Grand River system

[chrisvmo]

any one have any advice on the river system? The trail I am planning on fishing has two stops and I have no confidence out there. Ive tried the gravel pits with little success and to be honest I just don't like fishing out there. Oh yeah you can't run lake michigan in the tournies so that is off limits. any advice or tips would be greatly appreciatied.

Chris

[Ranger5Smallie]

All of the bayous off the main river are good.  I havent fished it much in the past 4 years but use to spend a ton of time on it.  Spring Lake is also decent.

What trail is going there twice?

[Cy]

Chris The Grand is not that bad...but it takes some time to feel good about it.  If keep at it, it will get easier I promise.

I have a few questions first.  What time of year are you out there?  What months?  Also are these evening tournys or all day deals?  Where are launching from?

Based on the this information I should be able to give you some usable advice on the system.

A couple of basic things to keep in mind.  The river holds fish, normally along the bank in the brush and trees and other man made current breaks.  You can catch a limit in the river but normally the bigger fish live in the bayous.  Spring Lake can be good but it is a long run and on Weekends the large boat traffic can be a PITA.  Spring Lake also has large no-wake zones.

Cy

[chrisvmo]

its for the Kellogsville tour. They are launching from stern's bayou. the tournies are june 27, and july 25. they are morning tounies till 2 I think. thanks for the help im sure it will just take a few trips but all your help and starting points help alot.

thanks, chris

[fasttrack]

You could join the crowds and fish Stearns but might be better finding a place further from the launch. Pottawatamie is another decent, but popular, choice. The last 2-3 years we have been making the run to Spring with mixed results. Finished middle-of-the pack before, but also took first place the last time I fished there with Rich (the Director). Like anywhere its pretty hit or miss. A fair amount of fish are also caught along the riprap by the Indian Channel launch. I have not been on the river as much the last 2-3 years as I used to, so this is all I have. Welcome to the club! It's a fun trail. See you there!

Marc

[jgip087]

Over the past couple of years the Grand River has gone down pretty quickly but those bass are still in there somewhere! I think they are moving more towards where the river is not dredged that time of year because the water gets warm and they look for current and I am not too willing to run up that far.

[skeeterman190]

 The Grand river was alot better last year then in years past in my eyes. I only fished there once but it put out some weight. Usually if i fish a tourney there(BBt) i run to white or muskegon. just to get away from the crowds and its worked out. fished a shoreline there last year. I found a ton of different things to be working when i was there. It was kinda funny seemed like id get on a pattern and change to something else and boom another big fish. So id say to you this: go junk fishing. when i say that i dont mean just fish in the slop have a tons of rods rigged for whatever is in front of u. I found the best bite to be on a senko, jig, and spro bronzeye frog. The one day i practiced no doubt i had an 18lb bag doing that.-skeeterman- I fished the main river and Sterns Bayou. plus a bunch of cuts off the river from Riverside all the way to Potawatomie.

[Waterfoul]

I'd give you advice . . . but I'll be fishing against you there!!  Better be able to beat this limit too:

[chrisvmo]

well know I'm determined to learn how to fish the grand. see ya on the water.

[Cy]

I'd give you advice . . . but I'll be fishing against you there!!  Better be able to beat this limit too:

You are so...not helpful sometimes!    Give the guy a break and throw him a bone.

[thedude]

the trick is to figure out how to get your boat up to sixth street. 

[Waterfoul]

I'd give you advice . . . but I'll be fishing against you there!!  Better be able to beat this limit too:

You are so...not helpful sometimes!    Give the guy a break and throw him a bone.

Oh fine.  I'll toss the boy a bone.

Fish where the fish are and you'll do fine.


LOL!!!!!!


Actually Chris... if you fish the bayous, gravel pits, and Spring Lake you will do fine because they fish just like any other lake you've been on.  Or, I know guys who have caught some pretty nice smallies IN Grand Haven out of the rocks and such around the marinas (I would be one of those guys!!).

[chrisvmo]

I need no bone tossed this way. I think I've beaten you in a couple of tournies as well Mr. WaterFowl. Check your mail.

[Waterfoul]

Na, I doubt it.  I don't get beat by punk kids in Rangers.  LOL!!!   

[skeeterman190]

 Did Mr. Vandeweg catch all those fish?? haha   

[Waterfoul]

Did Mr. Vandeweg catch all those fish?? haha   

Nope.. actually my partner caught most of them that day!  At least the bigger ones!!

[chrisvmo]

the trick is to figure out how to get your boat up to sixth street. 

Any one have a fast Jet boat I can use for the touney? that should do the trick. how long of a ride do you think it is DUDEMAN?

[thedude]

i guess that depends on how fast of a jet boat you can find! add in the no wakes and you'd be hard pressed to do it under an hour i would guess, but i really have no idea.  i usually fish the river in my mud boat which has a max speed of about 15mph so i don't venture too far from wherever i launch. The times i had my big boat in, i headed straight for the pierheads for greener pastures.