Few of us get to fulfill childhood dreams of playing Major League Baseball or fishing professionally; however, it’s those few that do come true that keep us fantasizing. Close to home and a new source of inspiration is Mickey Thomas of Edwardsburg, Michigan.
Everyone used to hate it, is how Doug Roher explains the feelings fellow bass anglers had towards the St. Joe River. In recent times though, size, quality, and consequently, feelings have changed towards this one-time nemesis of Northern Indiana bass anglers.
COMMUNICATE – A lot of problems can be ironed out with a question. Like after the boater misses a fish “Do you mind if I throw in there?” I’ve offered my baits up first thing in the morning; by saying “If you need anything just ask.”
Every year now, we get at least one day like this. Wind howling. Waves churning. Cameraguy had to leave early anyway for a golf outing he does every year.
After only a 1-day delay this year (much better than last year), we were finally off on our annual fall northern fishing and camping trophy bass hunt.
I was pleasantly shocked the next morning when I was called off as boat number 2. Larry was boat number 3. That doesn’t normally happen and boosted my confidence. The guys at Top Bass did their best to get us out quickly since we could see boats coming across the lake from the other tournaments as we launched.
My good friends and regular fishing partners Derek Baetz and Larry Dekker talked me into giving the Top Bass circuit a try this year. Top Bass has an interesting format in that you fish by yourself – so everyone is a guaranteed boater.
2004 has been an interesting year for me. Overall, I went fishing far less than I have the past 10 or 15 years. I had slow days like everyone, but some good ones too though when I did get out.
Great Lakes. Until you actually fish them, you have no idea how small you can feel in a bass boat. The bass fishing is some of the best in the world, but as with all good things, there’s a price at times.
With the Great Lakes ever more popular for bass anglers thanks to some of the best bass fishing ever, a popular topic for anglers just venturing out and a good refresher for those already with experience, is advice on how to safely handle all that big water.
Another fun year of fishing in and around Michigan this year. With the low water even affecting some inland lakes, we didn’t boat near as many big crappie as last spring, but marauding bass like this one made up for the slower fishing.
In response to a letter from Mr. Ferrari: I was a participant in the Michigan BASS Chapter Federation (MBCF) tournaments on the chain of lakes June 7 and 8. First, where we stand legally. Once our bass season opens Memorial weekend, all licensed anglers have an equal right to fish on public waters.
2001 was the year my best ‘shot’ to fish full time wound down. I thoroughly enjoyed that season despite having it not turn out quite the way I hoped.
If the bass give me a choice, I’ll throw so-called power baits – spinnerbaits and crankbaits. When the bite gets tough, I don’t always immediately switch to slower or finesse presentations.
Any time you win a state level event, it’s a satisfying and memorable day, but this win would only be 2nd on my list of good things that happened to me in the 2000 season.
Three inches of wood pokes from shallow water hinting at the lair below. A compact white spinnerbait slides in nearby, deftly aimed between dead shoreline cattails and the stickup. No other place to hide.
