Smallie fishing with Waterfoul last weekend

[Firefighter Jeff]

    Got a chance to fish for smallies on the West side with Waterfoul Mike last Sunday and Monday.  All things considered we did pretty well. Air temperature was below normal and wind speed above normal but we had a lot of fun.  Even though Mike teased me about how many layers of clothes I had on !!!   
     We met up at the park and ride lot just south of Muskegon. I sent Mike directions from MDOT.  He phoned just after I arrived and stated he saw me in the lot but was having problems getting there!!!  He blamed MDOT for their directions....... It's your story Mike.  lololol   I think we got on Pere Marquette Lake about 10:30ish.  Wind was out of the northwest but not too bad.  Sun was out so the mid 40 temps didn't seem bad. We ended up with 15 fish for the day.  I know we had at least three over 4.  Most fish were good quality keepers. Mike was Mr. Multi-species.  He caught Pike, Rockbass, Largemouth, Smallies and a Coho Salmon. Most fish came on plastics with the water temps 48-50 degress.

     Pere Marquette fish.  One on the left went 4.12 which was biggest of the trip.


      Mike with a couple of his biggest.


      Mike's Salmon.  Not sure if we weighed it.


       We stayed the night at my trailer on Hamlin and planned to fish first thing the next morning on Manistee.  The forcast was calling for big winds, the first affects from Sandy.  We were hoping to get out there before they picked up.  The plan worked.  Winds weren't too bad at first.  We ended up getting 10 fish total.  Mike smoked me 7 to 3.  He back seated me the whole trip !!!!  Something about it was his boat.  Hahaha  Just kidding!!!!   I didn't mind being in the back at all.  It was better than working the trolling motor !!!  I think Mike's biggest was 4.9 and mine 4.4 which I got on a ExCalibur xr50.

       Mike and I were joking about how close he needed to get the camera phone to my fish and this is what we ended up with.  lololol


       

     After a couple hours the wind started picking up to the point that Mike had a hard time making headway with the trolling motor so we pulled the boat, ate lunch and headed to Pentwater.  It was still windy but pretty much coming off shore where we wanted to fish. We fished til 5ish and headed for home.  We ended up with 24 smallies. Average size was a little smaller than the PM but still a bunch of nice fish. The biggest went 3.12





      Might be my last time chasing smallies for the year.  Glad we were able to get out Mike !!!

[Waterfoul]

I had a great time too Jeff!!   Next time I'll back seat you for real and we'll see how many fish you DON'T catch! 

And that one picture is a great example of how to make a 4 pounder turn into a 6 pounder.  Instantly!

[Firefighter Jeff]

I had a great time too Jeff!!   Next time I'll back seat you for real and we'll see how many fish you DON'T catch! 

And that one picture is a great example of how to make a 4 pounder turn into a 6 pounder.  Instantly!

     Hmmmmm my spools are kept pretty full. I can make LONG casts over your shoulders !!!  That is if I don't "accidentally" knock you in the head with my lure.  Hahahahahahahaha.  If that doesn't work it might be Sumo time !!!!!  LolololoL. 

[ReggieMFD]

Good job on finding those smallies guys!!  Those sure are great looking fish!!