October Smallie Fishing?

[FireTiger]

Planning a trip in Mid-October not finding a lot of info on Fall fishing.  We are planning to hit Elk, Skegemog and the river to Torch also considering Grand Traverse Bay (weather dependent).  Any info would be appreciated.

[Eric]

I will be fishing Burt/Mullet next weekend.  When I leave there Sunday, I have to go to TC for a conference that starts Monday.  Just so happens the boat will be with me, so I hope to get out up there myself.  I have been on Leelenau in the fall before, but none of the others.  So I could use some advice also.  If I get out, I will sure let you know how it goes.

[Mike S.]

Zona did a show up there on the Torch river in mid October.  They caught some nice smallies on jigs in around 6 to 8 feet of water.  I wanted to try it this year, but finances aren't going to permit it.

[Ryan]

Zona did a show up there on the Torch river in mid October.  They caught some nice smallies on jigs in around 6 to 8 feet of water.  I wanted to try it this year, but finances aren't going to permit it.

Mike,
You wouldn't happen to know if this show is available to watch online.  I must have missed it and would like to see it.  Thanks.

-Ryan

[superbird]

Last year i happened to run into KVD up in the traverse area in early October. He was headed to south Lake Leelanu for smallmouth. He said all of the lakes are good but he really preferred Leelanu this time of year. He has filmed a few shows from the lake and it does hold some great smallmouth. Hope this helps.

[Got Fish??]

make sure you pick a good weather day to go out. The weather that blows in off the big lake, can make or brake the bite. Live bait works best this time of year. Fast moving cranks and spinnerbaits works Not much of a softbait bite this time of year.

[TCook]

Gotta disagree on that not much of a soft bait bite in october and livebait works best any time of year. They gorge themselves on craws in the fall and nothing beats tubes or other craw imitations.

[FireTiger]

Zona's show is one of the reasons we are coming back up.  It was interesting and he did catch some nice fish.  I looked for it on-line but couldn't find that particular episode.  He does have quite a few of his shows linked on his web site.  Thanks for the info so far.

[1javelin]

I will be fishing Burt/Mullet next weekend.  When I leave there Sunday, I have to go to TC for a conference that starts Monday.  Just so happens the boat will be with me, so I hope to get out up there myself.  I have been on Leelenau in the fall before, but none of the others.  So I could use some advice also.  If I get out, I will sure let you know how it goes.

I'll give you a pointer, don't skip docks looking for largemouths.  They won't win, only get you a "wow, there are largemouths in this lake infested with giant smallies!!!"

1jav

[Eric]

I have never caught a largehead up there, but what an idea.  Surprise everyone with a bunch of bigheads.  Great call by the Herminator.

[djkimmel]

I have caught largemouth bass in both the big lakes. (Lot's of them in Crooked of course.) My partner found a spot in the 90's that had the dumbest largemouth bass I've ever seen (no measure keepers too). I even weighed in a couple of them once on a very frustrating Burt Lake experience back in the 90's (me and Burt Lake do not get along...). Wish I had video of how I caught them. You wouldn't believe it otherwise! My partner watched me do it and couldn't believe it!!

[TCook]

Just got back from fishing Burt for a couple days and the fall feed is in full effect we got on em right from the start and that lasted for about 5 hours until the wind picked up and the clouds rolled in. Struggled after the weather changed and it was just one here and there and nothing over 4 for the next day and a half. That first 5 hours made the trip worth it though we were sight fishing wolf packs of 4-5 pounders with glass conditions and a bluebird sky we ended up with 25 of them in that spurt. FFJeff was pumped up to experience the feeding frenzy up north style.

[djkimmel]

Got a text from him that day. He seemed happy!

[Firefighter Jeff]

I've had similar days fishing in my life, but I can count them on one hand!!!  Heck yes I was happy.  I might have giggled some too.  Bunch of quality fish.  Too bad the water was too warm, bluebird skies with no wind huh Tim  ?  lololol 

[McCarter]

giggling is good for the soul.  but not as good as catching 25 4-5 lb smallies.  nice job guys!

McCarter himself

[Mojo]

good choice to go to Burt and Mullet  -

my bud helped illinois college win the big ten championship on LSC this last weekend catching 19 lb and one was a1.5 14 dink ! So the big girls are showing up for the fall feed on LSC too !

[FireTiger]

Fishing trip wasn't outstanding but we had a good time.  I caught a 6lb. 13oz. smallie on Little Traverse Lake.  Couple of 4's on Elk and Skegemog but mostly smaller class.  A few on top water but most on cranks knocking them through the sunken timber on Skegemog.  Got to see the Z Man filming his show which was cool.

[Firefighter Jeff]

Good heavens, a 6.13  That would make a week long trip for me  !!!!!!  Let's see pics.  Great job  !!!!

[Firefighter Jeff]

oh, and where was Zman filming his show??

[FireTiger]

Zman was filming on Skegemog and Torch River.  BTW, Fire Fighter?  Career or Volunteer?  I am a career Fire Fighter in Ohio.