Myself, Mcfish, and another buddy of ours are planning an up north smallie day trip on June 16th. The plan, as of now, is to hit the bay. My question is, is that typically a good time of the year to try it? I know there are many variables that can make it happen or not happen. For those who know it well, are we in the ball park for a potential good day or a waste of time?
Ben Nielsen and I went up there around that time last year. If it would have been another week later we would have crushed them. But we still caught 50+ fish and most of them were on beds. The east arm is the best for spawning fish if thats what your looking for. We caught a few around the 5lb range but most were in the 3-4lb class. I have a buddy that went up a week after we did and caught quite a few over 5 and some over 6. Hope this helps.
just pick a day mid june when the weather is nice and there hasn't been a big north or south wind for a few days to screw up the water temps.
Thanks guys.
Quote from: LGMOUTH on February 22, 2015, 02:49:08 PM
Ben Nielsen and I went up there around that time last year. If it would have been another week later we would have crushed them. But we still caught 50+ fish and most of them were on beds. The east arm is the best for spawning fish if thats what your looking for. We caught a few around the 5lb range but most were in the 3-4lb class. I have a buddy that went up a week after we did and caught quite a few over 5 and some over 6. Hope this helps.
I keep getting told by one or two people literally that there are no big bass left in Grand Traverse Bay. Are you saying that is not true...??
When it gets about a week before yer trip Mike. I'll take a day and go out see whats goin on. The water might be colder if this ice sticks around longer than expected again. Both bay's have frozen over completely with 5 to 10 inches . Alot of it is chunk that refroze , but it's thick.
I'm am totaly convinced and ya can't change my mind, that the next state record will come out of one of the bays Dan.
That would be great. If the bay isn't happening, we may shoot over to Skeg.
there were icebergs out there still mid-may last year, i wouldn't abandon hope :) i know the fishing was pretty good most of june including the early part.
I will keep that in mind. But I sit and think, Clair is only a 30 minute longer drive. Hmmmmm.
st clair is for may. traverse is for june
Got it!!
:) That seems like good advice. Though I like St. Clair August, September and October too. Sometimes even in November :D
Hmmmm.... without my Table Rock trip this year I'll have a few more vacation days to use up. Maybe we make it a 2 boat trip? I even know a couple prime spots for bedding smallies on the East Bay. 8)
The more the merrier, Mike. Sounds good.
I will be up there from the 13th of June till the 21st of June. Maybe we can make it a 3 boat trip.
Well maybe Cabelas will give me a weekend off. Otherwise, I'm that way already and may just run up with the Bass Cat to see what's going on.
I'll be up there 6-11 to 6-25
It's been a long 2 years since I have fished GTB!
it sounding like a June road trip, I just might do this. my dad lives in Gaylord he would have a blast on East bay
I got room for a few people to camp if they want to stay more than one day ;D ;D ;D
Quote from: stackenem on February 24, 2015, 08:16:31 PM
I got room for a few people to camp if they want to stay more than one day ;D ;D ;D
My parent's have a place 25 minutes west of TC... running water, hot food, soft beds. Camping? :-)
Sounds to me like it is time for another GLB up north event to me. IF you all are going to be here around the same time we should pick a date, throw a few bucks into a pot and put EGTB to the test! What say you all?
Quote from: djkimmel on February 22, 2015, 06:03:56 PM
Quote from: LGMOUTH on February 22, 2015, 02:49:08 PM
Ben Nielsen and I went up there around that time last year. If it would have been another week later we would have crushed them. But we still caught 50+ fish and most of them were on beds. The east arm is the best for spawning fish if thats what your looking for. We caught a few around the 5lb range but most were in the 3-4lb class. I have a buddy that went up a week after we did and caught quite a few over 5 and some over 6. Hope this helps.
I keep getting told by one or two people literally that there are no big bass left in Grand Traverse Bay. Are you saying that is not true...??
Well I guess it depends on what they consider big bass..
It looks like my trip out to the west side could turn to more northern trip.... Ill keep a eye on this tread for sure..
Quote from: TheFishinPollock on February 25, 2015, 09:48:16 AM
Sounds to me like it is time for another GLB up north event to me. IF you all are going to be here around the same time we should pick a date, throw a few bucks into a pot and put EGTB to the test! What say you all?
Oh sure Matt. It's always about money with you !!!! Hahahahaha :D Slight chance I might be able to make it. Just depends on part time. Keep this thread alive ..... :)
I'm going on the 16th with 2 friends. No interest in fishing for money that day.
LOL Jeff. It's so the winner can buy the first round!. :D ( only meant a small amount like 10/ 20 bucks tops. I am poor and that's about all I can afford with everything going on).
Ok here's the deal that I propose:::
A week day event due to it being tourist season and weekends are insane up here for dragging a boat around TC. There are 2 launches on east bay that would work. Center road launch on the peninsula (room for about 25 boats, dnr launch, 2 ramps, perfect for a heavy wind out of the west to north.). Or , my town of Elk Rapids. 5 ramps, over 50 parking slots and usually a little bit more empty , suited for a light to moderate chop. Same deal as the St Clare event. 1,2 or 3 to a boat, major bragging rites, and a chance for us nuts to get together. The standard start, 7:30 am or 8:30 if Dan can make it ( ya know how he sleeps in :D), put in and get going. No official start deal. In around 3 ish. The date. The 16th of June. Now this can be a cheap event with a winner take all or a "gathering" event like a rally. I will leave that up to you guys as how that part would work out. I'm fine with either.
Now regardless this event would need a title. The annual DKO on GTBay (Dan Kimmel Open, Subject to change lakes every year )
Now if the winds are providing the bay with a northern chop , the standard 3+ footers ,we can move the event to Elk/Skegemog for some wind protection. Either go out of the Barns road launch<that road is oh so nice wish they would turn it to dirt> or out of Whitewater park directly across from the narrows into Skeg,<dirt road to park , but usually graded well that time of the year anbd a few bucks to launch>.
The options of an after event gathering can be at either Mr. C's on 72 ( good place for food) or a BBQ at the launch like at St. Clare or if I can swing it a BBQ at my place. Just have to talk to the neighbor about rig parking as he has a big open field behind his house next to mine . That should not be a problem as he owes me a few favors. There is always parking along the road my driveway comes off. The rigs would be safe along the road.
This is what I could come up with sitting in my shanty yesterday. Any suggestions??
I'm not really interested in fishing for money either. I do that all summer long so would rather just fish for fun on The Bays.
Besides, I'm going to call my friend Chris Noffsinger before we head up to get the skinny on the fishing. You'd all just give me the money anyway. ;D
I would be down for whatever. Personally, I don't want to have to keep a big smallmouth in my livewell all day! ;D
I would be interested, always wanted to hit the bays especially that time of year. If someone needs a partner give me a shout.
Quote from: Waterfoul on February 26, 2015, 02:11:36 PM
I'm not really interested in fishing for money either. I do that all summer long so would rather just fish for fun on The Bays.
Besides, I'm going to call my friend Chris Noffsinger before we head up to get the skinny on the fishing. You'd all just give me the money anyway. ;D
Hopefully you will pass some info my way after that phone call.
you're all making it harder than it needs to be. finding fish this time of year there isn't that hard.
I gotta agree totaly with Dude. The bay is chock full of giant smallies that time of the year. The only thign that might make it a tad difficult is water temps. The fish stage in the same areas every year consistantly so finding them is not hard at all.
Quote from: thedude on February 27, 2015, 09:01:13 AM
you're all making it harder than it needs to be. finding fish this time of year there isn't that hard.
Oh I know that... was just name dropping for fun. ;)
I'm calling Hank Parker to ask him to ask Shaw Grigsby where Chris Noffsinger took Jimmy Houston to put him on the big 'uns!!
Quote from: djkimmel on February 28, 2015, 09:19:04 AM
I'm calling Hank Parker to ask him to ask Shaw Grigsby where Chris Noffsinger took Jimmy Houston to put him on the big 'uns!!
Lake Charlivoix! ;D
With this post, I was trying to get opinions on timing, not trying to start a tournament.
Shoot I was out there one day on EGTB while Shaw was filming...... I just followed him around. LOLOL ;)