Class In Session: Saginaw Bay Fishing Vacation School (Part 1)
Mark Martin is a name in fishing that carries a tremendous amount of respect. He has been professionally walleye fishing for well over three decades, and before then, he had been fishing since he was a young kid. For a number of years, Mark has been involved heavily in education programs for anglers wanting to learn more about being more effective on the water. Whether it is in expo seminars, magazine article coverage, or on the water demonstrations, he demons a passion to help lead others to sharpening their skills in their craft.
Fishing Vacation School has been a living project of Mark and his pro staff for a number of years, offering opportunities on the hard water for ice fishing the winter and open water in the summertime.
Saginaw Bay was the setting in early June 2024. Launching in Bay City, Michigan, with over 1,143 acres PLUS a river system, a fleet of ten boats making up a group of ambitious anglers eager to sharpen their skills in open water walleye fishing.
Those involved arrived at Franks Great Outdoors in Linwood, Michigan, around noon, on the first day of the program. Sunday, June 9th, was not so full of fishing, but LOADED with related information about finely tuning baits, rigging boats, looking over proper equipment, and developing a gameplan for the following day. The forecasted wind report called for 14mph from the north- a rough time going on the bay. Anglers prepared to troll with lead core around the mouth at Bay City or venture within the river to snap jig at pieces of structure or particular contour.
Captain Brandon Stanton of Team Gunsmoke Sportfishing spoke first at the seminar, discussing the basics in rigging a boat and trolling operation. As one of the most renowned guides in Michigan, he holds a library of insight and knowledge from time on the water. He spoke about the best ways to optimize ones set up when trolling, highlighting the importance of consistency with equipment when trolling. (Note: this will be an article of its own soon, but you don’t want to have different brand planer boards, rod lengths, etc. when trolling). Stanton shared his approach when walleye trolling to consider that early in the day, fish are higher in the water column, followed by their eventual progression deeper as the sun rises. When summertime trolling, his operation begins with trolling crankbaits higher up, followed by setting down crawler harnesses dragging across the bottom.
Captain Chris Reinhold is a specialist when it comes to walleye, especially BIG ones. One of the highlights of his time speaking with students was demonstrating the how and why to tuning crankbaits when fishing. Sometimes the eye on a crankbait becomes bent in a miniscule way that is not noticeable to the eye but shows itself when the bait is being pulled through the water. The Tune-a-fish tool is used to help correct crankbait eyelets position more straight so that they ride and swim through the water the way they are intended to. Captain Chris, with assistance from Captain Brandon, demonstrated and acted out the most effective and ideal approach when reeling in and netting fish when trolling. It is important that the angler reeling in the fish is far back on the opposite side of the boat that the fish is coming in on, keeping the rod to the side. It is important that the rod is not behind the boat where it could have the freedom to swim under or around the engine. Keeping the rod tip to the side, once the leader swivel is visible, those reeling pull up HARD! Do not be afraid of pulling “the fins of the fish”- bring them to the surface so that the individual with the net can scoop them up easily.
Captain Andrew Hendrickson of NorthStar Fishing Adventures has been a local to the westside of Saginaw Bay. His segment with students covered how to effectively use bottom bouncers, the when/where factors behind blade choices, considerations when trolling speed, and more. One of the driving points to his message being shared was how often fishing is over complicated by people, whether they are sharing or seeking information. “The world of fishing marketing has changed tremendously over recent years, but the fish haven’t. They are always going to swim and eat, regardless if you have the biggest, most technically advanced rig, fitted with elaborate baits.”
In conclusion of pro-insight, Mark Martin took the microphone and shared his background in walleye fishing and how decades of knowledge had led up until that very moment. Highlighting that it is not only a privilege, but an honor to help others become better anglers because it is crucially important to the sport as a whole. For those who have met Martin, he is well known for his abilities to tell stories from his experiences on the water. From tiny details to consider, to substantial information to practice, his career and life with fishing yields more than most people will forget in their life. He shared how the world of fishing has opened many opportunities with many things, whether it be connections in the outdoor industry, meetings professional with skills in an array of trades, etc.
Over a dozen students on ten boats will take to the water from June 10th to 12th, practicing their skills on the water with captains firsthand. Forecasting sunny conditions up to 72 degrees with wind blowing 14mph from the north, anglers plan on staying close within the lower stretch of the river using trolling and snap-jigging techniques. Endless smiles and good stories were shared with what appeared to be good friendships forming. The excitement is building and only plans on trending upwards for this chance to learn and be a part of something truly special.
It is with special thanks and consideration to Frank’s Great Outdoors, the Linwood Corner Cafe, and Americinn by Wyndham, Michigan, for hosting members of this outstanding program.