Great Lakes Bass Fishing Forum

Right now, the 2012 Fall MadWags Memorial Members Tournament West is scheduled for Sunday September 30th. I would prefer to go where the most members want to go, can catch some bass and enjoy themselves. I realize there is no one date or lake over there that will make everyone happy.

I just want to have good participation because it does take a fair amount of effort to put the event together. If you are likely to fish the event, please choose two lakes you would most like to fish during the event on September 30, 2012.

If you like, please share in this thread why you think one or both of your choices are the best choices thinking about everyone having the best chance to catch fish and enjoy their weekend. I will let this go for a while and then make the best choice based on all factors.

I chose Manistee.  10+ fish over 4 lbs, 4 fish over 5 lbs, and a 6-4 this past fall is all the reason I need!   We caught so many fish up there it should be illegal!  It's also closer for most people, and given the price of gas that could be a major factor for participation.

My "backup" would be Mona... good fall smallie lake and it's close to home!

I could go for caddy/mitch along with my choice of skeg.

I chose two lakes I've heard great things, and I've never fished before. I love checking out new lakes.

I don't see a box for Hardy on the list!

Quote from: mikesmiph on March 31, 2012, 09:21:50 AM
I chose two lakes I've heard great things, and I've never fished before. I love checking out new lakes.

Me too! When I can get to them.

Quote from: customfishn on March 31, 2012, 01:40:48 PM
I don't see a box for Hardy on the list!

For some reason, some people get upset and a little wound when I mention putting Hardy on the list. Some are happy though...? I guess... I could still add it??

Quote from: djkimmel on March 31, 2012, 06:18:10 PM

Quote from: customfishn on March 31, 2012, 01:40:48 PM
I don't see a box for Hardy on the list!

For some reason, some people get upset and a little wound when I mention putting Hardy on the list. Some are happy though...? I guess... I could still add it??

It cant hurt to add it,  if you do I'm changing my vote!

Keep that POS Hardy Pond off the list!!!!!   :o

Quote from: Waterfoul on March 31, 2012, 09:17:38 PM
Keep that POS Hardy Pond off the list!!!!!   :o

Such harsh words for a place that everyone wants to be in the spring.  The fishing has only improved up there. 

who's voting for cadillac and mitchel? seriously? they aren't bad lakes, but seriously?  portage, manistee, skeg - still good choices for the fall.

If Hardy cant be on there Skeg is the place to be everyone can come in with 20+

my pick would be skeg too. Plus I live really close.  But for the gass if it's  ehh around m55 ish  or north I'm good .

   I want to partner with Waterfoul  !!!!!   :D   ;D   :D   ;D

We hit Skeg on an off day somehow. Not sure what was going that day other than the upset duck hunters who actually had a great early shoot when we scared all the ducks out of the fog!

I guess, since I already had the 'dark horse' Cadillac/Mitchell on there (and thedude is anxious) I will not add anymore lakes. 7 choices seem like enough, doesn't it? It is the fall.

Someone said smallies - so picked Mona..... I vacation on white 2 years in a row and absolutely love lakeside resort. however when folks post 20 + bags on skeg, I'd like to try that too. 

Ps: if someone takes me out on hardy , I'll sneak you on the six flags lakes !!! ( I got people lol )

I sure hope we don't have to go to Skegemog again. I was not impressed with that one. I would rather fish White. I picked Hamlin and Mona. Mona is REAL close to home, and close to the heart. It's my favorite crappy lake to throw lures at.  ;D

The 7 lakes on the list are all great fall lakes.  Any one of them would be a great place to fish.

I picked cadillac because I haven't fished there and my friend lives right up the road.  If its there were having a party at the roadway inn

Mojo, if you can get me on the Michigan Adventures lakes, I will take you to Croton. I don't know anything about it, but I have good electronics, and wouldn't mind going there.

how about take mitchel off and add long lake or leelanau instead?

If you mean long lake in hale then I'm in.  we have my cabin with 7 beds and room for 8 trucks and boats in the yard.  On west londo lake ten minutes away

Sorry, Mojo, I meant Hardy. So far, Hamlin looks to be the popular lake. I've never been there, despite an invitation last year. That one isn't far from home, either. Hey Jeff, do you still hit the horn when you pass my exit?  Lol!

mojo, why you want to go to hardy? i'll take you out during C&R - bout the only good time to go out there.

Quote from: thedude on April 01, 2012, 06:01:25 PM
how about take mitchel off and add long lake or leelanau instead?

Forgot about Long Lake. I've never been on it. I have heard it has gotten much better for a while now. Not sure about the fall. I picked lakes people had previously favored or asked about. I didn't put Leelanau because of the size, concern about a bad wind day and it can be daunting for new people to fish there. I know a few of you really like it there. Not sure how it would turn out for everyone. Maybe next year?

I almost didn't put Hamlin on there because the fish seem to be smaller lately but I figured once Dan gets back he can give us an update? Cadillac/Mitchell - some variety with two different lakes and it is the day after the Fall Classic. I was wondering how many are fishing that and won't want to drive. I really expect Skeg, Manistee or Hamlin to get the most votes with Mona as the dark horse. Up to all of you to pick the to few and then we can decide on the winner.

Mojo Ill take you on hardy when ever you want.  Its a very misunderstood body of water, last July I had 19.5lbs in a tournament.  Most other tournaments throughout the summer it takes 14 - 16 pounds to win and we had many 25 fish days all smallies.

It's an interesting body of water. Full of pike and lots of walleye too.

Quote from: customfishn on April 03, 2012, 04:01:08 PM
Mojo Ill take you on hardy when ever you want.  Its a very misunderstood body of water, last July I had 19.5lbs in a tournament.  Most other tournaments throughout the summer it takes 14 - 16 pounds to win and we had many 25 fish days all smallies.

Herein lies the problem with Hardy.  Guys coming to fish this tournament won't have time to prefish much, if at all.  Hardy can be one of the toughest lakes in Michigan to figure out.  Been fishing it for many years... some days you can find em, others they seem to dissapear and make the lake seem "fishless."  It's not a great place to hold a fun tournament like the Madwags Open.  I see the results of quite a few Hardy tournies... a few guys seem to win all the money there.  The lake just doesn't lend itself out for "fun."  I prefished for a tourney there last year.... whacked em in a couple spots.  The next day when it mattered... not a thing.  No fun.

I like Hamlin Lake. For a fun tournament, in my opinion, you want to catch a bunch of fish. Hamlin is the place where everyone gets a limit. They may be mostly two pounders, but those two pounders will pull hard. You'd swear they were bigger when you hooked them. There are some bigger fish that swim there, but Dan is right, in that tournaments there have just not been weighing the five pounders that use to be common there.  It also has lots of places to stay, and is only about 25 minutes from Little River Casino.
Manistee, can be a much tougher body of water to fish. I know Mike and Ed whacked them there last Fall late, but for the regular Joe, it will take much longer to find the fish.
Portage Lake is a good lake, but can also turn on you on a dime. It can go from boon to bust.
Long Lake, up north of Interlochen, produces big stringers in the Fall. Some big fish swim there. It is close to Interlochen so you have the state park to stay at or the hotels of Traverse City. Also Traverse has a lot to do if you made it a weekend with the wife.
The Hamlin, Manistee, Portage, lakes are close enough to the Manistee Casino for a cheap stay. They have a RV park so you could probably work out something with them to plug in your boat.
Again, it would be my choice for a fun outing to go to Hamlin. It also, due to its upper and lower lakes, has places to get out of the wind should it get nasty. Manistee seems to be a straight shot for the wind to howl. Portage is more exposed as well, but people say to fish in the wind, so...
Personally, I don't like Cadillac and Mitchell as well. I've done well there and have won a tournament there, but it really can be tough to fish in the wind, and there will be guys that don't know it well who will blank on it. Cadillac does have some great places to eat and plenty of places to stay.
Check out my teardropbass.com website. There are articles and pictures on those lakes going back several years. Lately, I haven't been putting those lake articles on the main page, but placing them in my "Latest Blog." Click on the "Latest Blog" button and then at the top you will see where I've archived previous months. Look back through the summer months and you will find articles on Hamlin, Portage, Manistee, Cadillac and Mitchell, Long, Duck, Green, etc.

I didn't put Hardy on for the reasons that Waterfoul mentioned. It is interesting to fish there but not too many times. I am a little worried about Hamlin and wind though the upper arm used to be real good in the fall. Been a loooonnnnggg time for me since I last visited though. I was little anxious about Cadillac and Mitchell too for wind and that it can be real spotty. But I guess most lakes over there can be real spotty in the fall. I do wonder how well Manistee would fish for many boats verses a boat or two? Maybe we will all just fish next to Waterfoul??

If we got a fairly calm day on Hamlin, that might be fun? Too bad Skeg didn't show its normal good fall fishing. We can't all fit on 'Don's' spot!

Quote from: mikeszr800 on April 01, 2012, 07:20:36 PM
Sorry, Mojo, I meant Hardy. So far, Hamlin looks to be the popular lake. I've never been there, despite an invitation last year. That one isn't far from home, either. Hey Jeff, do you still hit the horn when you pass my exit?  Lol!

  You know Mike, I think of you but have stopped the practice.  I promise to honk good and loud next trip up  !!!!  LOLOLOL  Shoot, I should stop by with the wife some time.  :)

I voted skeg.  We caught some nice fish the day before and had lots of bassy looking places.  Elk sucks bad though when its blowing.  I want another crack at it.

Actually Elk is at its best when the wind is blowing, Cuts up that  light penetration in that gin clear water .

NO!!!!

I don't wanna go back to TC this fall!  I wanna go to Hamlin!  darn it now YOU GUYS NEED TO CHANGE YOUR VOTES!!!

Quote from: Cy on April 04, 2012, 11:37:24 PM
NO!!!!

I don't wanna go back to TC this fall!  I wanna go to Hamlin!  darn it now YOU GUYS NEED TO CHANGE YOUR VOTES!!!

There's no big fish at Hamlin tho lol

I will let this go for a while and then make the best choice based on all factors.

Quote from: Firefighter Jeff on April 04, 2012, 07:43:58 PM

Quote from: mikeszr800 on April 01, 2012, 07:20:36 PM
Sorry, Mojo, I meant Hardy. So far, Hamlin looks to be the popular lake. I've never been there, despite an invitation last year. That one isn't far from home, either. Hey Jeff, do you still hit the horn when you pass my exit?  Lol!

  You know Mike, I think of you but have stopped the practice.  I promise to honk good and loud next trip up  !!!!  LOLOLOL  Shoot, I should stop by with the wife some time.  :)

You are welcome any time Jeff.

It definitely looks like there's a good chance of towing the boat back to Skeg this year. If so, Don has to fish with paper clips for hooks!  Just kidding, Don. As long as I'm fishing, it will be fun. I would like to catch some fish there, though.

Hey Mike . Does that mean everyone will follow him  instead of me this year :D     That way I can get to my super duper special spots with no one watching LOL

Maybe. It's you, isn't it?  You are responsible for the 8 votes for Skeg, aren't you?  It's all starting to make perfect sense now. Super duper secret spot, and a strategically placed dead duck.

 :D :D :D :D :D  Mike.     I know notingggggg about that.  I'm just embarised I got  swatted on my almost home lake across the street from my real home lake.  This year I'm comming in with something more odd than a duck though !

Quote from: TheFishinPollock on April 06, 2012, 04:25:22 AM
:D :D :D :D :D  Mike.     I know notingggggg about that.  I'm just embarised I got  swatted on my almost home lake across the street from my real home lake.  This year I'm comming in with something more odd than a duck though !

  I feel the same way about the open being on Hamlin.  Poor showing by me would sting !!!   lololol

Don't you come to the weigh in with your mom in the livewell. That would not be right!  No Bigfoot, either.

Ok, after posting that, I realised something. I wasn't calling your mom big and ugly. Just wanted to clear that up.

LOL bigfoot.   Are you trying to say I have big feet???? :D


This year I'm not bringin ma. I'll save my rumble seat for one of the guys that is from the site .

WoooHoooo another skegger vote.  You guys are in for it this year!  ;D

Rumble seat, aka "the livewell".  Look out guys. Pollock, you are too fun. Instead of following you with a fire extinguisher like was mentioned last year, I'm going to follow you for fish. You seem very confident this year.

I'm all over um this year Mike. Been out with the underwater camera scouting my brains out.  Hopefully there is fog again so I can sneek away to my super duper special spot  :D

you may not know this but I am undefeated on that lake...

Oh. Your gonan have to show up to back that statement up LOL. We are all gunnin for Don this year.

We'll just steal Don's secret spot and then see how he does!!! ;D

Frank, is this the time to pull out that one lure painted "skegg" color ?  :o.   If East sider come over and sneak a win, the next thing you know the AFL and NFL will merge again. Lol

Mojo,
Its possible that I'm only undefeated because I've never fished that lake., lol

Quote from: djkimmel on April 08, 2012, 12:20:42 PM
We'll just steal Don's secret spot and then see how he does!!! ;D

Does this mean we can bypass that unwritten 100' rule.  I see it now   casting over his boat to get fish :D

Good luck with that!  Dan, block the Fishing Pollock's account so that he can't keep voting.  I'm going to vote 50 times for Mona so that I can sleep in until 6:30 and still make it to the ramp early.  

 :D :D :D  It's not me I swear .  Heck I got up about 20 minutes tops before I had to be to the ramp. Then foudn out I coulda slept another hour or so  :D :D

Right. You beat me there, and I was WAAAAY early. Hope there's no frost this time.

Everyone only gets 2 votes total. So it's not him (or just him). Remember: I will let this go for a while and then make the best choice based on all factors.

it only let me vote 1 time ?

I know. It's just fun to mess with him.

Don't make me hide your drain plug and prop Mike LOL

Quote from: TheFishinPollock on April 09, 2012, 05:06:34 PM
it only let me vote 1 time ?

You should be able to vote for your top 2 choices. Can't remember if I have an unlimited change your vote option sent or a limited time frame??

Quote from: TheFishinPollock on April 09, 2012, 08:17:33 PM
Don't make me hide your drain plug and prop Mike LOL

Chances are, I will forget the drain plug anyways!

I for one just don't want to drive all the way to Skekemog again this year.  It may fish better than last year but with gas headed to $4+ a gallon this summer I'm thinking of my wallet first, fish second.

Quote from: djkimmel on April 10, 2012, 12:52:57 AM

Quote from: TheFishinPollock on April 09, 2012, 05:06:34 PM
it only let me vote 1 time ?

You should be able to vote for your top 2 choices. Can't remember if I have an unlimited change your vote option sent or a limited time frame??

I was only able to vote once.

Scroll up the poll and click the Remove Vote link.

Then you can check up to 2 boxes and submit your vote again.

I don't have a time limit set and you can change your vote at any time with the above process until I make a decision.

Quote from: Waterfoul on April 10, 2012, 08:52:20 AM
I for one just don't want to drive all the way to Skekemog again this year.  It may fish better than last year but with gas headed to $4+ a gallon this summer I'm thinking of my wallet first, fish second.

agreed

Just one reason I'm asking. Though Skeg is getting quite a few votes...?

It appears that Skeg is king. The only problem is that there really aren't a lot of people voting, and a majority that did may not show up anyhow. Mona didn't get many votes, let's just go there.

You should scrap that list and go to walloon or crooked, one of the smaller lakes up that way. That time of year you gotta go up north.

DK you might have to change the name to the Madwags Memorial North West. I'm up for just about any lake. I love going to new places that I otherwise might not find time for. Let's just make sure we don't ever go to Macatawa.

Don't really want to go that far North. I'm concerned few will show up. I was kind of thinking the more Southern lakes would get more votes this time? A little surprised but I like the North too. I did ask for people to not vote if there were likely to not go.

I'm assuming people who voted want to fish it regardless of location. I'm holding the event more for members who want to fish it regardless, than for people who will only go if it is at this lake or that lake. Of course, I would like to see people catching fish too and want a good turnout.

I didn't vote since I wont know if I can make it a week or two before. I just figure on top of hanging with the GLB crew guys want as good of fishing that this side of the state has to offer. The smaller lakes would be easier to figure out and as you know Dan the north is where its at especially that time of year.  Looking back I don't think the fishing has been good at any of the fall opens maybe this can be the year that turns around. Guys who fish up there need to give there 2 cents and recommend the best lakes that are smaller in size. I think enough guys would make the drive like I said before many make a trip or two up there in the fall anyways. For a smaller lake I know crooked is excellent in October more times than not but I have only have fished a few lakes in the north. So guys that fish up there where are the gold mines? Its time to get these guys on some big fall smallies!

Walloon can be really good or really challenging in the fall, and the launch is kind of awkward for a group. Crooked is a lot easier than many lakes up there though no guaranty. Probably the closest to it up there on average. I go there in the fall when the wind is screaming on the big lakes. We might all end up following each other around in a big circle tossing spinnerbaits?

Not a ton of good places to stay real close to Crooked? That and it's tucked way up in the left pocket is why I didn't put it on the list.

I thought maybe Skeg might be most peoples' travel limit. We hit Skeg on an off day too. It is usually better, but I did load in some closer lakes considering gas price speculation for the summer.

We could have a drawing for Don's 'secret' spot from last year. Someone else can have it though Don won't be the only person who wants to scalp me!

I'd go to Charlevoix too but we hit wind on that lake and we don't do much fishing or all maybe pile in the south end of the South Arm. If it gets cold early, it could be real tough for many anglers. I actually had a number of people ask about Skeg again so I put in on the list.

If Don's "secret" spot is the same place he fished the last time I was up with him its more of a community spot.  The fish just feel comfortable with him since they are the same size.

Whatever it is, it seems to work for him.

Ok guys, here is what I think. Last year when you guys fished skeg you had about the 2nd major cold front come and slam in about a day (Oct 1st) before the tournament. The weekend of the 25th last September we fished Walloon in our club classic. I was on the fish good but a major cold front and cold rains had cooled the water about 10 degrees over night that weekend also. It turned the fish off major. I had 2 fish for about 5lbs at Noon. The sun came out about then and the winds calmed. I then got a flurry of activity from about 1:30 til the 3 o clock quitting time. The fish were not hammering the bait. No tap. Nothing. I was fishing a tube. I would get caught up in some grass or weeds pop it free and when it settled back to bottom I would just pull slowly and I couldn't tell you for sure if it was a fish or more weeds but would set the hook anyway, REEL AS FAST AS I COULD and when the fish was finally right next to the boat I would get a tug back and the fight would be on. It was crazy, especially when you got a 4 lber on and would have swore it was a weed, and it goes nuts with only 10lb test and 8ft of line out. Ended up with about 15lbs and big fish of about 4lbs. Good enough for 2nd place and big bass. Anyway, I know the week leading up to the DK open the weather was cold and stable and then on about Friday another cold front blew in for you guys. I know there are some awesome fisherman on here but, I believe any lake you would have went to last year in the northern region on that day would have been a struggle. I have not voted and won't know if I can try and make it this year or not as our club classic is scheduled for the same day. I would like to see you guys give Skeg another shot. If you get 1 or 2 days of stable weather before the tournament you will smash them. If the wind blows tie on a spinnerbait/crankbait and hit gravel points all day. If its calm hit the reeds, big rocks and dark spots with tubes til your arms fall off. It can be awesome that time of year. We have a club tourney on the chain sometime in the middle of September. I would be happy to give water temps and some heads up to help you guys out. It is the least I could do after a no show last year.

That would be helpful if we repeat the lake. I'm surprised Cadillac/Mitchell has more votes than Hamlin? I didn't expect that. I've never fished there. Might be slow the day after the NBAA Fall Classic? What does everyone else think? I put it on the list because some of our members will probably be at the NBAA Fall Classic.

Fishing after the NBAA Classic on Cad/Mitchell would be tough for sure.

Yet... Cadillac/Mitchell just picked up another vote?

One of these days I am going to make it to this event. Maybe it will be this one. It would have to be as a back seater and it seems like they are usually taken. That being said, I voted for Cadillac/Mitchell. They are very good bass fisheries with a big variety of areas to fish. But I didn't know about the nbaa tournament being held there. 


My second vote is Manistee. I have never been on the lake in a boat and like someone else stated, I enjoy fishing new water. Plus, I like the idea of possibly hooking a salmon or steelhead at that time of year when they should be in the lake in big numbers. Its also a bonus that it isn't as far as Skeg.

this past fall we saw a LOT of salmon jumping in Manistee Lake.  The smallies were jumping too!!!

I've seen one jump in June!

  I voted for Skeg, and I plan on being there  ........ just saying.  :)

Quote from: Firefighter Jeff on April 24, 2012, 11:08:24 PM
  I voted for Skeg, and I plan on being there  ........ just saying.  :)

I like the way you think!

I voted for Mona and Hamlin, but I'm planning on being at Skeg.

I voted for Manistee but I may have to work...just sayin'.

Just saying it won't let me vote twice.

Quote from: Dan on April 25, 2012, 11:16:10 PM
Just saying it won't let me vote twice.

I explained how to fix that a couple pages ago. You have to remove your vote and then redo it picking 2 choices. Something like that. Just page back and look for it. I told Cy how I think.

Quote from: Mike S on April 01, 2012, 03:00:01 PM
Mojo, if you can get me on the Michigan Adventures lakes, I will take you to Croton. I don't know anything about it, but I have good electronics, and wouldn't mind going there.

That a deal. It was great to meet and fish with you on LSC. You did well, and have a feel for the fish. I'll contact you when we come up.

Ps: y'all are crazy not to pick White, there is much more to it than pitching to weed holes !

Hey mojo get ahold of me when u come up to white lake ill take ya out and show u some spots

Maybe we should just go back to White?

Oh yea,  big sheephead and pike.  I wanna change my vote.  White in 2012  lol

Im not against fishing on white its a pretty good fall lake

Quote from: bassfan586 on May 15, 2012, 12:18:34 AM
Oh yea,  big sheephead and pike.  I wanna change my vote.  White in 2012  lol

Figured you wouldn't mind too much. You have to win your title back!

Skegmog is my pick, but I would defiantly fish my favorite lake (Torch)!

I'm thinking we need to give Skeg another chance? It was an off weekend last year.

Cadillac/Mitchell is new for me but I am a little anxious about fishing it the day after a large tournament?

Dan I'M with you Skeg or White has both of my votes.

I will go back to Skeg. I am in love with the Traverse area. Look for any reason to go there. I am thinking about hitting Skeg and the bay on the week of July 4th. If I could get a job there making what I make now, I would move in a heart beat. Only reason I voted for Mona and Hamlin is because I could sleep longer.

Wow! Look at that. Cadillac/Mitchell with a big surge has pulled ahead of Skeg.

Nope. Even now. I am a little surprised about that. Not a lot. But a little.

Mike there is plenty of time for sleep when your dead.

I have been in the north for 15 years coming from Detroit subs. I couldnt go back now. Yes pay is low but u live within your means which is tuff to a fishing addict. No wife or kids helps. Lol.

I can be at a dozen really nice smallmouth lakes within 25 minutes. These last few weeks of fishing remind me why i made the move.

I can be at skeg in about an hour and cadillac in 45 min so I hope to make the fall tourney this year.

I know, but it is nice to sleep past 4 once in a while.

There's absolutely no way I could live up north. Wife, 3 young kids, and just what does"live within your means" mean?  I really need to figure that one out. Oh well, maybe when I retire I can move up there.

Hey! Who changed their vote?

I sure hope we don't end up on Cadillac/Mitchell. Me and Cadillac, the town, don't have a very good past. Since I moved back from there in 2000, I have only ridden my snowmobile there twice. But, if we do go there, I have friends, the owners of Birchwood Resort, that I wouldn't mind seeing again. Very nice people.

I'm trying to figure out a good way to tell everyone we are going back to Skegemog again. Maybe you can give me some suggestions before I publicly announce it?

   I think Skeg is a great idea, and i'd be traveling 4 1/2 hours to get there.  I agree that the fishing was off last year. It can only be better.

Quote from: bigmojet on May 17, 2012, 03:28:29 PM
I have been in the north for 15 years coming from Detroit subs. I couldnt go back now. Yes pay is low but u live within your means which is tuff to a fishing addict. No wife or kids helps. Lol.

I can be at a dozen really nice smallmouth lakes within 25 minutes. These last few weeks of fishing remind me why i made the move.

I can be at skeg in about an hour and cadillac in 45 min so I hope to make the fall tourney this year.

   Well, where are your reports then???  Im always anxious to hear about smallie fishing reports.   :)

I posted several reports over the past couple weeks. I was out this evening on Green Lake prefishing with 2 high school students for a high school tourney on Saturday.

We picked up about 15 SM and 10 LM. Most were in 1 1/2 range with big SM going 4#. Water was 60-63 degrees.

I went out to Bear Lake again yesterday evening after a cold front and had to work to get 15 fish (SM). Water there got cooler from Sunday. Now in 58-59 range.

Living within your means to me is not having all the toys i once had or sometimes opening the fridge and having the light blind you cause theres nothin in it or driving an 11 year old truck. But with all the fishing opportunities and seeing deer, tutkeys, coyotes, bear(yes bear), etc pretty much out your front door, its worth it for me.

I love the North country. I may try more of it later. Staying near the parents for now. I know what you mean about living in your means. I'm not very good at it but being your own business is a good trainer. My boat is almost 20 and my truck is almost 19!

I also love Lake St. Clair, the Grand River, Saginaw Bay, Muskegon, White, Gull, the Detroit River, various Crooked Lakes and many, many more!

I live in town but Lansing is the tree city and I have a real big back yard with my neighbors drainage. I feed the bird and many other critters so my back yard is kind of a nature preserve. I can walk out, close my eyes and sound like I'm in the woods! Michigan is a Great state period!!!!!

Heck Dan, the way that male bear is wandering around Michigan right now you might see him in your back yard this weekend!  Greenville, Lowell, Belmont, the GR airport... that guy gets around!

Quote from: djkimmel on May 17, 2012, 08:40:58 PM
I'm trying to figure out a good way to tell everyone we are going back to Skegemog again. Maybe you can give me some suggestions before I publicly announce it?

Dan I think you just told everyone were going to Skeg!  Thats what I wanted to hear,  I didn't like seeing Cadillac with the same number of votes didn't really want to drive all that way to fish a lake I hate.

That works for me. I will make a trip up there some time during the week of July 4th, to explore. Put the old side imaging to work, and learn something about Skeg and Elk. Might even check out the sand bar on Torch for a little while.  ;D ;)

Quote from: Mike S on May 18, 2012, 03:13:59 PM
That works for me. I will make a trip up there some time during the week of July 4th, to explore. Put the old side imaging to work, and learn something about Skeg and Elk. Might even check out the sand bar on Torch for a little while.  ;D ;)

  hahaha  don't need the side imaging for that, do you Mike  !!!!!   :)

Just a good zoom on a camera

Why?  What's at the sand bar?  I thought it was a REALLY good place to fish.  Especially around a holiday. I was really looking forward to finding a bunch of humps around that area. You know, uncovering secrets of the Torch Lake sand bar.  ;D

I got flashed once while idling by the sand bar from Torch back into the river. It was one of my first money tournaments (federation classic series) and I got schooled big time on catching bedding smallmouth bass by a veteran angler who easily won the tournament. I took a beating but that tournament drove me to put on my big boy pants (as Z would say) and figure some stuff out! Some super nice young lady (probably had too much to drink or was just in the spirit of the (in)famous sandbar?) flashed me as we passed the goings on.

Even though I was whipped fair and square (actually more than fair and square because he let me cast to the same fish if I could see them in time!) I did not mention the sightseeing opportunity to my partner. A little spiteful I know but I could plead that I was just momentarily distracted and not thinking completely clear! I have been flashed something like 4 times during tournaments. I don't know why. I think it's because I'm a redhead and they want to see my face turn red?

There actually is one 'secret' of the sandbar (well, maybe two) but I will let you find it on your own.

Dan, what is this flashing you speak of?  I'm not familiar with that technique, and how it relates to tournament fishing.   Ha!  Ok, I'm a big fat liar!!!!

Flashing is not so much a "technique" as it is a "pattern". Kind of like running windy points.  ;)  It is totally dependent on sunlight penetration, water temperature, time of year, and alchahol consumption. Like any kind of pattern it is not foolproof but it is a great option on those extremely tough hot clear sunny afternoons in July and August. It has never produced the way I have wanted it too, but I intend to learn the intricacies asap.

Quote from: Mike S on May 18, 2012, 03:13:59 PM
That works for me. I will make a trip up there some time during the week of July 4th, to explore. Put the old side imaging to work, and learn something about Skeg and Elk. Might even check out the sand bar on Torch for a little while.  ;D ;)

I guess that part of the weekend won't be a "family" event then??

I can tell you what you'll see on the side imager in Elk:

Sand.  A few sandy weeds.  More sand.  A rock (maybe two).

There's plenty of logs and cribs on Elk Lake too. No flashing though. I may have to put myself in a timeout for even bringing it up.

That won't be a family trip anyways. That will be a one day, daddy trip. So, I will have to figure out that whole Torch Lake flashing thing!

Flashing?? Did I say flashing? I meant flasher. Flasher. You can find some really good spots out there if you use your flasher.

Oh. Now it all makes sense. I have one of those. I don't know what I would do without you to set me straight Dan. Man, just think of all the trouble I may have gotten into when I was really needing to learn about a flasher.

So is the vote over? Is it Skeg?

I  propose to reset the vote for just:

Skeg
Cadillac Mitchell
Mona
Hamlin

I use to have a flasher in my boat, but that was 20 years ago and she kinda hates me now

Quote from: Mojo on June 29, 2012, 02:54:02 PM
I  propose to reset the vote for just:

Skeg

Mona
Hamlin

fixed it for ya, ha

I was just thinking that I forgot to 'finalize' this poll. Though I'm sure many already 'figured' it out. I think we owe Skegemog a second chance. Let's do a Skegemog repeat for 2012. We'll see how that goes. I hope there are enough of you willing to give second chances?

I will be there Dan. Fish or no fish. Your events are the two most anticipated trips of the year for me. Can't wait. I already have all of the hunters I work with mad because I took the 1st off.

Awesome! And we will probably make some more hunters mad up in the river that morning!! Well... not sure if the season will be open this year since we are a little earlier? thedude will know. thedude also knows we gave those guys a hot first light shoot! The hunters just didn't know they should have actually been thanking us not running us down to give us a piece of their mind!

I'm still surprised how well Cadillac/Mitchell did on the poll. Guess it will have to be on the poll next year.

Where will we launch from? In the river? If the launch is from Skeg, would it be possible to trailer to torch and launch as long as you are back at the skeg launch at the right time?

Launching from the South shore of Skeg at the MDNR public access site off of Baggs Road. I would rather not have people trailering and launching somewhere else. Even though it is only a 6 hour event, the main purpose is to hang out, get to know and have fun. I don't feel the competition part of this event warrants that kind of complexity.

You can still fish a good 4 hours+ if you go up the Torch River and back. Trailering to Torch might gain you an hour but it starts breaking the group apart some and then we aren't a group anymore. It also has the potential to bring up all kinds of other issues that don't seem to be necessary for this kind of event. To me anyway.

Thought Id ask. I would rather fish torch, but running to the north end of torch with only a 6 hr tour tournament would limit our fishing time. Probably gonna stay an extra day or two and fish it then.

I stayed an extra day last year and was very glad I did it.

There's quite a few bass between the South end of Torch and 18 miles away at the North end, but you'd still have plenty of time to fish an event like this. That's a long drive back by road too.

But you see... I still vote for Manistee!!  Was there last sunday and caught 30+ keeper smallies!! 

Quote from: Mojo on July 29, 2012, 10:44:13 AM
I was hoping to reset the vote now that we see the top lakes. Kinda like a playoff - vote - thing !  Should I find a backseat with our chosen lake or should we revote?

I  propose to reset the vote for just:

Skeg
Cadillac Mitchell
Hamlin

When you're the 'tournament director' you have to know when to call it. It is time to call it.

We'll go somewhere else next year.

Maybe Manistee if we can all fish Waterfoul's spot!?!

Caught them all over the lake... so feel free to fish my "spot."   ;D

Cool!!!!!!   I get to sleep in!!!!! ;D

Quote from: TheFishinPollock on July 30, 2012, 08:45:40 PM
Cool!!!!!!   I get to sleep in!!!!! ;D

  LMAOOOO

Hey!?! I made a bass tournament angler happy!!!!!!!!!! My life is complete now! All goals met!

You won't avoid the duck whoppers, like myself.   Season opens the 29th this year .    Bring your helmets LOL

That is the one less than ideal thing.

But they are mostly up in the wood along the river and we did give them a pretty good first light shoot last night by flushing the ducks out of the fog on the 'safe' side of the lake. They just didn't figure that out. If you go up the Torch River, just move on through that lower part between the curves and the houses a little quick so they don't get too ornery I guess. We should all be able to share.

Ok I guess I am no longer going as a boater for this tournament.  I screwed up my boat again,  big waves caused a little separation on the two halves of my boat.

I've got a tube of super stupid glue or some window caulk.  I keep my machine at work together with it, and some hope  :D

Look on the bright side. Upper and lower half is better than front and rear half. It must go far beyond pulling the rub rail rope and tightening screws to put you out like that. Bummer man.

Lets just say the only thing holding the top on is gravity!  I also think a stringer or two came loose, lots of snaps and pops when you walk around on the deck.

Quote from: customfishn on August 17, 2012, 03:48:18 PM
Lets just say the only thing holding the top on is gravity!  I also think a stringer or two came loose, lots of snaps and pops when you walk around on the deck.

That's not good. I'll still make sure you can still get out fishing.

Same goes for anyone else who wants to fish. If you sign up, I will work something out. But you have to put your name on the list (post on the sign up thread) for me to plan for you.

That's bad. Somebody needs to slow down in big waves?  That had to have been a really crappy feeling being in the boat at that point.

Aaron, is your insurance going to fix the boat or is it still under warranty?