This Years Michigan Smallmouth Bass Fishing Trip

Ok, below is last years report. This year was much different. We went last week of May and it was the windiest and coldest week they’ve had in 16 years. Lucky us. There were constant whitecaps on the lake and the pleasurable sun and calm of last year was all gone. Plus the group was broke up this year with just four of us on this trip. But even with all this we were there to fish and that’s exactly what we did. No topwater this year, no mayflies, and you basically had to drift and reel but a large amount of smallies were still caught. Once again this year I relied on “puke” tubes and stick baits for the majority; while some were having luck with lipless rattle cranks. Also this year was the first time a caught (or ever seen) a “pumkin seed” looks to be in the bluegill family. Fought so hard a thought it was a descent size bass until I got a glimpse of it. Couldn’t believe the fight it gave me. Anyway there’s always next year! Check out some pics below.

 

 

 

 

 

Each year around the first week of June, a caravan of trucks and vans full of weekend warriors and a few hardcore fisherman heads up interstate 75 toward Michigan. From 7 to 12 of us rent 3 to 4 cabins on our favorite lake where the water is so crystal clear that if you are in 12 feet of water you can see the bottom like it is 1 foot deep. But the best part is that it is full of smallmouth bass like so many lakes in Michigan.

The group of family and friends has been going on our annual one week fishing trip for many years. The trips started out going to French river in Canada for several years for smallies; then a trip so far back into Canada the cabin had no electricity. But one 17 hour trip was enough for us. After a little searching on the internet we found several lakes to try and the area we chose has lakes with smallies, largemouth, pike, walleye within a 30 minute drive.

Let us talk about fishing gear; we start planning and packing weeks before we leave and out of 10 people or so we have 2 main approaches to catching smallies. About half the group prefers hard baits and the others like me prefer soft baits. With hard baits everyone has their favorite type varying from clear to every color in the rainbow. But I would say the smaller crank bait 3″ are the most popular that dive no more than 5 feet and like I said I have seen all colors work but silver in combinations with blue or purple seem to be the favorite with our group. Now personally for me and anyone in our group we all love the early morning and evening top water action using poppers and walking the dog. The big key to top water is the mayfly hatch during the first or second week of June. When the mayflies are coming out of the water and we see 4 or 5 swirls in the water we become hunters more than fisherman; casting at each fish as they come to the top. Nothing is more exciting than timing your set just right and holding on for life as you pull in a 19″ small mouth.

Being that the water is so clear, it is easy to spot nice rock piles under the surface. This is prime real estate for holding a family of smallies. Soft baits are what I love to use, I think it takes more skill but I am sure a lot of people would disagree. I have two go to baits; first is the 2 3/4″ tube with a 1/4 oz jig in a pumpkin seed and light brown or black with red flakes. The other is the 3″ senko (or sticko as some call them) in white or pumpkin seed green with a 1/8 oz jig.

I know when it comes to packing fishing gear we try to take everything, but the amount of lures can be reduced to your personal favorites not everything you own. You should always take at least four reels and rods; personally, I keep three ready to cast; one with top water, two with soft baits and a spare in case one is damaged or for some reason out of working order. Always take an extra spool of your favorite line. In clear water the smaller the diameter the better.

Fishing gear is not the only items to pack; if you are like us we do not stay at the at the most luxurious locations. First bring plenty of bottle water, toilet paper, trash bags, coffee and filters, wash rags and bath towel, some guys even bring their favorite pillow because a week is a long time not to get a good nights sleep. Another trick we have learned is to bring a sleeping bag in case of cool nights and do not forget the weather is not predictable so take layers of clothes so as the days warm up you can take off one layer at a time. Well anyway, I hope your trips can become yearly events like ours and have a great time.