Northern Michigan Fishing Update – August 9, 2025 (5 AM ET)⸻🌕 Moon Phase & Solunar Peaks (Eastern Time) • Moon: Full Sturgeon Moon – peak illumination overnight. Strong gravitational pull means active feeding around the majors. • Major feeding windows: 11:40 AM – 1:40 PM, 11:10 PM – 1:10 AM • Minor feeding windows: 3:10 AM – 4:10 AM, 6:20 PM – 7:20 PM⸻💧 Water Temperatures & Thermocline • Lake Michigan surface: ~73 °F • Inland lakes: Low to mid-70s in most basins • Thermocline: 30–60 ft with a 5–7 °F drop — the sweet zone for kings, lakers, and suspended walleye.⸻🌬️ Wind & ConditionsLight NE winds 5–9 mph early, turning NW midday. Calm in sheltered bays at dawn; light haze possible this evening.⸻🎣 Live Bait Fishing Techniques & Best Practices (Lindy Rig Focus) • Minor morning (3:10 AM): Drift a Lindy rig with a live leech or minnow along drop-offs; refresh bait every 20 minutes for peak movement. • Major midday (11:40 AM): Work the thermocline with a Lindy rig and leech or crawler; use a 3–6 ft fluorocarbon leader for stealth in clear water. • Major evening (11:10 PM): Slip‑bobber plus Lindy rig with live leech over structure — deadly in moonlit calm.⸻🐟 Big Lake Michigan Salmon ReportFamiliar Bite Meat Rig Program – Current Best Practices • Speeds: 2.2–2.7 mph at the ball for a tight 1–2 second roll. • 8” flasher: 18–24” to meat head. • 11” paddle: 40–48” to meat head. • Downriggers: 10–30 ft setback to flasher. • Wire divers: 6–10 ft leader to flasher, then above lengths to meat head. • Target zone: Thermal band 30–60 ft; adjust to marks. • Colors: Greens, blues, chrome, and glow early; UV mid-day.Frankfort: Pier kings before sunrise on glow spoons; offshore salmon in 120–210 ft, best in top 70 ft.Manistee: Kings and coho in 140–250 ft, hitting 40–80 ft down on flashers and meat rigs.Ludington: Similar depth profile to Manistee with good early spoon bite.Whitehall: Steelhead and kings mixed; meat rigs producing over bait clouds 40–60 ft down.⸻🐟 Inland Lakes Hot Bite – Walleye FocusBear Lake: Leeches at dusk along mid-lake humps.Mullet Lake: Harnesses with crawlers on deep flats.Long Lake (Traverse City): Slip bobbers with minnows over 20 ft structure.Lake Mitchell: First-light minnow bite along weed edges.Houghton Lake: Crawler harness drift bite still strong mid-day.Lake Saint Helen: Dawn and dusk walleye with bonus perch and bluegill on live bait.Tight lines and Baitman out#LiveBait #bucsbait #LiveBaitFishing #TakeAKidFishing #michiganfishingreport #bucsfishingreport #letsgofishing #fishingreport #gonefishing #tightlines
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
🎣 $4.4 million catch! The Barbara B, a boat out of Atlantic Beach, NC, is making waves after landing a massive blue marlin during Day 1 of the 52nd White Marlin Open in Ocean City, MD.This beast tipped the scales at over 900 lbs! 📸: White Marlin Open & Unscene ProductionsThe tournament’s not over yet… will Barbara B hold the top spot?FULL STORY: www.13newsnow.com/article/sports/north-carolina-boat-barbara-b-record-blue-white-marlin-open/291-...
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Hook & Paddle – Weekly Kayak Fishing ReportAugust 8, 2025Fish smarter. Kayak quiet. Tight lines.Morning comes slow on Lake Charlevoix this time of year. The first ripples belong to the loons, and the paddle strokes come next — quiet, deliberate, and headed for the first edge of structure before the wind finds its way over the hills. August fishing rewards the early riser, and in a kayak, you feel every bend of the rod and every shift of current in your seat. This week, the water is giving up its fish to those willing to drift slow, work the bait right, and let the lake set the pace.Featured Lake – Lake CharlevoixSmallmouth Bass – They’re tight to the rocky points and ledges in 20–40 feet. Leeches on a slip bobber or drop-shot rig will get that solid, telltale thump. Hayden Point and Stoney Point are worth the paddle, especially in the first two hours of daylight.Walleye – Slip quietly into position off the Boyne and Jordan River mouths in 18–25 feet. Drift a crawler or leech slowly along the edge and let the fish come to you. The low light bite is the ticket.Perch – Dutchman’s Bay and Advance are holding fish along the deep weed edges, 12–18 feet. A piece of crawler on a light rig will fill a bucket if you work the drops patiently.Kayak Launches Worth Knowing: Ironton Cove for South Arm structure, South Arm Public Ramp for Dutchman’s Bay, Horton Bay Access for North Arm rocky water.Top 10 Kayak Fishing Lakes in Northern Michigan – August 2025Lake Charlevoix – Deep structure, protected launches, multi-species action.Burt Lake – Walleye, bass, and pike in quiet bays.Mullett Lake – Smallmouth and walleye along rocky flats.Torch Lake – Trophy smallmouth and trout for the seasoned paddler.Long Lake (Grand Traverse) – Walleye and panfish close to shore.Spider Lake – Calm coves, bass, pike, and panfish.Crystal Lake – Smallmouth and perch in clear, cool water.Lake Leelanau – North for deep bass, South for panfish and pike.Skegemog Lake – Pike, perch, and walleye on weedlines and drop-offs.Lake Dubonnet – Small, sheltered, and full of pike and panfish.Featured Kayak of the WeekNuCanoe Unlimited – MSRP ~$1,799 — View hereNuCanoe U10 – MSRP ~$1,399 — View hereBoth are steady underfoot, easy to rig, and made for anglers who measure days by the bend in the rod.Dwayne & Tiffany’s Pro Tip"We both fish from NuCanoe kayaks — I run the Unlimited and Tiffany fishes the U10. Personally, I actually like Tiffany’s U10 better. It’s capable of equipping the same accessories as the Unlimited, but I like its base better — it seems wider than mine. As far as gear, a PFD for sure, and a YakAttack High Visibility Flag. Safety is important when you’re in a smaller boat."Safety SpotlightPFD first, always. A high-vis flag, like the YakAttack VISICarbon Pro, gives you that extra measure of security when a cruiser rounds the point faster than you’d like.Gear Tip of the WeekYakAttack Omega Pro Rod Holder – Strong, adjustable, and perfect for setting a crawler harness to work while you watch the treeline for that first sign of wind.Kayak Rigging TipAn anchor trolley gives you control over your angle to wind and current, letting you fish a spot without fighting it.Wind & Weather WatchMornings have been calm, with a south wind picking up to 10–12 mph by early afternoon. Open water gets choppy fast — plan your paddle accordingly.Pro Launch TipBe in the water before the first coffee cups hit the decks of the cruisers. A 6:30 AM launch will put you in fish and off the main lake before the wake boats churn it up.Kayak Community ShoutoutShare your best catches. Tag @Uncle Buck the Bait Man and use #HookAndPaddle to be part of next week’s story.Bait SourceFresh crawlers, leeches, and minnows are at Circle K in Charlevoix — grab them before you hit the launch.
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Northern Michigan Fishing Update – August 8, 2025Moon Phase & Solunar Peaks (Eastern Time)Moon nearly full, part of the Sturgeon Moon cycle, reaching full illumination around 3 57 AM ET on August 9 Major feeding windows include 11 46 AM ET–1 46 PM ET, and 11 30 PM ET–1 30 AM ETMinor feeding windows include 4 23 AM ET–6 23 AM ET, and 7 10 PM ET–9 10 PM ET Water Temperatures & ThermoclineLake Michigan surface temp near Grand Haven about 72 °FWhite Lake (inland): 65 °F water temp, ideal for bass and trout Thermocline is located between 30–60 ft with a cool zone drop of 5–7 °FWind & ConditionsInshore southeast winds transitioning to northwest midday, 5–9 mphWaves remain low, about 1 ft; early calm, light haze building by late morning Live Bait Techniques (Eastern Time)Minor early morning (4 23 AM ET), use Lindy rig with live minnow or leech over structure, refresh every 20 minMajor midday (11 46 AM ET), slow drift Lindy rig through thermocline with leech or crawler, use 3–6 ft fluorocarbon leaderMajor evening (11 30 PM ET), slip‑bobber with Lindy rig leech over deep structure under moonlightSalmon Report – Frankfort, Manistee, Ludington, WhitehallFrankfort pier delivering early Chinook action on glow spoons and alewivesOffshore kings and lake trout stacking in 120–210 ft water, bites coming from top 70 ft; meat rigs, flasher‑spoon combos, and spoons set 40–60 ft behind dodgers are working bestManistee & Ludington seeing Chinook and Coho in 140–250 ft, bites down 40–80 ft behind flashers; meat rigs triggering strikes on structureLeland, West Grand Traverse Bay, East Grand Traverse BayLeland: Chinook and lake trout biting in 70–100 ft, often 60 ft down; spoons and cowbells near First Bank and Whaleback in playWest Grand Traverse Bay: steady salmon action early and late, bait pods north; lake trout still hitting spoons on structureEast Bay: solid smallmouth bass action in 15–30 ft, tube jigs and live bait working well Tight lines and Baitman out#LiveBait #bucsbait #LiveBaitFishing #TakeAKidFishing#michiganfishingreport #bucsfishingreport #letsgofishing #fishingreport #gonefishing #tightlines
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
BaitMan’s Weekly Fishing ReportDate: Thursday, August 8, 2025Real lakes, real bait, real bite.🏆 Sponsor of the WeekSanford Sport Shop3783 N West River Road, Sanford, MI 48657Phone: 989 687 5161Website: sanfordsportshop.com🪱 Bait Shop of the WeekTamarac Sports10390 N Greenville Road, Lakeview, MI 48850Phone: 989 352 7677Facebook: facebook.com/TamaracSports🌊 Lake of the Week – Lake LeelanauNorth Basin:Smallmouth bass in 20 to 40 feet on drop shots and tubesWalleye near The Narrows at dawn and duskPerch holding near mid-lake humpsSouth Basin:Panfish active in 8 to 15 feet on wormsWalleye early and late on leeches near AdvanceBass feeding in weeds on topwater baits🔥 Northern Michigan LakesBurt Lake – Walleye biting along the drop-offs on crawler harnessesMullett Lake – Deep trolling producing trout and occasional walleyeBlack Lake – Crappie suspended over deeper weed flatsLake Charlevoix – Smallmouth bass deep, perch in South ArmSkegemog Lake – Walleye over humps, drifting leechesTorch Lake – Vertical jigging for smallmouth in 40 to 60 feetLong Lake (Grand Traverse) – Walleye and perch near breaks and weed edgesLake Leelanau – See above (Lake of the Week)Spider Lake – Bluegill and bass in back coves and fingersLake Dubonnet – Steady pike and panfish on wormsGreen Lake – Deep bluegill bite, vertical jigs in 20+ feetDuck Lake (Grand Traverse) – Perch scattered, smallmouth in rock pocketsBass Lake (near Interlochen) – Weedline bass, early bite on topwaterGlen Lake – Smallmouth along gravel and sand transitionsCrystal Lake – Lakers deep, perch near rocky dropsManistee Lake (Kalkaska) – Walleye early and late, smallmouth deep mid-dayLake Margrethe (Grayling) – Mixed bag of perch, walleye, and pikeBig Bradford Lake (Otsego County) – Panfish with leeches in 10 to 12 ftManistee Lake (Manistee) – Early pike in coves, perch starting to group up🔥 West Michigan LakesPortage Lake (Onekama) – Perch starting to bite in 12 to 18 feetPere Marquette Lake – Salmon moving through early, coho and kings stagingWhite Lake – Pike and perch in mid-depth weedlinesPentwater Lake – Pier anglers getting early salmon hitsSilver Lake – Largemouth in reeds, topwater active at sunriseHamlin Lake – Bluegill deep, evening pike off pointsBear Lake (Muskegon) – Panfish active near lily padsMuskegon Lake – Walleye on crankbaits, some bass on jigsBlue Lake (Muskegon County) – Crappie deep over brush pilesBig Star Lake (Lake County) – Largemouth good near docks, panfish deepWolf Lake (Muskegon County) – Decent panfish bite in 8 to 10 feetLake Cadillac – Crappie bite steady, bluegill slowing in shallowLake Mitchell – Weedline bass active, some early perch bites🔥 Mid Michigan & Saginaw BayHoughton Lake – Walleye early with crawlers, bluegill in 10 feetHiggins Lake – Deep perch with minnows, trout bite slowOtsego Lake – Pike and perch near structureGrand Lake (Presque Isle) – Walleye in the morning, drifting crawlersFletcher’s Floodwaters – Bluegill, rock bass, and northern pikeLong Lake (Alpena) – Bass and perch active near breaksWixom Lake (rebuilding) – Limited access but shore bluegill fishing steadySecord Lake (Gladwin) – Bluegill and crappie consistent with waxwormsLake Lancer (Gladwin County) – Decent perch bite near structureLake Missaukee – Bass near reeds, bluegill in deeper holesLake Mecosta – Walleye trolling near drop-offsChippewa Lake – Panfish near weeds, some early crappie schoolsCroton Pond – Smallmouth and catfish bite during evening hoursHardy Dam Pond – Pike and smallmouth on spinnerbaits🎣 Saginaw BaySaginaw Bay:Walleye in 10 to 14 feet near LinwoodDrifting crawler harnesses still best methodPerch bite showing signs of life near weed clumpsCatfish and bass mixed in around river mouths🐟 Salmon Report – Leland to Grand HavenLeland:Chinook and lake trout near North ManitouBite best in 75 to 90 feet down over 200 feetGreen paddles, meat rigs, and glow spoons workingFrankfort:Strong Chinook bite in 100 to 150 feet of water50 to 65 down on spoons and Familiar Bite meat rigsCoho close to shore early morningManistee:Kings and steelhead scattered 30 to 160 downFlasher-fly combos productive, meat rig slower but steadyLudington:Kings offshore 35 to 140 downBest bites on chrome flashers and spoons in low lightPier action very slowWhitehall and Montague:Mixed king and coho reports in 120 to 160 feetBite inconsistent but improving with east windsGrand Haven:Deep troll bite mid-morning to late afternoon60 to 80 feet down over 150 to 200 ft waterChartreuse and UV flashers with flies or spoons🪱 Familiar Bite Herring Available At:Fish Hook – LelandEmpire Outdoors – EmpireRoy’s General Store – Traverse CityFrankfort Tacklebox – FrankfortDon’s Sporting Goods – ManisteeInsta Launch Marina – ManisteeCaptain Chucks – LudingtonJohnson’s Great Outdoors – MontagueArmstrong’s on the Lake – WhitehallHesperia Sport Shop – HesperiaCrispy Outdoors – Grand HavenJay’s Sporting Goods – Clare and GaylordPilgrim’s Village – CadillacHilltop Sports – Greenville🎯 Deep Water PanfishSlip Bobbers: Waxworms or leeches in 12 to 25 ftDrop Shot: Hover just above structureVertical Jigging: Light tungsten jigs in bluegill podsAnchor Tips: Fluke-style or chain anchor with over 100 ft ropeRod Sensitivity: Use light gear and bite indicators🪱 Bait BreakdownLeeches: Top bait for walleye, smallmouth, and panfishCrawlers: Effective across species, especially on harnessesMinnows: Best for crappie and deeper perchWaxworms: Bluegill, sunfish, and rock bassLive bait delivery: Slip bobbers, vertical jigs, trolling harnesses, and drop shot rigs
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
We are happy to share once more that the VHSv Lab Test results have come back NEGATIVE for our latest batch of Atlantic Herring. Additionally, we have received a Michigan State Certification letter that permits us to proceed with the sales of our Familiar Bite Herring Cut-Bait Strips.Get the "Big One" with Familiar Bite...
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Northern Michigan Fishing Update – August 7, 2025Moon Phase & Solunar Peaks (Eastern Time)Moon: Waning nearly full (~90 percent)Major feeding windows: 10 37 AM ET–12 37 PM ET, 10 44 PM ET–12 44 AM ETMinor feeding windows: 2 35 AM ET–3 35 AM ET, 6 24 PM ET–7 24 PM ETWater Temperatures & ThermoclineLake Michigan surface: approx 72 °FInland lakes: low to mid‑70sThermocline: 30–60 ft depth, dropping 5‑7 °F—prime zone for suspended salmon and walleyeWind & ConditionsLight NE‑breeze shifting NW mid‑morning, about 5–9 mph; calm early, haze developing laterLive‑Bait Techniques (Eastern Time)Minor Morning (2 35 AM ET): Lindy rig with live minnow or leech drifted along structure – refresh every 20 minMajor Midday (10 37 AM ET): Drift Lindy rig with leech or crawler through thermocline – use 3–6 ft fluoro leader in clear conditionsMajor Evening (10 44 PM ET): Slip‑bobber + Lindy rig with live leech over drop‑offs under moonlightSalmon Report – Frankfort Manistee Ludington WhitehallFrankfort: Pier anglers hooking Chinook early; offshore salmon and lake trout holding 120–210 ft, bites top 70 ft, spoons slash meat rigs doing wellManistee Ludington: Salmon in 140–250 ft, biting 40–80 ft down behind flashers; meat rigs scoring near structureLeland West Grand Traverse Bay & East Grand Traverse Bay (Adding per request)Leland West Bay: Salmon catching sporadic; best early and late—bait pods up north holding Chinook; lake trout still good on spoons and cowbells at First Bank and WhalebackEast Grand Traverse Bay: Smallmouth bass biting well in 15–30 ft; use tube jigs and live baitTight lines and Baitman out#LiveBait #bucsbait #LiveBaitFishing #TakeAKidFishing#michiganfishingreport #bucsfishingreport #letsgofishing #fishingreport #gonefishing #tightlines
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Splash of the Paddle Lake CharlevoixThis week we are on Lake Charlevoix in northern Michigan chasing smallmouth bass, walleye, and perch from the kayakSlip bobbers and live bait rigs are producing in twenty to forty feet of water near drop offs and rocky pointsTry crawlers for bass and perch, or leeches near the river mouthsCircle K in Charlevoix has fresh bait to keep you dialed inFish smarter, kayak quiet, tight linesBait Man out#splashofthepaddle #kayakfishing #lakecharlevoix #livebaitonly #northernmichiganfishing #hookandpaddle #smallmouthbass #walleyefishing #perchfishing
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
