Reel Addiction Charters

Ruslan Fedotenko, of the Pittsburgh Penguins, and friends Larkin and Sara fished with us this morning.  This is the second season they joined us for a trip.  Last year in July his group landed 10 fish.  This year, the group had 9 fish on but only was able to get 5 to the boat, the biggest being a 17lber.  Fish again came from deep water just like yesterday.  Although not as successful as last July, fun was had by all and Sara survived her first Great Lakes fishing trip.   

The Manley family from Kirkwood, MO braved 5 foot rollers and a stiff NW cross wind aboard the Reel Addiction this morning.  The fish didn't want to cooperate early but we eventually found what interested them...deep Little Boy Blue Howie flies with pearl flashers 100 to 120 feet down.  They didn't come fast, the family went 6 for 9, but all the fish we did land were 12 to 17lbs and very healthy.  No small fish were caught all morning.  The two kids, below, had 10 to 15 minute fights with the bigger fish and were all smiles on the way in.  All fish were caught in 130fow or better.

A group of family and friends visiting Door County for a reunion fished aboard the Reel Addiction Monday morning.  They battled 14 fish, got 11 to the boat and released 2 shakers and a small laker.  Of course the youngest fisherman on board, pictured below, battled and landed the biggest fish of the morning, a nice 14lb king. Weather was cool but the seas were calm. 
The afternoon trip was a different story.  A strong NE wind started blowing about an hour after we got out there and soon kicked up 3 foot waves and significantly cooled the temperatures.  The two gentlemen on board landed 2 of the 5 fish they had on.  Definitely a difference from the morning trip. 
Weather here today is windy, cold and rainy so the trip scheduled for this afternoon has been rescheduled for tomorrow evening.

Made it out on Saturday morning for two hours with a friend.  It was a bit windy and wet but the fish didn't mind.  We landed 10 kings in about two hours.  Having our limit we headed back to shore for a breakfast of warm pancakes!  The fish hit just about any spoon we put in the water.  Water temps off of Rowleys Bay are still in the high 50's on the surface.
Another captain out of Gill's Rock informed me last night that the salmon are starting to bite in the Bay also.  I have 3 trips in the next two days so I will continue to give updates on the conditions in Northern Door County.

      The Cybart family, from Evansville, WI, had a great time fishing yesterday evening.  They landed 11 of 14 fish with 5 of them weighing in at 13lbs or better.  It was their first time on a Great Lakes charter and I think they may be back for more!  Water temps off of Rowleys Bay are in the high 50's.  Most of the fish last night came on deep spoons.   Savant's Blue Glow Trout and Warrior's Blueberry Muffin were hot, catching 3 fish each. 
     The weather is suppose to be horrible up here over the next few day so I don't know if we will be making it out.  Monday we have a full day with a trip in the morning and in the afternoon.  Stay tuned.

The first clients of the year were greeted with calm seas and a beautiful sunrise aboard the Reel Addiction this morning.  The mother, daughter team landed 6 of 8 fish including this nice 14lb king.  They were Great Lakes rookies from Ohio but did a great job handling rods, even landed a tricky double with a couple 13lb kings.   Great job ladies!  You can check out their fish rack on our photos page.

I went out by myself this morning to scout for the first trips of the season tomorrow and Wednesday.  I left the marina at 4:45am and was back by 6:15am with a limit of salmon.  The fish hit anything I put in the water.  I went 5 for 7 with all 5 were better than 10 lbs and I even managed to land a double by myself!  This is going to be one heck of a June!

     Over the weekend we wet the lines for the first time this year targeting salmon.  Even though we only spent a couple hours on the water fishing each morning,  we found fish right away and ended up going 3 for 5 on Sunday morning and 3 for 6 this morning.  We landed some nice ones including this 14lb king Bryan Pelant caught on a fly.  It felt good to be back out on the big water again. 
     I am predicting the fishing this June will be excellent.  Surface temps off of Rowleys are in the high 50's and a nice thermocline has already begun to set up.  Our season kicks off on June 6th and the first trip of the year is scheduled for the morning of June 8th.  Assuming we have good weather, I am predicting happy clients!

    With all the warm weather around it feels like summer!  I can't wait to get over to Door County and wet some lines.  We will be open for charters on June 6th this year.  Word out of Algoma, Kewaunee, and south along the lakeshore is that the salmon have arrived.  Fishermen have been having great success for this early in the year and I am predicting salmon in the boat over Memorial Day Weekend.  If the weather holds June could be a hot month for fishing this year.  If you are going to be in Door County in mid-June book a trip!  It is hard to beat the scenery of the Door Peninsula and the fun of fighting kings!

The Wisconsin inland waters fishing opener was this past weekend.  In the St. Germain area the weather was unusually warm and windy but my fishing party did really well!  We landed a lot of walleyes, keeping a few between 15 and 20 inches for a fish fry.  We released many to fight another day, including this fat 29 incher I boated opening morning. 
We will be getting back to Door County over Memorial Day Weekend to put the Reel Addiction in for the season.   We will be officially opening on June 6th.  With all of the warm weather we have been having I have a feeling salmon will be arriving earlier than normal this year.  Hoping for rain so lake levels go up by then.  In April, Michigan was down about a foot from last year.
If you have not already done so, check out your calendar and book a date to join us for a trip.  July, the best month for salmon, is filling fast.  Thank you to all returning clients who have booked already.  See you soon in beautiful Door County!