Traverse Bay June update??

[Jonesman]

Hey guys,
          Being that the smallies are way ahead of schedule down here on Erie, just wondering if the same is true up on the Bay??  Headed that way in a couple weeks.  Last year on the 4th of July we did real well, but thinking it might be a post spawn pattern this year.  Good fishing all!!

[MBell]

I was wondering the same thing.  After what was going on at burt/mullet, I bet they are going strong right now.  Was thinking about heading over on the way home but went to Saginaw instead.  You may want to hit some of the islands out there in july.
-Matt

[Dan]

Talked with a friend up in Cadillac today and he knows a guy who got 37 off beds on the bay this weekend. They are definitely early. I was hoping that the last full moon of the month would be the time to go, but I guess it's now or never. I have a wedding this weekend and can't go. Drats. I was really looking forward to it.

[BronzeRockets]

Where is the best place to launch on the East Bay side? This is are 1st time going up and could use some help. What is the name of the marina or launch? Any other info lures and locations to start would be a great help. Thanks A Ton!!!

[Dan]

There is a DNR launch on the peninsula for East Bay. As far as catching them, cover water and look for spawning fish.

[BronzeRockets]

Awsome thanks Dan!!...by the way is that off of Swaney road??

[Dan]

I'm from the Grand Rapids area so I really don't know the roads up there. I did an article on Grand Traverse Bay a few years ago for the Tear Drop Classic in September. There may be directions to that ramp. I know there are pictures of it. Can't remember if I put links on or not. It would be under 2006 articles.

[djkimmel]

Elk Rapids harbor is a good place to launch in East Bay too. Easy to find right in Elk Rapids at the end of downtown on the Elk River.

[motocross269]

Elk Rapids harbor is a good place to launch in East Bay too. Easy to find right in Elk Rapids at the end of downtown on the Elk River.

The Elk Rapids launch is a great place to launch...Last year we launched there and ran back and tied off in the Marina for Lunch....The Marina employees went out of their way to help me get tied off and gave me a spot to park in for an hour or so while we ate....It gets pretty busy on the weekends but nothing that can't be handled...

[BronzeRockets]

Thanks for the pointers!!!..where should we start you think around or above elk rapids and then run down to the south end of the east bay. This should be fun yet crazy what depth should they be at this time of year...3 to 10?? or deeper? Good luck to you guys.

[Deerslayer36]

I was born and raised in TC. Last year May I won the NBAA 2009 Hooters Big Bass Charity Open on East Bay,first tournament I ever fished in. Been hitting both bays on the weekends. Surface temp is 70 degrees plus warmest I can remember this early in 30-years.

In East Bay most the bass have spawned out. Post Spawn pattern now. First break 10-20 feet is a good place to start. Try just north and south of Elk Rapids, Tip of Old Mission Pennisula, tobaco, south-end sucker holes. If you get bored with SM, jig pearl swedish pimples or elk rapids jig from hardware store off deepwater point for Lakers, Whitefish, and Burbot. Get a good topo map and/or electronics.

Hot baits are Extreme Bass Tackle Emerald shiner color tubes 3/8-3/4 oz, Drop shot gobies, and deep dive white X-raps at first light.

Mike