TOPIC:

Fish out of Portage have boat with kicker. New to area any suggestions on how and where to fish for Steelhead's would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

Trolling the mouth of the ditch right now could turn up a few skamanias. Michigan City too, at the mouth of Trail Creek

J-11s and J-13s in orange, red/black thinfish, leadcore or divers with bright colored spoons are typical tactics. Stealthy is often better - think first and last light, during the week, less boat traffic, no riggers, get your boards out far from the boat


If you don't want to troll, some guys have great success anchoring and fishing live bait or shrimp under bobbers along the mudline just at the mouth



Otherwise, there is a great coho bite happening right now in 50-70 ft, and also out deep in 125+ feet. Dodger flies on divers, riggers, short cores, spoons, etc. Sometimes run into steelhead mixed in with the coho

There is nothing more exciting on the great lakes than hooking into a Skamania from shore with spinning gear. It is addicting and absolutly love it. I usually make a couple shore trips just for them and leave the boat at the dock.

Shrimp under a slip bobber or a Michigan City rig work well. Make sure it is cooked shrimp 4 to 7 feet down. I usually have one of those going and then a 2nd rod casting a orange ko wobbler. Steelhead love them and I have had some awesome hookups with it. When fishing lake side I once was about to pull the ko out of the water when a Skam came swooping in out of no where right next to the rocks and grab my ko and run with it jump and it was a hell of a fight. Something like that is why I go.

This was my best day ever from shore for Skams. Limited out by 830 am. End of June 2012



Typical K.O from that trip. Man I look young in that pic with a lot more hair than I do now, that is how long i've been heading out there. It is definitely worth it.