TOPIC:

Hi everyone. My name is Keith. It's been over 35 years since I last fished for Salmon. I was able to purchase a 16' deep v boat last year. I would like to try for some this spring if possible?
Here's what I have to work with. Boat came equipped with 4 down ringers and 8# cannon balls. It has 7 rod holders we use for steelhead fishing the St Joe. It has an 88 hp motor with recent overhaul. ( it's reliable). Has an 8 hp kicker and a Gps fish finder. I have a variety of rods and reels. But none with line counters. Boat has 6'3" beam. Could anyone recommend how you would setup this boat for spring salmon? Should I use the riggers? Do I need dipseys and boards? What do I need for lures? Keep in mind I will probably be limited to just a few trips each year. I would like to invest in enough tackle to be successful. But want to avoid wasting money so I'm asking the board for help. Also Where should I put in? I live a little over an hour straight south of South Bend? Would likely head North on 31.
Thanks Keith

HI Keith,
Welcome aboard! Since you have riggers, certainly use them. If you have 2 guys in the boat and can only run 6 rods, and are trying to make the most minimal investment possible, then I would say, 2 riggers, 2 flatlines off the side, and 2 boards. You can run a variety of crankbaits, spoons, and dodger/fly this time of year with good success (typically orange, red, green). For lines not on the riggers, you will need in line keel weights for spoons and dodger/fly to get them down a bit. Plan on having all lures run in the top 10-15 feet of the water column over anywhere from 10-45 FOW. Have to hunt and see whats best.

Where to put in: The answer is wherever the weather permits and where the fish are. Sounds like St. Joe, New buffalo, Mi City, or Portage are your top options. I have only gone out of New Buffalo once, but like it alot. I dont care much for launching out of MI City.

I am sure you will get plenty of recommendations from the guys here.

Welcome aboard!

I agree with Dirty's rod selection. We have done really well with Brad's Thin Fish (BTF-71, BTF-74 and BTF-259), Yakima Mag Lip (Grinch, Keeper and Metalic Gold Flame) and finally Berkeley Flicker Shad (size 7 in similar colors listed above).

Also, Wonder Bread or orange crush spoons.

Good luck!

Welcome: That's boat is similar, maybe the identical hull, to my first boat. I put a million miles on it, caught a half million fish so that's a fish every couple miles. Not bad for a beginner.

Hopefully, there's still a couple weeks of nearshore action to come, but don't dawdle. The fish haven't been sticking around in the shallows as long as they used to a few years ago.

Experience is the best teacher and if you are only going to fish a few times all season, it's going to be hard for you to gain the experience quickly. What would be ideal is for you to hook-up with someone who is a proficient fisherperson, willing to give you some lessons. You can see their rig, lures, pick their brain and use the experience gained on your own boat. Plenty of proficient anglers on this site.

Small plug here. I came up through the small boat ranks, have owned and outfitted five different boats and my current boat is 21 feet - still small by charterboat standards. I do take people out wanting to learn the sport and will gear an outing as much or more as a "learning" experience as a fish catching experience. Many have done this, some who are on this site. I bet some of them chime in. Something to consider.

I have to agree 100 percent with brother nature. We can all go on and on about gear that you need and tips but seeing it first hand is the best way to learn.

Welcome! Even an experienced fisherman can learn from other fisherman by fishing on different boats. Best way to learn is to see other setups and how others run their program.

Thanks to all who replied! Sounds like I'm looking to hitch a ride or hire someone to get me out. I agree completely! It would be much easier to start that way. I'm pretty flexible on days the next few weeks. But after the first week of May it becomes very difficult to get away. If anyone has a day open please send me a message. If possible i would prefer to fish out of one of the sites I would be launching from. Probably Michigan city to Portage. Also if you know of anyone that has the tackle I need? I would be interested in buying used from an individual.
Thanks again Keith

I might have a spot one weekend in April on my boat in ST Joe. Weather and people depending.