Justin Clark

Ok I am with you guys, mother nature needs to settle herself down so we can fish in stable conditions. Instead we have been dealing with the every changing weather this past week or so. But with that said guys are still having some great days on the water. I did notice an algae bloom in the shallow near the shop here a few days ago. The Emerald shiner spawn is in the last few weeks of it so the lake should have a nice influx of them in the lake soon which may help the perch bite. Also it seems like just about ever bug that hatches in this lake is hatching right now. So you guys in the go really fast boats cover up. Bass:From all the reports I am hearing the spawn is basically done so we should start seeing fry any day now on the lake. The best depths have been from 8 to 12 FOW. DT 6's &10's, Strike King XD3 and other similar diving cranks have been productive. Drop-shot rigs have also been a high percentage producer for guys. Tubes are always a favorite. Spy baits have also been catching fish when things get stable for a few days. Perch: Guys that are putting the work in have been getting them. Other then that guys have been keeping tight lipped on location and depth. Walleye: Best thing to say is spotty in the lake, the St. Clair River is the best place for constant bite. Gill/Sunnies: They are the beds and very large fish are being caught out on the main lake. Muskie: What few reports I got seems the Canadian side was best.

We have had lots of pop showers which have added color along the shoreline in some areas which has helped the shore fishing and also the walleye fishing. The main lake has remained fairly clear despite all the rain and wind. Fishing overall has been good all over the lake. Like all weeks there are some off days and some days they are really on!!! Bass: There are still fish in all phases but the post spawn pattern has been the strongest. 6 to 12 FOW is the go to depths right now. The following baits have been flying off the shelf here at the shop for local and out of towners alike, so I think it's safe to say this is what they are catching them on. 1) Soft Swimbaits such has Kietech, Strike King, Stank X Bait and Micro Spoons 2) Spybaits from Duo and Lucky Craft mostly in the 80 sizes 3) Dropshot worm style baits like the Dream Shot, Robo Worm and Z Drop Worm 4) Tubes in Green Pumpkin, Formula G3, Sweet Green and Goby Colors 5) Senko style baits have also been solid choice at the northern end of the lake from the reports we have gotten in. Baits like Erie Darters, Fin-S, and Shad Shape worms are also great choice all summer on the dropshot rigs. Walleye: The up and down keeps going on but since the weeds have really popped up in some areas guys are starting to catch them. The Mayflies are hatching to get those harnesses up high in the top 2 to 4 feet of the water column just above the weeds and you should get into the walleye there has been limits caught in the past week Perch: Reports are coming in of 20 fish days of nice keepers from throughout the lake. 400 Club and off the Clinton River have been good for the guys. Perch Rigs and slip floats. Work the weed beds. Gill/Sunnies: They are on the beds through out much of the lake Muskie: For the most part the season has started off ok for guys. The fish have started moving to the near shore structure and the deep weed lines. White Bass: Have started to really show up throughout the lake right now. Great action has happened off the Clinton river from shore and Metro. If you're in a boat look for bird working and the area and boils from them pushing shiners to the surface has they feed.

After a weekend of rain we have started to get back in the groove again out on the lake. The water had cooled a little thanks to the rain, but has this weekend grows near we should be back in good shape again. There has been a lot of wood kick out of the rivers so watch for debris in the water has you move about out there. We are starting to see a mayfly in the morning, but they are very light right now.

We now have large bass minnow and leeches in stock. Also we have sales going currently in the store and online. 25% off just about all panfish plastics, 30% off Rapala original and Jointed Raps, 30% Wyandotte worms and a few other things. All remaining X-Zone products are $3.99 and is in store only on those. 
Bass: As of yesterday the fishing has picked back up to pre rain catch rates for guys. We have fish in all three stages on the lake right now and we should see schools of fry soon in the shallows and around weeds. Anglers are having success with a wide array of lures right now. Senko/Dinger type worms, drop shot baits, tubes, cranks, swimbaits and some spy bait action is happening right now. With the mayfly starting the top 1/3 of the water column could be the place to be in some areas so the topwater bite should start to happen soon. The depths guys are targeting are varied , from 12 to 2 FOW. But that is expected, while the fish are in all three stages.Selfridge, Miles Roads and the bays have been good places to start your hunt for the Lake St. Clair bronzebacks. Walleye: The queenside is still the most productive part of the main lake. The stained water near metro and Gino’s is still producing fish. From what I am seeing guys are fishing way to deep the large schools of bait fish are in tight to shore. Those that have casted at night from a boat or shore have been getting a few just about every night so the fish are there but scattered. The St. Clair river has been good for those Jigging, Whipping and pulling harness. We have gotten reports from all three channels. Perch: Scattered is the best way to put it right now. You do have to work for them a bit, but they can be had. Gills/Sunnies: Beds have started to pop up in a few areas and the catch rates are still good on these guys through the whole lake US and Canada side.
 Catfish: Harley Ensign, Metro Point and Spillway are producing fish. Shrimp, and green crawler have been working best, and both are in stock.

This spring overall has delivered many good to great days fishing. However with that said this spring has been a bit harder for some to get a handle on things. We have had a lot of up and down temps, plus with the higher water some anglers are finding it tough to figure things out. Best word advice I can give anyone right now is fish the fish not history. History gives you a starting point after that branch out and try different areas that may have had just about no water on it the last few years these areas have been productive this spring so far. Bass: We do have fish on beds and fish that are actively making them. We have yet to see any fry and that could be to the roller coaster temps we have seen this spring to date. But looks like start this week we will become stable and things will get in full swing. There hasn't been just one hot bait this year. Ever day we have gone out a different bait has been the primary fish catcher. If I was going to have rods rig on the deck this is what I would have ready to go. Red * are my go to right now. *1. Spinnerbait (chart/white, Chart/white/blue) 2. Lipless Crank 3. Jerkbait (Shadow Rap, Husky Jerk and Lucky Craft Pointer 100) *4. 4 inch Tube ( Green Pumpkin, Ruffes Poop, Formal G3, Sweet Green, St. Clair Goby NFT) *5. Swimbait ( Domination Shad, Fat Swing Impact, Shad-o-liousces in shad and shiner colors) 6. Dropshot ( Robo Worm, Darter, Z Worm, Senko 7. Senko Wacky rigged. These 7 rods should give you the perfect arsenal for going after these fish right now from 15 to 2 FOW. The only thing curve ball I throw in there if the weather is stable is a Spybait in the 80 size. Walleye: The weeds have started to pop up and the water has a tint to it fish are being caught here on the US side, but the best main lake action is on the Canadian side right now. The rivers are still a solid choice for those that can't make the run to the queen side. Cranks have been very productive for guys in the main lake. Gills/Sunnies: Could be the best fishing in the last 4 seasons right now. Lots of fish being caught in the canals and on the main lake now. They are even catching them UL cranks. Crappies: Some good reports are still coming in a few of the main lake areas are starting to see fish also. Catfish: When ever the flow is up in the Spillway get there fish have been large and numerous at times.Other places to try are Waterfront Park, and Harley Ensign. ROCK BASS!!!!!! They have been on fire this spring with some really big ones being caught.

Well water clarity has been great everywhere I have been on the lake this week. I have gotten temp readings from 50 to 65 degrees. Overall not many people complaining we have had some great weather this past week to be on the water and light winds. Bass: Most people are focusing on the Miles roads, but we have gotten great reports from other areas also. Weapon of choice has been Jerbaits, Lipless, Swimsuits, and tubes. Try to find the stained water since the weed growth is lagging behind right now the fish are roaming in packs and are boat shy, so making long cast seems to be a must in most areas. Walleye: We are still getting reports of walleye being caught. The best time of the day has been early twilight in the morning and dusk and into the night. Shallow running cranks have been better. Again looked for the stained water has the weeds are lagging this spring. The St. Clair and Detroit rivers continue to be a soaked choice for those wanting to jig. Fin-S Fish on Anti-Freeze and Black heads are doing a fair chunk of the work. Perch: There are some reports of moderate catches still coming in. Some of the fish are still spawning has well. The lack of weeds is keeping the fish a little scatter and in smaller schools right now, but a few areas have been a highway and many fish will pass those areas throughout the day. Gill/Sunnies: These have been the rock star of all the reports I have gotten over the past week. Limits shouldn't be hard to come by and some real quality fish up to 11 inches have been caught. Try the Marinas and Canals right now. Once the main lake weeds start to kick in, things should get better on main lake. Rock Bass: I personally have been killing them in a few areas. One spot I caught about 75 or so in an hour anywhere from 8 to 12 inches long. Rockies are a great eating fish that more people should try. You can keep up to 25 a day and there is no size limit. Remember they are part of the combined Sunfish/Gill/Crappie limit.

I was out getting a rental boat running and I was seeing 47 degrees by the shop which is North of the mile roads area. I talked with a few guys yesterday that fished down there and they seen the same thing I am thinking by this weekend should be hitting the 50's. Fishing has been great for bass. Some guys have been in tight getting great numbers other have been looking deep for the females and get some real hawg up to 6.5lbs. Swimbaits, Jerkbaits, Tubes, and Blade baits are doing the most work for guys right now. Also if you have underspin jigs such has the Hornets bring them

Last year I had thread I would give a report just about every week on what is going on up here for guys that travel to the area. Hope I can help out some other guys again this year. Well the extended forecast looks to be saying we are done with the cold weather until the fall. Which is going to be nice. And that means for the next 30 days or so we will have to many things to pick from to chase out here which isn't a bad thing. Walleye Detroit river: For the most part it is eaters only for most of the river. There is some 6 to 8 lb fish being caught they just are not as common at this point in the game. Vertical Jigging Fin-S and Wyandotte Worm style worms are the weapon of choice for many still. Handliners have been doing well in a few areas has well pulling Raps and bombers. Lake St. Clair: Those that have been trolling stickbaits such has Bay Rats, Bombers, and Raps have been picking up some fish recently in 8 to 12 FOW. As the water warms throughout this week I wouldn't be shocked to see crawler harness kicking into gear here soon. I would work the area from Metro Point to the 400 club right now. By the weekend the bite could be good on the lake. St. Clair River:Action has started to become more steady throughout the popular areas to Jig fish. There has been a few reports of whip fishing being productive also in very select areas. There are few walleye being taken off the wall and this should get better has the water warms over the next week or so. Perch A few reports are starting to come in from the 7 to 9 FOW range catches of 40 keeper days have come in but most are getting 20 to 30 nice keepers for a good day of fishing right now. Crappies: They could be spawning in select areas by this weekend and fishing has been fair to date with a few having some really good days. Cover ground to locate the mother load pockets. Once you find them you can limit out quick with fish in the 10 to 12 inch range. Bluegill/Sunnies: Fishing for them has been good for the few that have choose to go after them instead of the crappies and should get better has we get closer to the spawn. Catfish: Catfish have started to come out of the Spillway and off the point at South River road. Fish has big has 15lbs has been reported. Bass:Thanks to the new catch and release year round guys have started to fish them and man has there been some great days. Once the water temps warms back up would expect to start hearing reports of 100 fish days again. The best areas have been down in the mile roads from 14 mile and south of 9 mile area. 12 to 6 FOW has been the productive areas with some reports of shallow water action in 4 feet still happening.

We have had some great weather the last 10 days, even tho we had a few nice showers come on pass us. You can't get more comfortable temps to go fishing then what we have had. Fishing has been steadily picking up as anglers have started to make adjustments to the much cooler water temps this season. Last night I seen water temps down to 68 degrees in the center of the lake. Bass: If I had one word to describe the fishing right now it would be "Scattered". But that doesn't mean the fishing is bad. Just means you may need to cover some ground to get on the fish. Once you dial them in you can expect to have some great action with fish going as big as 6 lbs here in the US waters. Dragging Tubes, and Dropshots has been the most dominate tactic of those coming into the shop this week. Some are finding success with Jerkbaits, Spybaits, and Deep cranks in a select few areas.<br><br>Some of the hot colors to check out in tubes are, Mango Magic, VIP, Lake St. Perch, Amber Candy, Round Goby. In Dropshot baits Mango Magic, Green Pumpkins, Tan and Brown worms. In hard baits if it has strips like a perch fish it. Don't forget we have the 4th Cash for Bass Thursday Night going on tonight. Think of it has poker night with the guys. $50 per team with prizes and random cash drawings to be had. Perch: I am totally shocked at the lack of guys out fishing perch. Our weekday regulars have been doing well, with some very nice fish making there way in to the live wells. Perch are in the Summer School areas, and also at some near shore areas still. Slip Floats and vertical perch rigs fished near the bottom among the weeds has worked well for them. If you can't find the perch locate some guys fishing smallies they have been near each other. Walleye:The best reports are coming from up in the St. Clair River and down around the Dumping grounds right now. Handling has been good in Port Huron with some shore action still happening. Here on the lake trolling harness has been the best thing going. Some guys have tried small shallow diving cranks and are finding a few area where this has worked for them. Muskie: If you are looking for some shore casting action head up to Port Huron there has been a very unusual amount of muskie up there as of late. I heard that some shore anglers had walleye taken of there stringers by very large muskie. I would try casting Medussa, St. Clair Grubs or Bull dawg type lures for these fish. Double 8 buck tails should also work well also. If you want to try that area from a boat I would try bondy baits.

With the very cool summer we are having it has gotten people a little over where the fish are. Depending on the bug hatch and the wind we have gotten solid reported from shallows and out deep for just about everything. The weeds are very thick in tight to shore but move out to the 6 fow and they thin out and are very easy to drop baits down in. Bass: The mile roads are producing numbers still. Lipless cranks such has the Duo Vib has worked best for myself. I have also been throwing diving cranks that run 6 to 10 row and doing well. Some baits to try are the Arashi flat 7 and deep 10 from storm, 3xd and 5 xd from strike king and the Dives to in 6 and 10. The new Rasta color and anything that is perched like in color has worked well. Below is a pic of the new Rasta color which some comes in the Scatter Deep and Dives To During the bug hatch topwater, Spybaits and Jerk Baits have worked well.Just look for the slick of mayflies, and caddis flies coming up off the water. Walleye: The walleye seemed to be scatter right now here on the US side of the lake. trying trolling harness on the outside edge of any shore weed edge or out on the humps in the dumping grounds. Perch: We have gotten spotty reports of perch being caught of the metro beach and all way up to the clinton river for the past few weeks. But in the last few days they have picked up and this morning was good. Fish in 7 to 9 FOW with perch rigs, and slip floats. Emerald Shiners have finally gotten to be the perfect size and are looking heathy has can be. So the perch turning on couldn't have happen any sooner. White Bass: Try fishing around Gull island on the channel banks and near the buoys. When I was out there at the end of last week we caught some very nice fish up to around 16 inches and lost a pig that had to be close to 18 inches he felt like a huge smallmouth. Catfish: When we get some strong rains they are coming into the spillway. But if we don't have any rain try fishing the mouth and just off the flat at the mouth of the spillway from a boat for very large catfish.

here is a quick unofficial recap of the 1st event. Nick Neves won fishing alone with 16.05lbs Mini and steve got second Timmy Metry was the winner of the Sportsmen's Direct prize pack which was $40 to $50 of tackle There was 15 boats so with top three getting paid out. Plus 3 wild card monies that paid back 1/2 of the entry money just for showing up. Terry will have the full results up later today on the cash for bass website.

So who is ready to fish for cold hard cash this thursday? Meet up at Harley Ensign at 5pm for sign in and meeting On the water by 6pm and off by 9pm $50 gets you and that includes big bass. Resized to 31% (was 1566 x 2048) - Click image to enlarge

Dan, You and I have spoken on this topic more then a few times. Personally and professional I am for a year round catch and release fishing for bass. Opening up St. Clair sooner will not hurt the lake one bit, one of the major factors is because Canadian waters are still closed to targeting bass period and is currently still a week behind us right now. That alone offers plenty of protection to the Smallies. Another benefit I see for anglers is that they will discovery an under used largemouth fishery in Lake St. Clair. On the professional side of things having a earlier bass season where tournaments can happen could be major. I have talked to many elite and FLW Tour pro's that said they would love to have a major tourney up here in the spring they think it would be a hoot. Lake St. Clair is one of the most unqine fishery in the country because it has such strong fisheries for so many diffract species. Its the top Muskie lake in the country, it has a strong walleye and perch fishery and a untapped bluegill, sunfish and crappie segment that anglers are just now learning about.

We have had a mild Mayfly hatch so far this year, but we have had a strong caddisfly hatch in some areas of the lake. Try fishing topwater and surface baits any where you see evidence of a hatch going on or where it has recently happened. The owner was out the other night with his kids and caught a bunch of huge gills using mayflies they found in the area. Bass: Largemouth look to be done spawning here on the west shore of the lake, and it looked has if the same is true for smallies from metro down to the mile roads. This fish have started to slide out into there deeper post spawn areas. Up in the St. Clair Delta they are on the beds pretty good right now. If targeting them in the deeper waters try fishing a dropshot, Lipless and diving cranks and dragging tubes. The theme this year for colors have been on the darker side of things still or perch patterns. For the fish on the beds try tubs, creature baits, senkos, goby , and darters style baits on a jighead. This weekend is the start of the catch & keep here in Michigan water and Canada's bass season starts next weekend. This Saturday is the start of the tourney bass season with Cash For Bass US Opener.( Flyer below) July 10th is the start of the Cash for Bass Thursday Night Series which we are the title sponsor of these season.For more info on these series and other go to www.cashforbasstour.com Walleye: Walleye are moving into the summer areas now. I have good reports out from Stony point on the Canadian side also. I like to call this time of the year the 4 corners times. The 4 corners are Metro point, Gull Island/27 Can area, Dumping grounds and back up to 400 club area. These four areas seem to also give up eyes at this time of the year. Trolling harness behind inline weight and boards will be your most productive method right now. Run them just at the tops of the weeds. Below is a recent seminar SDI/Motor Guide Pro Staffer Rob Hoover gave with waypoints of areas he fishes and what times to fish them. Perch: We have gotten reports of catching in the weeds of gino's when the wave are low. The dumping grounds and buoy 27 area have had good for perch action on and off over the last week to 10 days. Bluegills: Are still on the beds and more are getting on the beds in the north half of the lake. Catfish: The recent rain did see some catfish come back into the spillway. For best results fish it right after a heavy rain within 24 hours of it. Shrimp, Green Crawler and Cutbait work best.

We have perfect weather for fishing this weekend so who going to be hitting the lake? It is also free fishing weekend this weekend. The muskie opener is also this saturday. Bass: Reports of smallies on the beds have started to come in. They are mostly bucks with a few females showing up now. Try dragging tubes or drop shots worms and Miller's Gobies through areas if you can't see the beds. If you are able to see the beds cast a X-zone Fat Slammer rigged on shaky head onto the beds or try a wacky rigged Senko. Green Pumpkins, Pearl and Pumpkins have been the most popular colors. Miller's Goby Walleye: They are still catching them off Metro and the 400 club. I also heard one report but this was a third hand report of out around Gull and the south channel mouth. Whipping has been good on the Canadian side most night on the st. Clair river. With the water clearing up the US side shield get better going into the weekend.Harness fished behind inline weight off inline boards are you best bet off metro and the 400 club. Around the gull run bottom bouncer on the walls in the channel or vertical jig that area. Handling and whipping can be productive at night in that area has well with Rapala's and Bay Rat Shallow divers Gills/Sunnies: They are spawning find a nice area of beds and you will catch yourself a nice mess of fish for the oil. Live bait, Beatle spin type lures and small inlines are working. Muskie: The bass guys have been telling us they are still catching some muskie in the shallow areas down on the mile roads and off metro. Anchor bay is always a good choice also ,has they finish up there spawning season.

Looks like we are going to have about 10 days of perfect weather coming up. So if you haven't been out fishing yet what are you waiting for!!!!!!!!!! Walleye: We have been getting reports of limits from just about all of our regular guys this week. When there is steady cloud cover and little boat traffic they have caught them in has shallow has 5 FOW. With sun shine they are a little deeper in the 8 to 10foot range. If your fishing out pass the stained water your two far out. The recent rains didn't affect the color of the lake water. Inline weights and Harness are doing best during the daylight hours. Sticks baits like Shallow bay rats, bomber and Rapala and getting it done in the night time hours. The walleye seem to be holding mostly in the bay at metro and down in front of the 400 clue all the way to Masonic. Bass: Pull out the kitchen sink cause it seems like every group of guys are getting different stuff to work. Senko, Dropshot baits, tubes, Lip Less, Swimbaits and spinnerbaits are catching fish. Most guys are heading down to the mile roads, but some guys have been hanging out where the walleye are being caught and getting into some nice catches. This happened this time last year also. Gills/Sunnies: They are on the beds in some areas Perch: I think everyone has given up on them if you find them let everyone know if they still live in the lake. Catfish: The spillway has been red hot the last 48n hours with some big fish being caught.

Yea she turned back on pretty good. I just got word from one of my employees who is out right now all of his fish came on a dropshot so far. He is catching fish just about every 2 to 5 mins so he is on his way to a 100 fish day it looks like.

Looks like we are going to have a beautiful memorial day weekend. And the fish are biting. I have gotten limit walleye reports in has fast as 1.5 hours. Lots of Bass being caught and some huge rock bass. We do have a few boat rental openings for this weekend also so if your looking to rent I would give us a call ASAP and reserve your boat. Walleye: Walleye are being caught from shore at metro along with lots of other fish on Captain Jay's Blade baits , Cleo's and Mepps. For those in the boats try fishing from Metro all the way down to the 400 club in 9 to 14 FOW. Trolling bright colors and anything with purple or pink on it has been the tick for those running Harness.For those pulling cranks shallow diving Bomber 14A, Bay Rat Shallow Divers , and Rapalas have been good also in bright colors and blacks. Bass: Tubes, Drop shot worms, Lipless cranks and jerk baits have all been working well. In soft plastics you are going to want stuff that is black, dark green, dark melon, or a really dark watermelon. In lipless it has depended on the water clarity of where you are fishing whats been working and the same goes with jerk bait. There seems to be two defined areas of where the Smallies are this past week. There has been fish in shallow say 6 foot or less and those look to be mostly males right now. The larger fish have come from 9 to 13 FOW for the guys we have talked to this week and over the weekend. Perch: No many people looking for them right now. The only solid report I got was out in 12 FOW out from the report and they caught a limit of walleye while perch fishing. Whitebass: Schools have been spotted recently look for the birds when the lake is not to rough. Catfish: We are still having customer catching a good amount of catfish and bullheads in the spillway. The rain last night has kick some new logs down stream. Bluegills and Sunnies: This guys should be on the beds in a few area by now with many of them in the staging areas still.

Open 6 AM - 6:30 PM Monday thur Thursday Open 5:30 AM - 7 PM Friday & Saturday Open 5:30 AM - 5 PM Sunday

Guys are catching 60 to 100 fish a day right now even tho we had a ton of rain. It rained for 12 hours today so we will see how that affected things tomorrow and Saturday.

My vote would be an *** black in a Med either 7'1" or 7'3" Lew's and Omens make a great combo we sell a bunch of them together here at the shop.

This should help out the guys that are not locals learn there way around. If your in the area come on in the shop and will try to point you in the right areas to pick up some fish. We just got a ton of rain yesterday so the southern area on the map I am posting should have the cleaner water but by the weekend the whole area should be cleaned up nicely if we keep the north and west winds.

I will put together a quick image map of land parks for you guys that are coming from out of town.

Yes it is 100% legal inland lakes and the great lakes and connecting waterways. The only place you can't use it is in the rivers and drowned river mouths. Here is how the state defines the things I talked about above Drowned River Mouth Lakes: An area of a river where it enters the Great Lakes. Considered inland waters and are listed in Note 3. Great Lakes Connecting Waters: Specific bodies of water in Michigan that connect the Great Lakes. Designated connecting waters are L. St. Clair, St. Marys R., St. Clair R. (begins at the Fort Gratiot Light) and the Detroit R. Drop-shotting: using a weight suspended below a hook that is tied directly to the main fishing line. For more info on what you can and can't do here in Michigan take a look at the rule book the state puts out. it can be viewed here: http://www.eregulations.com/michigan/fishing/

This should help out. http://www.outdoorblog.net/outinmichigan/2014/03/13/spy-baiting-101/