Grand Traverse Bays continue to fish well, and as salmon season progresses, salmon continue to be a prime target for most charter boats and recreational anglers alike. Early mornings are the key to getting bites in this clear water, and the king salmon bite is best in the early mornings or late evenings on either Grand Traverse Bay. The normal gathering spot for many salmon anglers, known as the hole, in West Bay is the staging point just outside the mouth of the Boardman River. For East Bay anglers, the south bank is a top producer most days for salmon. Meat rigs have been the go-to for anglers, but any number of spoons have produced results of both salmon and lake trout.
Jigging remains red hot on the Bays, with beautifully-colored trout being caught each trip out. For those anglers seeking the thrill of bone-jarring huge strikes from king salmon, jigging along West Bay’s hole is the place to be at first light. Jigging spoons in the 2 or 3-ounce range are the hottest bet for these vicious fighters. Anglers can find salmon in any water depth ranging from 40 all the way down over 100 feet.
Platte Bay coho salmon action is frenzied in the first couple of weeks of the month, when fish move shallow in the bay, staging for their run up the Platte River. In waters as shallow as 6-15 feet, cohos will mill about, readily taking lures in the slightly deeper waters and spawn bags and flies cast in the surf. Cohos are outstanding table fare, and with their feisty nature, these scrappy fish could be one of the most fun fish swimming in the Great Lakes for light-tackle anglers. King salmon come into Platte Bay as well and follow on the heels of the cohos. Lures and spawn are the top producers for these true brutes. Jigging for lake trout and cohos is also a great technique to get close to the action.
The Platte River is a small river, with a great run of salmon. Mostly known for its cohos, the Platte gets an impressive number of kings as well. Regulations for this designated trout river mean that anglers are allowed only a small single non- weighted hook. Fluorocarbon line in 6-10 pound test is the key to getting maximum numbers of bites, and long limber rods are the ticket to having a chance to land salmon.
The Betsie River is another small river but is larger than its nearby cousin the Platte. King salmon are the game here, and fish stage in incredible numbers below Homestead Dam until the time is right when seemingly most of the fish jump the dam to head upstream. Spawn below a float is the dominant technique, while up above the dam, techniques can vary. Fly anglers do very well above Homestead, and fish will move incredible distances to eat a well-presented egg pattern or bead.
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