56 Pounds and a Front Row Seat to Getting Beat
Today was the first big tournament in Ludington and everybody was fired up. This one was put on by Ged from Yeck Lures and was labeled the Brown Trout Tournament. Not entirely sure why it’s called that since you’re weighing your best box of fish, but hey, I don’t make the rules, I just show up and fish.
Prep day yesterday was solid. Mark Martino made the drive up from Howell with me and as always, three hours of non stop fishing talk. Never gets old. We got to the boat and installed a brand new Fish Hawk screen. Huge thanks to Fish Hawk for sending that over. They also sent a hat which Mark immediately claimed like it was part of the install kit. Totally cool, he can have all of my extra hats!
After that, straight to El Rancho for some proper pre-fishing mojo. Toothpicks secured just in case meat rigs were needed. Check!
The weather forecast for this morning was not exactly inspiring. 20 mph north winds. Not exactly what you draw up for a tournament morning. But here we are. Crew for the day was me, Mark Martino, Charlie Daniels, and Mystery Rick. Never met Rick before but if Charlie vouches for you, you’re in. Nick was supposed to come but had to work. Poor life choices there, Nick – hope you’re into some Buds now!
We headed out around 6:00am for what is now apparently called the “shoot” gun start. I said “around” because 6:00am hit and everyone just kinda looked around, shrugged shoulders, and took off. By 6:10am we had our first fish in the boat. King salmon. That’ll wake you up real quick.
We set up just a little south of straight out in about 50 FOW and basically lived in that 50 to 55 foot range most of the morning. When things slowed down, we made a move north and picked a few more off.
The weather actually behaved. Started with one to three footers, wind picked up, then laid down, sun came out, then disappeared. Typical Ludington rollercoaster. But overall, great conditions and a really fun morning on the water.
Big thanks to Ged for putting this together. Everything ran smooth. I would like to request the rules next year be hand written on a bar napkin – with all due respect, I think that will work!
After fishing, Surgeon Jenn made a surprise guest appearance in between real life hospital call duties. She jumped in with us for weigh-ins which made it even better, then grabbed a razor sharp knife and showed off her cutting skills.
First stop was Captain Chuck’s where we weighed a king and a lake trout for the Big King Bonanza. Then over to Ray’s Marina for the tournament weigh-in. We dropped our box on the scale and landed at 56 pounds and change. Not bad. Actually really good. For a while.
We were sitting in first. Big king. Big lake trout. Big box. Everything was lining up…Then Logan showed up.
Logan and his crew stepped up and dropped over 65 pounds on the scale. Just like that, we slid into second place. Can’t even be mad. That’s a solid box of fish and Logan’s stuff kinda produced 1/3 of my fish.
We ended up taking second, grabbed a little cash, and loaded up on Yeck gear for having the biggest lake trout. Yeck Yeah!
All in all, awesome day. Great crew, good fishing, smooth tournament, and a solid finish.
Overall we boated 13 lake trout and 3 kings (threw one laker and small king back) for 21 bites.
Hot Lures:
Stinger Blond Tangerine on 3 color – 2 bites
Brown trout sin-n-glow lake trout rig on high diver back 130 ticking bottom – 3 bites
Stinger Modified Coyote on 7 color – 2 bites
Wonderbread Whirly gig Lake Trout rig on downrigger on bottom – 5 bites
Logan secret lake trout thingy on rigger on bottom - 4 bites
Logan green lake trout on high diver 130 back ticking bottom – 4 bites
Yeck Chubster on 3 color
Yeck Irish Fireball on 7 color – 2 bites
What I learned today:
Not learned, but reinforced. I really don’t like the clicker on the reels unless they are armed in a rod holder or I specifically need it for a backlash situation.
Mark didn’t just like the Fish Hawk hat, those new bad ass handwarmers saved his morning. It was freakin cold out there people.
Charlie wants my Frabill bibs. I don’t even know what to think about that. I mean, they are too big for me, right. Do I need new bibs. Ugh.
Rick picks up on stuff fast and is quick on the rods. I believe he lost zero fish. Pretty good rookie run.
Tiara autopilot has the same flu as that Minn Kota on my other boat. I think it figured itself out by the end of the day. Stay tuned.
I like mushrooms in chili - Ged, not quite Soup Club worthy but you're onto something there. Ok, next year, rules on bar napkin and maybe some hot sauce for the mushroom chili? Please? Ever try Habanero Harmans ?
No tribal nets in sight today, but I did have a little, well a lot of PDSD all morning.
Mark just said it best, “anytime you get a 4 man limit of anything it’s a great morning.” That might be a bumper sticker.
Rinse wash repeat people. Tomorrow’s weather looks perfect. We’ll be in the same spot poking the same fish.
PS: Thanks for the Pull Hard photo Joe.
400 W. Filer St., C1, Ludington, MI 49431 | Phone: 248-534-9202 | PullHardFishing@outlook.com
