It was a busy day for big fish at the scales Saturday, Day 9 of the 42nd annual K/D Salmon Tournament. Thirteen trophy kings cracked the top 50, including an amazing four at 30-plus that moved into the top 10.
A full moon Saturday night could produce more giants that we’ll see at the scales tomorrow morning. Today, the dawn bite was the sweet spot for many fourth-summer fish, most of which came 50-70 feet down in 100 to 130 feet of water. Glow spoons, flasher/fly combos and a J-Plug were the baits most reported. The shallowest came in 80 feet of water; the deepest, 190. Often, the baits were set about halfway down. One of the midday trophies came about 10 feet off bottom.
The five ports have weighed nearly 450 20-pound-plus Chinooks, including 14 larger than 30 pounds; 22 over 29 pounds; 35 over 28 pounds; 56 over 27 pounds; and 80 over 26 pounds. The 100th place fish is sitting at 25.72 pounds, and there are 145 over 25.
Last year's record field shared in more than $80,000 in cash and prizes. First place is $15,000 cash and a silver Great Lakes Trophy salmon ring. Second place is $8,000 and a Howie's Tackle $200 shopping spree, and third place is $5,000 and a customized Yeti Cooler from Yacht Works Kewaunee.
SATURDAY PORT PRIZES
Matt Smith, 32.24, Sturgeon Bay (caught northern Door); Mike Mankowski, 30.53, Algoma; Jeff Veriha, 30.48, Washington Island; Justin Hetzel, 28.62, Baileys Harbor; Douglas Wilmet 27.71, Kewaunee.
