Site Links

Shoutbox

Say Hi or something!

djkimmel

2025-06-08, 20:11:45
I'm planning on moving to a new server within the next 2 to 3 weeks. Just a little friendly warning as there might be a few hours of odd behavior when the process starts. I will try to have it done at night or weekend.

djkimmel

2025-03-04, 16:50:42
The Ultimate Sport Show Grand Rapids is March 13 - March 16 next week!

djkimmel

2025-03-04, 16:45:26
Please visit booth 1929 back by The Hawg Trough to say hi and wish me happy birthday while you're at it!  ;D

djkimmel

2025-02-09, 14:35:57
Stop by booth 5767 near the west end of the Suburban Collection Showplace to keep me company at Outdoorama February 20-23.

djkimmel

2025-01-23, 15:12:26
Next up - Outdoorama in Novi February 20-23, 2025! See you there!

Advertisement

Welcome to Great Lakes Bass Fishing Forum. Please login or sign up.

Recent Topics

Latest Articles

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 16:46:33 +0000
Now is the best time to be a bass angler on Lake St. Clair in at least the last 50 years according to a recent long-term MDNR fisheries research study.
Fri, 04 Apr 2025 16:00:54 +0000
Due to low water levels on the Great Lakes, particularly Lake St. Clair, the mouth of the channel at the Michigan DNR Clinton River Cutoff ramp needs to be dredged.
Tue, 04 Mar 2025 17:11:14 +0000
Over 4 Acres of Fishing and Hunting Gear, Fishing Boats, Seminars and more available starting Thursday, March 13 at DeVos Place in downtown Grand Rapids. Many great seminars featuring Kevin VanDam and Mark Zona.
Fri, 07 Feb 2025 20:06:06 +0000
If you enjoy your time in the outdoors – hunting, fishing, boating, camping etc. – then Suburban Collection Showplace is the place for you and your family Feb. 20-23 when the 52nd Annual Outdoorama returns to town.
Fri, 20 Dec 2024 21:45:52 +0000
Hundreds of New Fishing Boats, the largest Ice Fishing Display in the state, and a Star-Studded Lineup of Seminars by some of the best anglers in the world combine to make the 42nd annual Ultimate Fishing Show–Detroit the largest and best Pure Fishing Show in the country.

Advertisement

Erie Smallmouth, if you had the choice

Started by Fishhog, February 10, 2015, 10:00:40 AM

Previous topic - Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Fishhog

I have a good friend that wants to come up and fish the spring bite for Smallmouth.  April 23/24 or May 14/15, which would you choose?  This will be a catch and release trip.  Just wanting opinions on the dates, and any reasons why.  Also, we will be fishing around the islands, and the Huron area.  I am leaning towards the May dates, because of more stable weather, but can do either.  I just want to get him on the best bite.  Thanks for your replies.      

djkimmel

The earlier date could bring you some toads but also a real tough, deep bite so your odds are better for the May dates when you should have lots of options including on depth with some shallower fishing possible for big prespawn fish.

Help stop invasive spcies. Don't move fish between unconnected bodies of water. Clean, drain and dry your boat before launching on another water body.
Unless clearly stated as such, opinions expressed by Dan Kimmel on this forum are not the opinions or policies of The Bass Federation of Michigan.

Got Fish??

I agree  with Dan. The latter, the better as far as weather conditions , water temps. Some guys start as soon  as the season opens and do vary well. These guys are veterans  on big water, and if your not familiar  with big water. You can get in too some pretty  sticky weather  and water conditions .

Skulley

Right now until we see a change in the season for bass in Michigan, opening day for catch and release will be April 25, 2015 which is the last Saturday in April. You will only be able to fish Michigan water. Bass in Canada doesn't open until late June. That said you should probably go to St. Clair. Much more water to fish and I think you will get more out of your trip here. There are more options for you if you're coming on the April date. May 14 and 15 are a Thursday and Friday. I would still vie for St. Clair. More options if the weather gets questionable and St. Clair shines in the spring.

I like Erie better in the late summer through fall. A lot happens there at that time of year. I do fish it in the spring but St. Clair is my first choice in the spring. That's just personal preference. Although if your going to Erie in the spring and you're going to put in at Ohio, that's a different animal. Season is open there on the dates you mention April 23/24. Lots of options there.

BD.                      ;D
If You Can't Fish With The Big Dogs.........Stay On The Dock!!!!!!

Dodge Ram Trucks
www.ramtrucks.com

Fish For Free
www.fishforfree2.com

Fishhog

I run Erie all the time, mostly for Walleye though.  I haven't fished the smallie bite in a long time.  We take some real pigs up here in April early when searching new areas for Walleye from time to time, just have never stopped and tried to get on them.  I wasn't sure how stabile the bite in April was.  Kinda what I thought.  I came to the experts to find out.  I have been mulling the St. Clair bite over as well, but my friends are coming out of Beckley WV.  Long drive for them to Huron, let alone another 2-3 hours to St. Clair.  I have a trip scheduled over there a couple of weeks later and I am really looking forward to that.  If you see a Red Starcraft 2050 stx, with OH numbers, and big grins on our faces, that will probably be me.  Keep your hooks sharp fellows!  Thanks again for the information.   

fiker

I agree with Bigdog.

I usually find that in a typical year, I do better in May on Clair than in April.

It all depends on water temperatures for me. 
So much water.  So many lures.  So little time.

Member of  Downriver Bass Association

www.buildwithmomentum.com 734.649.9390

GlennD

Fishhog we go to Erie every May right after Mothers Day and stay at Put in Bay. We walleye fish & smallie fish. The smallie fishing around the islands then is nothing short of spectacular !! Tubes,Poor Boys,Jerkbaits,Drop Shot all do it. The harbor of S Bass is all you'd have to fish if you wanted but you have Rattlesnake,Ballast,around Middle and N Bass it's crazy !! I hope you chose the May dates  ;) ;) Good Luck
2015 Ranger 620
Yamaha 250 & T9.9 Four Strokes
Lowrance Electronics
Minnkota Terrova 112

Powered by AnglerHosting.com