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HELP...smallmouth trip
#12608850
02/03/18 06:51 PM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 304
Pops0598
OP
Angler
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OP
Angler
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 304 |
My son and I want to plan a trip up north to either Mille Lacs Lake or Lake St Clair for a smallmouth trip (we've never caught em but hear they're a blast to catch). We won't haul our boat that far so we're looking for recommendations for guides and places to stay. If someone has other lake suggestions, we're open to those, too. We're looking at June 1-4.
Thanks for any help.
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Re: HELP...smallmouth trip
[Re: Pops0598]
#12608903
02/03/18 07:44 PM
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,263
M. Alexander
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,263 |
Jay Brainard will put you on the fish and provide several options for lodging on Mille Lacs. He's a friend of mine and a good dude. Here's a link to his site & I will PM you his cell. http://www.jaybrainardfishing.com/guide-services/
Mark
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Re: HELP...smallmouth trip
[Re: Pops0598]
#12609053
02/03/18 09:57 PM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,578
Fishspanker
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,578 |
Give Josh Douglas a call. He is a great guide. Lives at the Lake. Fishes the FLW Tour and BASS Opens. I am fishing again with him this year for 3 days in August. Fished with him last year on June 2nd. We sight fished all day. Caught a bunch in the 4 to 5# class. That's the time of year I would go but just can't make those dates this year.
I have fished with quite a few guides over the years. Josh is as solid as the come. He can also hook you up with close places to stay at a discount.
Last edited by Fishspanker; 02/03/18 09:57 PM.
The Sheep who only fears the Wolf is eaten by the Shepherd.
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Re: HELP...smallmouth trip
[Re: Pops0598]
#12609168
02/04/18 12:06 AM
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,578
Fishspanker
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 13,578 |
Another thing is that you need to book now to get a good guide. They have a limited season to fish up there and it fills up very fast. That's also. The peak time for them. I know Josh is around then because initially I wanted to go on your dates. If either Jay or Josh aren't available I am sure they can help hunt down someone who is. http://www.joshdouglasfishing.com
Last edited by Fishspanker; 02/04/18 12:08 AM.
The Sheep who only fears the Wolf is eaten by the Shepherd.
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Re: HELP...smallmouth trip
[Re: Pops0598]
#12611340
02/05/18 10:30 AM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 701
sight fisher
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 701 |
I would recommend Art Ferguson on St. Clair. We had 151 smallmouth on the counter in two days for the two of us. The biggest went 6.1lbs. Artoffishing.com
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Re: HELP...smallmouth trip
[Re: Pops0598]
#12611386
02/05/18 01:02 PM
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 8,378
Jpurdue
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 8,378 |
I'd pass on Mille Lacs. It's been getting pounded. Last couple folks I've known to make trips have been very disappointed.
"Bragging may not bring happiness, but no man having caught a large fish goes home through an alley." -A.L. www.LunkerLore.com
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Re: HELP...smallmouth trip
[Re: Pops0598]
#12611414
02/05/18 01:40 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 28,417
Okie Poke
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 28,417 |
Guides are expensive. Ours was $600/day back in June 2016. But we had an awesome time. www.northernadventures.com
😎 Dallas Cowboys....eventual Superbowl Champions 😎
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Re: HELP...smallmouth trip
[Re: Pops0598]
#12611448
02/05/18 02:09 PM
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 193
bassfshin24
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 193 |
I have a cabin on the lake and will second that it gets pounded. If I was you and I was heading to Mille Lacs I would go up between bass opener May 12th and first weekend in June. You do not want to go after the spawn. It get's tough and they spread out. But if you get up there prespawn or spawn the numbers of 4 and 5lbers is unreal.
Check out these guides. All of them are amazing Josh Douglas Jim DeRosa Mark Schutz
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Re: HELP...smallmouth trip
[Re: bassfshin24]
#12612130
02/05/18 08:09 PM
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 67
Weavertree
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 67 |
I have a cabin on the lake and will second that it gets pounded. If I was you and I was heading to Mille Lacs I would go up between bass opener May 12th and first weekend in June. You do not want to go after the spawn. It get's tough and they spread out. But if you get up there prespawn or spawn the numbers of 4 and 5lbers is unreal.
Check out these guides. All of them are amazing Josh Douglas Jim DeRosa Mark Schutz ^^^^^This^^^^^
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Re: HELP...smallmouth trip
[Re: Pops0598]
#12612180
02/05/18 08:27 PM
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 67
Weavertree
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 67 |
Expect this...this was 1st week of June 2017
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Re: HELP...smallmouth trip
[Re: Pops0598]
#12612265
02/05/18 09:07 PM
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Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 8,378
Jpurdue
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 8,378 |
Another thing to keep in mind is that both these lakes are massive ovals. If you get big wind it can be difficult to impossible to fish huge portions of the lake. It's not like a Texas reservoir where you can duck and cover in any old creek arm. I only say this because if you are traveling a long way you'll want to give yourself several days at a minimum. Any 1-2 day stretch could easily be unfishable.
"Bragging may not bring happiness, but no man having caught a large fish goes home through an alley." -A.L. www.LunkerLore.com
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