catches continue to come in this week! Most of these catches have been mainly kings, with some coho's, lake trout, and steelhead mixed in.
Both charter boats and private boaters reported really good catches all week. On some days a few anglers struggle, but it seemed it is only a lack of "landing" more fish. Everyone seems to be getting a fair share of fish strikes. Water temps have cooled considerably in shallow. Many anglers have trolled out to 250' plus to find the warmer 50 degree surface temps. Deeper water held more friendly surface fish, with steelhead and coho's highlighting the action. The larger kings still were active deeper sown in the shallower water.

Aqua and green flies run behind white or green flashers worked the best and some yellow flashers also took some fish. Best depths are still between the 100 to 300 foot depths. Most of the fish were caught suspended 30 to 80 down. Dipsy's, leadcore, 1# balls and downriggers are all producing fish. Flies and flashers took alot of the fish, but spoons were also working. R & R"s, Yeck's, and ProKing spoons have all produced fish.

While the fish are spread out over a large area, there are "pockets" of concentrated fish. Work these areas in several directions to increase your catch. The past couple of days with the winds and waves direction has made a big diffeence in the "bite" total. Try different direction and speeds to find the best one.

6/21
It was a fantastic weekend of fishing! Many double digit catches, and even many limit catches have been reported! Most catches have been mainly kings, but some have been mixed as much 50/50 with steelhead.
Capt. Bret Cook aboard "Cook's Catch" strung together a weekend of limit catches including a two hour limit of 20 "kings" Sunday morning!

Aqua flies run behind white flashers worked the best and some yellow flashes took some fish. Best depths were between the 100 to 250 foot depths. Most of the fish were caught suspended 30 to 80 down. Flies and flashers took alot of the fish, but spoons were also productive. R & R"s, Yeck's, and ProKing spoons have been good.

Many four year old kings have come in the past week with most in the 20 pound range. Several coho's have also begun to show up. Could be a sign of a really good season with coho's here early.

Enjoy a great week of fishing. Remember to follow safe boating practices and wishing you full coolers of fish! From Capt. Lee and the crew aboard the Grand Illusion -- Good Luck and Good Fishing!

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[This message has been edited by can it be luck? (edited 06-25-2004).]

[SuddenlySummer]

Thank you for the kind words "can it be luck" I have been impressed with your past. prowess!

I'm going to be in Bailey's Harbor this holiday weekend and fishing solo. If you are interested in hooking up please let me know. I'm going out Sat. 7/3 in the AM and Sun 7/4 in the AM and Mon 7/5 in the AM. I have the rig so let me know.

[can it be luck?]

SS, did you leave already? Still solo? Would you have room for my girlfriend(probably can't go without her, holiday and such)?
I just got back from a 3 day waterpark getaway so I haven't had a chance to see your offer earlier.
If you're still around and the offer still stands, post here and I'll shoot for Sunday or Monday.....Or both!
Thanks, Mark

If I'm too late , hope you have a fun and safe trip with lots of fish!!!!

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[SuddenlySummer]

Sorry we missed. The weather was awful. I was only able to fish Saturday afternoon. 3 kings 21/12/8 also had a couple of shakers.

I was blown off the lake Sunday afternoon. I was only able to troll for 1/2 hr until the wind and rain kicked in.

I need a bigger boat!

[can it be luck?]

Suddenly Summer, yes, it would've been great to hook-up with you. I made it to Kewaunee on Sunday late afternoon. The weather turned real bad so I had to wait for 3:30am Monday to start fishing, but was it worth the wait!!
Well, I'll tell you about it on the "Kewaunee Hot Bites" thread. But here's a peek at how I did.

PS: I fish out of a 16'er.

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[This message has been edited by can it be luck? (edited 07-08-2004).]

[SuddenlySummer]

Aren't they georgous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My favorite by far. I have a 17' tiller with a 75hp Yamaha 4 stroke. I found it difficult to control the boat, fish and other lines all by myself.

I'm headed to Algoma with my nephew Sat.

[evntam]

Cheffrey:
I'll be heading for Egg Harbor on 7/25. My wife's seminar is at the Landmark Resort starting that Monday.
My dad is retired, and has offered to use the truck he normally uses for his 5th wheel to drag my boat there. I can take my family in my van that way.
I have a blue 24 footer with 4 Cannons off the rear. We call her the "Blue Jeans"
I'm not sure what days we'll be fishing, and whether it'll be out of Bailey's Harbor, Sturgeon Bay, or if we should run down to Algoma.
Just curious: What size boat are you moving that you have to get papers?
On another note, I've been watching you guys plan the Lake Superior outing. I'd like to join in, but I'm in the next to last week on finishing an addition to my house. THEN, I get to take the boat out to play...and 1/2 the summer is gone...
Ev

[Tom Linderholm]

Good to hear evntam, we might be up in sturgeon bay on the 25th, not sure though, depends on how the fishing is. We are hauling up a 30' 1996 Bayliner, it stands 13' 10" on the trailer and bridges come down to 14' is the reason we have to be permitted to make sure of our route and avoid any power lines or low laying suprises and not to mention any construction. Well worth the trouble though, we sleep the three of us inside with room for 3 more, has all the amenities of home and the ability to run up to 21 lines. Saves money on Hotel rooms. Heading to gander today to buy 6 more reels to line up with 17' test, last year we lost some screamers on our Lake Superior normal 12'. Not taking the chance on that this year. Hey if you can make the LS outing last minute feel free to drop a line. E-mail me @ cheffi1 at charter dot net and I'll give you my cell so that I may let you know what's happening in Algoma. Whoo Whooo 10 days left till the Pizza Bowl!

[Tom Linderholm]

Evntam what dates are you going to be out there? I am another BWCA/DULUTH/RANGE guy and have a slip set up from 20th till the 26th in Algoma, just waiting on our papers for the oversize load then it is a for sure thing. Suddenly gave you some good info to work with. Hail me on the Marine Radio. We are the "One Eye Open". Be more than happy to share colors/techniques for what is and isn't working when we are out there.

[SuddenlySummer]

Just got back from another excellent weekend. Go out of your way to get the green/glow Howie Fly with a white "0" dodger. We picked up a few on the aqua fly but that green glow rocked! Rety it to 22". Run them at least 100' behind your cannonball.

[can it be luck?]

SS, I know what you mean about that combination! It rocks!! I had fish hitting that combo before the pole made it to the rod holder last week! I just wished I had more.....Next time!
How'd you do anyways?

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[ReelTimes]

Will be up in Algoma next week (1st week in August). Any recommendations on water depths and how deep to run the downriggers at this time.

Also, was thinking about a trip in mid September. Any thoughts on the best ports to fish out of during Sept? Appreciate any input. thx.

[evntam]

I'm in Door now, fishing out of Baileys Harbor. Most fish here are coming 50 to 95 down.
We got chased off by the 3-5 foot waves tonight, but the last two nights have been awesome.
We had a triple on just after dark last night. What a riot.
They've been hitting on silver J-Plugs, a white glow with black Pro King and a couple off the white coyote flsher with blue fly.
Looks like tomorrow will be rough, so maybe Friday Am before we return to Duluth.
Biggest fish was 19 lbs.
Later
E

[can it be luck?]

Evntam, sounds like you're having a blast! I don't fish L. Superior for trout and salmon, but I know when the fish are hitting on L. Michigan it can get plain crazy! This year's been very good with the exception of a few days here and there. I'll have to pick up a few J-plugs. Years ago they were used religiously, why I don't use them anymore I don't know. Hopefully the rest of your trip was successful.

ReelTimes, mid Sept finds the fish stacking up around river mouths. Algoma, Kewaunee, sturgeon Bay are all good areas to fish. Most fish are caught in less than 100' of water. Post here when the time approaches. I'll try to keep you up to date with the latest reports.

CIBL

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[evntam]

Just got back from our trip.
We went out only one trip in the morning (Last Friday) We got out in the Fog by 4:40 and had lines down by 5. The first fish was in the boat by 5:15, and my dad and I went 9/15 by 8:30, with teh biggest being 18.5 lbs. Then we had to get off the water because we had to get my family from the motel and head home.
The best baits during the week were definitely the lures I mentioned above. We had the line break 3 times last week, twice on silver J-Plugs. I think they were really big fish.(of course I'd believe that since I didn't actually see them).
We caught all but one fish on rigger lines - only one from a dipsy. They were caught from 30 to 98 feet down, with 65 to 80 being the average depth.

[evntam]

CIBL:

I forgot to add that the information you shared with me before I went was invaluable.

I thank you a million times for your information.

Ev

[SuddenlySummer]

Hello to all!

It's been awhile since I've been able to check in.

I've made 5 trips across Wisconsin from Minnesota this summer and boy am I glad I did. I've been very surprised at the number of Kings I've caught. Probably 40 fish and all but one was a King. Only one steelhead.

I've taken the last 2 weekends off but we are headed to Bailey's this Mid week and I can't wait! Has anyone tried the new lighted J-Plug yet? I picked up a couple in silver.

CIBL. To answer your question about J-Plugs, not all are equal. They all run a bit different. Some better than others. They are fickle lures. When you find a good one hang on to it! I went to Chicago in June for the Coho run and put a J-Plug on my rigger. The guy I was fishing with just laughed but the darn thing caught the biggest fish of the day.

Too the other fisherman. You MUST run at least 20 lb. test. I'm guessing that you had 17 lb test if the fish were breaking off.
Too far to go and too much of a heartbreaker to loose fish that way.