September on Lake Michigan: Mid-Day Kings and the Run

From Capt. John King's fishing logs, 2008–2009. September brings the last weeks of adult Kings on the shelf, great mid-day fishing after the crowds leave, and the start of the river run.

Labor Day 2008, Manistee: fishing banker's hours

  • Lines in from 9:15am to 4pm, south of Guerney Creek to avoid holiday traffic.
  • Worked from 100' to 180' of water; best was 120–140'.
  • Temperature broke about 70' down; rigger bites came 87–125' down.
  • Riggers: 12" King Kryptonite with a 3-fly Undertaker, and a Clear Double Glow with a matching 3-fly rig.
  • Divers: King Purple BTI with an X-Glow BTI fly, producing from noon to 3:30pm.
  • 10 bites, 6 fish.

Eaters vs. biters: September 2, 2008

  • 9am–2:30pm in 160–180' of water.
  • Meat on riggers 80–125' down (52°F at 80', down to 38°F at 125'): fish swallowed the bait, hooks buried deep.
  • Flies on divers 55–70' down: fish were hooked under the chin, only slapping at the fly.
  • After switching every fly to double snelled trebles, 10 of 11 bites made it to the net.

Other September notes

  • Capt. Len Mitchell, Labor Day 2008: 80–100' down over 130' of water north toward Onekama for 7 Kings plus Coho, Lakers and a Steelhead.
  • King Purple Glow was the best-selling glow BTI of 2008.
  • The Leland Puke BTI out-produced everything on John's boat in September–October 2009 off-peak bites.
  • Late September: Steelhead in the top 60'; juvenile Kings deeper around bait. Adult Kings move into Manistee Lake and the rivers.
  • John's tip: spray-paint an old diver black for late-morning and mid-day fish.

Recommended tackle

More: Spread Setup Guide · Trolling Cheat Sheet · All months

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