Coach's Sponsors
Sponsoring Company’s of Coach’s Charters
All Seasons Resort of Kalkaska
Basscat Boats
Buc’s Bait Inc.
Camp and Cruise of Marne, MI
Jack’s Sport Shop of Kalkaska
Lew’s Reels
Plymouth Hardware of Plymouth, IN
Quiet Cove Baits
St. Croix Rods
Strike King Lures
Venom Lures
Eight over four…
During slick, glassy times I like to downsize my jbs but couldn't because they were inhaling it–way deep. Had to go big and remove a set of hooks as to not injure these treasures.
Saving the better spots for my guests.
Next week's groups will endure the cold and be rewarded!
Note:: State launches to the north still closed. We drove up after "work" yesterday and found Intermediate roped off.
Notice last bass pictured?
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The past two outings have produced 28 and 30 smallmouth (in five hours per trip).
Some fishy observations…
Some choke points still holding big schools.
Some stretches of "breaks" now holding loners.
The FFS is a valuable tool for locating baitfish.
Baitfish are the key especially this time of year.
Violent SE winds provide some new hotspots (Yes, I was surprised)
I wish I could have provided a more accurate guess on when our ice would have disappeared. In February, many calls came in from my distant clients (St. Louis, Tulsa, Springfield, etc) who love catching bass on jbs. We talked about Ice Freedom Day.
The ice came off earlier than most years and we are currently in PRIME TIME. My visitors will be here soon.
More on this topic later
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We've observed fish congregating in specific spots over five days on two lakes. With over 100 smallmouth caught last week most were in schools. Fishing a 200 yard stretch of favorite waters did not produce. But small areas held the majority.
The school's compactness seems to vary with water clarity, dispersing in clear water and concentrating in stained water. Exploring all new areas yesterday, we found smallmouth in three out of five spots (reserving earlier hotspots for next week's guests.)
This phase will change soon.
And for the next few days you can pick the water color you like.
Mostly Quiet Cove Jerkbaits were used with an occasional LuckyCraft.
None of the 20 smallmouth were over five lbs today but a couple very close.
Be safe as there is still floating and suspending debris.
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After our previous post of a quality outing a couple of our daytrippers reached out and here we go…
Twenty two caught with four lbs the biggest. The fog rolled in midmorning–thank goodness for gps assistance. When the wind finally happened it was welcomed.
(Many calls were received in late winter wanting to know when I thought they should come from Tennessee, Missouri, Oklahoma and Kentucky to get in on the very good early season hardbait fishing. I guessed a little late as the early exit of ice has caused this. We all are scrambling to get scheduled.)
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Big numbers of good smallmouth today.
A 5.35 and a 5.20 led the way with a half dozen more over four lbs.
Plenty of stained water which may be why they were schooled so tight.
My early bass people are going to hit it right!
Note: The DNR opened some of their launches for today. Baggs Landing is now open but I'm not sure about others.
Here is the DNR office that has been very helpful–231-922-5280
They have the most up-to-date info.
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An update on the northwest Michigan flooding…
The only thing I know for sure is that State access sites are closed on many lakes.
The state told me directly (Friday and again on Saturday) that the closure was because of excess floating objects. Otherwise, a no-wake restriction might be helpful but was not in effect.
I was told there were no homes on Elk or Skegemog that were being flooded but there were from Torch and upstream from Torch. Please let me know if this is wrong.
I took three days off to help a couple friends fighting high water in their downtown structures (not on the water).
Prior to that a few days of fishing provided enough smallmouth to be prepared for next week's clients. However, the highlight may very well be the limits of perch caught using an old bass fishing technique. Several of the perch made their way to a client's taxidermist.
Will talk to the DNR Office again today. FISH PICS SOON!
Be very safe
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