Grand Traverse Bay Smallmouth

[MallenManson]

A week or so ago, I was watching a guy fish the Boardman River, in Traverse City, Mi.
He told me that he'd just seen a fishing show, that claimed Grand Traverse Bay (of Lake Michigan), is now considered one of the premier Smallmouth waters in the entire country.

I've never fished it, but on the way to several jobsites over the last couple months, we've been driving right along the West Bay portion of GTB. There are what seem like miles of shallow water with reeds along that route. I decided even before I talked to that fisherman, that I would put my yak in out there this spring. If they're not taking spinnerbaits in the shallows, I'll move out to the blueline and throw some lipless cranks.

I just finished reading this article, and now I'm DEFINITELY going there in the Spring!!!

http://blog.visittraversecity.com/?t...d-traverse-bay

[joedog]

Never fished it but have heard an exceptionally large amount of positive feed back from people that have and do fish the area.
Man, now reading that article....... maybe I'm to far south.

[MallenManson]

I am definitely looking forward to fishin it this spring

[MIbasser]

Hey Mallen, I take the 5th... Don't ever go there for smallies. They do not exist, and never, I repeat never fish it the last week in June/first week of July. However, if you did need any waypoints on the West Bay, just let me know. I think I know where I can find a couple of them at....

[MallenManson]

LMAO! Sounds great!
I'll probably put in around 2/3 the way to Suttons Bay

[MIbasser]

I don't want to give too much away, but I wouldn't fish the west side of the bay. Stick to the Old Mission side. That is what I would do if I was fishing it again. We launched out of Bowers Harbor and fished south...

[MallenManson]

Good to know!

[ranger6192000]

elk rapids is another good spot to try out. but mission point is where I would love to try out. early june. good luck!!
brian

[MallenManson]

Originally Posted by ranger6192000

elk rapids is another good spot to try out. but mission point is where I would love to try out. early june. good luck!!
brian

I did try Elk 2 seasons ago but only managed one smallie. It was during the dog days of summer, and fishing was really slow.
One of these days I want to explore that entire chain of lakes

According to the shop guy at work, KVD and Zona did a fishing show on Skegemog.
He was watching it and recognized where they were at

[ranger6192000]

you need to be there middle to late may and jerkbait's all day..... if you got a small boat? ther is a really really good smallie lake not to far from there. IM me if you want details. see ya!!
brian