mibronzeback

Have had my best luck drifting and bottom bouncing various jigs over shallow flats 4-12ft. A good broad flat with gradual drop on a point is great. Also, I look for rocks on the shore that will extend into the flat that are fist sized or a little bigger. Good luck and they do taste great so enjoy.

I would love to see some info as well. I really want to try making some big wooden muskie lures that are jointed.

Watched this video of a guy taking a nice smallmouth on a tip up. I have never tried fishing smallies through the ice, but might try it at least a couple times now. Anyone here fish them through the ice and what is the best approach? Sorry, I cant post a link yet, but the video is on trophy-clips. I think the name is tip up smallmouth or smallmouth on a tip up.

We fish many northern MI, WI lakes and have the most luck with Bucktails. Have had some luck with Suick and Top Raiders, but most of our big fish have been taken on Bucktails (black/silver or orange blade and perch colors). Funny thing is I have also caugth my two biggest smallmouth on the black/silver combo in Canada while fishing for big pike. Both were between 22" and 23".

I use Google Earth or Virtual Earth too when I am out of Michigan, Trophy-Maps when I am in Michigan. If you want really good imagery though you should check with the county to see if they have had a flight. Typically, the imagery that a county has flown is either 6" or 12" pixel resolution, while the stuff on Google Earth and Virtual Earth is 1 meter at best. Some counties here in Michigan actually have the imagery online too.

Not sure if your fishing a lake or river, but I fish for walleyes in a local river near me often. I toss small spinners, floating rapalas or storms and even small spoons with success. I use a variety of colors depending on water clarity, but have most of my luck on black and silver or tiger spoons. I try to fish them at dawn or dusk in or around deeper holes. Good Luck.

Rumor mill is in full swing up here in MI. Heard he is already working with a realtor in Ann Arbor. Would be a nice catch and the loss to the Hogs might help get him up here sooner rather than later. Have always liked the Vols and LSU in the SEC. Great year of college ball for sure.

My wife lost her job in 02' and we both found jobs in MI. I have not fished Stoddard since 04', but we used to do quite well on LM, SM and some monster pike. When I am back in WI these days I fish northern lakes west of Park Falls near my wife's parents place. Some decent smallmouth, but most people fish for musky up that away! Have you fished Lake Owen? Not bad

New to the forum and enjoy the site. I used to live north of La Crosse and fished Stoddard with excellent results for big smallies. Have had similar luck in Canada and used to do well near Traverse City, MI. One of my WI buddies fished near Ashland in the bay (dont recall name) with great luck on big smallies. They are tremendous fighters anywhere you get them!