2014 Fall MadWags Memorial Members Bass Tournament West
OFFICIAL EVENT CANCELED DUE TO UNEXPECTED CIRCUMSTANCES (and the weather doesn't help) but GLAD TO SEE some of you attending and fishing anyway. Have fun, stay dry and whack some TOADS!! The 'unofficial' event is still on! Dan Kimmel
Saturday October 4
8 AM until 2 PM - please arrive no later than 7:15 AM
Portage Lake
Onekama Park Launch (http://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/MRBIS/BASDetail.aspx?basid=A-51-007)
Entry Fee $5 per angler 13 and older (required)
Big Bass $2 per angler 13 and older (required)
anglers under 13 fish for free
Open to all registered GreatLakesBass.com members.
Format is draw tournament with boater and nonboater fishing as a team. 5 biggest bass between the two or three team members will be counted to determine finish.
*Biggest non-bass fish brought in to weigh wins the coveted BIG UGLY prize! Fish must be in season and legally caught to count.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Nonboaters please bring life jackets to make sure we have enough. Life jackets must be worn zipped and/or buckled whenever the gas motor is running. Boater must use working kill switch when gas motor is running.
No live bait, artificials only.
This event is all about everyone catching some fish, having fun and getting to know each other, and also to honor the memory one of our greatest members - David MadWags Wagensomer!!! Thank you for being members of GreatLakesBass.com.
If you have anything new or like new you'd like to donate for prize giveaways, please contact me by PM.
Post that you are attending, and if attending as a boater or nonboater in this thread please. It is easier for me to keep track if your status is in this thread. Thanks!
Updated 10/3/14
Weather defiant fisherpeople:
FOB (fishing with Ypsibass)
Waterfoul (fishing with friend)
Mike S. (fishing with mcfish)
spinninbug (fishing with husband)
So far I'd say I'm in. Haven't looked that far ahead on the wife's calendar at home though!
That's the D&R Sports series Classic tournament, pick a different date.
http://www.greatlakesbass.com/forum/index.php?topic=25201.0;viewResults
8 votes for 10/4, 5 more than anything else. Seemed as good as any and no one said anything about any open dates then.
I'm in as a boater.
I will be at the D and R Classic tournament that day, which may possibly be somewhere up there in North country.
1jav
There's no way to pick a date that everyone had open. Thanks for picking the best apparent alternative and getting this going. You made me happy. At least several other people so far. I'm sure Randy or whomever is running the circuit won't be too upset with a few of us getting together for a forum fishing hangout day. Thanks!
NBAA is having there fall championship on Hubbard Lake in September. I will be there for 5 days of smallie fishing. Hope the weather behaves for all of us.
It better dartag. I hate to drive 2 hours to get soaked like last year.
I will probably take my boat up for that.
mikballa in as a non boater.
Quote from: TheFishinPollock on August 01, 2014, 05:31:21 PM
It better dartag. I hate to drive 2 hours to get soaked like last year.
Oh come on... 2 hours? More like an hour and 50 minutes! LOL! It's a solid 2 hours for me and I can't wait!
Life swallowed me up for a bit. I forgot this was here. A little over a month away. Do we still want to do this?
Quote from: YpsiBass on August 22, 2014, 03:50:15 PM
Life swallowed me up for a bit. I forgot this was here. A little over a month away. Do we still want to do this?
Heck yeah!!!
I'll drag my boat up there for the day. Put me down as a boater.
I'm in. Not sure as a boater or non. Don't have much experience on Portage.
Bump.
I'm still in.
Quote from: Firefighter Jeff on August 25, 2014, 09:29:44 PM
I'm in. Not sure as a boater or non. Don't have much experience on Portage.
Really? It's a $5.00 contest that is always short of boaters. Why wouldn't you bring your boat and just go fishing?
Yeah Jeff!! What Camera Guy said! Look at the map... I'm sure you can figure out where the fish should be. ;D
Quote from: cameraguy on September 01, 2014, 07:12:53 AM
Quote from: Firefighter Jeff on August 25, 2014, 09:29:44 PM
I'm in. Not sure as a boater or non. Don't have much experience on Portage.
Really? It's a $5.00 contest that is always short of boaters. Why wouldn't you bring your boat and just go fishing?
If a boat is needed I'll bring it !!!!
Hopeully you're gonna make it Cameraguy. :-\'
Key Dan Kimmel... you going to make it to this one??
Quote from: Firefighter Jeff on September 04, 2014, 12:07:55 AM
Hopeully you're gonna make it Cameraguy. :-\'
I hope so, too. Usually last minute work gets in the way, but there has been a couple of times I bailed out because it looked like there were too many backseaters. I have done my share of fishing in the past so I have dropped out to let someone else ride along.
None of us would turn down the opportunity to fish with cameraguy! 3 in the boat isn't that big a deal.
What about the two that came to Manistee last year... and won it all!? Spinnibug or something like that? You know them Jeff Regina.
Quote from: cameraguy on September 05, 2014, 06:46:37 PM
Quote from: Firefighter Jeff on September 04, 2014, 12:07:55 AM
Hopeully you're gonna make it Cameraguy. :-\'
I hope so, too. Usually last minute work gets in the way, but there has been a couple of times I bailed out because it looked like there were too many backseaters. I have done my share of fishing in the past so I have dropped out to let someone else ride along.
Well, thats too bad because there are usually more than enough guys willing to go three to a boat. I'm always willing to use my boat if needed especially if I knew someone was passing becuase of not enough boats. Think I've only fished two of the opens (Spring/fall) out of another boat and once was because I traveled with Triton21 and it was his turn to bring a boat. lol
Quote from: Waterfoul on September 05, 2014, 09:20:14 PM
None of us would turn down the opportunity to fish with cameraguy! 3 in the boat isn't that big a deal.
What about the two that came to Manistee last year... and won it all!? Spinnibug or something like that? You know them Jeff Regina.
I'll check with them. I know I mentioned where and when. Can't remember if they said they could make it.
Spinninbug (Wendy) and her husband Terry are in !!!! Fishing together :)
Hey I remembered my password! Yes Terry and I will be there for sure. I'm a little out of practice I only fished one tournament this year! But can't pass up this fun one!
Quote from: spinninbug on September 05, 2014, 10:14:42 PM
Hey I remembered my password! Yes Terry and I will be there for sure. I'm a little out of practice I only fished one tournament this year! But can't pass up this fun one!
Ummmmmm Wendy, ixney on the ournamenta !!!! We don't want anybody knowing about that night !!!! LOLOLOLOL Hahaha ;D :D ;D :D
What I didn't tell I fished it with you. No one knows that.....oh woos now they do,,,lol
i'll probably go - boater.
As much fun as having prizes would be, without Dan's help, I don't know that we'll have any. Not that prizes are EVER the focus. I'm looking forward to seeing you west side guys.
Can you bring your scale Justin? Mine quit working last week. Lifetime warranty but it's going to be a while till I see a new one.
Quote from: YpsiBass on September 09, 2014, 04:02:09 PM
As much fun as having prizes would be, without Dan's help, I don't know that we'll have any. Not that prizes are EVER the focus. I'm looking forward to seeing you west side guys.
I'll see what I have for prizes. I can usually come up with some worth while stuff.
Maybe a critter pot on the side? There's some big pike in that lake!
I've done my part to organize this thing, but have no idea how to run a tournament. Hoping someone else will take on that responsibility...
Quote from: YpsiBass on September 12, 2014, 10:15:02 AM
I've done my part to organize this thing, but have no idea how to run a tournament. Hoping someone else will take on that responsibility...
I'm more than willing to "run things" for this event. Between Justin (thedude) and myself we've put on just a few tournaments. ;D Besides... one this small kind of runs itself anyway.
One note... if my friend Ron comes with me I think he will have to be my partner. He just had hernia surgery and he and I wouldn't want anyone else to be responsible for him... never know he might need to go back to the ramp at some point or something so I'll take that responsibility for the day. If he feels fine by then I'm sure he won't mind going with someone else... he knows the lake better than I do anyway!
I may be able to ask a favor of a friend and get a scale. Just need to know for sure. Also, Mc fish messaged me, and we were thinking king we would fish together. This just may be my first "tourney" with the new rig! Fingers crossed.
you can use one of my scales. np
Looks like the non-boaters are out pacing the boaters. Go ahead and switch me to boater please. :)
Sweet!
Sure would like to see some more east siders come to the west side. Come on over guys, the water's fine!
Quote from: Waterfoul on September 17, 2014, 09:36:34 AM
Sweet!
Sure would like to see some more east siders come to the west side. Come on over guys, the water's fine!
I can't justify the drive and expense for the event. I know you drove over here in the spring for St=Clair. Funny in that event I ended up fishing large mouths.
Maybe some day there will be an event in a central location we all can attend. Good luck all.
Quote from: dartag on September 17, 2014, 02:03:43 PM
Quote from: Waterfoul on September 17, 2014, 09:36:34 AM
Sweet!
Sure would like to see some more east siders come to the west side. Come on over guys, the water's fine!
I can't justify the drive and expense for the event. I know you drove over here in the spring for St=Clair. Funny in that event I ended up fishing large mouths.
Maybe some day there will be an event in a central location we all can attend. Good luck all.
Yup, it's a trip for you guys for sure! Heck... there's a pretty nice little motel just down from the boat ramp that we stayed in last year for our Case of the Monday's classic... come on over and make a weekend of it. There's lots of other lakes to fish within 20 minutes of Portage also. Some of the best smallmouth fishing in Michigan.
I talked to Dan yesterday. He said that he wants to and is likely to go. I would like to go, as well. I may have to work that day though.
Quote from: dartag on September 17, 2014, 02:03:43 PM
Maybe some day there will be an event in a central location we all can attend. Good luck all.
Pretty sure there will be senior citizen parking available if that's your concern.
I think I am going to make it and fish with TheDude!
Thanks for all hard work Rick!
Cy
Quote from: YpsiBass on September 22, 2014, 02:53:44 PM
Quote from: dartag on September 17, 2014, 02:03:43 PM
Maybe some day there will be an event in a central location we all can attend. Good luck all.
Pretty sure there will be senior citizen parking available if that's your concern.
I got a senior sticker for Kent. After driving to Hubbard last week I don't even want to driver the 200 yards to my boat launch. To bad you are not there this weekend. The weather looks great.
I don't know if I can attend yet, even though it's just 30 minutes from the cabin. In the midst of a major remodel and the cabin is one big pile of furniture et al right now. If I can't attend and there is a boater in need of some info, I am PMable and could give you some likely spots to try. You may want to pick up a flash mob and a spinnerbait. Remember that Portage is a drowned river mouth so you have to finagle your rig to be law abiding with your drop shot.
Borrowed DK's formatting for the spring event and modified for the west event. Not sure which launch to use. Input appreciated as this thing gets closer.
portage ramp is on the NE corner of the lake in portage lake park. Nice facility with pavilion, good ramps and rest-rooms. No fee.
http://binged.it/1rne45a
http://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/MRBIS/BASDetail.aspx?basid=A-51-006
DNR says the portage lake ramp is on the west side...
Quote from: YpsiBass on September 24, 2014, 12:00:34 PM
http://www.mcgi.state.mi.us/MRBIS/BASDetail.aspx?basid=A-51-006
DNR says the portage lake ramp is on the west side...
There is a DNR ramp on the west bay but it is not as convenient (or as nice) as the city ramp. It's also in pretty shallow water. Trust me we want to use the city ramp. You can't miss it... go thru town (most of the way) and it will be on your left. If you go around the bend/curve with the motel on the right you went too far.
As for it being a drowned river mouth... not sure how it ever got that designation since the only thing that runs into Portage Lake (other than Lake Michigan when there is a west wind) is a tiny little creek. Portage Lake was actually made by man... it wasn't attached to Lake Michigan by anything other than that little creek until a developer/lumberman back in the late 1800's decided to make his own channel to the big lake so he could float logs out. The lake dropped about 10 feet if memory serves and is now as you see it. And besides, drop shotting is not the best way to catch fish there anyway!! ;D
From the DNR Fishing Guide (Page 22, note 3):
Drowned River Mouth Lakes: On the following
inland waters trout and salmon regulations
are as follows: 5 total trout and salmon in
any combination; no more than 3 of any one
species, except up to 5 coho or Chinook salmon;
minimum size limit is 10"; fishing season is open
all year and the possession season forlake trout
is Jan. 1 – Oct 31; except that the possession
season for lake trout shall be Jan. 1 – Sep. 30
on Betsie L. For all other species of trout and
salmon, the possession season is open all year.
Allegan: Kalamazoo and Silver Lks. Benzie:
Betsie L. Manistee: Arcadia, Manistee, and
Portage Lks. Mason: Pere Marquette L.
Muskegon: Duck, Mona, Muskegon, and
White Lks. Oceana: Pentwater, Silver, and
Stony Lks. Ottawa: Macatawa and Pigeon Lks.
While i agree its not a drowned river mouth, the DNR says that it is.
Is there still room for a boater? Have just cleared it on my schedule, and would like to attend.
Quote from: thedude on September 25, 2014, 08:57:14 AM
From the DNR Fishing Guide (Page 22, note 3):
Drowned River Mouth Lakes: On the following
inland waters trout and salmon regulations
are as follows: 5 total trout and salmon in
any combination; no more than 3 of any one
species, except up to 5 coho or Chinook salmon;
minimum size limit is 10"; fishing season is open
all year and the possession season forlake trout
is Jan. 1 – Oct 31; except that the possession
season for lake trout shall be Jan. 1 – Sep. 30
on Betsie L. For all other species of trout and
salmon, the possession season is open all year.
Allegan: Kalamazoo and Silver Lks. Benzie:
Betsie L. Manistee: Arcadia, Manistee, and
Portage Lks. Mason: Pere Marquette L.
Muskegon: Duck, Mona, Muskegon, and
White Lks. Oceana: Pentwater, Silver, and
Stony Lks. Ottawa: Macatawa and Pigeon Lks.
While i agree its not a drowned river mouth, the DNR says that it is.
Exactly. But... who needs to drop shot there anyway! 8)
Quote from: FOB on September 25, 2014, 11:07:04 AM
Is there still room for a boater? Have just cleared it on my schedule, and would like to attend.
Come on up Ralph!
A little over a week away so trying to check back daily to update the front page post. Finally get to meet Ralph. Cool.
Ralph is coming to take your $7.
Quote from: Mike S. on September 26, 2014, 10:29:43 AM
Ralph is coming to take your $7.
Well my partner still isn't feeling up to going, still very sore and tender from the surgery and is worried that if it's at all rough he won't be albe to take it. Don't blame him at all. So now I need a back seater. Anyone interested?
Quote from: Waterfoul on September 26, 2014, 12:01:21 PM
Quote from: Mike S. on September 26, 2014, 10:29:43 AM
Ralph is coming to take your $7.
Well my partner still isn't feeling up to going, still very sore and tender from the surgery and is worried that if it's at all rough he won't be albe to take it. Don't blame him at all. So now I need a back seater. Anyone interested?
Me.
Don't know how this works, see some already have partners, etc. I am going up Friday night and will be at launch with back seat open for whom ever. Will be bringing my boat I just posted on the site that's for sale for anyone wanting a look see.
Actually I think Dan just puts everyone's name in a hat and assigns partners. I'll do this on Friday as I'd like to see if anyone else signs up. I can't recall a time when there has ever been more boaters than non-boaters though. Not sure what to do in that case.
darn, I'd like to go - to check out Ralph's boat as well as for the good times. But Sunday is my Bday and the kids have made plans.
Have fun all.
i sure hope the weather forecast is wrong or at least gets better. I'm probably not going to make the trip for a high of 47 and rain. i can be miserable for a lot cheaper at home. >:(
I'll bet the forcast changes 3 times before Saturday.
I agree Mike - it will get worse and worse and even worse. No why? Because I have a roof to finish this weekend.
Quote from: Genie on September 30, 2014, 01:10:34 PM
I agree Mike - it will get worse and worse and even worse. No why? Because I have a roof to finish this weekend.
Think positive!!! I want to fish. Cold I can handle... cold and rain sucks though. BUT, I will do it because I'm a die hard (read: stupid) fisherman.
So far, so good. D. Kimmel and I are planning on driving up on Friday. It would have to be typhoon-like to keep me from coming. 47 and rain...NICE! Have fished in much much worse. I haven't picked up a rod all year so this will be fun.
Dan keeps saying that he will post here anytime but is too busy dodging birds.
Is he bringing a boat?
OK, I found a partner for the day. He is not a member here (working on it though).
Dress warm, children. Don't forget your rain suits. Lol!!
Quote from: Mike S. on September 30, 2014, 05:27:39 PM
Dress warm, children. Don't forget your rain suits. Lol!!
Yup. Hats, gloves, waterproof shoes/boots. I can't wait!!!
you can take Cy and me off the list. If you want my scale mike, let me know.
Quote from: thedude on October 01, 2014, 10:59:15 AM
you can take Cy and me off the list. If you want my scale mike, let me know.
I have my new one, thanks.
Could all attendees please just post a quick reply to confirm you're coming? I'll send out some PM too just to double check. Can't wait to freeze I disagree off.
I WILL BE THERE!!!!
Quote from: FOB on October 01, 2014, 12:29:03 PM
I WILL BE THERE!!!!
Me too! Still sounds like fun to me despite the forecast. Which I think is wrong at this point...
Guys, I'm going to have to back out for this weekend. The wife had something for work come up on Saturday and, since I've been out of town the last three weekends fishing, it's my turn to give and stay home to watch the kiddo.
Sorry about that and I hope you whack 'em!
I'm in, as well as Mcfish. We ain't scared!
we pussed out so it will probably be a whackfest. :D
Okay. I've getting chewed out almost every day!! ;D I am going. cameraguy is driving us up there Friday afternoon - best way to get both of us up there alive and ready to fish Saturday morning. I keep getting distracted by things - no longer even pretend I can multi-task... I thought I had said earlier I would fish but who knows.
I will go through the all the posts and a few outside messages I've received today and see where we're at. If anyone has a contact to get some donations please do. I haven't got around to that. Been on the phone most of this morning just with the MDNR and multiple Coast Guard officers (a story I never have to tell, thank goodness... :)).
I'll see what you all already have setup and go from there. I can definitely use a day of fishing for anything right now... too many meetings, letters, email and phone calls about legislation, regulations, etc., etc. My brain needs a non-'political' time out day. I did make 2 people happy yesterday but I have a family member who is very sick so that would be the only thing the might give me some trouble. I will know later this afternoon were we are at. Thanks!!!
Quote from: djkimmel on October 02, 2014, 11:36:47 AM
Okay. I've getting chewed out almost every day!! ;D I am going. cameraguy is driving us up there Friday afternoon - best way to get both of us up there alive and ready to fish Saturday morning. I keep getting distracted by things - no longer even pretend I can multi-task... I thought I had said earlier I would fish but who knows.
I will go through the all the posts and a few outside messages I've received today and see where we're at. If anyone has a contact to get some donations please do. I haven't got around to that. Been on the phone most of this morning just with the MDNR and multiple Coast Guard officers (a story I never have to tell, thank goodness... :)).
I'll see what you all already have setup and go from there. I can definitely use a day of fishing for anything right now... too many meetings, letters, email and phone calls about legislation, regulations, etc., etc. My brain needs a non-'political' time out day. I did make 2 people happy yesterday but I have a family member who is very sick so that would be the only thing the might give me some trouble. I will know later this afternoon were we are at. Thanks!!!
I have a scale and a few things to give away.
Boy I'm really thinking about bailing out. Last I looked, 80% chance of rain, high of 47 and west winds 5 to 15 knots gusting to 25. I fish for fun. Doesn't sound like much fun to me. I'll let you know by early tomorrow afternoon after checking the forecast again. It would be nice to see you guys but I'm on vacation. I can fish Portage a few days later with nicer weather.
I'm still going. Room is paid. I'll fish from shore for salmon if all else fails. Haven't even thrown a cast all year.
Feel a cold coming on, but still going. Want to see Mike's new skeeter and I could really use a day of fishing after the work week I've had.
For any of you that end up not going to the tournament, you are more than welcome to come help me roof my house this weekend!
Quote from: Firefighter Jeff on October 02, 2014, 10:43:41 PM
Boy I'm really thinking about bailing out. Last I looked, 80% chance of rain, high of 47 and west winds 5 to 15 knots gusting to 25. I fish for fun. Doesn't sound like much fun to me. I'll let you know by early tomorrow afternoon after checking the forecast again. It would be nice to see you guys but I'm on vacation. I can fish Portage a few days later with nicer weather.
You better show up. I'm going to be there. Reason enough right there to show up! ;D
Just got a call from Dan. Said he was canceling the tournament. I will not have computer access after 3pm today, so just wanted all to know I am still going up and will be there in the morning to fish, tournament or not. Have not been on the lake in 33 years. Anyone else showing up back seat is open. Text me if necessary. Might not fish full 8 hrs., depending on weather.
Got the same call. What do the Mikes want to do?
Quote from: Genie on October 03, 2014, 08:55:25 AM
For any of you that end up not going to the tournament, you are more than welcome to come help me roof my house this weekend!
20 mph winds, temp in the 40s, steady rain... perfect for roofing! Good luck with that. ;D
I'm still in.
Yes, I've been working my way through the phone list. Sorry to cancel. cameraguy put a good effort into the weather forecast to demonstrate a clearing the fishing day will fall directly into but on the chance that cameraguy doesn't have better luck than all the other weather forecasters I didn't expect too many of you would want to fish in 40s with steady rain and strong winds.
I know now all of you would let that stop you. We had a room set and were leaving today at 1pm. We talked about just doing whatever regardless of the weather - we could both use a road trip but I have a family emergency and was feeling bad leaving in the middle of it.
I'm the oldest so I kinda feel like I have some responsibilities. The family needs me. Add that to the weather forecast and I'm doing better staying here and doing my family duties. I was worried about what might happen later today or tomorrow if things got worse so part of me is glad I can be here for that.
Part of me is missing the road trip and I feel bad I'm not there for you, my fishing family. I hope a few of you do go anyway and catch some of those giant bass I've been seeing. I haven't been to Portage either almost as long as FOB has been missing from the lake! Maybe when my family issue is over (and it isn't raining and 40s) cameraguy and I can still take a road trip up to Portage.
Good luck! Have fun! Stay dry!! I apologize again. This is my 2nd unexpected family medical emergency in the past 3 weeks. I could definitely use a road trip! So catch a few extra for me please.
Quote from: Waterfoul on October 03, 2014, 12:38:14 PM
I'm still in.
Sent you an email. Tried to call you but your voice mailbox is full Mr. Popular.
I won't be attending. Mike, I saw you a month or so ago. That's plenty enough for a year !!!!! Hahahaha :D I am fortunate and get to fish plenty. As a matter of fact 4 times in the last 8 days. Like I said, I'll fish Portage a few days from now when it's nicer. Have fun and sorry for any inconvenience I may have caused.
So it looks like it is going to be the Mike Mike and Ralph show... with Ypsi coming along for the ride!
It actually looks like there is a "hole" in the weather that could be about the time we get there. Here's hoping.
I figure if it's just too bad we can always go down to Manistee or Ludington... both are easier to fish in bad weather.
Current forecast for Onekama has it only cloudy until around 9:00... then some minor showers till around noon. I can deal with that.
i'm willing to bet with the air temps at 40 and LM 50-60 degrees there will be lake effect rain all day. That stuff never shows up on the radar.
Well the sun is shining here at WM. Supposed to rain ALL day according to the weather guessers. They are never right.
But like you said, there could be that miserable fog/drizzel near the shore.
Terry and I are still planning on coming, sorry don't get on here much, work doesn't allow much time for me to even fish anymore, we will be there.
My theory is that since I told cameraguy we shouldn't go due to the weather and my need to stay here for the family, you will have 56F and partly sunny from 7:30am until 3pm or so now. I am already hearing about it!
Meanwhile, the family issue has gone... well, it's not easy having a big family sometimes. I'm going to wish I left town but I need to be here to get this stuff worked out. Have fun, I hope.
Headed to Manistee Lake. It's windy on this side of the state...
Welllll how was it. It was downright nasty here in S/E Michigan.
We changed lakes in the morning because there were 30ish mph winds and whitecaps at Portage. We waited until 7:45, but with no sign of spinninbug, we moved on to Manistee Lake.
Waterfowl and friend finished with 15.3 pounds and a five fish smallie limit (and the tournament winner takes all prize of $60). FOB caught all our smallies, but I helped with the net and youthful exuberance and we finished with 9 pounds and change. Mike S. and McFish finished with three smallies and 6 something pounds. The other guys have pictures. We saw the sun for almost 3 whole minutes. The rest of the day alternated between clouds, rain, wind and rain, sleet, and wind with excessive sleet. I still had fun seeing the west side guys and it was nice to finally meet Ralph.
In hindsight, I'm guessing that bob o voted 10x for October 4th due to the inclement weather we had...
I had a great time. It was good to meet Ypsi and FOB.
Mike and I laughed all day, caught some fish and I got to put a couple of pieces of the smallmouth puzzle together. If I could have had a better hook/land ratio we may have given Waterfoul and Jeff a run for the money.
Congratulations to Waterfoul and Jeff for a real nice bag considering the conditions.
And maybe it's the Norwegian in me, but I love telling Mother Nature to stick it and fish regardless of weather. Life's too short to wait for a better day.
Had a blast! Got to Portage Launch and lake had a small 1/2 ft chop. Guys did not want to go out in it. ( just kidding, first pic. is from launch looking down lake were it was calmer). So made the change. Was like fishing " a day on the lake" segment. Never been to Manistee Lake before. Thanks Waterfowl for the heads up on the duck hunters ( though that point looked awful good ). Was fun fishing with YpsiBass ( from my home town ). He caught big fish of the day. And yes, that is sleet on my seats!
Anyway, thanks to all. Hopefully I can make next years as well and meet more GLB members.
Other 2 pics.
I didn't get to take a pic of the sleet. We ran into the wall at 60, while attempting to get up to full throttle. It stung just a little bit. Ok, it downright hurt. All in all, a fun day. Weather doesn't stop us....well, some of us anyways.
I almost felt bad asking if Ralph and Ypsibass Rick wanted fish a lake they had never been to but like others said, Portage was downright nasty and would have been nearly impossible to fish effectively (or with any degree of fun, and that's what this was all about). So we moved to Manistee where we figured the wind would be much more tolerable due to it's north/south configuration and the big hills and town on it's west side. We also decided to throw $10 each in the pot and do a winner take all event.
We were right for most of the day. It did get windy a couple of times but never got unbearable. It did rain and sleet often but it never got unbearable. Jeff and I caught our first two keepers on a double on our first spot... great way to start the day! It was pretty much a grind the rest of the day. We managed to catch about 15 keepers, lots of shorts, and lost a couple decent ones as well. The pike were fairly active too... caught one and got bit off at least a half dozen times. Jeff caught our best fish that went 3-12.
If you guys could post the other two pics of fish that would be great, as I did not get any.
Quote from: FOB on October 06, 2014, 12:37:33 PM
If you guys could post the other two pics of fish that would be great, as I did not get any.
I didn't get any of yours or Mike's on my phone. I think Mcfish and Mike S did though.
I have them, and will try to remember to post them this afternoon.
Someone should post a sleet action shot on the seats too...