Coho are KING
No doubt, in most historical accounts, the Chinook is the undisputed King of the salmonoids. But, here on Lake Superior, another story is unfolding, and it looks as if the King has just been dethroned. That’s right, here on Chequamegon Bay the Coho is the new King on the block. And for good reasons - there are LOTS of them and the fishing for them has been out of this world.
Never have I seen numbers of these fish like I have this year. The past two years were good, but this year has been extraordinary. 3 to 4 person limits in two hours. 20 fish in 2 hours, on Lake Superior? It’s unheard of, especially when you take into consideration there is 10 or more boats right alongside you catching these fish as well. So, yes, I do believe we have a new King. Oh, a just FYI, this “kingdom” of Coho does not just stop here in the Ashland and Bayfield area. Nope, they are holding in strong numbers all around the western part of Lake Superior, from here in Ashland and Bayfield, all the way to the Minnesota side of this greatest of great lakes. But, overall, due to our area having some of the best spawning rivers for salmon, we are holding the highest concentration of these tasty treats we call Coho.
But, do not get fooled into thinking this extreme success comes easy. Here at Hudson’s On the Spot Guide Service, we work hard to keep on these fish and fine tune our techniques daily to allow our customers to head back home with a fistful of great eating fish. Most folks I talk to at the dock or chatter with on message boards think that this early season salmon trolling is as simple as putting your boat into gear, throwing out shallow running stickbaits on planer boards, and driving down a shoreline equals instant fishing success. Some days, yes. Most days, no. Being successful each and every time means thinking outside the box and being able to change up quickly when the fish are not “hitting” that day.
Incorporating leadcore, downriggers, dipsy divers with a mixture of stickbaits, crankbaits, and flasher and or dodger/fly combos along with having a way to monitor speed and temperature in the water column are all an intricate part of the system to be very successful on these fish. Fine tuning to what the fish are telling you is the key. Some days they are a bit deeper then the next, or vice versa. Surface or sub-surface current could be prevalent from one day to the next. Mudlines and temperature breaks can come and go. Being able to recognize these changes and then thinking outside of the box of your normal trolling spread will allow you to put more and more fish into the net each and every time.
So, now is the time, come on up to our beautiful area here in Wisconsin and try your hand at capturing the new King of the water.
Good FISHING..
Captain Jim Hudson owns and operates Hudson’s On the Spot Guide Service, the premier guide service for Ashland and Bayfield WI of Chequamegon Bay, catering to Trout and Salmon adventures along with SmallMouth Bass and Walleye trips. Jim can be contacted at 715 209 6431 or onthespot@fishchequamegonbay.com
For dining, lodging, entertainment and other activity information in the Ashland Area, connect with the Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce at www.visitashland.com or ashchamb@centurytel.net or 800-284-9484.