Haven't gotten a ton of bites but I'm carrying a decent average so far . . .

Jerkbait's doing most of the heavy lifting. 

A-Jay

You’re killing it, and your water temperatures have me a tad worried that I’m missing the good action down here. 
 

Work before play, I guess. ?

Thanks.

Next week is "setting up" in a manner the likes of which this basshead dreams about.  Something rare and very special could happen.

Fish Hard

A-Jay

Looks awful 

Lol that's bigger than my PB Smallmouth!

I'm starting to worry the spawn is on track to be well ahead of schedule in the Grand Rapids area, and it's going happen before my work/life to-do list opens up enough to enjoy much of the pre-spawn.

I’m thinking the same thing and worrying about the same thing. 

I just got the Triton running and all her trailer's tires on yesterday. Soooonnnn.....

Threw the dog in the car and drove around to six small lakes/bayous to check WTs at the launch.  All between 54 and 59 degrees F, which puts them about a month ahead of where the same spots were last year, maybe a little more.  Last year I got the impression these places were about 2-weeks behind typical, which would put the current temps about 2 or 3 weeks ahead.  Yeesh.  At best I may be able to get the yak out Friday, and maybe 2-3 more times the next couple weeks.

 

UPDATE: Looks like the big cool-down over the last week has stalled things -- we should be much closer to a typical schedule after this week.

 

Yes sir, originally from SW Michigan, now residing near Traverse City.

Never gets old ~ 

Fish Hard

A-Jay

Hey A-Jay, is that a Go Pro you are getting those still images off of?

 

Nice fish!

Thanks ~ And Yes

More info on my set up here 

A-Jay

 

A-Jay just keeps posting pictures of the same fish and changing angles every few weeks...?

Yup, that's it.

Here's a new angle . . .

Fish Hard

A-Jay

That’s a really sweet picture!  

Jeez, that smallie could eat my PB smallie! I hope that this year I can get a big bronzeback in Michigan!

Hope the ice goes out the 1st week in April Every Year ~

Fish Hard

A-Jay

Summer Time and the Living is easy . . . . 

Get them while you can.

Hard water's not that far away I'm afraid. 

A-Jay

Couple more entries for the Michigan 6 lb Club.

A-Jay

Nice work. I want to get out a couple more times but the weekends are it for me and with the wind and rain they’re not looking too promising. 🤬

I'm going to try it on Thursday.

I'll be wearing a full send scuba suit.

Snorkel might be optional though.

A-Jay

 

Put the wraps on 2023 ~

Local populations seem decent.

A-Jay

The crazy no snow - stupid early open water winter of 2023/2024 seems to have taken it's toll on many of the waters I frequent early season.  Water levels are way down (no snow & I have to imagine some evaporation is to blame for that).  Wild & often historic variances in both air & water temps have been head shakers.  Either way, I've been getting out when I could and for the most part, it hasn't been pretty.

Some of my very best stuff is either bare ground or just barely covered with water at all.

It's had me scrambling to say the least.  Had to come up with a whole new plan hope for the best.

Took a few trips, a couple of different lakes and almost a month of bizarre fishing but yesterday I managed to get on something decent.

If nothing else I learned a bunch, mainly that I like & want Lots & Lots of snow. And hard water that last's until mid April.   Every winter.  Because if this continues, it's going to get ugly.

These ladies were not ugly however, a little plump perhaps, but not ugly.

A-Jay

 

 

 

No matter how harsh the season one thing seems to stay consistent, those girls like to pack on the calories for their men! 
 

Well done @A-Jay