Grand Traverse Bay MI

[Don Dixon]

We have decided our destination will be Grand Traverse Bay, MI.  This is our first trip to the Traverse City area, if any of you gents would like to weigh in.   Since it is so large, maybe some of you have favorite areas, boat ramps, smaller hotels away from the city.  The week will be the first week of June, probably spawn I would think.   Any information or tips would be greatly appreciated.   We know there are other good lakes in the area in case of high winds.  Lakes you can recommend would be great.  

Thanks all.

 

[anderb54]

Are you getting a guide? I'd highly suggest it since it's such a huge body of water. If not, launch from Acme and head Southwest towards the lower end of the bay. Fish the flats that are on the east side of the bay. If it's calm enough, you can sight fish in up to 30 feet of water. You're going to love it there.

 

In case of high wind, there's Burt and Mullett, but Lake Bellaire is much closer to the Traverse City area and is an extremely underrated smallmouth fishery (largest smallmouth listed on the Master angler page is 7.81 lbs). 

 

 

Side note; the current state record Musky as caught on Lake Bellaire, 59'' at 58lbs, so there's always a chance of tangling with one of those.

 

If you have any questions, PM me

 

[12poundbass]

I've never fished up that way except for walleye, but I'd say you made an excellent choice. Good luck and pictures and report are a must. ?

[Don Dixon]

47 minutes ago, anderb54 said:

Are you getting a guide? I'd highly suggest it since it's such a huge body of water. If not, launch from Acme and head Southwest towards the lower end of the bay. Fish the flats that are on the east side of the bay. If it's calm enough, you can sight fish in up to 30 feet of water. You're going to love it there.

 

In case of high wind, there's Burt and Mullett, but Lake Bellaire is much closer to the Traverse City area and is an extremely underrated smallmouth fishery (largest smallmouth listed on the Master angler page is 7.81 lbs). 

 

 

Side note; the current state record Musky as caught on Lake Bellaire, 59'' at 58lbs, so there's always a chance of tangling with one of those.

 

If you have any questions, PM me

 

We are planning on booking Tony Defilippo our 2nd day there, he was recommended by Chris Niswonger who is booked up.   Do you know if there are any Hotels near Acme?  I know what I"ve read, but do you agree it may very well be spawn?  And what are your favorite lures and colors?  Spinning or baitcaster? floro, braid or mono?  Well, you said ask questions, LOL.  You can Email or facebook message if you'd like.

 

[anderb54]

1 hour ago, Don Dixon said:

We are planning on booking Tony Defilippo our 2nd day there, he was recommended by Chris Niswonger who is booked up.   Do you know if there are any Hotels near Acme?  I know what I"ve read, but do you agree it may very well be spawn?  And what are your favorite lures and colors?  Spinning or baitcaster? floro, braid or mono?  Well, you said ask questions, LOL.  You can Email or facebook message if you'd like.

 

Most of your hotel choices are going to be in TC, so be sure to book sooner rather than later, as it gets busy there. You'll definitely be in the spawn, so typical spawn tactics are going to be in play. 

 

You're going to want multiple baitcasting and spinning setups. 

 

Baitcasting: 

 

Jerkbait-

Shallow- Vision 110 in a natural color (Crystal Shad and Pro Blue are winners) and a flashy color (Elegy Bone)

 

Deeper- Jackall Dowzvido in SG Threadfin Shad or Luckycraft Staysee in Smallmouth Bass

 

Jig/T-Rig-

 

Choose a favorite bait for bed fishing. Can't go wrong with a white lizard.

 

Crank-

 

Lipless crank of your choice, or a tight wobbling crankbait (I like the PH Customs Skinny P) as a search bait

 

Spinning:

 

Drop Shot- If you're not fishing an Erie Darter, you're missing out. Golby and Smoke purple are staples

 

Spybait- I like the Jackall iProp in Ghost Minnow

 

This will be some of the clearest water you will ever fish, so light line is a must. I usually use light braid with a long fluoro leader (10'-15').

 

Best advice I can give is move fast and use search baits to find fish, then pick the spot apart. 

 

[Abby]

Bellaire is a trophy musky lake. If you run into one it will probably be a bruiser. Guys I muskie fish with have  battle some real nice smallies that smacked their muskie offerings...

[Wildbillb]

Spawn will depend on water temp there.  

[Ersteman]

Captain Tony DeFilippo is top notch and I have used him numerous times in the Traverse City area. He's very professional, reasonably priced, and most important, puts you on fish. I have a trip booked for July and I can't wait.

 

Be sure to hit a few wineries when you're there, for the wine, appetizers, and views.  And don't go during cherry festival, unless you like the hustle and bustle life.  

[Don Dixon]

Thanks bro, we're pumped, going first week of June.  

Can't wait to fish with Tony!

 

[Junk Fisherman]

I have fished GTB often in June in the past for long extended vacations.  Based on what I have seen, June 2-9 will be primarily, if not exclusively, prespawn fishing.  GTB is the last of the area fisheries to hit the spawn.  Charlevoix, Burt, Mullett, and all the smaller lakes spawn before GTB.  Usually the 2nd and 3rd week of June is prime spawning time.  But it all depends on the type of spring we have.  I hit Intermediate if the winds keep me off the Bays.  

 

I have fished with Tony before.  Nice guy.  I enjoyed it.  Good luck.  

[8pt172]

I fish the TC area a dozen times a year.  I camp often at the State Park which is directly across the street from southern end of the East Bay and the popular sand flats.  (There are numerous hotels, so you should be able to find something). This area gets pounded on the weekends. As some have said, the wind is the key.  Sunny and a very light breeze is the best.  The sunshine really gets the SMB fired up. A a light ripple will break up your boat and movement.

 

If the bass have not yet moved up on the flats, look for edges to fish.  There are many visible spots when looking at the aerial on google maps.  I have the best luck ,when fish are looking to spawn, with tubes, super flukes, and salamanders.  They will clobber the salamander when on the beds.

 

If the water is still in the low 50's the jerk bait can produce amazing days.  Try a natural color and the other person go with the Hot Head or Clown in size #10 X Rap.  The bright colors can be dynamite, so don't be shy.  The Linder boys love the bright colors.

 

If the wind comes up there are many good lakes to fish, Duck, Green, Long, to the South and all the smaller chain of Lakes to the NE. 

 

If the weather is cloudy and rainy, hit one of the smaller lakes for Largemouth.  The SMB seem to get lock jaw when the weather turns lousy.

 

You need to make long casts away from the boat.  The water is Gin Clear and the fish can see forever.  So approach your spots carefully.

 

PM me when you are getting ready to head north, I can let you know what the fish are doing.  I plan to fish that area as soon as the lakes in the area hit high 40's for the swimbait and metal bait bite.