Just returned from the annual fishing trip to Northern Lower Michigan; Biggest was 5lbs (camera work from the better-half was shakey but at least i made it back to dock, got some evidence that wasn't the camera phone and she (fish, of course) was released to fight again).

Several 3 lbers and somehow did some sight casting to small catfish who hit my grubworms in about 12 feet of water; kind of fun; The blue gill up there in the clear and cold water are much more colorful for some reason (but smaller).

QUESTION: Figure G-Loomis will send me a shirt?

Nice!

nice smallies.

What lures work for you on the smallies? I got some good recommendations in another thread, just curious. I will be heading up to northern Maine this Sat. Gonna be on a premier smallmouth lake.

i have fished the same group of glacier lakes in the 'northern lower' area of michigan for over 15 years; if we talked real time, i could give you some pointers... BUT for what it is worth:

+are you going before or after a mayfly hatch? (Makes a huge difference) if you are about to go, then it has probably already happened.....

+that said, take a spinning rig with 6lb line and fish a lead head grub (take a bunch of colors, but cannot go wrong with white)

+Next, take a top water and a bait caster that you can sling a mile long (I used a shimano calcutta DC that had 12 lb test); rig it with a top water (but keep in mind that this lure only works after about 8pm (and remember to WATCH; water is clear and they will follow so you have to tease them sometimes and it is fun)

+on that same rig, you can throw an undersized spinner bait (nothing huge) to bump off bottom of grass; I have not had much success with rattletrap baits except for pike

+i have not mastered, but you can rig a spinning outfit with 10lb and a jerk bait; KVD does this and does quite well; I have had some bruisers follow mine, but i have never had one actually hit (probably b/c i'm using heavy gear and need to move to the 10lb test).

+test your drag; these guys will test it for you!!!

+also, don't rush your knots; especially on the 6lb test, retye; and if your line isn't fresh, get rid of it and make sure those knots are good; I hate to see a fish break off and then jump for the next hour trying to throw the hook; i have made it a policy to triple check this detail.

Hope that helps; see you are in flowermound too; give me a call if you want more scoop.

++PS: They have never seen a Yellow Magic Magnum in baby bass; give that one a shot!!!!!

Beautiful fish! I love catching smallmouth bass.

nice smallies

PM sent.

nice.

Nice pics!

I'm heading to Michigan July 9th for a week long fishing trip. Start in lower and end up at deer camp in the UP. Looking forward to getting out of this heat!

Looks like a fun trip. My son and I have talked about making a trip somewhere north.

Looks like a fun trip!

bmp for chad

lil fishes
will keep you
catching in the rivers
the tibb
the rifle
the flint
i have caught
hundrends on a little fish
by creme

need more info pm me