St. Clair 5/14/10 - Day before the DK Open

[Revtro]

Almost never would an angler post a fishing report the day before a tournament, but hey, the DK is a "fun" tourney right?  So what the heck...not that this report will be all that stellar anyway. 

Today really stunk out on the water.  I launched the boat before 9 out of the St. Clair Cutoff ramp.  The water was dark brown in color and the wind was whipping out of the WSW.  My first thought was to go find some fairly clean water before even bothering to wet a line.  Heading straight out from the Memorial Park area, I didn't find greenish water until about 12 FOW.  Figuring that the fish were much more likely to be in shallower than 8 FOW, I took a quick look to see that the Mile Roads were all brown water as far as the eye could see...so I headed North.  I found some clearer water around Metro Beach, but the combination of waves over the bow and the stiff wind equaled NO FISH.  So it was time to head into Anchor Bay.

Well the water up there around and past the Clinton River was also brown in color.  Continuing North around to Selfridge, I found some good looking water.  I drifted around a bit, casting Jerkbaits mostly, only to run into a friend of mine who had been up in the area much longer than I give me a pretty dismal report of his morning.  In a short while, we both powered up and headed out.

Ok, so my morning to this point was a waste of gas, except for ruling out water.  Needing to catch a fish, just so that my buddy with me doesn't think I'm a complete hack, I headed for some canals to at least try to catch a few largemouth.  Well, I guess I am a hack, because I couldn't manage a fish.  The canals were also pretty muddied up and after throwing several different presentations at them, hanging my head in shame and nearly ready to commit hari-kari, I figured I'd head back down the Mile Roads and see just how far the brown water goes.  I got my answer around the 9 Mile area.  Pretty rapidly, the water got green and quite a bit clearer, though visibility still wasn't great.  So I fished around that area for quite a while dragging tubes and casting jerkbaits.  Viola!  I finally caught a keeper.  Woo Hoo... a whopping 14 and 1 quarter inches!   

Ok, not at all what I was hoping for, but I guess I'll take it.  At this point the wind was really cranking and the sun was high in the sky.  I'm hungry by now, so it's time to admit defeat and head home. 

While I'm certain, someone will do quite well at the tournament in the morning, I'm really starting to question if it'll be me.  I didn't run into Muskamoot because I don't have a hydraulic jack plate and with this low water and based on some issues I had up in Muskamoot last year, I don't see myself even bothering.  So what to do...what to do...  The West wind is pretty strong, so maybe we'll get lucky and the water will clear up a bit.  I sure hope so, because if not, the fishing is going to be TOUGH.  My only thought is that I'll immediately go more South to where the water is clearer and see what I can come up with.  There were quite a few boats from 9 Mile South, but I didn't see a whole lot of action happening. 

So perhaps at the end of the day, someone else who did well out there today will chime in and let us know how they made the magic happen.  But don't bother calling me David Copperfield.   

[markgoetsch]

Well lets hope that the mile roads clean up by tomorrow.  But I know the fish are there so they should bite something hopefully.  My plan will be to start at the mile roads and if I can't find anything there I'll start heading south toward the cleaner water.

[MadWags]

Yes they are there! Got into them heavy today. They would not hit cranks, traps or jerks. Hell they can't see them. The east winds the past week and all the rain have wrecked havoc on the lake. Mud is pouring out of Clinton cut off. Fish south for better bites. Drag heavy tubes and snap them off rocks. I am not risking the shallows either. If Skip runs it and gets them, God bless him.

[Revtro]

You were getting them to hit tubes in the muddy water on the Mile Roads?  Grr.  Makes me wish I'd have given that more of a fair shake. 

[Nitro898]

From Grand Rapids and planning on taking a drip on Sunday to St Clair. Its my first time there and was wondering if the water clarity could clear up by Sunday and if the fishing is going to be worth the drive. Always wanted to fish St. Clair this time of year and we finally get a good weekend. Any helpful hint on where to fish would be helpful.

[Skulley]

I am headed out to St. Clair on Sunday morning for a few hours before my son's afternoon soccer game.  I will hit the mile roads.  I have done well out there over the last few weeks.  I was out there just this past Monday and had a decent day.....not stellar but decent.  Water was pretty clear but the rain the following days probably mucked it all up.  Lots of the tributaries that drain into Clair are going to muddy things up.  Lots of rain this past week.  If the wind dies down and it doesn't rain, the water should clear up a bit.


BD