How To Fish The Betsie River Homestead Dam Benzonia Michigan / Michigan King Salmon Fishing Tips

[@midwestfischerman]

First view!!! OMG this takes me back!!! Most kids learn how to cast and tie knots while panfishing a pond. Me, I was next to my dad at the first bend below the Homestead Dam, with the swift Betsie River pushing against my 10-year-old legs.

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

Midwest Fischerman your dad sounds like a awesome guy! I want to take my son next year. He is 12 and got his first pike this year about a 30 incher. Time to up the anti though :)

[@midwestfischerman]

@@ReelMichiganAnglers Wow, ironically it was a 32" northern pike I caught as a six-year-old that got me hooked on fishing. My dad loved the Betsie River more than any other spot on Earth.

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

Midwest Fischerman it really is an amazing river we were going to fish the whole day on the plat and a whole day on bear Creek while we were up there but we never even made it to Bear Creek as the Betsy was so hot lol

[@betsieriversideresort1316]

Thanks for an informative and conscientious video. I'll be sharing it with some of our guests come this fall. We are located on the Betsie about 1.2 river miles downstream from Homestead Dam. While a LOT of our salmon fishermen are repeat customers for many years, we always have new folks who would like pointers and tips. Your videos are great for that purpose!

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

I appreciate the positive feedback. I aim to help others learn from my mistakes and enjoy the sport of fishing more. I would love it if you shared this video!

[@jamesnewby2062]

Great video 100% accurate. Be there on the 28th. Been gone since 1990. What an awesome trip. Definitely recommend 11 foot or more rod

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

We’re up here right now catching chrome kings :)

[@cameronwilliams9569]

Thank you for the info! The Betsie is one river I’m still trying to figure out! Also thank you for being vocal about people picking up their trash! Tight lines!

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

Cameron Williams My pleasure thanks for watching and I appreciate the comment!

[@daviddudeskie6940]

Salmon are awesome.

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

They really are an amazing fish :) Thanks for watching!

[@jeffkulhanek9012]

Amazing

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

Thanks for watching!

[@NoFilterOutdoors]

Great video sir!

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

Thanks buddy!

[@iancameron198]

Nice vid.and good info

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

Thanks for watching good luck fishing!

[@TheDbrewer31]

Great video. Haven't fished the Betsie before but have wanted to. We fish the Manistee at Tippy dam. Where you talk about your reel kind of giving out on you from the abuse these kings put out, my advice (friendly advice) would be, try not to reel so much against the the line being peeled off. When your spinning the crank while the salmon is ripping off drag, your putting to much stress on the drag system. It also causes heavy line twisting. Best to allow the salmon to pull and tighten up your drag accordingly. The reel down, pull up method works really well when you can gain line back as the fish wears down. Also, as you said, a longer rod, 9 footer, would definitely help a lot. I don't use top of the line reels and if I use the correct rod length and not reel against the pulling fish, the reels are still top shape even after 4 plus years of king hook ups. Like I said only my friendly input. Great video and I may drive the little extra time this fall to hit the Betsie River at least once. Tight lines!!!!

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

Good tips. I’ll be much more prepared this year I’ve got 213 foot rods an 11 foot rod and a 96. I have a tendency to get excited and start reeling them in instead of playing them LOL with bass in Pike I always power them in because that’s the best way to land them without losing them so when I switch to salmon and steelhead it takes my focus to not fight them quickly LOL. I can’t wait to get back out there myself I’ll be going next month. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed if you go there ;)

[@TheDbrewer31]

@@ReelMichiganAnglers I understand. These kings are awesome and get the adrenaline pumping for sure. Here's a little video I put together of our past 5 years of fishing the Manistee River. I'm the guy who appears in most of the pictures, because the same guys don't always go up with me. My son and wife have been up every year so far. My wife doesn't fish but she loves the scenery up there. It's absolutely beautiful country. Take care and hope ya hook into a bunch of salmon this year. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gnqbm6V3jLura6c

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

@@TheDbrewer31 nice video man I can tell you have a good time fishing!

[@lloydbeebe8019]

Best video I’ve seen on the Betsie. Thanks bro. Our trip is planned for the 17th September this year. Can’t wait to hear my drag ripping. Hope you guys have another great season. 👊🏻🎣

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

Thank you for watching and for the kind comment. I just got my first game of the season the other day in the lake. And I’ve got a trip booked in September for the Betsy as well :) I have a feeling it’s going to be a very good salmon season this year.

[@nathanpeters8547]

I’ll be there the same time you will

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

@@nathanpeters8547 introduce yourself if you see me :)

[@nathanpeters8547]

@@ReelMichiganAnglers if I see you I will. First time doing this so I’ll be the noobie on the river lol

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

@@nathanpeters8547 No worries. This is my fourth or fifth year of targeting Steelhead and Salmon. And I realistically only gone fishing for a king a handful of times. I am definitely still learning myself and I’m certainly coming much more prepared this time than I was last time which was an improvement upon the time before LOL

[@joshuavanderschaaf5145]

So glad they made the 300ft from the dam rule. I was up there a few yrs ago and nothing but snagging going on. Made me sick. I'm a very ethical fisherman. I use bobbers most of the time. When I don't I use a 3way with a drop sinker and a short leader with floaters in my spawn bags. I use a leader less than 2 ft. Usually around 18in. Basically the same as what your using. A small tip when netting a fish... never go at a fish tail first. Always head first and you will get them every time. Remember a fish can't swim backwards. I was at a popular spot yesterday and some idiot tried netting a steelhead for me and broke my line. Some good tips and rules for people to follow.

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

Joshua Vanderschaaf I thought I was a fish netting master until this trip. I missed so many fish it was embarrassing lol bummer about the steelhead :( I approve of the 300 foot rule as well and it did nothing to hamper our fishing.

[@joshuavanderschaaf5145]

There are so many fish up there it shouldn't. The more fish that make it up the dam the more fish reproduce naturally. The bestie has some good spawning grounds upstream. And A lot of fish. Yeah that steelhead was a real bummer. That was by far the biggest steelhead I've ever had on a hook. I told him not to do it and he did it anyways. I've learned the hard way over the years that when you don't go for the head they almost always get out. Like the one in your video you may have landed that fish. After it got outta the net it took off and broke you off. A little patience and you probably could have turned him and landed it. What lb test line are you using and what brand? I use a 12lb or 15lb main with a 10lb leader and I have only broke off one salmon this year. I've hooked a lot of fish this year. I'm using maxima ultragreen and chameleon. It's some tough stuff.

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

Joshua Vanderschaaf I was using 20 pound braid with a 12 pound P line fluoro clear leader. Part of the problem was that I was using a 66 medium rod and a real without a super smooth drag. After the first night my drag was acting up. I think the first few kings I hooked into wore out the gears a little bit. After the first day I started setting my drag super light and slowly tightening it throughout the fight to compensate for the lack of given my rod and reel.

[@joshuavanderschaaf5145]

I have 2 9' stcroix lite moderate action with 2500 daiwa regal reels. And A bass pro micro lite med/lite action 9 1/2ft with a shimano 4000 series reel. All 3 I run straight mono on them. All my steelhead/ salmon rods have good reels on them. I don't use flourocarbon hardly at all. I have a roll of 12lb seaguar flourocarbon that I paid about $35 for and it's garbage. I can break it off all day long on snags when I use it as leader line. I'll even say it's weaker than the 8lb maxima I use for leaders when all the salmon are gone. (I usually use an 8lb leader for steelhead). I use a straight 12lb maxima chameleon on my casting rod. I pull a lot of people's lures and line outta the water. I've lost 2 spinner baits since the beginning of September and I fish them a lot for salmon. Both I lost on logs. Try out the maxima ultragreen you'll love it. A lot of people out there think you gotta run flourocarbon leaders but I disagree.

[@joshuavanderschaaf5145]

My casting rod is a bass pro medium/ heavy action with a daiwa 4000 reel. I need a new reel for that rod. It's am old reel. Its not sticking yet but I can tell it's worn out. All of those reels are 9 ball bearing reels. The more bearings the smoother the reel, but also the more expensive they are.

[@taddepaulis8174]

Nice video, tight lines

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

@@taddepaulis8174 thanks

[@taddepaulis8174]

@@ReelMichiganAnglers I'll see you on the River, Tell Bob at the fish cleaning station I said hi

[@jamesklinkhammer7539]

Taking or attempting to take fish in a manner or methods where the fish does not take or have the chance to take the hook voluntarily is defined as snagging...so as long as the fish has a chance to take it in the mouth is legal,as long as its in the mouth

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

James Klinkhammer That’s a really good point I personally believe it’s a 50-50 chance of foul hooking up versus putting it exactly the right spot to where they want to eat it or swipe at it out of territorial aggression which is the same as pike fishing with spinners they don’t always eat a spinner or a crank bait because they’re hungry sometimes it’s because it just makes them mad this certainly applies to Salmon Fishing as well.

[@danielmckinney2194]

I’m going back up there tonight. Can’t wait. I see it is still loaded with fish. Great video. Gonna be fun. Strong fish, best fight I ever had fishing🐟🐟🐟🐟🐟🎣🎣🎣🎣🎣

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

Daniel Mckinney King salmon are the most amazing fish I have the pleasure of fighting on the end of a rod and reel.

[@danielmckinney2194]

Reel Michigan Anglers The Betsie is one of my favorite rivers to fish. A few years ago when I was walking through, I saw about a 10 lb. brown. The strongest guy,their arm would probably get tired out from the strength of the fish and the current. The Kings are like mini Submarines. Lol

[@danielmckinney2194]

Reel Michigan Anglers The Betsie is one of my favorite rivers to fish. A few years ago when I was walking through, I saw about a 10 lb. brown. The strongest guy,their arm would probably get tired out from the strength of the fish and the current. The Kings are like mini Submarines. Lol

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

Daniel Mckinney yea I was like 6 for 100 for the weekend lol lots of log jam mishaps and snapped lines and bent hooks.

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

Daniel Mckinney do you think the brown was a lake run or a resident?

[@Arnel-cq8id]

Thanks bro,super like.

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

@@Arnel-cq8id happy to help

[@JaySmith-xs4ki]

Going up for my first time trying to hook my first salmon

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

Good luck!

[@PositiveManifestation-Love]

Love From Saginaw MI

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

Thanks for watching good luck with the salmon season!

[@jimnummerdor9687]

Great video. Nicely done.

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

Jim Nummerdor thanks! I appreciate that! Thanks for watching!

[@jimnummerdor9687]

Reel Michigan Anglers Maybe we’ll see ya up there next year. Planning on hauling the RV up and doing a long weekend of fishing.

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

Jim Nummerdor we did four days. I told my wife next year I wanna do two weeks bring the whole family up and do some other camping fun stuff while we’re up there. We packed so much fishing into those four days that I couldn’t get out of bed for like two days afterwards and my buddy exhausted himself so bad that he went to the hospital when we got back lol we literally fished like 14 hours straight the first day we got there and then slept for three hours and hit it again for the whole next day and repeated that for the whole weekend.

[@jimnummerdor9687]

Reel Michigan Anglers Wow. That would totally be me. Can’t beat a great fishing vacation. Did you do any night fishing?

[@arjanitmarku9258]

What size main line were you using?

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

20lb power pro braid

[@scotts98rt70]

Good, respectful video. I subscribed.

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

Scott Kanas thanks for watching and subscribing! I appreciate the comment as well.

[@packtony340]

Can you recommend a good place to stay with food/bar nearby

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

We always stay at a campground. Storm Cloud brewing is good food as is the cabbage shed.

[@Thechosenarrow]

Geeat video..How long do you setup your leader normally?

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

Depending on the hole I will change it but I find that between three and 4 feet seems to work best. I just came from there a few days ago and had my best luck on the chartreuse bead larger size not the biggest size but pretty good size. I also got more hits on the chartreuse Spawn bag than I did on pink or orange spawn bags.

[@Quagmire17000]

Brother awesome video as always! Me and some friends, all not from Michigan would like to try and go after some salmon this fall. I know we're already kinda late in the season, school and life has just been in the way the past couple of weekends. Can anyone recommend a place somewhat in the Lansing area (1hish drive) where we might find some? Or do we have to go up north to get any action?

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

Phil Elwood I fished in Lansing today and saw a few coho in old town and at Moores damn but your odds are better the further west you go I would try Portland dam or Weber damn or six street damn for a better odds.

[@Quagmire17000]

@@ReelMichiganAnglers appreciate your advice! Will try those spots out. Can we expect to meet you at one of them? Supposed to be really nice out, can't really ask for more

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

Phil Elwood I will be hitting those sport my self this week but I’m tied up most of the weekend.

[@Quagmire17000]

@@ReelMichiganAnglers well if we get skunked I'm counting on a new video showing us what we did wrong lol. Enjoy your weekend!

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

Phil Elwood lol good luck!

[@JJDaBossOutdoors]

When can you see the fish jump? Is there a run coming up

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

Yes the fish are staging now at the river mouth and you should start to see them trickle in. By the end of October the run will slow down and end. Give it a few weeks and the dam will be stacked.

[@JJDaBossOutdoors]

@@ReelMichiganAnglers thank you

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

@@JJDaBossOutdoors my pleasure. Tight Lines and good luck!

[@kingfisherman1836]

Nice video! Have you ever tried using flies we usually tear them up with them

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

I’ve seen people use flies. I’d like to try an egg sucking leach or yarn balls. I’m gonna dunk skein under bobbers this year for sure.

[@kingfisherman1836]

I've been wanting to try out skein to, theres a guy his name is fish frey or fish fray on youtube and he has alot of good videos fishing on the betsie with it

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

@@kingfisherman1836 his videos are the best. He is a young guru. I’ve caught coho and steelhead on skein but have never tossed skein for kings. It’s going down this year though. I’m prepared this time :)

[@funnynader9149]

Hey man what types of flies do you use? And what rig do you use?

[@HelgraMike]

Here we are august 2024. Its time brother

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

@@HelgraMike yep ground 0 for the river right now. Should start getting good any day :)

[@HelgraMike]

@@ReelMichiganAnglers I'm down here now on the Betsie... Fish jumping up at the weir.. they pushed right through last night but still a couple holding in the holes downstream

[@billpratt8872]

Have you fished the betsy this season if so how did you do?

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

Yea I’m in Benzonia now :) we caught a bunch today :)

[@billpratt8872]

@@ReelMichiganAnglers very nice I was there Friday didn't catch anything did alot of hiking around haha glad to hear you did well today I didn't even see many when I was there.

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

@@billpratt8872 we got here Thursday and it has gotten better every day.

[@stateoffishing4002]

hi, wanted to know if it's legal to fish at night?

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

Yep as long as it’s not a closed public acces site.

[@brianrailing2363]

Its been awhile since I've been there, love that place.... What week of September were you on the river? guessing the third or forth week?

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

I believe that is correct. We’re going back the 3rd week of September this year as well :)

[@brianrailing2363]

@@ReelMichiganAnglers thanks for the reply! Have a blast! It's a awsome place 🎣🍻

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

@@brianrailing2363 it is awesome:) any river in northern Michigan is a treat to fish but the betsie is beautiful and fun to fish.

[@chrishall953]

Goin this year Sept 16th for a week can I get away with a 2500 real?

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

I use a shamino nasci 2500 for kings or a Pfluger 3000. You should be ok. If you have the proper rod and it’s not a state record fish you aren’t likely to be spooled.

[@insertnamehere313]

Wow those guys still kept their lines in the water while they see you have a fish on?

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

People hook up so frequently that it’s really not a concern until it starts to swim your direction usually a simple shout if it’s coming up or it’s coming down will get people paying attention LOL it’s really not as bad there is people say it is at least not in my experience.

[@insertnamehere313]

@@ReelMichiganAnglers I went to the Manistee because of that,I had a 24lbs steelhead hooked and had it tired and a guy cast over me on purpose broke my leader he got wrapped up in my broke leader still hooked to the fish then landed it weighed it in front of me laughed and took off with the fish and it pissed off some old timers next to me and they followed him to his car and told him that was wrong he said he didn't care started cursing and challenged them I just left it alone but the DNR got him for snagging a steelhead,disorderly conduct and I swear like 4 other charges and took him to jail but the most memorable thing was the DNR gave me an option to keep the fish since they seen everything unfold and I had no idea they did.🤣👍👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

@@insertnamehere313 That is some epic karma LOL I haven’t run into situations quite that bad but I’ve run into some nasty fishermen in a few of the spots that I would like to fish lol

[@insertnamehere313]

@@ReelMichiganAnglers I got a 42 lbs king last year in the mouth with a dinky fly and 10 lbs test maxima

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

@@insertnamehere313 that’s epic! I bet that took a while lol eh?

[@iancameron198]

That's not right they should have signs on the paths or waters edge

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

I might be wrong but I think all of the banks on the opposite side of the river are open to the public or at least no one cares.

[@funnynader9149]

Hey man where should I be fishing at homestead dam? Should I be fishing the dark watered spots? Or can I message you on Instagram about certain spots if that would be fine with you

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

in a nutshell stand in the shallows and cast into any hole you can find. pm me on ig for more specifics though.

[@funnynader9149]

@@ReelMichiganAnglers ok what is your Instagram name I will send you a message tomorrow

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

@@funnynader9149 reelmichigananglers

[@funnynader9149]

@@ReelMichiganAnglers ok just messaged you

[@baneetsv]

I hear there’s some early fish running right now

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

I have heard that too I have a feeling we’re going to get an early push because of the weather and then a longer lul and then kind of a normal run after that. Who knows though it’s different every year LOL

[@baneetsv]

@@ReelMichiganAnglers I can’t wait!!!!

[@kevingunnery5470]

@@baneetsv the salmon always run early in the betsie river like the 3rd week of August…

[@chrishall953]

Looks like small reels

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

Never been spoiled by one lol came Really close once when I hooked a king while trout fishing with light gear. I had to chase that one and reel while running through the river. Good times lol. Braided line doesn’t take up much space on the spool so that helps.

[@chrishall953]

@@ReelMichiganAnglers going Sept 16th bought 8'6" but have good bass reels 2500 will they work

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

@@chrishall953 8’6” should be decent if it’s a medium heavy. I used a 13 foot rod last year and was surprised how much easier it was to control the kings.

[@chrishall953]

@@ReelMichiganAnglers I'm just concerned with the reel size the are 100 dollar spinning reels but bass reels 10lb mono but I will use 20lb braid

[@ReelMichiganAnglers]

@@chrishall953 it is more important to have a good drag than a big spool In my opinion. Long stiff rod with some bend I. The tip and a reel with good drag are The 2 most important things. I cave caught kings on my 6’6” Abu bass combo with a 2500 reel. It wasn’t ideal but it worked.