Well, I had two GREAT kids (Derrek and Robby) from Penn State in my boat and we hit a LOT of the lake for Saturdays practice... Middle Channel, North Channel, New Baltimore Channel, Selfridge area, and a spot in the middle of nowhere that's been producing fish for me all year (but not on Saturday!). Only place we caught any fish was in the New Baltimore channel right by the wildlife refuge island (Grassy Island?). One 16" smallie and one 15" largemouth. Other than that we mostly burned gas and hauled water with our baits.
The kids chose to start in the New Baltimore channel Sunday morning for the tourney. It was 29 degrees, blowing at 20+ mph, and 3 footers most of the way. Litterally had to wipe ICE off my glasses when we got there. The kids tried like crazy to actually FISH out there but the wind, waves, and COLD had them ready to move after 30-40 minutes and I was all for that as I was freezing!! We ran to the north side of Anchor Bay and hit some canals for largemouth... getting 3 keepers there. We then ran to Metro Beach and headed into some of the canals there and quickly filled our limit with 2 more largemouth. Over all we managed 6 keepers on the day and the kids were more than happy about that! Our bag went 8.33 lbs... not a typical bag for St. Clair but given the circumstances I was just happy to have put my team on enough keepers to fill a limit. Our own Dan Kimmel also had Penn State kids in his boat and they managed a 4.10 lb largemouth out of a canal and a total weight for 5 fish of just over 14 lbs. Way to go Dan!!!
I had a BLAST all weekend even despite the cold/rain/wind. Those of you who chose not to volunteer for this event really missed a lot of fun, good food (provided by the Big Ten at MacRays Saturday evening), and a chance to make some new fishing friends.
The team from MSU had some really nice smallies from the Mile Roads area to take the overall win with a 3 bag, 15 fish total of 49+ pounds. Congratulations to them on a well fished day. They had 2 smallies that went over 5.5 lbs!!! The Penn State team finished 4th on the day with 29 pounds... 2 boats with limits and one boat with 2 fish.
Hey Mike, I just want to commend you, Dan and all the others that volunteered to take the college kids out. Especially in those conditions and not even being able to fish. I need to talk with the MSU kids about the mile roads. ;D As I posted on here, last week my brother and I struggled mightily there.
If you haven't already read it, more on the CBAA Big Ten bass fishing championship under Youth Fishing (http://www.greatlakesbass.com/forum/index.php?topic=6427.0).
I had fun. Several GLBass members were fishing the event and quite a few of you helped out as boaters. Thanks!
Great report Mike, that sums the weekend up fairly well. I want to thank all you guys for helping out with this tournament. Special thanks to Mike, Dan, and Caleb who allowed Penn State anglers on their boats and even put us on fish! Only needed 1 more lb to beat your college Mike. :'(
Hey Robby! It was truley a pleasure having you and Derrick on my boat. Sorry I coudln't put you on bigger fish...
If you guys ever get back over this way PLEASE let me know!!
Dont worry about it Mike, Thats fishing. The weather didnt make it any easier. I'm not tore up about it, it was a great experience just being out on new water. Ill definately get a hold of you if I'm out that way again. I might be out in july if I do the BASS Northern Open, that will be held on the Detroit River.
Tell David and 'Minnow' (Seth) that I said hello.
haha. I will do that. Atleast Seth caught a nickname this weekend, and so did Robby (Moose).. Kinda ironic that our biggest guys has the nickname minnow, and smallest has Moose. Great trip!
Please explain "Moose"....
I heard the story... where were you?? 'Minnow' is involved in that one too!!
short verison, at the dinner. Minnow wanted more dessert which was the mousse pie, and called ended up callin robby, Mousse. Since mousse isnt the best spellling, we call him moose. It was hilarious at the time. It was one of those ' had to be there' things.
OK... Minnow I heard about (several times!) but the moose was one I missed.
Oh, and the mousse was good!!