Been invited to Traverse City Michigan

[Dusty Stevens]

Listen for the traverse city woman's matting call, ( I'm so drunk ) !

I have worked there on some jobs for heritage wind. I have heard these calls.

 

[LarryDScott]

Started going downhill when you sold that bullet im sure

It had already gone down hill before I sold the Bullet. I have a new Lund 1875 Bass sitting in its place since last Sept, and havent been fishing yet. LDS

 

[284winner]

Some good old boys from central Illinois that I hunt and shoot with have invited me, my son and grandson to go with them on their annual small mouth fishing trip to Traverse City Michigan. Be pulling a boat and staying in a motel there on the lake and three of us in the boat. Arkansas has been no problems since this thing started but don't want to get off up there and get in trouble with the quaritine. Wondering if you Michigan guys got any advice..... Thanks John

You'll love it. Almost every Gin clear lake in the TC region offers world class Smallmouth fishing. I'm there often trying to boat my first true 8lb Smallie.

 

[farmerjohn]

You'll love it. Almost every Gin clear lake in the TC region offers world class Smallmouth fishing. I'm there often trying to boat my first true 8lb Smallie.

We put them back down here cause they are in short supply, seldom get to eat one. Grandson got this one earlier this spring, didn't weigh him but he was big for around here....

 

[284winner]

We put them back down here cause they are in short supply, seldom get to eat one. Grandson got this one earlier this spring, didn't weigh him but he was big for around here....View attachment 1181339

Is that an Arkansas Smallmouth ? Looks to be 4-5lbs+/-

 

[farmerjohn]

Is that an Arkansas Smallmouth ? Looks to be 4-5lbs+/-

10-4

 

[farmerjohn]

This is an Ark black..

 

[farmerjohn]

Can't go to any shoots so we been fishing......John

 

[284winner]

This is an Ark black..View attachment 1181359

Well without a doubt Arkansas is well renowned for big Largemouth Bass.

 

[Clous]

You'll love it. Almost every Gin clear lake in the TC region offers world class Smallmouth fishing. I'm there often trying to boat my first true 8lb Smallie.

How long is a true 8lb smallie? I’ve hooked a few nice ones but never weighed them.

 

[284winner]

How long is a true 8lb smallie? I’ve hooked a few nice ones but never weighed them.

Well I caught a monster Smallie in Otsego lake back in the early 90s. Went 23.75" and had a girth about equal to that. It bottomed out my Zebco deliar 8lb scale but I didn't think that scale was accurate. I'm guessing it was more accurate than I thought looking back. I've caught 22"+ fish that came in well over 7lbs in GTB and some smaller inland lakes in the TC and Alpena regions. I'd say a heavy 23-24" Smallmouth can tip 8lbs easily

 

[Clous]

Thanks, back when we had a slot limit for lake trout I want to say it was 21 or 22”. Had a mark on the floor and tossed a couple bass back there that were over that mark. Never actually measured them. They are all bigger now. Lol

 

[284winner]

Thanks, back when we had a slot limit for lake trout I want to say it was 21 or 22”. Had a mark on the floor and tossed a couple bass back there that were over that mark. Never actually measured them. They are all bigger now. Lol

With the introduction of the Goby in our great lakes and connecting waterways, the Smallmouth have literally been on steroids. That invasive species has really helped the bass grow to sizes that have reached record size. Hubbard lake produced a 9.96 lb fish then less than a year later, Indian River between mullet and burt lakes produced a 9.98lb Smallmouth. That record will be broke again soon IMO in either Mullet or one of the Big lakes. Pretty common to catch 7 lb fish these days.

 

[Clous]

Crazy what’s happened in the last 10 years.

Even the Salmon are big now. 25+ lb early season aren’t unheard of.

 

[CjC73]

where you going to be fishing for smallies? Smallies are a blast to catch (jig, spinner baits, crank baits, top water etc) . My brothers have fished many of the inland lakes there in local tournaments. some really nice fish to be caught... 6-7-8#

Have fun!!!!

 

[farmerjohn]

where you going to be fishing for smallies? Smallies are a blast to catch (jig, spinner baits, crank baits, top water etc) . My brothers have fished many of the inland lakes there in local tournaments. some really nice fish to be caught... 6-7-8#

Have fun!!!!

I'm told we will be fishing a huge bay on the lake.... John

 

[Dub]

Have you checked with her highnesty Whitmer? Her husband got in trouble last weekend for trying to take his boat out???

 

[Dusty Stevens]

Crazy what’s happened in the last 10 years.

Even the Salmon are big now. 25+ lb early season aren’t unheard of.

Global warming

 

[284winner]

I'm told we will be fishing a huge bay on the lake.... John

Sounds like East or West Grand Traverse Bay. East Bay personally is my favorite. Fishing the West shore of the east Bay is where my success comes best.

 

[284winner]

Have you checked with her highnesty Whitmer? Her husband got in trouble last weekend for trying to take his boat out???

The motor boating ban is lifted although it wouldn't surprise me if he had several buddies in his boat ( no social distancing ) and was warned. She's a " Do as I say, not as I do" kinda Governor.