Michigan city pier salmon, steelhead, whitefish

[Blackbird86]

Looking to enter the friends of fishing winter rebellion lake michigan fishing tournament this weekend with a couple friends. Ive never caught salmon or steelhead and have a few questions.

 

I plan on bringing 3 rod and reel combos. 2x 7' MH slip bobber rigs and one long steelhead rod i plan to buy at the local baitshop in michigan city. The bait shop said to use 10 lb mono with an 8 lb fluoro leader on the long pole but should i do the same on my 7' bobber rigs or go a little heavier?

 

Also, about the leaders...a 2 or 3' leader attached via a swivel, or should i use a double uni knot to attach a longer (25') fluoro leader to the swivel?

 

Also, what hook size and baits and lures?

 

Thanks in advance for your help!

[Brew City Bass]

Oh boy, it's hard to tell you what to use without knowing where you're fishing at what conditions. 

Over the pond here in Milwaukee, we float spawn and cast plugs, spoons, and everything else. 

For floating spawn I use a slip bobber, 6ft fluoro leader 10lb, and splitshot if needed. It's pretty simple in theory, but adjustments need be made depending on a lot of things.

[Blackbird86]

30 minutes ago, Brew City Bass said:

Oh boy, it's hard to tell you what to use without knowing where you're fishing at what conditions. 

Over the pond here in Milwaukee, we float spawn and cast plugs, spoons, and everything else. 

For floating spawn I use a slip bobber, 6ft fluoro leader 10lb, and splitshot if needed. It's pretty simple in theory, but adjustments need be made depending on a lot of things.

Thanks for the reply! We'll be fishin lake michigan in michigan city, indiana at the pier. It's supposed to be rainy the whole time

[Brew City Bass]

10 hours ago, Blackbird86 said:

Thanks for the reply! We'll be fishin lake michigan in michigan city, indiana at the pier. It's supposed to be rainy the whole time

Okay, I just googled the location and weather. It's main lake water if I see correctly, so you're going to want heavvyy weights and a bottom rig. Also the wind is gonna be out of the North at 20mph, so it's going to be pounding your face. It's gonna make it hard to cast. 

For the bottom rig, I like to use 15lb main line, 1oz-3oz egg sinker(depending on condition), then a barrel swivel with 5ft of fluoro leader. On the leader I put a floating bead, then tie on hook. Peg the floating beat at the hook and now you have a nice bottom rig for soaking spawn, alweives, shiners etc. The only caveat with this heavy rig is it's hard to detect a bite sometimes. So what I like to do is open the bail, lay the rod on the ground and wrap the line around a beer bottle. Fish takes the bait and takes line, bottle goes over and alerts you. You can use a can of rocks, bell, whatever. 

Second method of attack should be spoons. Get some heavy spoons like little cleos or a 1oz kastmaster and chuck those.