Genie took me to the Whitefish

[djkimmel]

But... I didn't catch any... first time ever fishing for Whitefish at night on purpose! Best I did was 2 scales when I almost snagged 1. It was still slow but I bet well over 100 persons lined the pier at Muskegon last night!

Wow! Opening day of Michigan deer season and tons of people were still out on the pier! Probably saw 25-30 total fish landed with one lady, also her first time after Whitefish, only about 15 feet from me having the hot, hot hand, landing 4 nice ones! Good teacher or she knows how to catch fish. She said she fishes a lot (and she had pink on!)...

Didn't enjoy the snow spitting in the face later as much but loved smelling fish, took a walk on the 'beach' and generally enjoyed once again being out in Pure Michigan fishing! Might have to try it again!

[djkimmel]

Check out #piermichigan at www.piermichigan.org or on Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/PierMichigan.org ) for more information on all the fantastic pier fishing available in Pure Michigan! Might need it to fight some cabin fever (and some fish!).

[fishstick]

One of my buds did good last night, hoping they are in tonight! It is going to be a long day at work waiting to get out there.

[djkimmel]

You still whacking them?? I haven't been able to get the timing right yet for an evening trip (PS: I won't be there 3 nights ago! )

[Waterfoul]

You still whacking them?? I haven't been able to get the timing right yet for an evening trip (PS: I won't be there 3 nights ago! )

I hit the pier with a buddy last night.  I caught 4 keepers and snagged 2 in about 4 hours. Pretty good ratio of keepers to snagged fish but there weren't a lot of fish being caught.  I will say that whitefish seem to bite better when the weather is most uncomfortable for the angler.  Last night was a beautiful night for fishing.  No wind at all and fairly warm (was 30 degrees when I got there).  When it's windy and snowing like a banshee they really seem to jump onto the pier.

[Dan]

Nine foot rod, spider wire, jigging rapala- silver and black or gold and black No. 9. Remove the treble hook.  Cast, wait for it to hit bottom and slowly lift off the bottom. Long handled net is recommended. Ditto what Waterfowl said nastier it is the better the fish bite. Peak run is on the downward end. Muskegon better than Grand Haven.

[Waterfoul]

Nine foot rod, spider wire, jigging rapala- silver and black or gold and black No. 9. Remove the treble hook.  Cast, wait for it to hit bottom and slowly lift off the bottom. Long handled net is recommended. Ditto what Waterfowl said nastier it is the better the fish bite. Peak run is on the downward end. Muskegon better than Grand Haven.

Boooo! on the 9' rod!  My shoulders won't handle that for more than 10 minutes.  I just use a 7' medium spinning rod.

[Dan]

Need that long light rod for those paper mouths.

[Waterfoul]

Need that long light rod for those paper mouths.

Na... a light drag and some good fighting skills is all you need!  :-)

[djkimmel]

I thought you just hammer the hook home and flip them onto the pier??!?!?