Great Lakes Bass Fishing Forum

Water has crept up to 60-61 in this benzie county lake. I lost a big smallie on a white strike king spinner bait just out from launch in Beulah first thing. Slight chop early so seeing bedded fish was a bit more difficult.

Made my way to north shore and picked up a few bedded fish. Looks like they were all caught before several times. After a few more bedded fish on drop shot using beaver baits and strike king dream shot I noticed some activity on top water.

A mayfly hatch happened overnight and smallies were coming up from shallow water and eating the mayflies on top, so I started burning the spinner bait just under the surface and was amazed at how much attention it got.

For about 2 hours it was pretty much chunk after chunk. Tried it on other parts of lake with some succes as well.

Good morning.

Burning a spinnerbait can be hot, hot, hot during this period for smallies. Especially on those Northern lakes. I've had fun on some of them too when the june bugs are doing their thing and ending up on the surface in numbers. I like tiny torpedoes for that. Fun.