Riveting Hot Pond Report--November 22, 2006

[Skulley]

Got down to Bolles to launch about 0800.  Yeah it was cold.  But when you are a diehard, it is never too cold.  We launched and cruised over to the pond.  We pretty much fished to whole area.  We caught fish in about 4 different places.  Off the island to the cut, up by the discharge, at the entrance to the pond off Erie, and along the south shore of the pond where all the laydowns are.  Crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and tubes were the ticket.  Bigger fish came on a Bill Norman Deep N that was Chrome with a blue back and Chrome/blue Rattletraps.  The old stand by Storm Wiggle Wart in the V104 and V110 patterns were productive also.  The V104 and the V110 are discontinued.  I hear that Storm will be making these again in 07 or 08.  The V104 is gold metallic with black back and the V110 is yellow gold with black back and orange belly.   From the island to the cut we caught largemouth.  At the discharge we caught smallmouth and largemouth.  On the laydowns we caught largemouth.  And at the entrance we caught mostly smallies with a few largemouth thrown in for good measure.  Total bass caught were 57.  Twenty two (22) of them kept including one that could have gone 5 lbs.......maybe.  The big one was caught off the laydowns on a white spinnerbait.  Had some good ones caught on Wayne's tubes in Canadian Mist.  I really like that color.  I will be buying more in Novi or off Ebay.  Great color Wayne for any color water.  The other productive color was Pumpkin with chartreuse and purple flake.  It always seems to catch fish anywhere.  Pumpkin was probably more productive.  Especially with the water quality.  Bigger ones were on the Canadian Mist.

Water was very stained.  Water Temperature was 65 by the discharge and 62 out by the entrance.   If you go out there, bundle up, it is cold.   You will warm up fast as soon as you put some fish in the boat.  Stayed out there until about 1500 hours.  Weather was beautiful for November.  Be careful going into the pond.  The water is down.  If you don't know your way in there be careful.  Water level is down.  I usually approach the pond from the Northeast.  Running out of Bolles you will actually pass the opening and then come back.  The water is deeper when approaching from the Northeast.  Stay on plane and trimmed up.  When entering the pond stay a little closer to the north point.  The channel is about 8 feet deep there and only about 15 to 20 feet wide.  Good luck for you first timers.  If you still haven't winterized your boat and want a partner.....give me a call.  I'll go.  I will be happy to share the expenses as my boat is put away for the long winters nap.


BD             

[djkimmel]

I'm jealous!!!

[bosshawg]

me too...way to go dog!

[Skulley]

I guess that was riveting enough with the replies that I got.? That was probably my last time out for this year......unless of course my neighbor still hasn't winterized yet.? I did advise him to winterize ASAP.? It can get awful cold awful quick.  You know Michigan.? If you don't like the weather.....wait 5 minutes.? I can't wait until spring.  Can we skip all this holiday hoopla and go right to April.........It just can't get here quick enough.


BD? ? ? ? ?? ? ? ?

[225XS4Garza200PXL]

My boat is not put away yet... but i'm having trouble finding time to get out...

[nitroderrek]

i'm taking my boat out one more time, tomorrow, wednesday.. if you can get out there, i'm offering a free ride in my boat, let me know, email me at nitroderrek@yahoo.com, thanks, derrek

[Skip Johnson]

so where is bolles and the hot pond?
Im guessing the hot pond is around the power plant on the west shore of erie.

[Skulley]

The DNR launch at Bolles Harbor is located at the La Plaisance Rd. exit off of I75 in Monroe.  Go east on La Plaisance and the entrance to the harbor is just to the east of I75.  It is a two stack coal power plant to the east when passing the Front Street exit on the way to the La Plaisance Rd exit.  This of course is if you are coming from the north and traveling south on I75.

Once out on the lake it is between the Raisin River and Bolles Harbor.  Hard to see from the water.  I rely on GPS routes to get me in there although I have been going there for about 15 years or more and don't really need it.  That is why I recommend going with someone who has been there before and more than three or four times.  Tricky if going alone especially because if not careful you could really do some damage to your boat.  Lots of shallows.    That is why I say to those who have not put away there boats yet for the winter that I will be happy to go  and show you how to get in there.  Hard for me to go during the week right now as I don't have but a day and a half vacation left for the rest of 2006 and I need to use that for my lovely brides birthday and some XMAS shopping.  Weather permitting on weekends, I am available and Sunday is always better for me as I am sucking up some O.T. on Saturdays.  Today I heard that there maybe some Sunday work coming too.  All I can say is $$$$.  Got to make that money now.  O.T. is getting scarce especially with the current automobile manufacturing environment being so volatile.  Although I work in R & D it is a volatile climate for all auto workers.   

Fish can always be caught in that Hot Pond and it is always easier when in there with someone who has been there before because then all the non-productive areas are eliminated. 

BD       

[Skip Johnson]

thanx for the info Big Dog, I sent you an E mail with my #'s

[Skulley]

Cast, I emailed you back with my info.? We'll be in touch after this next cold front passes through and the weather hopefully turns better..........like at least with highs in the 40's. 

Nitro, thanks for the offer but it is hard for me to get out during the week right now as I have only a day and a half vacation left from work.  As I said in an earlier post, I am going to have to use them for my lovely brides birthday and for some XMAS shopping.  If you go out be careful especially if you haven't been in there before.

BD? ? ? ? ?