[Finatic]

Folks,
Unfortunately this is not a report but the latest greatest as to conditions for Waukegan as of 3/9/08 Sunday. I went down this morning and the ice has it locked up pretty good right now as far as I could see. Access is the number one problem as there is no safe way to get near this nice little stretch of warm water that is currently flowing along the pier. From the egde of the pier to about 60 foot out and 200 yards down everything else is surrounded by ice as far as the eye can see. The good part is that it was steaming this morning which on observation would make the water warmer than anywhere else which should subsequently attract bait along with fish(just a guess). Need one of 2 things to make this place fishable which would be either a good west wind for a day or some warm weather to loosen up the ice packs and ice on the pier. The ice has gone down significantly by the end but still better bring a 30 foot net or some mountain climbing gear if you actually plan on landing fish. I plan on checking every other day until I can get where I can safely get a net in the water otherwise the conditions are perfect. Just my 2 cents whoever gets down there first is going to get some real good action provided yer presentation is right but above all dont take stupid chances with yer life for a fish, you will be safer if ya wait a bit. Or you could go up to Kenosha and catch them as fast as u get yer line in the water i guess. To each his own.
Good Luck Good Fishing all
Fin

 

[1KNOT2GO]

Finatic - Thanks for scouting out the area for us all - Please keep us posted. Wife says I've been a real pain lately and need to get out of the house.

 

[mikeyb]

yeah I was one of the stupid people that actually fished j-pier on sunday.Fin is right about you need a 30' pole just to net the fish.This is not a safe place to fish for now,but maybe thursday! I will never do that again! we did fish from 6-10 then the ice pack came in and closed down the fishing.Thx. god

 

[FishinMatt]

Looking back at my notes, I had some good days out there in early March in years past. Hopefully some winds push the ice out or this weeks temps are enough to start melting the ice. Should be some good fishing once it clears out.

 

[Finatic]

Johnson Pier updated

I met up with Bob this morning and we attempted to get out on Johnson Pier In Waukegan but low and behold we forgot our ice skates as the pier was covered with ice just enough to make it dangerous. The pier otherwise is ice free except Andy and my honey hole has residual ice there. Talked to one of the regulars and he stated the guy that left before him landed 3 fish, 2 Browns and a mystery fish(could not identify whether Coho or Steelhead)? And he stated the 2 guys that left before them had 5 total. So its seems like its only going to get better for awhile. Shiners are very difficult to find, but these guys said spawn was the hot ticket for them. Bob and myself tried over by the Yacht club and were skunked. But i met Bob who was great and even bought breakfast for me and my wife which was nice and appreciated (thanks Bob) i absolutely will buy the lobster next time we go out fishing. So i took out my frustrations at the casino and walked away with 600.00 large (YAHOO). Hello new fishing equipment. The ice has probably been long gone now as my guess once it warmed up a bit, travel would have been do able now. You know what they say theres always tomorrow. See ya on the water.
Good Luck Good Fishing all
Fin

 

[Guest]

Thanks Fin, saved me a trip too........ So I boughta cherry XJ Cherokee off of e-bay sunday, with a plow on it no less. Fishing would have saved me 10 grand :roll:

Where have you been getting spawn from, do you think Lori has some good stuff?

 

[andyg]

J-pier update

Went out 3/16 PM and witnessed 8 caught, I caught nothing.

All between 2 and 4 lbs, nothing to large.

Walter was using roach fillets and spawn sacks, he caught four while I was there 100 ft from me. That's the way it goes sometimes, I have been on the other end of that more often than not, so maybe it's my time for skunkage.

Others were using roaches due to the shiner issue.

Conditions were right, big NE wind, but not big enough to get you soaked on the top level.

Try again next week,

AndyG

 

[mikeyb]

There is no ice on j-pier except the very end.Fished with worms and no results The wind wasn`t good for fishing today.

 

[Finatic]

Johnson Pier Waukegan

Digitalblue,
I know Lori has spawn sacks I am unsure what the rules are for skein. I have lots from last years kings with tight membrane. Need to find some shiners which are very hard to find right now. If you would have had that plow at the beginning of this year you could have paid it off now with all the snow this year still sounds nice though but nothing personal I hope you dont need that plow the rest of spring but next year $$$ kaching kaching.
GLGF
Fin

 

[Finatic]

3/24/08 Johnson Pier Waukegan

Got out Monday morning and there were about 10 folks on the pier. I saw three landed and 2 myself 1 Brown about 3lbs and a whitefish /cool. Talked to my buddies who are down there regularly and they stated most were getting limits Tuesday and Wednesday last week. Water is dirty but the ice is gone. Winds were northeast about 6 miles an hour enough for a decent chop. All my fish came on Alewives today but Joseph and Kim stated last week spawn got them limits. Winds were swithching to the south as we left hopefully a west wind will clear the water up a bit. I thought I hit the lotto when I went thru my big freezer and found about 30 packs of Alewives and big shiners. All fish i saw taken were on the north side of the pier.
Until next time Good Luck Good Fishing all,
Fin

 

[Choupiquer]

Nice thread Fin! 2

 

[Finatic]

Waukegan

Thanks Choup I always say go with what ya know. Its a big lake and there is room for everyone no sense not sharing good information. I have been pondering trying some powerlining on Government to see if the Coho's are around. Weather hopefully(fingers crossed) will start turning the lookers into biters again shortly. Dirty water does not seem to affect the Brown bite as much and it never hurts to put a little extra smell out there as they key on that when the waters dirty. Stay close to the bottom when the water is dirty and you should still be able to get bit. Nice day to get out and wet a line either way.
GLGF
fin

 

[Finatic]

Wednesday afternoon Johnson pier Waukegan

I went down after work about 3:30pm and talked to Joseph and Santos (regulars) who had been fishing all morning. They stated someone picked up a 15lb plus Brown this morning along with 7 or 8 more between 2 and 7lbs. I fished until 6:00pm and had one hit which I missed and saw only 1 landed during the time I was there and several missed fish as they appeared to be picking at the bait instead of attacking it. Most were caught on spawn or skein with no particular depth being better than anywhere else all were caught on the north side of the pier. Water has cleared up with the hard west winds the past 2 days so hopefully that will give them a bigger window to see baits being presented and start the spoon action. Due to the cold water go with lighter weighted spoons and keep your retrieve slow as they arent chasing baits yet. Its been getting a little better every day so get down when you can.
GLGF
Fin

 

[Finatic]

Johnson Pier Waukegan(updated 4/03/08)

I went down to Johnson pier about 4pm last night winds were out of the north east about 10 MPH. I had one good fish break me off around 5:00pm fishing Alewives off of the bottom with a slip rig. There were several regulars down there including Kim, Roman and Pat. Kim and his buddy had landed 5 fish with him saying the best bite was between 10-12 noon yesterday but they landed there last 2 between 5 and 5:30pm using spawn on a slip rig. Roman landed 2 also fishing spawn on the bottom. All fish were between 2-5lbs and all were Brown trout. Pat tried casting spoons off the end and for about an hour and had no hookups. There were a couple more fish on stringers all Browns on various stringers. I saw some boats come in and judging where they were coming from must have been after Perch no report as they headed into the harbor. Seems to be getting a little better every day. I picked up my new licenses for both Illinois and Wisconsin at the Salmon Stop. Time to dust off your long rods and get down to the big lake and give it a try. Until next time Good Luck Good Fishing all.
Fin

 

[Choupiquer]

We're gonna have to get you a camera. 2

 

[Finatic]

Camera

Yea I have my cell phone camera not sure how good the pics would be and how to upload them. My wife yells at me when I take her 600.00 Cannon down there she is always afraid I would do something stupid like drop it in the water, rain on it, fish, bait slime etc. Going to have to get to Wal Mart and pick up a cheapie digital. Going to ask my buddy MuskieMod how to become a better filmer cuz I could take some awesome videos of folks fighting fish and the setups and baits being used. I have to watch my funds now as I bought myself a nice used Lund Rebel that i saw on sale(thats how i get it by my wife) honey it was on sale only 5,000 grand. Oh well se la vie.
GLGF
Fin

 

[Finatic]

Johnson Pier Waukegan 4/27/08

Got down to the pier about 7am and started fishing off the end with Lake shiners and Alewives only had 1 hit all morning. Joseph landed 2 Browns due north of the lighthouse off of the end on spawn. I saw one other fish landed biggest fish was probably 6lbs. Joseph said ya should have been here yesterday as several folks picked up limits of Browns. Left around 9:30.
GLGF
Fin

 

[Finatic]

Johnson Pier Waukegan(updated 5/08/08) Coho sightings

Folks are saying there picking up Coho's on johnson pier in the morning on spoons. I went down last night from 4-6pm and saw large schools of alewives by the pier. I fished for 2 hours with bait and casting and had a hit right before we left but the fish got off. Might want to give it a shot if your in the area.
GLGF
Fin

 

[Finatic]

Landing a nice Coho on 6lb priceless 5/19

Folks,
Here is the latest greatest on fishing on Johnson pier Sunday morning. Woke up early today and headed down to the pier to see if i could land the elusive Coho on light line. Well they are there and biting landed a nice 3 1/2 pounder on alewive fished off of the bottom. The fish hit with ferocity and doubled the pole over on the initial run, It sure is nice to feel the power of these things on light line. The fish would make 50 foot runs in every direction having a smooth drag is the ticket for these brawlers as it would go airborne several times on the way to the net. After a good five minute battle and several strong runs I was able to get the fish netted. All i can say is fish the odds and get down to your favorite Lake Michigan spots and put your time in. This is probably your best shot to do battle with these fighters in the next couple weeks from shore. I was using a slip rig with a 2 ounce pyramid weight on the bottom. Saw other folks land a fish here and there also. Try castmasters or cleos in green blue or orange. Its only going to get better for a bit. Get down and give it a shot now the fish are in.
Until next time Good Luck Good fishing All
Fin

 

[Finatic]

Perch Tips and tricks

Ok its getting to be that time for the feisty and tasty Perch from shore. First thing is bait or no bait. I am a sincere believer that the first hour especially when they first start showing up is the best. Personally like Salmon and Trout i prefer a 2 prong approach that involves both live bait and artificials. I have heard it a thousand times that you can catch them with artificials which i agree works. But I like to up my odds and add small live alewives when there available. I use the same methods which includes a slip rig with a 2-3inch alewive hooked thru the back and cinched with a half hitch around the tail for casting. My personal observations is that no your not going to get 15 fish in 15 minutes but the average size is amazing especially for larger fish. With the limit being 15 I dont mind if it takes me an hour or two to fill my limit as long as they are 12 inches or larger. Sure the guys around me using artificials will get there limit quicker but again I am after the big girls so to each his own. Here is a little tip if your a crawfish user. Get down to the piers early and scrape the sides of the pier where the green moss grows and then toss the muck up on the pier and the crayfish will come out. I can usually get enough to fish in about 15 minutes. Please throw the moss back when your done out of respect for other folks. As for Alewives try to keep them alive and switch bait every 10 minutes if no takers. Put em in a 5 gallon bucket and change the water every 10-15 minutes if you want to keep them happy and healthy. Perch are both delicious and nutricious so get down early and give it a try. Anybody else have any input would love to here it. Until next time Good Luck Good Fishing everyone. 8
The quest for the elusive 2lb perch.
Fin