Ludington Fishing Report: Pat ≠ Parker, Pie ≠ Apple

9/28/20252 min read

I should be typing about evidence-based practices for UWGB (blah blah blah citations), but instead here we are — another blog for you fine folks. Priorities!

Yesterday’s 5k run clocked in at 35:24, today’s at 34:54. Sounds like progress, right? Wrong. Had to pause for four minutes at the boat launch for a situation (don’t ask). Basically a wasted run. Then, while I was snoozing at 9:06pm last night, Logan texted: “Just a heads up, I am available in the morning if you need another guy…” Bruh. Little late! Would’ve been round 2 with Logan. Instead, I woke up to a bust. Round 2 for the run = bust. Round 2 for Logan = bust.

The crew this morning was Me (Boat driver button pusher, lure logger, pie taste-tester), Nick (Mc Ultra? Something’s up), Big Fish Brad (Whiskey + Fireball enthusiast, maybe correlation to lost fish?), Charlie Daniels (Pie dealer, questionable flavor ID skills), Pat (Charlie’s cousin and maybe the “replacement Parker.”)

Launched at 6am sharp. Same game plan as yesterday: north of blinky nets (yes, we saw them today, strangely comforting), set up in 110 FOW, worked the bank deeper.

The Lowrance was lit up— bait, fish marks, promising vibes. But bites? Nah. Not until 13 of 15 rods were in. Painful.

We ground it out and ended the morning with 6 kings + 3 coho on 17 bites. That means we lost 8 fish without PJ anywhere in sight. So no, it’s not all Petunia Josh’s fault after all.

Hot Bites:

Moonshine Do Dee K standard, rigger 50 down (RIP to that lure, lost at sea)
Blue Slice meat, low diver 110 back (2 bites)
Rhinestone Cowboy, rigger 60 down
Chubster, 3 color (3 bites, redemption tour continues!)
Moonshine Agent Orange standard, 10 color (3 bites)
Blue Bubble SD + Blue Bubble fly, low diver 110 back
Black Slick + Pickle Sunshine, high diver 151 back
Mr. Chrome Mini Yeah Mon, 10 color
Gold Fireball, 5 color (tiny coho, whiskey/fireball shot anyway)
Red Tail Meat, high diver 150 back
Moonshine Gold Goby mini, 200 copper
Moonshine JJ Mac RV standard, 5 color

What I Learned:

Pat ≠ Parker.
- Age: 60. Not 60 and 4 months. Big difference apparently.
- Pat carries a 2-million-candlepower black light. Glow-bowling for lures. Weirdly awesome.
- Rod form: Parker = commanding presence. Pat = upside-down rod + backward reel.
- Mojo role: Parker = King of Chaos. Pat = Tangle Whisperer. Both useful. Both keepers.
Pie Mystery. Charlie swore it was apple. Looked and tasted peach. He doubled down: “Maybe it’s both.” WTF, hybrid pie? Still unsettled. Donuts out, pie in. Jury’s still out on whether it’s better mojo.
Brad + Fireball. Only guy alive to get excited about a whiskey and fireball shot for a dink coho.
Brad is contemplating a new start-up skin care business – he’s probably eating some peach or apple pie and researching names now.
Lost Fish Epidemic. Eight gone. Need a priest, some sage, or Logan.

Side Quests & To-Dos:

School work today (ugh). Might even stay in Ludington for bonus study hours.
Work-work tomorrow, maybe back to Howell.
Tuesday: Soup Club (Andy’s turn — high expectations). Then interviewing a cleaning lady (I don’t clean houses, just boats).
Wednesday: Back to Ludington for Lakeshore Food Club charity dinner on Thursday. My table is stacked: Me, Jenn, Nick, Alison, Wayne & Gloria, Adam K, and Logan.
Friday/Saturday: Fishing. Sunday: Funeral. Life balance, right?
Only 2 weekends left in the 2025 salmon season. Tic. Tock.