5.0(2 Reviews)Advanced Salmon & Trout Trip on Michigan Waters
5.0(2 reviews)
Private Trip
Lakes/Reservoirs/Ponds Fishing
Sixhour advanced fishing trip targeting salmon and trout species.Fully equipped tritoon accommodates six experienced anglers comfortably.Peak season runs from July through late October.
If you're looking to push your angling skills on some of Michigan's most productive waters, this 6-hour advanced fishing trip hits different. We're talking about a serious morning session starting at 6:30 AM sharp from either White Lake or Muskegon Lake, targeting the big four: King Salmon, Coho, Lake Trout, and Rainbow Trout. This isn't your typical guided trip where we hold your hand through every cast. We're here for seasoned anglers who want to dial in their technique and put some quality fish in the boat during peak season from July 20th through October 30th.
You'll be fishing from our fully rigged 826 Angler Qwest Tritoon – and before you roll your eyes at "tritoon," this platform is built for performance fishing, not cocktail cruises. We've got room for six anglers max, which means everyone gets prime real estate and personal attention without feeling cramped. The boat comes loaded with all the gear you need, from downriggers to planer boards, plus a full spread of rods rigged for whatever we're seeing out there. The early start isn't just for Instagram photos – we're hitting the water when the fish are most active, especially during those cooler morning hours when the salmon are prowling the thermocline. Expect structured fishing with purposeful moves based on what the fish are telling us, not random trolling patterns.
This trip focuses on precision trolling techniques that separate weekend warriors from serious salmon and trout hunters. We run a combination of downrigger fishing, lead core setups, and copper line presentations depending on where we mark fish and what depth they're holding. You'll learn how to read your electronics like a pro – understanding temperature breaks, baitfish clouds, and those subtle marks that could be a 20-pound King lurking below. We're not afraid to make bold moves, whether that's running way out to hit the 90-foot break or sliding into skinnier water when the Coho are chasing bait tight to structure. The gear selection changes throughout the morning based on conditions, and we'll walk you through spoon selection, flasher combinations, and why certain colors fire up fish on specific days.
The King Salmon here are absolute bruisers, especially during the late summer and early fall runs. These fish average 15-25 pounds, but don't be shocked when something north of 30 pounds decides to eat your spoon and take you for a ride around the boat. Kings fight dirty – they'll sound deep, make long runs, and test every knot you tied that morning. What makes them special here is how they stage in the deeper water before making their spawning runs, giving us consistent shots at fresh, chrome-bright fish that haven't lost their lake conditioning yet.
Coho Salmon bring a completely different energy to the fight. These silver rockets typically run 8-15 pounds and fight like they're twice that size. They're acrobats – jumping, tailwalking, and pulling moves that'll have you scrambling to keep tension on the line. Coho love structure and current breaks, and when they're feeding aggressively in the morning hours, you can have multiple hookups that'll test your crew's fish-fighting coordination. The best part about Coho is their willingness to hit a variety of presentations, from small spoons to cut bait behind dodgers.
Lake Trout are the overlooked giants of this fishery, and honestly, they're some of the most underrated fighters in the Great Lakes. These fish can push 20+ pounds and they're built like submarines – thick, powerful, and stubborn as hell once hooked. Lakers love the deeper, colder water, and they'll absolutely crush a well-presented spoon or fly setup. What makes them exciting is their unpredictability – you might think you've got a snag until that "snag" starts moving sideways and reminds you why they call them lake monsters.
Rainbow Trout round out our target species and they're pure fun on lighter tackle. These fish typically run 5-12 pounds but fight with heart that belies their size. Rainbows are aggressive feeders when conditions are right, and they'll often be the most active fish during those prime morning hours. They love flashy presentations and aren't afraid to chase a lure, making for some exciting visual strikes when they're feeding near the surface.
At $575 plus a 20% mate's fee, this trip delivers serious value for anglers who want to level up their Great Lakes game. Remember to grab your Michigan fishing license before we shove off – we provide everything else you need to have a world-class morning on the water. The peak season window from July 20th through October 30th books up fast, especially those prime weekend slots when the weather cooperates and the fish are running hot. These Michigan waters have earned their reputation as a top-rated salmon and trout destination for good reason, and this advanced trip puts you right in the middle of the action with the techniques and knowledge to make the most of it.
Hit the water at first light aboard this fully rigged 2019 26ft Angler Qwest pontoon, built for serious salmon and trout fishing on White and Muskegon Lakes. The Mercury 225HP pushes this stable platform up to 33 knots, getting you to the fish fast during those crucial morning bite windows. Six anglers fish comfortably with plenty of deck space for multiple lines and landing nets. The onboard fish finder pinpoints schools while GPS keeps you on productive structure. When fish go deep or spook easily, deploy the wireless trolling motor for silent positioning over drop-offs and thermoclines. Keep your catch fresh in the spacious icebox, and take a break from the action with the multimedia system between runs. The head keeps everyone comfortable during those extended sessions targeting kings, cohos, and lake trout. This pontoon's wide beam handles Lake Michigan swells with confidence while providing the casting room and stability needed for advanced techniques like downrigging and planer board spreads.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the trophy fish everyone dreams about - these monsters can push 20-30 pounds in our waters. They're light-sensitive, so they hug the bottom during bright days, often 60-100 feet down in the cooler water. Chinook have that distinctive black mouth and are built like freight trains. The fight is different from coho - less jumping, more bulldogging power that'll test your equipment. Peak season runs from late summer into fall when they stage near river mouths. The meat is rich and oily, perfect for grilling or smoking. These fish are smart and can be finicky, so presentation matters. My secret weapon for kings is dropping weighted spoons right to the bottom and working them slow. They'll often hit on the drop, so keep that rod tip sensitive and be ready to set the hook fast.
Oncorhynchus KisutchCoho salmon, or "silvers" as we call them, are pure adrenaline on the water. These acrobatic fish average 8-12 pounds and are famous for their aerial shows once hooked - they can jump 6 feet vertically. During our peak season from late July through October, coho move into the shallower areas near river mouths, usually 20-50 feet deep. They're aggressive feeders and will hit bright lures hard. What guests really love is the fight - coho are relentless battlers that test your drag and your patience. Plus, that bright orange meat makes for outstanding table fare. My go-to trick for coho is running bright chartreuse or pink spoons just above the thermocline. When they're feeding, you'll see them on the fish finder as scattered marks, not tight schools.
Salvelinus NamaycushLake trout are the deep-water giants of the Great Lakes, averaging 15-25 pounds with some real monsters pushing 40+. These char prefer the coldest water available, usually hanging in 80-120 feet deep during summer months. They're not flashy fighters like salmon, but they're powerful and stubborn once hooked. Lakers are perfect for overcast days when they move up in the water column to feed. What makes them special is their size potential and that rich, flaky meat that's fantastic on the table. They're opportunistic feeders that love jigging spoons and swimbaits worked vertically. Here's what works: drop your jig to bottom, then work it 10-15 feet up in sharp jerks. Lakers often hit on the fall, so keep tension on the line and watch for that telltale tap.
Oncorhynchus MykissRainbow trout here run 2-8 pounds on average, with that signature pink stripe making them easy to spot. They're scrappy fighters that'll jump and make runs, which is why guests love targeting them. During our summer and fall runs, you'll find them in the cooler depths of Lake Michigan, usually 40-80 feet down where the water temps stay in their comfort zone. What makes rainbows special is their willingness to hit a variety of lures - spoons, spinners, and flies all work well. They're also excellent eating with that mild, slightly nutty flavor. Here's a local tip: when we're trolling for them, I like to vary the speed every few minutes. That speed change often triggers strikes from rainbows that have been following but not committing to the lure.
5.0 out of 5.0
Lake Michigan