EKYbasser

Great thread!

Thanks FTM. Will likely hit the south arm Monday. I’d say your exactly right about the other arms of Charlevoix. I’m guessing water temps are still low, but I’ve been monitoring the weather. It’s been pretty warm during the days and warm at night so maybe temps are trending upward. I’ll be hitting some of the other lakes as well so we’ll see. I very much appreciate your reply.

Just bumping to the top to see if anyone has any updates as to what the fishing has been like lately around Charlevoix or Wallon. Heading out Saturday and can’t hardly wait!!!

Man that sounds great! Good luck to you and your friends. Be safe and have a blast.

Yes sir there is!!!!

Me too!!!! It’s has flurried here today. Pretty unusual for this time of year and during turkey season.

Good catch!!!! I never even noticed that ? It should read May 27 thru June 3.

Thank you guys, I really appreciate all of the replys and the advice. You all are exactly right about the late spring. I live in Kentucky and Spring is just now starting to arrive. Our turkey season comes in Saturday and the birds are just now starting to strut. Our lakes are also still very cool. Thanks again!!

Hey guys I’m getting ready to buy a Loomis 812 IMX Pro Jerk Bait Rod. Going to use it for Megabass Vision 110, X Raps, and other Jerkbaits. I’m partial to Loomis and Shimano so I’m pretty much set on this rod. I’m just wondering if anyone else has used this rod and what their thoughts of the rod might be. I’m also curious as to whether or not anyone ever uses this rod for other techniques besides Jerkbaits. Thanks guys.

Thank you noway. That picture is crazy! I’m expecting clear water but that’s unreal. I think you’re exactly right about the weather. I plan to base where I fish based on the weather/wind. May start on the south arm or even hit some of the other lakes that are close by. I’ve been respooling all my baitcasters with Tatsu and InvizX and will use braid with leaders on my spinning rigs. I do appreciate your advice.

How early in the year do you guys like to throw top water for smallies? Mostly immediately after the spawn or a little later say up into the summer and early fall?

Thank you MickD!!! Hadn’t thought about the blade baits at all. I do fish a lot of Keitech swimbaits so I’ll definitely give those a try. I also appreciate your advice about the bottom differences. That’s something I’d never thought about. Thanks again!!

Hello guys! I've always wanted to fish Northern Michigan for Smallmouth and I've finally got a trip put together. My family and I have a house rented in Boyne City, MI on Lake Charlevoix for May 27 thru April 3rd. I'm so excited I can hardly wait. I chose Charlevoix because my research found that not only is it an excellent Smallmouth lake, there are many other great Smallmouth lakes nearby. My daughter loves to fish and hunt with me so she'll be in the boat with me while my wife and other daughter are shopping and relaxing. I've fished all my life (I'm 46) but have very little Smallmouth experience outside of New River, Virginia. I've got a few questions that I'm hoping to get some help with. First, I'm planning to get a copy of the fishing regulations and laws because above all I want to be legal in all aspects including boat requirements. We practice catch and release only so there's no issues with size limits. Anything in particular I should be aware of? Next, do you guys think my timing will be good (weather depending of course)? I figure that at that time some fish should be in all stages of the spawn as the full moon will on May 27 or 28 I believe. Next, is baits and techniques. I plan to start searching shallow with something like a crankbait or spinnerbait or maybe a jerkbait like a Vision 110. If I can find some fish, maybe then slow down and fish a tube or a drop shot. Does that sound like a good starting point? As I say, I'm certainly not an expert Smallmouth fisherman. Any other baits or techniques that you all would recommend? I dropshot a lot and use Roboworms and 4" Zoom lizards. Any other drop shot baits that you all would recommend? Next is weather/boating related. I want to be safe. I fish out of a 2005 Ranger 175 VS with a 115 Optimax. Love my boat but don't want to push it and get in a dangerous situation as far as water conditions go. Lastly (for now) is line/tackle. I fish G Loomis Rods and Shimano reels. I have three spinning outfits with various weights of Powerpro braid and Florocarbon leaders. I'm also going to go with all Flourocarbon on my baitcasters. What poundage would you recommend? I was thinking 10-12 as I'm anticipating very clear water. Thanks guys as I know these are a lot of questions but I'm honestly so excited that I can't get to sleep some nights!

Thanks for the comments guys. I didn't realize that about the 843 being IMX only. Maybe I was thinking about the 783. Anyone else have any experience or suggestions?

I'm in the market for a new Loomis spinning rod. I currrently own a 782 IMX that I use for 3 and 4" grubs, small cranks, in-line spinners, etc. I've got it teamed up with a Stradic 2500. I'm very pleased with this set-up. What I'm looking for is a spinning rod to fish Eakin's jigs, texas rigged plastics like Paca Craws, tubes, 5" grubs, etc. I'm considering the BSR 803 GLX, BSR852 GLX, and the SJR843 GLX. I'd like a 7' rod but that's not mandatory. I'm going to team this rod with either a new 2500 or 3000 Sradic or Symetre. I'm looking for suggestions and others experiences with these rods. Thanks!

Depends on what you're using it for, like others have said. Crankbaits/spinnerbaits = Reel. Worms, jigs = Rod. Also, the advice about your wife was right on!