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djkimmel
2026-02-16, 12:16:52Stop by Booth 5715 at Outdoorama this week starting Thursday, February 19 in Novi! You know where!
djkimmel
2026-01-18, 11:50:18Great to see quite a few of you at the 2026 Ultimate Fishing Show. Now, on to Outdoorama Feb. 19-22.
djkimmel
2026-01-08, 07:22:54Stop by Booth 3054 right next door to Xtreme Bass Tackle and say hello today January 8 through January 11.
djkimmel
2026-01-01, 13:07:42Thanks detroit1
detroit1
2025-12-06, 09:52:48Hi Dan, see you next month.
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Recent Topics
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Smallmouth Bass Underwater View on Lake Charlevoix
by Bigbass201
[May 21, 2026, 07:12:06 AM] -
Michigan Commercial Fishing Going After Walleye and Perch, Smallmouth Bass Risk
by djkimmel
[May 09, 2026, 03:53:56 PM] -
New to rod building
by fiker
[April 14, 2026, 04:10:00 AM] -
Rod Repair, contact me
by bob o
[April 08, 2026, 05:26:39 PM] -
Tons of Seminars at 81st Ultimate Sport Show Grand Rapids
by djkimmel
[March 01, 2026, 08:15:37 AM] -
2026 Ultimate Sport Show Grand Rapids Volunteers Schedule
by djkimmel
[March 01, 2026, 07:40:52 AM]
Latest Articles
Sat, 16 May 2026 19:31:33 +0000
I'm disappointed to see now that House Natural Resources and Tourism Committee Chair Representative David Martin has added those very bad commercial fishing bills HB 5801 and 5802 to an upcoming committee hearing on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at noon.
Wed, 06 May 2026 13:21:52 +0000
The poorly written, damaging to Michigan Sport Fishing commercial fishing bills have been introduced again. State House Bills 5801 and 5802, introduced by Rep. Dave Prestin and Rep. Jason Morgan, have been assigned to the House Committee on Natural Resources and Tourism.
Wed, 25 Mar 2026 20:27:21 +0000
This is a tale of two lakes. Intertwined lakes, in Barry County, Michigan. Where somehow the water has gone away. Upper and Lower Crooked Lakes, both near and dear to me, are suffering from the lowest water levels I've seen in the 35+ years I've been fishing them.
Sun, 01 Mar 2026 13:07:47 +0000
81st Ultimate Sport Show - Grand Rapids with over 4 Acres of Fishing and Hunting Gear, Outdoor Travel, Fishing Boats, Seminars, Displays and Features, March 12-15, 2026.
Mon, 16 Feb 2026 17:05:49 +0000
If you enjoy the outdoors – hunting, fishing, boating, camping etc. – then Vibe Credit Union Showplace, Novi is the place for you and your family Feb. 19-22 when the 53rd Annual Outdoorama returns to town.
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Recent posts
#31
Bass Fishing Tips, Techniques & General Discussion / NRC Commissioner Proposes Clos...
Last post by djkimmel - October 15, 2025, 05:47:50 PMJust before the October Natural Resources Committee meeting on Thursday, October 9 in the Upper Peninsula, Commissioner John Walters added in an amendment to Fisheries Order 206 – "Bass - Closed bass CIR season from May 1 – Friday before the third Saturday in June for Burt, Mullet, Crooked, Pickerel, and Black Lakes and their connecting waters."
This means NO bass fishing on the Inland Waterway from May 1 until the third Saturday in June. I've been sick with bronchitis so I missed this until the night of the NRC meeting. Thank goodness the NRC tabled this amendment for input and clarification until at least the November 6, 2025 meeting.
This is coming out of the so-called Burt Lake Preservation Association (lake association really) pushing the MDNR hard to do something about the changes they think they are seeing in shallow beds on Burt Lake and they are blaming gobies.
This is a great case of reverse scientific method. Unfortunately, despite multiple times being told there's nothing that need to be done about this by the Michigan DNR, this group is being relentless. They say they are not anti-tournament, but that's the type of fishing they keep mentioning the most. They are not clear on many things including thinking there were regular bass tournaments in mid-May, which is of course, not true.
Commissioner Walters is from there and knows these people so he is doing this for them despite DNR and MUCC opposition.
To be clear, this is NOT the MDNR doing this. It is one NRC Commissioner. Unfortunately, they have the authority over all fish and game regulations so they could adopt this.
If you do not like this type of loss of fishing - a complete closure again for about 7 weeks, and especially if you are worried about this being expanded to more goby waters, please take action. I am posting an action alert that will be on the home page of this website shortly with how to act and information that might be helpful.
You can always email nrc@michigan.gov and tell them what you think. That will get to the entire 7 Commissioners. They rarely hear from bass anglers, yet they have complete authority. You can find out more about the NRC and the Commissioners at michigan.gov/nrc.
This means NO bass fishing on the Inland Waterway from May 1 until the third Saturday in June. I've been sick with bronchitis so I missed this until the night of the NRC meeting. Thank goodness the NRC tabled this amendment for input and clarification until at least the November 6, 2025 meeting.
This is coming out of the so-called Burt Lake Preservation Association (lake association really) pushing the MDNR hard to do something about the changes they think they are seeing in shallow beds on Burt Lake and they are blaming gobies.
This is a great case of reverse scientific method. Unfortunately, despite multiple times being told there's nothing that need to be done about this by the Michigan DNR, this group is being relentless. They say they are not anti-tournament, but that's the type of fishing they keep mentioning the most. They are not clear on many things including thinking there were regular bass tournaments in mid-May, which is of course, not true.
Commissioner Walters is from there and knows these people so he is doing this for them despite DNR and MUCC opposition.
To be clear, this is NOT the MDNR doing this. It is one NRC Commissioner. Unfortunately, they have the authority over all fish and game regulations so they could adopt this.
If you do not like this type of loss of fishing - a complete closure again for about 7 weeks, and especially if you are worried about this being expanded to more goby waters, please take action. I am posting an action alert that will be on the home page of this website shortly with how to act and information that might be helpful.
You can always email nrc@michigan.gov and tell them what you think. That will get to the entire 7 Commissioners. They rarely hear from bass anglers, yet they have complete authority. You can find out more about the NRC and the Commissioners at michigan.gov/nrc.
#32
Bass Fishing Tips, Techniques & General Discussion / Dumping grounds
Last post by BIGSHOW - September 11, 2025, 09:06:53 AMWhere exactly are the "dumping grounds " at coming out of erie metro?
#33
Bass Fishing Inland Lakes & Rivers / Little Muskrat Lake, Big Large...
Last post by djkimmel - August 07, 2025, 02:57:08 PMOn July 13, 2025 I was fishing tiny Muskrat Lake flipping a 10-inch junebug Power worm when a big ole Michigan largemouth bass decided to eat it and try hard not to come into the boat!
What a short, but very fun tug of war we had! This respectable bass weighed 6 pounds, 2 ounces! I got it in the boat on video and then a couple quick pictures and released still feisty back into the lake for someone else to try for it!
What a short, but very fun tug of war we had! This respectable bass weighed 6 pounds, 2 ounces! I got it in the boat on video and then a couple quick pictures and released still feisty back into the lake for someone else to try for it!
#34
Bass Fishing Tips, Techniques & General Discussion / Re: Rod guide repair
Last post by Chewy - June 03, 2025, 08:51:17 PMI didn't think about D&R, good idea! Thanks Dan.
#35
Bass Fishing Tips, Techniques & General Discussion / Re: Update on cancer
Last post by djkimmel - June 03, 2025, 05:31:26 PMGlad to hear it! I hope that continues and you are in complete remission? I haven't talked to you since the Bob o get together.
#36
Bass Fishing Tips, Techniques & General Discussion / Re: Rod guide repair
Last post by djkimmel - June 03, 2025, 05:30:05 PMDid you try asking at D and R Sports Center? I don't know if they have anyone, but they might know someone. Bob o used to do rod repairs though he is in SE Michigan.
#37
Bass Fishing Tips, Techniques & General Discussion / Rod guide repair
Last post by Chewy - May 31, 2025, 06:29:34 PMLooking for someone in Southwest Michigan that repairs guides. I have an old rod that I don't to throw out because I have had it for so long. The guide about 4 down from the tip broke off. I need a new guide and wrap. I used to take mine to The Outdoorsman in Jenison but the gentleman who used to do it for them has retired. Any help is appreciated.
#38
Bass Fishing Tips, Techniques & General Discussion / Re: Update on cancer
Last post by Chewy - May 31, 2025, 06:23:20 PMThat's great news! Will be praying for you.
#39
Bass Fishing Tips, Techniques & General Discussion / Update on cancer
Last post by triton22 - May 30, 2025, 10:33:53 PMI received my results on my first lung scan this week. No new cancer, doctor says everything is stable and looking great. Wil do another scan in 3 months
#40
Bass Fishing Tips, Techniques & General Discussion / Re: Prop repair
Last post by djkimmel - April 09, 2025, 10:52:13 AMQuote from: Chewy on March 23, 2025, 07:34:13 PMDan, if you have it redone, I would recommend them I'm very satisfied with the job they did and he price.
Good to know. At some point I will have this done. Thanks.