Lake Flip Kings

Timing is everything especially when it comes to getting on a good king bite in Muskegon. There just isn’t enough fish anymore to just pick a random day in September and have a chance for good fishing. I’d been watching for the “flip”, when winds move the cold water up and to the beaches. Look for strong N, NW, NE, and E winds to make this happen.

There are a few buoys to watch closely for water temps (Muskegon Buoy, Port Sheldon Buoy, Ludington Buoy). If that cold water comes up to the surface that is the best, however if I see it creep up to 30 feet of the surface or so that is good enough for me. Such was the case in early September this year. While we didn’t get a full on flip it sent enough of them into Muskegon to have a great day!

P-Line Laser Minnows were the hot bait that day with standard favorites like glow green tiger and sardine doing all the work. I prefer the 2 ounce version for kings especially when there is some current around. You will want to swap the stock hooks on those to something a little stronger.

We headed back out the next day and even though the fish were there they absolutely would not bite. It was a whole lot of frustration and I ended up going 0-1. There are few things more frustrating than marking a bunch of negative kings. I’ve done lots of experimental things to try and trigger them when they won’t bite but have yet to come up with something that works. I know there is something out there and someday I will figure it out!

There’s still time to get in on the action before they all get in the river. I think I’ve probably got a trip or 2 left in me this year. There is just nothing like it and once you catch one you’ll be hooked for good.