michiganoutdoorsman Posted July 10, 2023 Share Posted July 10, 2023 Hi all, long time lurker and finally decided to join the forums. I took many years off from bass fishing to pursue hunting 24/7. I realized a large part of me missed chasing bass like I used to with my dad, so I bought a Lund Rebel last summer and have fallen in love with fishing again. Now I want a bass boat but that's for a story for a different time. I'm headed up to stay with my wife's family in Bellaire on Torch Lake for a few days this week. I'm probably going to fish Elk Lake to start, my question is this; what would you guys typically fish for lures this time of year? I haven't fished Elk Lake in probably 10-12 years, since high school. Not looking for where to start, but what you would start with. Thanks for any and all help! michiganoutdoorsman 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User Solution A-Jay Posted July 10, 2023 Super User Solution Share Posted July 10, 2023 Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ I'm over in Otsego County but fish most all of the inland lakes north of rt 72 and up to the bridge. Elk & Torch are both gorgeous lakes that have a decent bass population. Mid July bassing can be tricky for a few reasons. And you probably know what at least a few of them are. My advice would be to be on the water early (think first light) and later (last light) if you can. You may still have company but between those times the circus comes to town. If it's calm enough, a topwater walking bait can get a few fatties. And with some wind and especially cloud cover (which it looks like you may have this week), I'm poking around a little shallower and chunking & winding something like a spinnerbait. Good Luck and have fun. A-Jay 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michiganoutdoorsman Posted July 10, 2023 Author Share Posted July 10, 2023 2 hours ago, A-Jay said: Hello and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ I'm over in Otsego County but fish most all of the inland lakes north of rt 72 and up to the bridge. Elk & Torch are both gorgeous lakes that have a decent bass population. Mid July bassing can be tricky for a few reasons. And you probably know what at least a few of them are. My advice would be to be on the water early (think first light) and later (last light) if you can. You may still have company but between those times the circus comes to town. If it's calm enough, a topwater walking bait can get a few fatties. And with some wind and especially cloud cover (which it looks like you may have this week), I'm poking around a little shallower and chunking & winding something like a spinnerbait. Good Luck and have fun. A-Jay Thanks! I know how busy those lakes can get so I will be out early. Leaving the house when it’s dark to get out as the sun is crowning up. I might try Bellaire or Intermediate also. My father in law wants to try Torch but that intimidates me for some reason. I appreciate the help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Baron Posted July 10, 2023 Share Posted July 10, 2023 Welcome. It sounds like you’re on a similar path as myself, just a few years behind (and likely younger. lol). I was an avid young fisherman, but took almost three decades off (?) to hunt and be a gun lover. Then taking my own young kids fishing got me hooked again. After 3 years of shore and canoe fishing, I’d saved enough to buy a small bass boat this year and am loving it. ? Midsummer can be a tough time, especially for fickle smallies. What lures to use will depend on how your lake sets up, but throwing a popper around structure/cover in the early morning/late evening can be very productive. If there’s any wind and/or if you can spot any schooling fish surfacing on bait, I’ve had some fun days with a spook. Through the majority of the day, smallies in the lakes I fish tend to slide back out to deeper structure and I usually have my best luck dropshotting humps and ledges. I’ve had good luck throwing a tube jig or a Keitech 2.8” or 3.3” in clear water as well, but those haven’t worked as well for me as dropshotting in more stained lakes. There are lots more ways to fish them, but that’s the short list that has been pretty consistent for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super User A-Jay Posted July 11, 2023 Super User Share Posted July 11, 2023 @michiganoutdoorsman Bellaire is a little off the beaten path, but the local sharpies know that although it can be a tough nut to crack at times, it can also be sneaky good. Especially for big fish. Holds some decent by-catch as well. Good luck and don't get your arm broke. A'Jay 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Global Moderator TnRiver46 Posted July 11, 2023 Global Moderator Share Posted July 11, 2023 I have so many crazy smallmouth topwater bites that stick out in my mind, they smash a lure like crazy. Poppers, buzzbaits, spooks, and prop baits have all been very good to me. Also twitching a floating rapala on top can be deadly. @BassNJakeis the master of the toad for SMB on the other hand, my buddy guides fly fishing trips for smallies and 20”+ fish regularly sip flies gently off the surface. The clients always expect and explosion and of course sometimes they do hit hard but he said mostly they just sip them. And subsequently go bananas 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michiganoutdoorsman Posted July 11, 2023 Author Share Posted July 11, 2023 I'll definitely give it my best effort the next couple days. I realize that it could be a crap shoot this time of the year, but being on the water and away from work with family is already a win in my book. I think I'm gonna have to give fall smallies a try this year and duck hunt a little less. My 9 year old black lab blew out his other ACL 2 months ago so he's pretty much retired and I know I won't have the desire to hunt much without my best friend by my side. Hoping it gets to the point where he can jump back in the boat with me and go fishing again. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulVE64 Posted July 11, 2023 Share Posted July 11, 2023 Hoping pupper can make it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MassBass Posted July 11, 2023 Share Posted July 11, 2023 I agree top water baits at dawn is a good idea. But if you find yourself out there mid day on a dog day, I think some deep crankbaits and tube jigs should be ready to throw (or troll). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michiganoutdoorsman Posted July 11, 2023 Author Share Posted July 11, 2023 4 hours ago, PaulVE64 said: Hoping pupper can make it. He will be fine I think. He’s got a slight limp, but I’m going the no surgery route. He had surgery on his other leg and that was a miserable recovery and he was never the same after that. I have seen great results from other people about their dogs recovering without surgery, but it could be 6-8 months. Just want him to live out his final years happy and healthy and riding in the boat with me and following me around the house. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drakesndrum Posted July 12, 2023 Share Posted July 12, 2023 In the river a Berkley Choppo 75, Chatterbait Mini-Max, or a plain white Zoom fluke will cover about anything. Can throw in a Spro RkCrawler or any squarebill for deeper water as well. I did just get some of the Nikko Craws that I'm going to rig on a sled or Ned head to bottom bounce too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michiganoutdoorsman Posted July 13, 2023 Author Share Posted July 13, 2023 Well, my father in law caught a solid 4 pound or so smallmouth today. Didn’t have a scale and not exactly sure how to post pics here, but it was awesome to see! Fish were hard to find but we caught roughly 10 smallies today with most being smaller 1-2 pound fish. Seeing him land that big fish made my day though. Couple more days left of the mini vacation! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Global Moderator TnRiver46 Posted July 13, 2023 Global Moderator Share Posted July 13, 2023 11 hours ago, michiganoutdoorsman said: Well, my father in law caught a solid 4 pound or so smallmouth today. Didn’t have a scale and not exactly sure how to post pics here, but it was awesome to see! Fish were hard to find but we caught roughly 10 smallies today with most being smaller 1-2 pound fish. Seeing him land that big fish made my day though. Couple more days left of the mini vacation! Big SMB on the line is the greatest 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michiganoutdoorsman Posted July 15, 2023 Author Share Posted July 15, 2023 Well, unfortunately I’m back home. Had a great couple days of R&R. Lake Bellaire is a pretty cool lake and I enjoyed seeing how much wood there really is in the torch river and the stump field at Skegemog. Would’ve liked to have caught a few more, but no complaints from me. I’m gonna have to make another trip up there before the year is over. Biggest bummer of the trip is my trolling motor took a crap on me so I think I’m gonna have to figure out the wiring situation I think. Other than that, a fun 3 days in northern Michigan! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Global Moderator TnRiver46 Posted July 15, 2023 Global Moderator Share Posted July 15, 2023 31 minutes ago, michiganoutdoorsman said: Well, unfortunately I’m back home. Had a great couple days of R&R. Lake Bellaire is a pretty cool lake and I enjoyed seeing how much wood there really is in the torch river and the stump field at Skegemog. Would’ve liked to have caught a few more, but no complaints from me. I’m gonna have to make another trip up there before the year is over. Biggest bummer of the trip is my trolling motor took a crap on me so I think I’m gonna have to figure out the wiring situation I think. Other than that, a fun 3 days in northern Michigan! I love northern michigan, I’ll be there soon 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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