I was chatting with a friend the other day about how I had gotten up during the dark hours of the night, met a friend at my office, and took off up north past the border for some fishing. The story got interesting when I also explained that I was back in the office for a full day by 830am…

When the conditions are there, it’s very hard to not pass up on opportunities to chase fish that are normally miles offshore in deeper, cooler waters.

This past week we had a few chances to go after Chinook Salmon, and that’s exactly what we did. 100 miles away from where I call “home,” I ran into the same crews, the same faces, and some of the best fishing in the Great Lakes.

Andrew took a rare pass on catching fish from his creek and joined for an outing.

He was very pleased with the results of our brief trip, and I sent him home to please his family with some fresh salmon.

The plad shorts are back in full swing as well, and may make an appearance at Wisconsin pier near you soon..

“Save Rootpro” has been out with the crew doing his part with piling on the salmon too..

The man, the myth, the legend.. the Fluke posing behind our crew’s catch from the other morning –

West winds. Water Temperature. Glow spoons.

Got a call from Joel the other day seeing if I’d be interested in fishing Thurs night out of Waukegan, and the answer was an easy YES.

Upon arrival at Waukegan, I was greeted with some fantastic weather. Not too hot, no humidity, light winds, and EXCELLENT grub was awaiting me! Joel had the grill going with some out-of-this-world cheddar and jalapeno brats, compliments of his lady. Good eats!

As for the fishing, we departed Wauk went a little north and set lines in front of the stacks in about 60 FOW. The SWR with a Hey Baby went off before we could get rod #3 in the water and a beauty of a 14# king was put in the boat!

Fish #2 come shortly after on the wire dipsy on a 3 setting set out 125 with meat. We would later miss the next 3 fish, including a reel burner on the power pro dipsey set a little higher up 105 on the counter paired with a wonder bread fly/dodger.

We ended up in about 80 FOW, and the action went dead. The graph was blank. Surface temp read 67.7 and 53 at the ball 52 feet down.

Decided that the fish were probably a tad shallower, so we slid back into the 70-75 FOW range and the screen lit up again with some big archs, and it wasn’t soon before rods were going off and drags were peeling again.

Baits that did some damage:

-Wire dipsey w Meat
-Hey Baby on the SWR down 52 1-2
-Lighted wonder bread J-Plug on 10 colors took 2 big kings
-Happy Meal Moonshine down 52 on the rigger a big king and missed another
-Hot Lobster on the dipsey set 125 took 1-3
-Double orange crush on Power pro dispey got demolished took a couple of big hits and one big king

Had a real heartbreaker as we watched a BIG king do a roll about 10 feet behind the boat (net in the water, but not quite at fish yet) and we saw the silvery king shake the hook and swim back down into the depths.

Ended the night 8 for 14. 5 fish over 12 lbs including a pair that hit the 15 mark. Great night for some big ones!

No fish past the 76 FOW mark. Seemed they were packed tight in pods as we picked off fish doing circles in mostly one area. Pulled lines shortly after ten or so. Sore arms today for me!

Thanks again Joel for being a great host – great fishing and excellent eats!!