Ludington Fishing Report: Halloween Hogs, Oompa Loompas & Steelhead Limits!
This has been one heck of a day for Pull Hard Fishing, AKA me! Several dreams came true all at once. I wore an afro wig and took first place in a costume contest. I finished a 5K and didn't die, winning third place in my age group. I launched a boat at noon and got our second-ever steelhead limit. Oh, and Logan donned the Oompa Loompa wig while fighting a fish. It was like my birthday and Christmas all balled together!
Quick summary...woke up late because the 5K didn't start until 9am. Ran that with Surgeon Jenn and like 150 others. Ran (literally, like Gump) to the barber shop and got all my hairs cut. Ran back to Sportsman and got my third-place plastic thingy. Went to the Tiara because Logan needed a 200 copper and a 7-color. Back to the condo at 11am for an extra-special BoatMeal™ before the noon launch.
We saw souper fan Kelly Ross just wrapping up his limit catch, and he gave us the lowdown, also mentioning it was getting rough. It couldn't be worse than last Saturday! The dudes pulling their boat when we launched gave us another warning: "It's getting pretty sporty out there!" Yeah, yeah, blah blah.
We took off north and headed for the same 80 FOW where we set up last weekend. Double zeros, baby! We set lines and nothing. No shit, that's how it works. Logan was having slide diver issues and swapped some stuff around while Surgeon Jenn's starboard side started popping.
We trolled a couple of miles north of the point before turning around and trying a south troll. The wind really kicked up, and let's just say the waves sucked. Logan re-verified the waves were 1.5 feet on his phone. Right? More like 3-4!
We did manage some bites, and Logan finally put a few in the boat. We ended up with 3 kings and 9 steelhead, so 12 fish on 17 bites!
Hot Bites
Flasher/Fly | Bechold 8 Inch Kevin's Girlfriend Rapture Sweet Pea | High Diver 100 Back | 3 bites
Spoon | Yeck Mini Copper Mixed Veggie Kinda | Lead Core 1 Color | 3 bites
Spoon | Michigan Stinger Standard RV Blue Veggies | Lead Core 2 Colors | 2 bites
Spoon | Michigan Stinger Magnum Jordo with Orange Stripe | Lead Core 2 Colors | 2 bites
Spoon | Michigan Stinger Standard Shrimp | Lead Core 1 Color | 1 bite
Spoon | Michigan Stinger Standard RV Blue Veggies | Lead Core 3 Colors | 1 bite
Spoon | Michigan Stinger Standard KC | Lead Core 3 Colors | 1 bite
Spoon | Michigan Stinger Standard Hot Tamale | Lead Core 7 Colors | 1 bite
Spoon | Michigan Stinger Standard RV Johnson Freaking Blue Veggies | Copper 200 Feet | 1 bite
Spoon | Yeck Standard Goldilocks | Lead Core 2 Colors | 1 bite
Spoon | Michigan Stinger Standard Modified Coyote | Lead Core 2 Colors | 1 bite
What I Learned Today:
I haven't done a run since June. I was trying hard not to do it today, even pretended to be sick! I was so glad and satisfied when it was over. Totally worth it and good fishing mojo. Yep, SJ and I were 9 for 10 on our rods, thanks to the run.
Why not 10 for 10, you ask? I had a hog, and I mean HOG steelhead, to the back of the boat. Logan was mumbling something about netting the head or tail or something. I couldn't quite see what was going on except a swoop or two before the hook flew back and the fish swam away. After what I saw today with the walleye net, we need some small-net drills for Logan. A little brushing up couldn't hurt! Logan Agreed.
I learned that I need another go-around with Logan as an Oompa Loompa. First, it was so windy his green hair was in his face. Second, Logan's head was too big or the wig was too small. He's a good sport, though, and agreed to wear the wig again, maybe even with the white eyebrows! Thanks buddy!
I fueled up with 34 gallons. I learned that those 45-minute rides in with 2–5 foot waves at 15–18 MPH burn some gas. So happy I filled up! Even happier I didn't run out!
We forgot the knives at the condo. A true blessing in disguise! Logan and Surgeon Jenn went back to get them while I buttoned up the boat. It just so happens we also forgot the After Fishing Mints™! Leave it to Surgeon Jenn to show up at the cleaning station with three After Fishing Mints™! Totally awesome! We earned those babies!
I need to post this, go to bed, and take advantage of the extra hour. We'll be at the Loomis launch at 6:45am for another go-around. Please, please be nice out!
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400 W. Filer St., C1, Ludington, MI 49431 | Phone: 248-534-9202 | PullHardFishing@outlook.com
