Update 5/12/07 (early): Gained one boater but lost three. thomas had to pull out unexpectedly. So did Durand Dan. We gained a new member who's a boater, and very unfortunately, my trailer repair could not be complete today so I can't haul my boat over (I'm bummed out because I'll be working on it Sunday too now instead of fishing - somebody tomorrow please ask me why I didn't finish this several weeks ago??). Ah, the best laid plans...
Here are the boaters (13) and new boater/nonboater (18) matchups - please note them carefully as your match probably changed - sorry about doing a redraw, but there has been a couple boat changes too. I want to make sure things are fair and fun for everyone:
==
cast n blast MadWags (Jason Madigan)
MaizeNBlue stackenem
Revtro ABA Jaye & Gbaade
VinceR bassackward & Ryan
MadWags (David W) jerkbait & Dan
dartag jcheetam
ABA MIBassKid
yukonjack2 Hooksetter
live2fish csfishslayer & Team houston
richie33 TCook
fowlmouth motocross269
Langer fiker50
mjm6 sensai steve & djkimmel
If there are anymore surprises, we'll handle them at the ramp. Worse comes to worse, I'll find a place to take a knap and then meet you all at the ramp again later. Of course, most of you smart ones are in bed sleeping so even this will be a surprise tomorrow. There may be a straggler or two that shows up yet, but I think we are through.
Updated 5/10/07: Nonboaters list here (17 so far) - 2 or 3 more nonboaters than boaters so we may have to double up a one or two people in the bigger bass boats. Post on this thread if you can not make it.
fiker50
Hooksetter
MIBassKid
stackenem
csfishslayer
bassackward
motocross269
MadWags (Jason Madigan)
ABA Jaye
Dan
Ryan
Gbaade
jerkbait
sensai steve
Team Houston
jcheetam
TCook
If there are 3 more non-boaters than boaters It might be best if I don't go. First off I was one of the last guys to say I want to fish and the trip from Benton Harbor is like 6 hours round trip. I did not find anyone to carpool with so it makes more sense not to fish it.
Tim
Sorry Dan - can't make it ... have to split days for Mother's Day - one Saturday and one Sunday.
Well, I'm sorry to that neither of you will make it. TCook, maybe you can make the fall event later this year - it will probably be a ways north though, but there might be a few more West side anglers at the event.
Genie - you're a good boy - keep the Mother's happy or bad things happen...
Sent you a PM Dan...
Dan,
This is Bob690,I'm sorry to say I have to work.
well that looks like it evens it up, yes Dan, I will be a boater.
just point me to some canals if t blows too much!
If anyone needs a map to the ramp I put a link for the MiBassKid up on under "1st DK Spring Open - Saturday 5/12/07 Lake St. Clair" Gives you a from your front door to the ramp map.
I am in and I plan to bring a Nitro boat for those who would like to take a ride in one to see how they ride.
I will have either a 2007 591 / 150 EFI or a 2008 Z-9 / 250 Pro XS
I will bring a few Golden Rule Boards - Cost is 16$ - at Gander Mtn you will pay 21$ ... I don't have many left ( I think 7) & I would consider giving those who return the boards back to me their money back if returned in good condition, not bent & covered in fish slime.
I will bring copies of my score sheet forms for everyone to use.
I have some questions for Dan ....
What is the start and finish times?
I'll do a short go over the map and rules meeting around 7:30 AM - Harley Ensign MDNR ramp. We should be out around 8 AM and back at 2 PM.
Are we meeting after to have a bite to eat?
We haven't gotten that far. I think a few will hit the road due to schedules and travel time, but there may be a few of us who are hungry afterwards.
Are there off limits?
Only US waters open to fishing.
What are the rules? Is this a 5 or 10 fish limit ... will there be a limit?
Your best 5 fish limit of bass. Only measure bass over 14 inches. Note your biggest bass for big bass entry based on the Golden Rule measurement weight estimate. Have each partner confirm the 'weight' of each fish by looking at the 'scale' (Golden Rule).
My form has enough spots to count about 20 fish if that is not enough I can modify my form.
Send me the form and I'll do the work. Maybe give each team two forms.
My understanding is that this is a team event but we draw for partners correct?
I'll post a tentative draw tomorrow night so partners can contac each other if they want to and know who they should be fishing with. It's a draw, but you both fish as a team in the boat combining your best five. There is a an individual big bass award but bragging rights go to a boater/nonboater team.
Will we use one score sheet for each team?
I'll try to get each team to use 1, but if you send me the form, I'll print extras.
Are we having a critter pot? ... if so do you want me to bring a scale, weigh bags, ???
You and Jaye must be good at critters... wait a minute... what am I saying ;D If you bring a scale, I'll tell anglers they can keep a critter. I'll have to figure out what to do with it.
Let me know what you need from me Dan and we will make it happen if possible.
I think giving away one of those Nitros or quads in your store would be a nice touch...
To confirm, I'll be there as a non-boater. If nesassary I can bring my boat, but I've never had it out on St. Clair :-\'
ABA (Anthony)
I'll need one of those boards. I looked at my Golden Rule and it is for Crappie. ;D
Dan, do you still need boaters. It looks like I can make it.
As for getting together to eat afterwards, there is a place right on Jefferson by the Fire Dept. (sorry I don't know the name). Or there is a Ram's horn with lots of parking at Metro Pkwy. and Harper. That might not be a bad bet. Or we could go to Eddie's Drive In (my personal favorite) . There's not a ton of room for parking, but if the DNR launch across the street isn't full, we could park some of our rigs there or maybe on Ballard Street. (not sure how much room there is to park there.) But man will you ever love the "Big Ed" burger. It's located at Ballard Street and Jefferson Ave. (just a few miles South on Jefferson) Those are just a few options that come quickly to mind.
I'm going to need a board, too. I'll probably be one that will sell it back to you. I have one, but not the "official" Golden Rule version.
I am just confirming that I will be there. I may have to head right out after the tourney to go to work.
Oops. Might have posted too soon. Somebody might be buying my boat before Saturday.
Quote from: cameraguy on May 08, 2007, 09:48:06 AM
Dan, do you still need boaters. It looks like I can make it.
Yes - I'm pretty sure I need 1 or 2 more boats to match everyone evenly. You'll have fun... and you have a camera!!!! 1 boat for sure. Although, I'll recount tonight to see exactly where I'm at again. But you should come down anyway. It's Lake St. Clair... in the spring BABY!!!
Quote from: cameraguy on May 08, 2007, 07:32:20 PM
Oops. Might have posted too soon. Somebody might be buying my boat before Saturday.
Well CARP!!! I have to remember to read the posts newest to the oldest. You might still be able to come. Maybe one or two of the other anglers will bring their boat and being the old warrior you are, you can show them around???
Quote from: Durand Dan on May 08, 2007, 05:27:54 AM
To confirm, I'll be there as a non-boater. If nesassary I can bring my boat, but I've never had it out on St. Clair :-\'
I understand the concern. I have 3 more nonboaters than boaters right now and we could double up in a few boats. I'm concerned though that I have not heard from UAWBigDog and silverminnow yet and they were not 100% sure of their status. I might be down 5 boats. Possibility cameraguy could make it with his boat, but of all times, now he might sell his boat, so that is iffy.
We can wait until tomorrow to see what might happen. There's still time. I would like to do a match of at least the for sure people tomorrow night.
As of tonight:
13, maybe 14 boaters.
18 nonboaters
Waiting to do an initial draw until tonight (Wednesday) to see if I can confirm UAWBigDog and if any other boaters come along.
Dan,
Count me in as a non-boater. Sorry for the late response, I was going to borrow my son-in-laws boat so I could enter as a boater but he's having the motor worked on right now and it probably won't be done in time for this Saturday.
Willie
Quote from: Durand Dan on May 08, 2007, 05:27:54 AM
To confirm, I'll be there as a non-boater. If nesassary I can bring my boat, but I've never had it out on St. Clair :-\'
Dan,
I say bring your boat if DK needs more boaters. Your boat is big enough .... The Selfridge area holds some nice fish and its not that far.
OK, I'm in as a boater. I have a Hot Spots Map marked up By Cast and Blast that will help.
I too will bring my boat, Revtro has offered me a marked up map with some spots too. Hopefully I get pair with someone thats at least been out there before.
I completely understand why anglers would not want to bring their boats to such a big lake. Especially if you haven't fished there before.
I will go over some areas before we launch that are always good this time of year. Luckily, this is a time of year when real long runs are not needed and there are lots of nice fish in shallower to be caught.
If necessary, I'll have new people follow me and fish right next to me. This is about fun and catching fish - any bragging rights are just something a little extra.
It is looking like we might end up with very nice weather conditions for various boat sizes and favorable viewing conditions for sight-fishing (more pre-spawn than actual spawners)
http://weather.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/fmtbltn.pl?file=forecasts/marine/great_lakes/lc/lcz460.txt
FRIDAY
LIGHT AND VARIABLE WINDS...BECOMING NORTH 10 TO 15 KNOTS.
PARTLY SUNNY. A SLIGHT CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS BY EARLY AFTERNOON. WAVES 1 FOOT OR LESS.
FRIDAY NIGHT
NORTH WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS...DIMINISHING TO 5 TO
10 KNOTS AFTER MIDNIGHT. PARTLY CLOUDY. WAVES 1 FOOT OR LESS.
SATURDAY
NORTH WINDS 5 TO 10 KNOTS. PARTLY SUNNY UNTIL MID EVENING...THEN BECOMING MOSTLY CLEAR. WAVES 1 FOOT OR LESS.
North wind Friday and Saturday should flush some of the color out of the water and clear things up out where the pre-spawners are schooling up. Also means a lot of the Mile Roads and especially Anchor Bay should be really nice to fish in if you aren't way off shore. If it blows harder, there are lots of corners and near shore flats to tuck in to.
Quote from: Hooksetter on May 09, 2007, 07:15:05 PM
Dan,
Count me in as a non-boater. Sorry for the late response, I was going to borrow my son-in-laws boat so I could enter as a boater but he's having the motor worked on right now and it probably won't be done in time for this Saturday.
Willie
Thanks for trying Willie. I already have you down as a nonboater. Maybe cameraguy hasn't sold his boat yet???
See the first two posts on this thread for the latest boater and nonboater list.
By the way if anyone wants, I'm going out on Friday and would be happy to show anyone around so that they can feel safe. I'm thinking.. if you're not sure you want to bring your boat out because you're intimidated by the bigger water or because you've never been there before, I am more than willing to help you get comfortable on St. Clair. We could really use the extra boats for Saturday.
I'll be out there Friday morning. If anyone wants to hook up and follow us around, PM or email me. tomouweleen@yahoo.com
I'm not saying I can put you on fish... But I can definitely help you find your way around and show you that you have nothing to worry about on St. Clair. If you have an 18 ft. boat, you're more than safe for St. Clair with just a little common sense. I imagine we'll be on the water between 8:30 and 9am Friday.
If this will help get a few more boaters, I'm happy to do it.
The deal is supposed to be done tonight. I'll keep you posted.
Not to sound cocky or anything, but I can be teamed up with a boater whose never been to Clair before.
I always carry my GPS, Wayne's marked maps, and the Hot Spot map of Clair.
I've never fished her this early in the season before, but I have have been down there quite a bit in the last few years durin the Summer months.
Quote from: fiker50 on May 10, 2007, 10:04:59 AM
Not to sound cocky or anything, but I can be teamed up with a boater whose never been to Clair before.
I always carry my GPS, Wayne's marked maps, and the Hot Spot map of Clair.
I've never fished her this early in the season before, but I have have been down there quite a bit in the last few years durin the Summer months.
Can I call dibs on Fiker?
I will try to do a 'random' draw that matches the right people together to meet the goal of having fun and catching fish.
Is there still room for another non-boater, I really want to go? Please let me know DK.
Hey Langer, before you call dibs you should be aware that I've fished in the first two DK Opens and have yet to weigh a fish.
But, although not an expert by any means, I just thought I could keep my boater out of trouble.
I am sooooo looking forward to this. I've always wanted to fish Clair at this time of year, but the opportunity never presented itself before.
Thanks Dan for putting up with us and doing all the extra stuff to make something like this happen. You gotta know that we all appreciate it very much.
Im in for sure dan see you sat
Hey Rev or Lt. Dan,
Here is an address that anyone can use with their own address to get a map from door to ramp. It's the Macomb County Marine Office which is out at the ramp (Harrison Township). 33125 S RIVER RD, HARRISON TWP, MI 48045, UNITED STATES
Okay guys with no draw yet I am getting antsy to pack. I wish this wasn't Mother's Day weekend or I'd be over there Friday to take Rev up on his offer. I have fished St. Clair a few times and I'm thinking shakey head, tubes, jerkbait, senkos, drop shot, spinnerbait, rattle trap, and some top water. I also read someones post and bought a #3 Mepps to throw in. I have 3 baitcasters and two spinning rods (thinking about one more spinning rod), my 100mph suit, sandles, gore tex boots, and a tackle bag. Got to throw in some samiches and pringles and a couple of waters. Gonna sun screen up ahead of time and make sure I have my sun glasses and cash for my boater. Am I ready???
sounds about like my list, except I'm packing a banana for every(body elses) boat!!
OH NO... NOT a monkey pickle!!! Get that monkey pickle out of here!! The rest of 'the list' sounds fine.
Make sure anyone who has their own lifejacket - bring them along.
Quote from: TCook on May 10, 2007, 04:35:36 PM
Is there still room for another non-boater, I really want to go? Please let me know DK.
We'll get you in a boat. Cmon over. Make sure you stay awake on the drive. It's a long one, but from everything I'm hearing, the fishing there has been pretty darn good so far this spring!!
Thanks for the good draw dan You put me in a boat with to really good friends .
Hey guys I will have your Fish N friends raffel tickets.They are 5$ ea. so stop and see me.We have some great prizes.
Prize list Full day trip for two with jon bondy valued at 350$
half day fishing trip on lsc with Gerry Gostenik 250$
A weekday muskie trip for three with bob bruner 500$
Eagle 502c igps msrp 499$
Plus a buch of other great stuff
Yes it is a long drive for me, but luckily Dan was kind enough to offer to meet me in Kzoo to carpool. see you guys there. Is there a pairings list somewhere that Im not seeing?
Tim
just took the boat out of the water. had to catch a few first. hope the fish are as active as the fish on my lake.
now if the weather just behaves.
ss
For all you guys that have never fished st clair I fish this lake more then most it is not far from my house. I was out all day yesterday from 7am to 5:30 pm.This is going to be a good tourney I can tell you as much as this you could get 15- 20 lbs with no probs. And a few of us that no the lakes hot spots could come in with more then that. The fish are all over the lake right now from 4ft - 8ft find the rock and sand bars and you will do well. we also got into the walleyes they are on fire out there right now so Im in for that critter pot thing . as for My bag yesterday lets just say 20 lbs will set the scale. as long as the weather don't act up we will all get on big fish . And I will say to the guys that don't know the lake the mile roads have good fish there now .and you wont kill your boat getting there they start at the end of the launch . good luck to all
Quote from: TCook on May 11, 2007, 03:42:10 PM
Yes it is a long drive for me, but luckily Dan was kind enough to offer to meet me in Kzoo to carpool. see you guys there. Is there a pairings list somewhere that Im not seeing?
Tim
I keep updating/editing the very first post on page 1 of this thread with that information. It will change in just a minute again. Just picked up another boater.
Well - SHOOT! The wind forecast is going the WRONG way. It may end up being pretty rough out there tomorrow.
Make sure and bring your rain suit for the spray. For those with smaller boats, there are some good spots to fish very close to the ramp - may be a lot more of fishing closer. There's some canals with a lot of better largemouths in them right now too because of the season.
I do not want to move the tournament unless everyone agreed, which I expect will not be the case. Let's all show up at Harley Ensign as planned by about 7:30 AM. We'll see what we have available once there.
you can always depend on the weather to make things messy
SMALL CRAFT ADVISORY IN EFFECT THROUGH SATURDAY MORNING
TONIGHT
NORTHEAST WINDS 15 TO 20 KNOTS. PARTLY CLOUDY. A SLIGHT
CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS THROUGH ABOUT 8 PM. WAVES 2 TO
5 FEET.
SATURDAY
NORTHEAST WINDS 15 TO 20 KNOTS EARLY...THEN DECREASING
TO 10 TO 15 KNOTS. PARTLY SUNNY. WAVES 3 TO 5 FEET...DECREASING
TO 1 TO 3 FEET IN THE LATE MORNING.
Just wanted to wish you all good luck tomorrow. I will be thinking about you while I'm working!!! >:(
However as soon as I get out of here it's off to Hardy for the rest of the weekend! :D
Good luck to all, be safe, have fun!!
Worse comes to worse, I'll trolling motor right out the side entrance to Harley and just start fishing, but I've seen things end up a lot nicer sometimes too so let's wait until we get there.
You can check this link for additional true readings about what is happening in the middle of the lake anyway: http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.php?station=45147
There can be some differences based on wind speed, direction and location of the channel currents.
According to Accuweather it is only going to be 48 degrees when we take off in the morning, but it is suppose to warm up to the mid-60s throughout the day.
All is good...At least we will be fishing.
Dan,
I have to back out. Sorry about the last minute notice, I am having issues with a customer and their production is at risk. Unfortunately work comes first. Got to keep that revenue coming in. :(
The wind is turning everything to mud.
It already blew several of my best spots away.
Never fails.
Just plan a tournament and you can count on North or East winds.
Both in this case.
Not good guys.
See you in the AM.
dan- This is richie chambless (aba member). I spoke with you and ABA tonight on the phone. Just making sure you know I will be there at 7:30 with my boat. Please email me at (removed to save on the spam) and confirm. I really don't want to make the trip to st.clair if you dont need me.
However, if you do, I am looking forward to fighting the waves to chase the bronzebacks!!!!
Look forward to hearing from you.
Richie
(Thanks again for coming out with your boat on short notice Richie - Dan)
Sorry I had to leave so early saturday, I had to get to work. Have to pay the fishing bills somehow. Thanks alot for taking me out fowlmouth. I had a great time.