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It will be a lofty goal to catch more and bigger smallmouth that we did in ’17 but that is what we’re looking to do.  From a 27.99 lb five fish catch in early May to more 6 lb brutes than any other midsummer has produced.  The quality of the fish in our area has really improved the past five years.

Again thanks to all our sponsors for having confidence in our enterprise and thanks to our ever-growing list of clients.  The April-May jerkbait schedule is starting to take shape.  Whether you want to learn or simply enjoy a day of jerkbaiting, give us a call.  An awfully good time to get your six pound trophy.

Our 2013 BassCat Puma FTD is for sale and we will be replacing it with a 2018 or 2019 BassCat Puma FTD.  Here are some ’17 memories.

Four outings this week and all were fun and full of fish.  Only a couple over 5 lbs this week but many over 3 lbs.  It was great when the adults caught smallies but it was even greater when the youngsters caught over 40 in a half-day.  Our new friends seem to really enjoy these Michigan smallmouth.  Good news for next week’s groups is that some new areas are starting to hold more and more fish .

Really up!  We’ve had more 5 lb (plus) smallmouth in the first half of this July than any July in the past seven years.  And four have surpassed the 6 lb mark.

The trade-off is that the numbers are somewhat less than the past but like usual that will change as we get to the end of this month and then into August.  Our charters in July have caught from 25 to 48 total fish per outing. 

Fishermen who have not experienced our July through September finesse fishing will probably doubt our claims that there are no “dog days of summer” when you have the big water close by.

And one might be surprised how shallow these big fish are and the baits we are using. 

We do have a few openings.

As mediocre as June was, July has turned it around.  The past week has been as good as advertised.   And it will get better throughout this month into the next.  These folks have been part of the July success.  We still have room for a couple full day charters or several spots for half-days.

While in the middle of our afternoon fishing, we had the privilege of watching the Thunderbirds practice for their Independence Day Show.  How impressive they are!  Maybe they were watching our group catch these big smallies.

June 30 brought an end to an inconsistent month.  Our “weather-unfriendly” June ended with a bang as our group had what we look for–Quality and Quantity.  Several fish over 4 lbs with two landed that were well over 5–one just a smidgen shy of 6!  40 or so caught with most being solid keepers.

The fish were grouped in one particular area.  In other areas we had just caught a fish here and there.  This is the start of our hot weather bite and we enjoy the fact that other fishermen had abandoned this body of water probably because the spawn had ended.  If weather allows, the next six weeks will be fun.

The patterns for our summer bite have not yet developed.  Weekly storms and daily rains have caused the fish to be scattered and hesitant.  This translates into many rods on the boat’s deck.   We are catching fish now but those who have put off their visit until the weather stabilizes will hit it “big”.  Most years July 15 to August 15 is a very good time.  This year it will be a great time.

From now until September we will spend most of our time on Lake Michigan.  It was a great April and May (most of the time on one of five inland lakes) but with the unstable weather, several charters were cancelled or postponed. 

We are off to a good start with all four of last week’s charters successful– mostly smallmouth but some half-days spent chasing fish for the smoker (lakers, whitefish and cisco).  Even found some 13″ jumbo perch for dinner.

Jerkbaits from Quiet Cove Baits and our homemade jigs have been very productive on the smallies.  A 5.89 lb smallmouth yesterday and over 30 before 8 am today is a sample.  Enough talk, the pics sum up the past couple weeks.

Call with your questions (260-519-1168).

This week was as we thought it would be–no, it was better.  Much better!  A five-fish weight of 27.99 lbs was a noteworthy event.  6.60; 5.02; 5.38; 6.21; and 4.78 were the individual weights.  This catch was early in the week just prior to the full moon.  Most of these came on a Quiet Cove Jerkbait (see photo).  Call Matt at 616-644-5123 for information about these baits.   Other successful baits used this week were blade baits (see photos).  Jack’s Sport Shop in Kalkaska has the best selection of blades.  Blades this week caught smallmouth, walleye, pike, whitefish, cisco, and lake trout.  With the weather warming up rapidly, there is good reason to get up here for some fun.  We have a few open days in May–call us at 260-519-1168.