Manistee Lake 11/5

[Mike S.]

I hit Manistee this morning with Waterfoul. We launched around 7:30 this morning and got back to the trailer at almost 6:00 this evening. The weather was very good to us. We had periods of sun and clouds, and the wind was very nice to us all day.

The water temp was around 46 degrees. We managed 52 fish in the boat, and numerous fish lost. We caught largemouth, smallmouth, rock bass, pike, and I got a nice steelhead. Now that was fun. He started throwing a lipless and got a few green fish, so I picked mine up and got broke off at the boat by a rolling pike as Mike was getting my net. So I tie on a really ugly xr50, and that fish hit it so hard, it was insane. What a rush it was to fight that fish with a bass rod. It had to have been a 7 minute or so fight. It was awesome.

We hit a few more spots, and got some more fish. I got extremely frustrated, and my inner 3 year old surfaced. After slapping the side of the boat with a rod and later throwing that same rod and reel to the floor of the boat, Mike figured out my problem. I wasn't able to feel anything, and the fish were really biting soft. He let me use one of his rods, spoiled with braid, and my catch ratio increased. Way more feeling. Lesson learned.

Anyways, I didn't manage a picture worthy smallie, but Mike did. The biggest was 5.79, and the other was a heavy 4, I don't remember exactly. All in all, it was an awesome day on the lake. I hope this lake gets a lot of votes for the MadWags west. It's a fun one.

[gmetime24]

What an awesome day! I will definitely be making a trip to Manistee next year to learn that lake

[Waterfoul]

Don't bother fishing there.  It sucks.  The fish are all small.  It's always too windy.  The pike are a nuisance, and all you'll catch with consistancy is rockbass.  Overall I'd give the lake a D-.  We had those fish in the livewell when we got there... caught them in White Lake.

[Firefighter Jeff]

   What a great looking bonus fish Mike !!!!  Steelies are my "second" most favorite fish to catch. 

[Mike S.]

I would have much rather caught that pair of big smallies. But, it sure was a good fight.

[Waterfoul]

I think the XR50 Mike got the steelie on was called "Ugly All Day."  If it wasn't, that's what it should be called!  LOL!!

[gmetime24]

Don't bother fishing there.  It sucks.  The fish are all small.  It's always too windy.  The pike are a nuisance, and all you'll catch with consistancy is rockbass.  Overall I'd give the lake a D-.  We had those fish in the livewell when we got there... caught them in White Lake.

Don't worry, I will put any fish I catch right back where they came from

[Waterfoul]

Keep the rockbass.

[LennyB]

Looks like I am going to have to put Manistee on my "lakes to fish" list next year.

[Waterfoul]

Looks like I am going to have to put Manistee on my "lakes to fish" list next year.

You're putting a D- lake on your list?  Wow... you must be desperate.