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HELP...smallmouth trip #12608850 02/03/18 06:51 PM
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Pops0598 Offline OP
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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.

Moritz Chevrolet - 9101 Camp Bowie W Blvd, Fort Worth, TX - Monte Coon (817) 696-2003
Re: HELP...smallmouth trip [Re: Pops0598] #12608903 02/03/18 07:44 PM
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M. Alexander Offline
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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
Re: HELP...smallmouth trip [Re: Pops0598] #12609053 02/03/18 09:57 PM
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Fishspanker Offline
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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.
Re: HELP...smallmouth trip [Re: Pops0598] #12609168 02/04/18 12:06 AM
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Fishspanker Offline
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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.
Re: HELP...smallmouth trip [Re: Pops0598] #12611340 02/05/18 10:30 AM
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sight fisher Offline
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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

Re: HELP...smallmouth trip [Re: Pops0598] #12611386 02/05/18 01:02 PM
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Jpurdue Offline
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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

Re: HELP...smallmouth trip [Re: Pops0598] #12611414 02/05/18 01:40 PM
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Okie Poke Offline
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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 😎



Re: HELP...smallmouth trip [Re: Pops0598] #12611448 02/05/18 02:09 PM
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bassfshin24 Offline
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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

Re: HELP...smallmouth trip [Re: bassfshin24] #12612130 02/05/18 08:09 PM
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Weavertree Offline
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Originally Posted By: bassfshin24
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^^^^^

Re: HELP...smallmouth trip [Re: Pops0598] #12612180 02/05/18 08:27 PM
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Weavertree Offline
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Expect this...this was 1st week of June 2017

Re: HELP...smallmouth trip [Re: Pops0598] #12612265 02/05/18 09:07 PM
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Jpurdue Offline
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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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