[Lucky Dog Charters]

The weather is still a major factor with winds constantly changing direction, but staying in the 15-20 mph range with some rain thrown in. Last weekend (End of May/Beginning of June) after the strong blow on Friday boats were searching from 12`-200`. I only had one group ask for a photo, (and I left the camera on the boat ) with a pair of decent kings.



This past weekend wasn`t much different however I did have a couple of good trips where the fish didn`t appear to be scattered all over the place, or have loc-jaw.

On Saturday I set up in 80` just South of the line and trolled East/West between 90` and 130`. The bite wasn`t fast and furious but steady after we made it out to the deeper waters. Light hits were more abundant than last month with many fish being hooked for just a few seconds. Everything out took a hit whether it was the boards, lead,`riggers, or dipseys. Dark magnum spoons seemed to be the ticket with the Black Fin Tuna (my best producer since my first trip of the year) taking Kings and coho down 55`-65` and on a full core. The longer 2" flies did better on the boards than the smaller ones tied to the hook.



The afternoon trip looked promising until the winds kicked up and boat control became an issue, not to mention shutting off the bite. We had marks and bait but I couldn`t get the fish to cooperate and we ended up with a half dozen while loosing about the same.

On Sunday morning the forecast looked grim but it was much calmer than the afternoon prior. We set up in 70` taking two quick fish on a bloody nose down 45`. We didn`t have any more action as we reached 125` so I turned back in and the `riggers down 45`-55` with white spoons (also on a full core of lead) took a couple of hits, we even had a triple. I ran a Yellow "Hot Spot" with lil` boy blue down 14` and white / green down 20` and they took coho as we turned in 60` for our run back out. These rods were working for the next couple of passes then I had to switch the baits. The spoon color of choice was now dark, the Black Fin Tuna and Kevorkian were now taking hits on the `riggers. Then after a few passes the rain came, so we headed South to avoid the bulk of the storm. The shallow `riggers took a few coho and the spoons were changed out again to glow patterns. After the last front passed we trolled back North in the 70`s finishing off a mile South of the line, just where we started. You can see the color of the skies out over the Lake in the photo. The winds never really picked up, they actually calmed down.



My board bite was decent on Saturday and non existent on Sunday. A couple of charters were doing well with them, but I had a lot of Kings. I think it may depend on your depth as I stayed on or just outside the hill.

I really hope this weather changes for the better soon, it`s starting to get old .

"Wet Nets"
Captain Jim

[digitalbluecat]

Great report Jim!

Hope to go out in the fall for Kings with you.

Thanks for the pics, those guys look like they had fun.

[Kyle]

Very nice report Capt Jim....Everyone in my group had a blast out with you and I'll definelty give you a call next spring.

Thanks,
Kyle

[Aloha Joe]

Thanks for the report
Aloha and Hail the king

[Tom]

Nice work Jim. The weather the last week has been pretty scary. Take care out there.

Tom

[Runnin' Bare]

Capt Jim,

Thanks for the info. Nice job in some tough conditions. Couple of questions... what king of stretch are you running on your shallow riggers? Is the stretch the same for dodger/flasher & fly vs spoons? Finally, have you noticed a distinct early bite that dies about 7:30-8:00am? The last 2 weekends, out of Waukegan, I have had good action for the first 60-90 minutes and then we lose the fish and can't find them again. If you are seeing something similar, how are you addressing it? Thanks in advance.

Jerry
Runnin' Bare

[Lucky Dog Charters]

Jerry,

I`m running the shallow `riggers back about 15` for the coho, the deeper `riggers have 2 colors on them. At times there has been a decent early bite, and after that dies start changing colors. A good example would be on Sunday, I had 3 different shades going good thru the trip.
I`m not sure what`s up with the fish, they just seem real finicky at times. Perhaps it due to the abundance of bait (even though I`hm not marking much) they are finding.
I just hope these Kings stick around, last year I caught my biggest ones in June.

"Wet Nets"
Captain Jim