Pere Marquette/Manistee Lakes

[robhj]

Fished all day Friday & Saturday with little to show for our efforts. This trip was actually the worst I've had all year up there. Water temps were around 58 & really clear, PM especially. We threw everything at them but weren't able to dial into any pattern. Fished shallow & deep, plastics, cranks, topwater, but all fish came on plastics with the biggest around 3#. My buddy drove up from St. Louis and I had him all fired up for some fall smallie fishing. I should have known better than to start making some guarantees but it has been an awesome year up until this weekend's kick in the sack. I did learn some new things about the lakes which is always something I try to take away from every outing. My buddy also hooked into a salmon which was fun to watch for about 15 seconds. I knew things were going to be tough when we hadn't even caught an incidental pike by noon on the first day. Really frustrating that I couldn't get things going but I guess it makes you appreciate the good days. Hopefully things were much better for everyone who made it to the Madwags.

Rob

[Mike S.]

Bummer. Skeg wasn't much better, but we did catch some fish.

[Waterfoul]

Was on Manistee for about 4 hours today.  Caught 35+ fish with several in the 2-4 lb range.  FireFighterJeff was there too... he got one at 5.9.

What were you throwing?

Last weekend P.M. was really good too.

[robhj]

We threw everything! Spinnerbaits, cranks, jigs, tubes, even some topwater. I did much better last week as well. I've fished PM practically every week since the opener & that was by far the worst 2 days ever. Weather didn't seem to be an issue. We managed around a dozen fish over 2 days, all on plastics. Very disappointing to say the least. Always great to get out though. I'm looking for some redemption soon, probably this weekend weather permitting.

Rob

[Waterfoul]

Fastrack and I will be up there on Monday... probably on Manistee depending on the weather.  Might stop short and hit Pentwater or PM instead if the weather isn't the best.

I'd love to go on Sunday as well, but I think I'm going to be spending time at home knocking things off a growing "honey do" list.

[Firefighter Jeff]

  Rob, you heading to Burt/Mullet???  Weather looks pretty questionable for Saturday, the day I head up.
   It took me a while to figure out where to fish on Manistee.  Thanks for the tips Mike !!!!  Figured out a good rattlebait pattern that caught me most of my big fish.  Ended up with 27 I think.  Two biggest were 5.9 and 3.9. Learned more of the lake.  Only my 2nd or 3rd time on that water.

[robhj]

Unfortunately I had to bail since I fished 2 1/2 days straight last week & couldn't go back to back weekends without getting into the doghouse. My other 2 buddies are still heading up tomorrow. If you're up there and see 2 guys chucking monster muskie baits out of a Lund, that's them. I will be getting out this wknd, but will probably hit Muskegon, Pentwater, or PM for several hours. I will be going back up to PM or Manistee next weekend for sure. Tear it up if you get to Mullett!

Rob

[Waterfoul]

Tell your buddies to stay off my waypoints!!!!   

[Firefighter Jeff]

Tell your buddies to stay off my waypoints!!!!   

     Hahahahahahaha

[Firefighter Jeff]

Rob, 

   I'll be back in Ludington on my way back from Indian River.  I get in on Friday the 12th and go home Sunday the 14th.  Maybe see you on the water.

                           Jeff

[robhj]

I'll be on PM this weekend and will also be on PM/Manistee next Saturday. I have a blk/tan Smokercraft with a 75 Merc. Hopefully I'll be smiling with a sore thumb!

[Firefighter Jeff]

   This is what I'll be fishing out of.