Beaver Island Smallies

[bob o]

Anyone ever head over there for some "Flats" type fishing for the lil brown fish? I have to think they don't get much fishing pressure. i remember years agoreading a story in a fishing mag about how great it is.

[21XDC]

A friend of mine Shane's Dad runs the Beaver island Ferry as a job.... He's been telling me about the awesome smallmouth fishing there. He's not a fisherman and didn't really take it seriously. The water can be brutal, Not really interested in going in a bass boat.

[bob o]

there is a guide on the island, and they rent boats also, and I'm sure the ferry will take a truck and boat for a price. just have to be lucky with the weather

[Waterfoul]

there is a guide on the island, and they rent boats also, and I'm sure the ferry will take a truck and boat for a price. just have to be lucky with the weather

$95 each way for the truck (less than 16' long).  Trailers are quoted by dimensions and you have to call for a reservation.  Plus... $26 per person each direction.  And those are off peak prices.

So minimum I'd say you are looking at $400-500 round trip to get your bass boat to the island and back.  I'll just go fish Grand Traverse Bay for $40 and call it good!  

Here's a link to the boat company:

http://www.bibco.com/rates-38/

[thedude]

if its anything like wilderness st. park areas - you just need a pair of waders anyway

[djkimmel]

Supposedly the cormorants ate all the bass, but then the bass have come back (unrelated to any season change once again from what I can see...). That's about all I've heard. They originally blamed anglers for the damage to the bass but things didn't line up well. I imagine there are several other stories about what happened (or didn't happen). It does seem like there is too much easier-to-get-to great smallmouth bass fishing to go through that extra trouble. If someone goes please share a report!

[TheFishinPollock]

Who wants to make the run with me ?  In my boat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[21XDC]

Who wants to make the run with me ?  In my boat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'd feel much safer in my 22 ft barge. 

[djkimmel]

I'll do it... if either of you can guarantee a good weather day!!! I've had it with big waves for a while.