Grand Traverse Bay Fishing Report 6/20/15
Smallmouth fishing on GT Bay is on fire right now as water temps have hit the magic number and the flats are teaming with fish everywhere! Most are on the spawn, but there are plenty of fish to target that are not bedded up and very aggressive to the fly. Fish are ranging in depths, but are keying in on the 4-6 foot range cruising for food or holding on any type of structure. Best flies have been the crayfish and gobbie in various sizes, but these aggressive fish will hammer just about anything that resembles a food source.
Carp fishing is still a bit challenging with all the bass boats flying around as they have become very spooky and shy to the fly requiring precise presentation. Covering a lot of water is key as these fish are feeding one day and gone the next, but look to the least boat pressured water with the right substrate and you will find fish. With the high water levels this year and colder water temps, carp fishing should gain some momentum in the weeks to come as the bass pressure subsides and temps rise. Fish will really hit the shallower stuff in search of food variety and optimum spawning grounds and should be around well into July. Best flies for carp right now are small to medium crayfish, hybrids, and leaches. If you are looking to hookup with some hard fighting smallies or sight fish to golden bones, give us a call and get a day in the books! 231-228-7135
See ya out there,
Jon S.
High water in the rivers is pushing most of the anglers upstream looking for fishable water. Rather than join that crowd Keith and I decided to hunt carp and smallmouth in the Grand Traverse Bay. Wow, have the smallmouth heated up. The last couple of days warm temps have brought the water in the bay to perfect spawning temps and smallmouth bass are all over the place! In some areas the bottom of the bay is littered with beds. The aggressive males were taking Lapdancers and Clouser minnows greedily.
Carp were much more difficult to locate yesterday, we didn’t really find fishable numbers where we were. I’m sure there were other spots loaded, we just didn’t find them. With so many smallmouth around I can’t say that we looked all that hard!
The key finding and catching these fish is finding the water temp they are looking for. Move and keep looking, that’s the way.
We have very few days available in the next 10 days, if you want to get out give Cherie a cal at 231.228.7135 quickly.
Tight lines, Hawk
Grand Traverse Bay Fishing Report 6/5/15
The smallmouth bite is really starting to heat up in Grand Traverse Bay, with bass holding on the first brake in deeper structure and also pushing shallow for pre-spawn festivities in water temps that are viable at this point. It is really important for success when targeting early smallies to stay informed on surface temps and wind patterns as these fish are looking for the warmest water possible as they are itching to procreate. Find the warmest water……find the fish and this goes both for smallmouth and carp. The best bait today was a slow retrieved crayfish, but I got some great aggressive takes on the goby as this is a favorite snack for Mr. Smalljaws. Carp fishing is picking up with the warming trend, but you need to cover a lot of water to find the fish that are in the mood to feed. We still have plenty of spots for our annual carp/smallmouth on the flats school, so if you are interested give Cherie a call. 231-228-7135
See ya out there,
Jon S.
