Ok - I want to be fair to you westsiders. My challenge is you are spread out from South Bend to Traverse City. I don't have a ton of you yet over there yet either - I DO WANT TO CHANGE THAT!!!
I want to get to meet you and have an event over there we can have some face-to-face fun time with. But I don't want to only have 4 or 5 people there if it becomes too hard to pick a place and a date enough of you can make.
I'd like to think we can draw a few eastsiders over too depending on where we go.
What do you all suggest? Middle of the state? All the way west?
Who would fish and where would you like to fish at?
I would definately be more apt to go to a mid-state lake than to go all the way downstate to fish. I would love to come down to St.Clair this spring but it doesn't look like its gonna happen. Anyways we'll see what everyone else says.
Well, I am a sunset sider in more ways than one. I have a small cabin on some acreage on a lake just west of Cadillac (about 40 minutes west). I can sleep six besides myself and more if you want to floor it. If you would like we could host something on Cadillac and Mitchell, Lake Missaukee, or all the way west on Hamlin Lake. For those that would want to stay at the cabin it's a first come first serve. If you have a camper I have about 4 acres on the lake. Hamlin is a great place to fish. Cadillac and Mitchell get hit hard but are also good lakes and are a little more centrally located.
There is a great county park up on the Elk/Torch chain that you could use as a base to fish a tournament up that way as well (Whitewater Park). From there you can also fish the bay if the weather cooperates.
Dan would be the expert on the midstate Lansing area. Just a thought.
DK there is also martiny flooding that is a little farther south and eaast of cadillac about 20 mkiles west of mt pleasant 2000 acres of prestine lakes the big o of michigan just swamp and fishing. and there are enough camp grounds and cabins for all to enjoy. and for open dates to fish it. I can get them for you when no one will be there. and the use of a private ramp with space for everyone. to launch boats and park...
I'm interested all the lakes mentioned sound good to me.
martiny flooding sound pretty neat. Never heard of that one.
Ok my first choice would of course be Hamlin, Dan started it! ;) However I would be open for anything in the middle of the state too. Hardy would probably be a ton of fun in the fall. I have fished martiny and I wasn't really impressed but I would go if that is where everyone else wants to go. Cadillac/Mitchell gets hit so hard all season, (that is why our new club voted to not go there), however again I will fish there too. If we decide on a westside lake like Hamlin or muskegon (I'm about 45 minutes from there) and Hamlin is only 20 minutes, I have room for campers, some room in the house, however I have to tell you one bed will already be spoken for if Joshimoto comes up he has first dibs..I do have two campers we could set up and a couple of tents, just bring your own pillows and blankets. I'm sure we could fit everyone and thier boats. We could have a big ole' bbq after the tourney too.
Hardy is only 45 minutes from here too, but there are alot of campgrounds over there. That water is a riot too.
So I guess where ever you decide would be good, just as long as I don't have to drive for 4 1/2 hours. I guess I would go down to Gun too by Kalamazoo, if we could get more people there. There isn't very many places to stay down there though and it is a 2 1/2 hour drive from here.
So those are my thoughts the bay would be fun but that is a long way for alot of people.
I will be there wherever it is, provided it fits in my schedule. Out of all the lakes mentioned I have only fished Hamlin. Had a great time every time.
Quote from: macbass on January 09, 2007, 06:19:13 PM
DK there is also martiny flooding that is a little farther south and eaast of cadillac about 20 mkiles west of mt pleasant 2000 acres of prestine lakes the big o of michigan just swamp and fishing. ...
There's nothing like the look (and smell) of swamp water bass...If I had to pick, this lake sounds SWEET....
Jeff is a master of shallow water swamp bass. I have personally witnessed him catch bass so big in water so shallow, they had to swim on there sides to get to his lure.
McCarter himself :-\'
I have fished Martiny in a Tear Drop tournament and so spent a couple days prefishing and a tournament day there. People there were great, but not many fish. Might just have been time of year. Was a lot of fun running those channels between the lakes. Was like a LeMans course. A little dangerous for a few bobber fisherman though.
Those channels are fun to run but they are dangerous if someone is sitting across the channel.
The last time I fished it a Skeeter run into a Nitro and the nitro won.
The Skeeter was tore open all the way down the side and almost sank.
And it just so happened that that wreck happen to be on memorial weekend and i helped pull the boats out of the water. Luckly no one was hurt just a lot of pride. But you dont run channels all trimmed up and not expect your boat to slide a little especially the older boats dont have the grip the new ones do.And actually july and august is the best time to really get serious and do some swamp fishing there. I personally have taken 7 fish out of there over 6 pounds and a large number of fish over 5 pounds and all but one was returned and it weighed 7 lb 3 ounces and i look at it dailey on the wall but that was about 15 years ago...
;D Probably doesn't hurt that you have a cottage on the LAke
Anytime after mid september is good by me - I have not fished any of those lakes, so I'll go with the popular vote. Looking forward to it!
Jack
doesnt matter where the cottage is you still have to spend time on the water to catch the fish no matter what lake you go to...but most of those fish were caught before you get out of bed in the morning because i was a fanatic for fishing at 2 am until 7 am running buzz baits
I don't believe we'll be on the water quite that early :)
I undersand that DK i was just trying to make a point to Durand dan there is not really a home lake advantage you still have to catch the fish and anybody can do that on any given body of water if they pay attention to details..
;D Hey, Dennie, you know I was jsut Kiddin
Mid state of course would be easier for us far East siders, but if we could keep it to a minumum of a 4 hour drive so that we could drive home after the tourney, I'd fish wherever. Much farther than that and we're looking at an additional night which would be tough.
Quote from: macbass on January 12, 2007, 07:11:27 AM
I undersand that DK i was just trying to make a point to Durand dan there is not really a home lake advantage you still have to catch the fish and anybody can do that on any given body of water if they pay attention to details..
Yeah - sometimes the 'home field advantage' is a jinx. I've only fished Martiny once from the end of a dock in the middle of the morning for about 10 minutes. I caught a small keeper largemouth on my 3rd cast with a buzz bait. I didn't think it was that hard ;D (I've heard the stories though).
iKnow that dan but i have to keep one up if that is possible..and DK you are right the home water jinx can be a killer sometimes.. But if there is any thing i can do to make this work I will do what i can but september up there can be real tough on all. Plus there is an open there the weekend after labor day for 2 days but the weekend after that is open up there and with a private ramp we dont need a permit. And for the travel situation a friend of mine has a place up there and drives from monroe and makes it in just about 3 hours depending on traffic.
I'm pretty much open to whatever is decided.
I'm with Vince on this one, it doesn't matter to me where we go but i'll most likely show up, depending on how far it is, everything discussed is fine with me.
-Kid
What about Houghton lake? That is a good lake in the fall once it gets to cold for wee boats.
Pretty easy area for Logistics also.
Cadillac and Mitchell are good too. Also a good area for accomodations.
We've had a heck of a time in the fall without going into mid-October or later... but that creates its own new problems. It has seemed best overall to shoot for the 3rd/4th weekend in September the past two years, but turnout has been low.
Maybe the W/NW guys can list known significant events over there in later September?
;D ;D ;D Is it time to reopen this chat now it is real close to the 1st of Aug.
I agree. The last entry before Bill's was in April.
The lake we fish doesn't matter to me. So far, I've yet to weigh in a fish at either DK Fall event. The comradery however does. I've met and ridden with some top notch people at all three events. I'm ready for #4.
I won't be able to do an overnighter, but anything I can drive and fish in the same day is ok with me.
I still like the 3rd or 4th week of Sept. though. It is before bow season, and seems like it has interferred with the tourney guys the least.
well here we go the last weekend of september mid state has a tourny at sanford and wixom the weekend before that grand bass has there fish off on the grand river at portland on sunday and a draw lake for saturday. and september 16th mid state is on crystal lake. not sure about the rest of the west side clubs.
The Tear Drop Track and Trail Tournament Trail has its $5,000 two day Classic the 22 and 23 of September.
Hamlin Lake would be a good lake to fish although it is a true West Side lake. Cadillac and Mitchell is a weedy, muddied mess but it always seems to produce fish and it's more central with lots of accomodations: State Park, Hemlock Park (National Forest Campground on Mitchell). State park is about $25 a night. They have one cabin they rent and one that may be done by September. Hemlock is about half that price and is a nice campground but no electric. I still like Hamlin though in terms of fishing. I have a cabin that can sleep about 7 in beds and lots of floor and tent space that I am more than willing to have company at. It's equidistant from Ludington, Manistee, and Cadillac on the shores of Big Bass Lake. It's about 40 minutes from all three places.
Would White lake be better if we were going that far North West???? I haven't fished Hamlin for years so I don't know how the bass fishing is there.
I like the Idea of Cadillac and Mitchell..Nice area with lots of accomodations. Campgrounds should be slow with all of the little squeekers back in school.
I know spring time Hardy did well, so maybe that fishery could be good n the fall also? Don't know if itwill fit into my schedule though, so keep me posted.
Jav
How about lake st. clair again, it is michigans best lake and the smallies will be in the channels. You cant beat that, I would be willing to drive again for that.
T
I am open to any of the suggested lakes and should be open to fish them anytime after mid-September. I have never fished Martiny but would like to. Chippewa Lake is near there and is big enough for a tournament but lacking a little in parking.
Cadillac & Mitchell are always good, Missaukee in Lake City I have never been on but hear it is good. Hamlin I would have an opinion on until the end of August after I fish it.
Hardy is one of my favorites.
I would stay away from Gun and Gull lakes, between GR and Kalamazoo.
What about Ovid near St Johns, I know Kimmel fishes it...is it big enough?
Cy
We did Ovid for the DK a couple of years ago. It is plenty big enough for tournaments and a fun lake to fish. Keep in mind though it's a no-wake lake. It can be tough, but a beautiful lake. No houses, no docks, lots of wildlife.
Is Sanford too much out of the way for everybody? It has a nice ramp and bathrooms, picnic tables, and an awesome lake for smallies and largies.
We did Wixom last year and it was a very small turnout. Plus the fishing was tough, tough, tough except for the one lone boat that knew about the frog bite... DOH! (Wasn't my boat of course)
Is Sanford a better fishery that time of year? For a DK, I wonder if we shouldn't make sure we go to a lake where there is a good chance of most people catching fish. Just a thought.
If we want to go to a lake that most people can catch fish then Hardy might not be the best choice. IMO it can be tough! I spent a day and a half up there last year mid September and could not get anything going! I fished the entire things from darn to darn with hardly a bite! ???
Cy
I may be open for anywhere, as long as no tourney is affected,my wife is not peeed 'on', and my work is not all consuming at the time. I would be a boater also, so that may help. How about this Dan; take 4 lakes and have a poll. Say Muskegon, Cadillac/Mitchell, GTB area, and another good one. Set one week for the voting, only vote once please, and then figure out a good date. Any day the last half of September works for me. Just a thought ???
I assume that St Clair is out of the question since it was the lake for the spring open? I just cant think of a better lake where everyone would catch pigs that easy.
T
St Clair would be fun although it can be tough and intimidating to new visitors, especially in the fall. I wanted to do an event that go the mid and west side guys more involved.
Problems I see are a whole bunch of groups taking up entire weekends in September. You got TBF and BFL 9/12 - 9/16, Tear Drop and other events the 22, 23rd. There's ABA and some club/circuit stuff mixed in there too. Someone posted about the last weekend having some west side events too. I know some of the west-siders will be at Fish with the Pros that weekend too. Then you run into possible crappie weather and the regionals after that until later in October.
No matter what day I pick, I'll be on someone. I guess I need a good idea about how many anglers REALLY want to fish. I don't want to do it for 5 boats or less.
I'll put up three Saturdays on one poll and few lakes on another and see what we get. If there's enough interest still, I'll put it together again.
The thing about St. Clair this time of year, if you are like me, I don't know if I want to buy a Canadian license just for that day. Usually I'm over there a number of times and can justify the license cost, noth this year though. Could just make it a Michigan water event but... I'll have to agree that St. Clair, if the weather is good, is a fun place to be and would love to fish it.
I too have fished Hardy in September with not a fish caught. Maybe it's me, but I was with a local who knew the impoundment well.
I know Macbass would like Martiny, but I don't think there is that much water there that has fish. I have fished it three times and it wasn't pretty.
If you're not wanting to make the trek to the west side, which rules Muskegon, White, Hamlin, Manistee, or Portage out then Cadillac and Mitchell are probably the place to be. Can't say it's my favorite, but I have fished it quite a bit, and it does have largemouth and smallmouth.
Hamlin, in our Tear Drop events, is always one of the best lakes for numbers and size. Doesn't matter what time of year it is you're going to need about 15 lbs. to win an event. A limit of 2-3 lbders. is pretty common. 12 inchers on Hamlin will have you running for the net. They are fat and pull hard on that lake. It has an upper and lower section so you can usually get out of the wind if it blows. It has largemouth and smallmouth. 25 boats pretty much disappear rather easily with the amount of water to fish.
If you want pictures or articles on these west side lakes check out the teardropbass.com website and there are articles that go back to 2004 on Cadillac and Hamlin.
If you go up to GT Bay at that time of year you takes your chances with the weather. There are good back up lakes though, Duck, Green, Long are all good September lakes. With all the advertisement that Lt. Dan has now I think he should get a bus and road trip us all down to Lake Fork. Looks like we got ourselves a convoy.
If I'm going to rent a bus with 'all' the 'ad money' I'm making, it will have to be an inflatable one... do they make those? With a strong tail wind, maybe we can float that far? Wait a minute... just got some more expenses in... shoot! Forget Lake Fork. Do you have any idea how much inflatable buses cost anyway?!?
i nominate KENT lake. central location since most guys from down here. no jet skis or tuna boats. burn 2 gallons of gas if you idle all over the lake. maybe PB will bring us all free baits. about 6 miles to HOOTERS. winner buys first round.
ss
I'll second the Kent lake idea. I've even caught fish there. ;D
Dan, I agree with you that is going to be a tough one to schedule. I was checking out my calendar and September is tough. Then you have the Regional the first weekend of October. You won't be able to make everyone happy. I would do just like you said and start polling people and see where and when the majority wants to fish and go with that.
I agree with Kent as well. Unless we can get some solid commitments from guys up North to attend.
All the choices but Mona sound great. I host a charity night series and we fished mona first thing this spring. We caught a lot of fish, but the lauch is so bad we ended up having to pull trucks out. Hamlin probably would be the best fall fishing and I did see someone mention Hardy (If all else fails sept. and oct. have been excellent walleye fishing there.)
Are you talking about the main ramp on Mona behind the Denny's? If so, I haven't been there in several years, but don't want to go if the main ramp is that bad. I may shift the lakes a little anyway once the date is picked shortly.
The main ramp at Mona is rough but it isn't that bad. It is two lane and a kinda beat you these days. It is nothing like Muskegon or White but I think I will be fine for a small tournament. I fish Mona once in a while these days and I like it. I would fish there in the fall.
Cy
I checked out Chippewa yesterday when I was in the area. The ramp is one lane and there is not the most parking, but there are a number of cabins in the area. I'll post some pictures later.
Cherokee? Or Chippewa?
Chipewa, sorry. I forgot my camera in the car again tonight. I will try to get the pics up tomorrow.
there is enough parking for 20 trailers and the fishing is usually pretty good also I was there last sunday and had probably 15 keepers. plus there is a tourny there this saturday and next weekend sunday will post results..
Macbass what club is fishing chippewa saturday and what is the entry fee and what not, I been there a couple of times it fishs alright.
i voted for Ovid also. about as far as i would want to drive. is chippawa south of Evart. too far for me.
i see the LSCN toad fest is sept 22.
have fun
chippewa last saturday took 15.62 lbs to win 15.30 was second and that is for 5 fish. of course my 5 only weight about 8 lbs but that is fishing
If I have enough interest to go farther for the west side members, I have no problem doing that. You east siders that don't want to travel can get back at it next spring again... although, any day fishing...
Pick a date and lake already so we can see who is going to be there, and then if general concensus is that the lake needs to be changed, you can pick a lake from a hat. I want to me some of you guys and all of this arguing over how far is getting ridiculous. We have to drive to St. Clair, not that we don't appreciate getting to fish it. You can come halfway across the state or more. Look at it this way; 48 gallons of fuel in the boat for St. Clair, that will get you approx. across the state and back and enough gas to fish (smaller lakes). We go there and it's looking upwards of $300 just to drive and fish. :o :-\' :'( Have some decency already. :-* :-*
I don't think anyone is arguing. People are just stating their opinions. I am in the inenviable position of having to figure out what to do with no real clear consensus on a date or lake that may draw enough members to meet the goals of getting a bunch of us together to meet - I'm not rolling in the dough anymore than anyone else so I don't want to spend my money or expect others' to for an event that might not accomplish its purpose.
I put off picking the date until this coming Monday and should have said so by now. The reason being is that traffic is way down this week on the site. I think everyone appears to be getting ready for the various tournaments, or have other things going on. Monday is usually the biggest day on the site - I will say the date will be either the 22nd or 29th, but probably the 29th. I will announce it Monday night.
Part of having a forum is having a lot of different opinions from different regions. I have worked hard to increase the participation from northern Indiana to NW Michigan on that west side, but participation is still lighter from that side. That's just numbers and the way it is.
I want to accommodate everyone as fairly as possible, and appreciate all everyone on the west side has done to get more people participating on GreatLakesBass.com. There are really only 6 or 7 west side members who seem to want to fish.
And no, I don't want it to only be west side members. The goal is to get as many as possible to meet. As you've seen, if I pick one date or the other, I already know I'm losing a number of people who are presently interested either way. I'm not fond of fostering hard feelings having anyone thing I picked a date to prefer one person(s) over another. That will not come into play.
Monday night, I will pick the date and 3 lakes to make a final choice from. We'll go from there. I'm trying hard to be fair, so please, anyone who will only fish if it is on this date or that lake, remember I have 20 to 30 different people I'm trying to figure out the best compromise for KNOWING none will be very ideal. Thanks for your understanding.
I do promise this too - the event will be in the middle to west part of the state this fall, or not at all. If we can't come up with a date and lake that can get enough people there this year, I will continue to work to get more members and more interest among members in wanting to attend such an event and do it again. It will happen.
I guess this is the right place since it is the "discussion" thread.
Well, the water (or soupy stuff, <1' visibility) was definitely green today. Had a good time (needed a couple more fish for a great time ;D ) and it was great to meet everybody. Can't wait to do it again in the spring! Thanks Dan!
You are very welcome. It was great that you could make it today. Thanks a bunch to you today. Hope you liked Lake Ovid.
Thats right Dan, had a great time. Thanks for everything, it was worth the 3 hour drive. So, when is the next one? It was great to put faces with names, not that I'll remember them, I don't remember my kid's names half the time, but you're all a great group of guy's.
dashaver63 - I believe you get the prize for the longest drive of the day!! So glad you could make it. The next one will be spring - probably May on the east side. Then next fall back on the west side - not Lake Ovid next year, I promise. Farther west.
Remind me what part of the state you live in again please?
Me? I live in Findlay, 40 miles south of Toledo. I'll put my reservation in now for the Spring Open.
I started thinking Indiana for some reason, but now I remember. You'll have to forgive. My memory is really Swiss cheese nowadays. I leave myself notes all of the time. I'm hoping to catch up on my sleep and get some type of pattern going this week while I'm up north - sleep is good for the memory.
I think you were our only Ohio participant. That should be good for some type of prize?? I'll see what I can think of.
Dan, thanks but that isn't necessary. I had a great time out there with a great group of guy's. Bill, had a blast with you, hope to see you next season on the BFL trail. I just wish I lived closer for the summer fishing season. However I'd have to come back to OHIO for football.............GO BUCKEYES! LOL