smallie fishing near freesoil area

[32eml24]

Will be spending a wknd in the freesoil area on the sauble chain of lakes.  Right near big bass lake. For anyone who wants some of the best largemouth fishing of their life in terms of both size and numbers do yourself a favor and fish this chain during prespawn.  Largies can be tough in november. We are going the first wknd. I am wondering I'd there are any closeby smallie fisheries since they cooperate better in cool water?

[bigmojet]

Manistee Lake

[Dan]

I have a cabin on a lake that is very close to Sauble Lakes. Smallies are in Wolf Lake. Haven't been there in years. That's only minutes away. Next smallie lake around would be a toss up. Maybe Manistee, Hamlin, Cadillac and Mitchell, and you may want to check out the Backwaters of Tippy Dam. Almost forgot that little gem. It's just north of 55 a tad. Take Snyder Rd. It runs right by the Dublin General Store going North. Take it past 55 and follow the signs to the launch. These are the closest smallie waters. Tippy can be a blast. Make sure you don't go past the buoys in Manistee near the Stronach end if you decide to go there. They put them up ever year in September during the salmon run. If you have never been to Tippy give it a whirl. Haven't ever found the Sauble Chain all that good. I haven't been there in years. Guess I'd better try it. teardropbass.com. Here's a pic from this year at Tippy.

[MSURoss]

You can't go wrong with either Manistee or Tippy, both fun fisheries. Haven't fished either in the fall but I hear Manistee has some fall giants. Only if it was like that in the summer  If you fish Tippy make sure you hit all the islands and watch out for pilings. Up river may be a good bet too. Good luck and let us know how it goes!

[32eml24]

Awesome thanks for the tips you guys.  Looks like I'll be trying Tippy!  I have never fished anything like this.  Will definitely be interesting.

[bigmojet]

Tippy backwaters feels like the UP.

[32eml24]

It all looks the same!!

[Dan]

Dam area with some drop shot. Little Manistee end has a flat that can be good. If you go up river on the Big Manistee, fish shoreline cover. Like Ross said fish some of the islands as well.

[32eml24]

Killer thanks for the tips Dan!  I need to learn to drop shot anyways so this will be perfect.  Looking forward to it!

[Dan]

Tippy can be a lot of fun with topwater as well. All along the shoreline.