Fin Nailer, LLC Fishing Charters | Lake Michigan Salmon Fishing

Fishing Calendar & How We Fish

August

Adult Kings Migrate to the St. Joseph Harbor Area to Stage for the October Spawning Run!!

The Michigan DNR & Private Sport Clubs plant over 300,000 King Salmon in the St Joseph River System each year. When these fish mature at 4yrs old, they return to their “River of Origin” to Spawn & Die. Michigan DNR estimate 14% of all planted Kings are harvested by Fishermen.

This means as the Summer Days become shorter, and the October Run approaches the Adult King’s Biological Clock compels them to migrate to the St. Joseph Harbor/River Area. Thousands of these Exciting Sport Fish will be within Fishing Proximity throughout August.

Large schools of Skamania Steelhead mill about, and Lake Trout are frequently taken.

We caught this fine Catch of 4yr old Kings at the Pier Head. Conditions were just right.

Trevor with his Big King“A Fishing Trip He’ll Never Forget”

Nice Mixed Bag of Kings, Steelhead, and Lake Trout

The “Deep Break” Fishing Program

Fishing is absolutely reliable. The Deep Break Thermocline is fully developed. That environment is in Full Swing, the “Full Program” has been adjusted & tweaked to exploit it’s full potential. Fishing day after day in the same 95 to 125’ water, we’ve learned WHAT THEY WANT & HOW THEY WANT IT. Our Guests “Reap the Rewards” with Big Catches of Kings Steelhead, and Lake Trout. FISH ON !!!

Pete Skrobot arranged for a Fishing Charter for his Clients. They really had a Good Time, and had a Nice Catch of Fish!

One of Pete’s Clients Caught this Nice Hen “Skamania” Steelhead

Alysia Hyde took her Husband Troy
on an Afternoon Fishing Charter for a “Surprise Birthday Gift” Bless Her Heart. Great Wife huh Guys!!

Ricardo Saenz took his 2 Sons Fishing before sending them off to College. This was there 1st time
on Lake Michigan. They took their Limit and had a Great Time.
FISH ON!!!

Lavon Swartz owner of KC’S Auto in Kalamazoo, MI takes his employees fishing at least once a year. They must have the “Good Karma” they always do well, but on this Day “Boated over 30 Fish on 45+ Bites.
FISH ON!!!

Stan Whitaker with a Nice 4yr Old Adult King Salmon

Testimonial Letter

“Fishing with Capt. Russ is better than other Charters because: His boat is in Tip Top Shape. It’s Clean, Large, Very Comfortable, and has all the latest High Tech Gizmos. He uses only the Best Tackle which everyone that Fishes with him gets to use. He simply has the Best Collection of Lures and Equipment on the Lake.

He gets everyone involved. You don’t just sit around and wait. You’re part of the Fishing, whether Setting out the Rods, Driving the boat, or Raiding his Cookie Jar. It doesn’t matter who or how old you are, you’re involved in the Day’s Fishing.

No-One works harder. He wants his Clients to Catch Fish and have Fun doing it. It’s his Passion. I’m an OLD ANGLER myself, and he is Simply the Best.”

Stan Whitaker
Fisherman & Owner of Overhead Door
Kalamazoo, Mi

Grandpa took the Grandsons Fishing the Boys did very good for their 1st time.

Nice Mixed Bag Catch of King Salmon
Skamania Steelhead, and Lake Trout!!

Chad Wiegand, his Dad, and 2 Buddies went Fishing for One of Chad’s Bachelor Parties. These Guys were Tons of Fun!!

This “Skamania” Steelhead Hit so Hard it snapped the 8’3” Ugly Stick. It was this young man’s turn so in a snap I grabbed a 13/16 Wrench and some Blue Electrical Tape, and patched that Rod well enough for this Young Angler to catch his Fish.

Lavon and the Guys caught a few 4 yr old Kings, several nice 3yr old Kings, nice Lake Trout and also this Beautiful “Skamania Steelhead”. Charter Fishing is a Great Outing for Employers and their Employees or Clients. You just don’t get the same satisfaction from a Good Putt that you get from Catching Fish Like These. Or laughing about the One That Got Away. The friendship you build and the memories Last all Through the Year.

Calm Seas, Good Fishing, Warm Water

August is a Great Time to Fish on Lake Michigan. I tell everyone, “August is the Best Time to Go if you want Calm Seas, Warm Water, and Good Reliable Fishing.” You’ve heard of the “Dog Days of Summer” well that's August. Very seldom does the Wind Blow Hard. Lake Michigan is Fishable about 95% of the time.

The Water has warmed to 75-80degrees on the surface. Silver Beach at St. Joseph is packed with Families enjoying a day at the Beach. The City of St. Joseph features many Craft Shows, and Outdoor Concerts in the Park. There are 2 Outdoor Band Shells. One on the Bluff overlooking the Lake, and one near the Pier Head along side the River. It really is a Great Place for a Summer “Mini Vacation.”

Fishing is Absolutely Reliable. The Environment on the Deep Break in 85-135’ of water is fully developed. Huge schools of Alewives live there all the time now, and Sportfish “Which Don’t Stray Far From the Dinner Table” are nearby. I’m Fishing there Every Day. I know “Where Their At” and “What They Want.”

As a Bonus, the Adult 4yr Old Kings are beginning to Stage near the St. Joseph Pier Head for their Fall Spawning Run up the St. Joseph River. At some point from the 15th through the 31st of August these Kings will Stage at the Pier Head by the Thousands. If you’re lucky enough to be here “Fishing is Absolutely Amazing!”

If conditions are right once they show up, they’ll be at the Pier Head through September. As long as the River stays warm. 65 degrees or higher the Kings don’t want to Run Up. They’ll stay in the Stained River Water that sets up around the Pier Head in Lake Michigan. We Troll in and around this Stained Water and just Beat Them Up!! FISH ON!!!