2007 DK Fall Open discussion

[djkimmel]

I undersand that DK i was just trying to make a point to Durand dan there is not really a home lake advantage you still have to catch the fish and anybody can do that on any given body of water if they pay attention to details..

Yeah - sometimes the 'home field advantage' is a jinx. I've only fished Martiny once from the end of a dock in the middle of the morning for about 10 minutes. I caught a small keeper largemouth on my 3rd cast with a buzz bait. I didn't think it was that hard (I've heard the stories though).

[macbass]

iKnow that dan but i have to keep one up if that is possible..and DK you are right the home water jinx can be a killer sometimes.. But if there is any thing i can do to make this work I will do what i can but september up there can be real tough on all. Plus there is an open there the weekend after labor day for 2 days but the weekend after that is open up there and with a private ramp we dont need a permit. And for the travel situation a friend of mine has a place up there and drives from monroe and makes it in just about 3 hours depending on traffic.

[VinceR]

I'm pretty much open to whatever is decided.

[MIBassKid]

I'm with Vince on this one, it doesn't matter to me where we go but i'll most likely show up, depending on how far it is, everything discussed is fine with me.
-Kid

[motocross269]

What about Houghton lake? That is a good lake in the fall once it gets to cold for wee boats. 
Pretty easy area for Logistics also.
Cadillac and Mitchell are good too. Also a good area for accomodations.

[djkimmel]

We've had a heck of a time in the fall without going into mid-October or later... but that creates its own new problems. It has seemed best overall to shoot for the 3rd/4th weekend in September the past two years, but turnout has been low.

Maybe the W/NW guys can list known significant events over there in later September?

[stackenem]

    Is it time to reopen this chat now it is real close to the 1st of Aug.

[fiker]

I agree.  The last entry before Bill's was in April. 

The lake we fish doesn't matter to me.  So far, I've yet to weigh in a fish at either DK Fall event.  The comradery however does.  I've met and ridden with some top notch people at all three events.  I'm ready for #4. 

I won't be able to do an overnighter, but anything I can drive and fish in the same day is ok with me.

I still like the  3rd or 4th week of Sept. though.  It is before bow season, and seems like it has interferred with the tourney guys the least.

[macbass]

well here we go the last weekend of september mid state has a tourny at sanford and wixom the weekend before that grand bass has there fish off on the grand river at portland on sunday and a draw lake for saturday. and september 16th mid state is on crystal lake. not sure about the rest of the west side clubs.

[Dan]

The Tear Drop Track and Trail Tournament Trail has its $5,000 two day Classic the 22 and 23 of September.

Hamlin Lake would be a good lake to fish although it is a true West Side lake. Cadillac and Mitchell is a weedy, muddied mess but it always seems to produce fish and it's more central with lots of accomodations: State Park, Hemlock Park (National Forest Campground on Mitchell). State park is about $25 a night. They have one cabin they rent and one that may be done by September. Hemlock is about half that price and is a nice campground but no electric. I still like Hamlin though in terms of fishing.  I have a cabin that can sleep about 7 in beds and lots of floor and tent space that I am more than willing to have company at. It's equidistant from Ludington, Manistee, and Cadillac on the shores of Big Bass Lake. It's about 40 minutes from all three places.

[motocross269]

Would White lake be better if we were going that far North West?  I haven't fished Hamlin for years so I don't know how the bass fishing is there.
I like the Idea of Cadillac and Mitchell..Nice area with lots of accomodations.  Campgrounds should be slow with all of the little squeekers back in school.

[1javelin]

I know spring time Hardy did well, so maybe that fishery could be good n the fall also?  Don't know if itwill fit into my schedule though, so keep me posted.

Jav

[TCook]

How about lake st. clair again, it is michigans best lake and the smallies will be in the channels. You cant beat that, I would be willing to drive again for that.

T

[Cy]

I am open to any of the suggested lakes and should be open to fish them anytime after mid-September.  I have never fished Martiny but would like to.  Chippewa Lake is near there and is big enough for a tournament but lacking a little in parking.

Cadillac & Mitchell are always good, Missaukee in Lake City I have never been on but hear it is good.  Hamlin I would have an opinion on until the end of August after I fish it.

Hardy is one of my favorites.

I would stay away from Gun and Gull lakes, between GR and Kalamazoo.

What about Ovid near St Johns, I know Kimmel fishes it...is it big enough?

Cy

[Revtro]

We did Ovid for the DK a couple of years ago.  It is plenty big enough for tournaments and a fun lake to fish.  Keep in mind though it's a no-wake lake.  It can be tough, but a beautiful lake.  No houses, no docks, lots of wildlife.

[bassinman#1]

Is Sanford too much out of the way for everybody? It has a nice ramp and bathrooms, picnic tables, and an awesome lake for smallies and largies.

[Revtro]

We did Wixom last year and it was a very small turnout.  Plus the fishing was tough, tough, tough except for the one lone boat that knew about the frog bite... DOH!  (Wasn't my boat of course)

Is Sanford a better fishery that time of year?  For a DK, I wonder if we shouldn't make sure we go to a lake where there is a good chance of most people catching fish.  Just a thought.

[Cy]

If we want to go to a lake that most people can catch fish then Hardy might not be the best choice.  IMO it can be tough!  I spent a day and a half up there last year mid September and could not get anything going!  I fished the entire things from darn to darn with hardly a bite! 

Cy

[1javelin]

I may be open for anywhere, as long as no tourney is affected,my wife is not peeed 'on', and my work is not all consuming at the time.  I would be a boater also, so that may help.  How about this Dan; take 4 lakes and have a poll. Say Muskegon, Cadillac/Mitchell, GTB area, and another good one.  Set one week for the voting, only vote once please, and then figure out a good date.  Any day the last half of September works for me.  Just a thought

[TCook]

I assume that St Clair is out of the question since it was the lake for the spring open? I just cant think of a better lake where everyone would catch pigs that easy.

T