HAWG-TIDE Charter Fishing Frankfort & Traverse City Michigan

Frankfort Fishing Report:

Hawg-Tide Sportfishing is owned and operated by Captain Andy McQuillan. Captain Andy is a young, energetic, full-time Charter Boat Captain that will go at any length to acquire a full box of fish.  He is a proud Central Michigan University alumnus.  His dream of becoming a charter boat captain became true when he attained his captain license in 2003.

Captain Andy’s Hawg-Tide is a prominent name in the Michigan charter boat fishing world. His reputation is backed by his committed efforts to be up to date with new fishing techniques and equipment. Practice makes perfect illustrates the fishing ethics behind Hawg Tide. Captain Andy is an avid fisherman and is on the waters daily no matter what time of the year. It makes no difference whether he is fishing for salmon on the big waters, walleye on an inland lake or exploring salt waters he uses his expertise and experiences to land the big fish.

He has won numerous tournaments and awards but his greatest thrill is watching one of his clients reel in a salmon for the first time. Captain Andy has been fishing ever since he could walk and he truly reveals in sharing the fishing adventure with others.

Originally from down state, Captain Andy loves being able to live in the northern outdoor paradise of Traverse City. Although his spare time is limited, he likes to spend it with his faithful German Shorthair, Whiskey, fishing, hunting, fishing, seeing friends and family, fishing and did we mention fishing.

Frankfort Fishing Report 10/12/10:

Fished out of Frankfort and boated 7 fish for about 12-13 bites.  Steelhead and small kings were caught.  The best action was in about 65-95 fow and just north of the harbor in front of “The Saddle”. All spoons were used on 14 rods.  Best set-up was smaller spoons on 3 color leadcore on planer boards.  Downriggers down no deeper that 45 also had bites.

Frankfort Fishing Report 8/15/2010:

Thank you SOUTH LYON CATHOLIC CHURCH group! Teams Hawg-Tide, Netminder and Sandpiper took out a large fishing group this past weekend.  We fished in front of Arcadia Bluffs golf course. Great catches of kings were brought in by all.  We were fishing in about 100-130 fow.  Downriggers with all glow plugs seemed to be the ticket fished 70, 80 and 90 down. We were also using 2 colors of lead-core on our out-down riggers.  Meat rigs out 225 on wire divers also worked well.

Frankfort Fishing Report: 8/10/10

King Salmon fishing out of Frankfort in at its prime!! We went 19-22 last night on all nice size kings. Average size about 15 pounds. Our best depth of water was 130 foot.  We were targeting the 75 foot range.  Very good temp break at about 70.  Best baits were green/glow plugs on riggers using Stinger pancake cannonballs. Meat rigs with red teasers caught several fish.  They were fished on wire divers out 180-220. The time is now to fish Frankfort!!

-Captain Andy

Frankfort fishing report 7/27/10:

18 Pound King!

Team Hawgtide fished this past weekend out of Onekama for the “Best of the Best” tournament and the Manistee “Big Boys” tournament.  Finished 7th and 10th places.  These were both “no-cull” events.  Targeting only big fish is a must!  We caught all of our fish all days but had too many small fish mixed into our catch.  Best baits for mature kings were meat rigs on divers out 200-350 feet.  Also “J-plugs” on 400-500 foot copper rigs.  Stinger 24 pound cannonball down 200 foot worked for several fish.  125 to 220 fow was the most productive location. 50 degree water was down about 90 foot.

Frankfort Fishing Report: 7/13/2010

King salmon fishing is really heating up off of Frankfort. The past few days found nice catches of kings and lake trout.  My best action has been in 120-170 fow fishing 90 down on riggers. Stinger magnum spoons (Dolphin, Mongoose patterns) have been good. Wire divers out 250-300′ using a white Pro-Troll flasher with a Rapture Hypnotist fly took several bites. 400 foot copper rig with a 4oz Dive-Bomb caught some bigger kings using a pearl plug.

GTASFA weekly league will be in Leland Wednesday from 6:30 to 9pm.

Capt. Andy
Hawg-Tide Sportfishing Charters

Frankfort Fishing Report 6/28/10:
King salmon are coming down deep!  We have found our fish 100 to 200 down on riggers.  Water temps have been 63 on the surface and around 50 at 100-110 down. This past weekend our best bait was the Stinger “Modified Carmel Dolphin” spoon. Most action came straight out front in 130-200 fow and north. Uncle Sam Shootout tournament this Sunday. Check out www.GTASFA.com for info.

Traverse City Fishing Report:
Mature salmon are starting to get caught on a regular basis in both bays. 400 to 600 copper rigs have worked well. Very nice size lakers as well are being caught just about anywhere.  Troll the drop-offs in 100-150 fow. Trout like a slower troll 1.5-2 mph.
Cherry festival starts this Saturday!

Frankfort: still catching a mixed bag of browns, steelhead, lake trout and the occasional salmon trolling anywhere from 4 to 70 fow. Smaller spoons light the Stinger Stingray and body baits like Rapalas and Bombers have all worked.  The best spot has been the darker colored water out front of the pier heads.

Traverse city: lake trout seem to still be in deeper water (100 foot or more).  Water temps still in the 40’s.  Look forward to the shallow water trout program soon to come. Also we are seeing some real nice size lakers this year.  Should have several over the slot size weighed in at the June trout derby!

-Captain Andy