Ludington Fishing Report –Birthday Vibes & Kaedin’s Eyebrows

8/30/20253 min read

Labor Day weekend in Ludington isn’t just fishing—it’s a lifestyle. If you know, you know. Big kings, cooler mornings, mid-day weather perfection, and most importantly, the “we’re just here to have fun” vibes since the season’s pressure-cooker trolls are behind us.

This trip had layers. First off, it was the most triumphant return of Kaedin (will he remember what he learned? will he dress like it’s January or July? never know). It was also Pat’s 68th birthday—Alison’s dad and the day’s VIP. And, oh yeah, it just so happened to mark the 5-year anniversary of me quitting drinking (smartest move I’ve made—insert winky emoji).

The mojo was through the roof. Homemade card from crow Oliver (aka Ope), last Ludington bonfire with Delaney, bumping into young fishing legend Parker shrugging chicks on his scooter, fresh haircut Friday, Ted Nugent concert at Stix (first Nugent show since Cobo ’93), and smoked fish ready for the weekend!

Today's Crew: Me, Pat (birthday boy), Nick, Alison, Jennifer, Kaedin, and Tim.

We met at the boat at 5am, shoved off and ran the gauntlet of boats stacked like sardines near the pierheads and beyond. No thanks. Slipped north, set up in 120 FOW just past the blinky nets. Not another boat in near us. Lines down in the dark—marking fish for sure! Last Friday, we only got 5 rods in before the chaos started. Today? All 17 rods plus sliders swimming before the first hit. WTF?

First bite before sunrise, then a slow-and-steady trickle. Highlight? Kaedin holding a 10-color mid-tangle, when bam—a king smoked the plug he was literally holding. Cue quad chaos: me, Jennifer, and Tim all juggling the tangle. We freed the tangle in record time and somehow landed it, proving once again that mojo can be productive.

Final tally: 13 for 23 (6 coho, 3 steelhead, 4 kings). Translation: 10 fish told us to pound sand. But fish, we had us a taco bar! Hah!

Hot Bites:

4” chrome red plug on 3 color: 3 bites
Charlie Special + Money Shot fly, low diver 100 back: 2 bites
Moonshine Mag JJ Mac RV 48 down: 2 bites
Mr. Chrome Bluefin Mag Glow on 10 color: 2 bites
Blue Slice meat rig, low diver 100 back: 2 bites
Moonshine raspberry carbon Plug 10 color: 2 bites
4” lucky charm Plug 5 color: 2 bites
Yeck fireball 5 color: 3 bites (only 1 landed, only 1/3 on Fireball shots)
Red tail meat rig, high diver 150 back
Mag Rasta goose slider on rigger 85 down
Big Yeck White Spoon with Black Back 200 copper
Mag yeah mon 7 color
5” splatter plug 200 copper

What I Learned Today:

Reflective tape on planer boards = MVP of dark fishing. Five boards off each side = no problem! Thanks again, Adam K.
Kaedin’s eyebrows have their own personality. Don’t ask...I won't be sure how to answer!
Nick = Detroit Lions of salmon fishing. Looks great, runs the plays, executes everything perfectly, but struggles to “win the big game.” The sun will come out tomorrow, Nick! Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow, they’ll be sun! 😊
Kaedin’s outfit progression was glorious: camo jumper → rubber boots → Rocky Balboa long sleeve T → still too much phone poking. But hey, no spider screams this time.
Classic Vinyl’s Labor Day Top 500 brought us 23 bites worth of mojo, even if Nugent didn’t make the cut.

Tomorrow is the real circus: me, Nick, Tim, Kaedin, Charlie Daniels, and possibly (fingers crossed) Parker himself. Lines in at 5, out by 9 so I can hurl myself into a 30-mile bike ride on clipless pedals I’ve never used. What could go wrong? After that, it’s cabbage soup for Soup Club. Stay tuned—this story ain’t over.