November 28 Muskegon Smallies!!!!

[Waterfoul]

Hit Muskegon today with Mikezr800.  We managed 9 smallies between us, and lost several others.

Here are a couple we got:

[Mike S.]

It was a great time.  I learned quite a bit in the short time we were out.  I have never caught fish in water that cold before.  It was awesome!  Heck, I even got out of running the trolling motor.  It was like having a guide out there today.

I have to admit, I was intimidated by the way and area we were fishing.  It was something I never would have had the confidence in doing on my own thoughts.  Was a big lesson learned.  I wasn't really expecting to catch anything, figured I'd watch fish being caught.  But, once I got the feel of deeper cold weather bites, I started feeling warm and fuzzy inside.  When I boated my first fish, I was lit right up.  Can't wait to try again.

[Waterfoul]

Glad you had fun Mike!  Sorry to take over your boat... LOL!!!  Thanks for showing me your "spot" too. 

We'll have to see what the weather does next Sunday/Monday.  Now... order up some of THE baits and you will be all set!

[djkimmel]

C'mon...!! We want to know more of the story!

[edyer]

Hit Muskegon today with Mikezr800.  We managed 9 smallies between us, and lost several others.

Here are a couple we got:

Looks cold out there. Nine smallies is pretty good. Still having a lot of short or missed strikes. Is it the cold weather or your hooks?

[Mike S.]

Ha ha!  Funny you said that, because I had 4 packs of THE bait on the way before you even got home.

As far as the short strikes, I'm convinced it was the cold. We got a lot of bites, even had many that were swimming with it, but they weren't wanting to eat the bait in most cases. Most of the bites were very light. I had a couple that hit like they were out to destroy something.

[djkimmel]

Maybe THE bait isn't quite the 'right' bait?

[Waterfoul]

Actually I think we lost a couple fish due to the fact that I set the hook pretty hard (perhaps a bit too hard?) and Mike doesn't set it hard enough?  LOL!!! 

When anyone on this site can tell me for a fact that they catch EVERY bite they get, I'll start to question my bait selection, hook selection, and setting style/force.  Until then... I'll just stick with what I'm doing.    

[Mojo]

In 15 fow or deeper, I've yet to lose a DS hookset    .  Ohhh except the one tournament when I had the jitters real bad. I lost 5 of my first 7 fish on:

DS
Tube
rattle trap
jerk bait

None were big though ... I lose more fish on 2 lb clowns than 4 and 5 lbrs though.

Question:  were you guys using treble hooks or DS hooks ?   

[Waterfoul]

Not drop shotting Mojo.  Texas rig.

And very rarely do I lose a DS fish.  I'd say my landing ratio is around 95% or better.

[Mike S.]

We are not allowed to drop shot on Muskegon.  Salmon run through there.   Here are a couple pics that were on my camera.  All I have to say is holy reflective gloves!

[Firefighter Jeff]

  Nice job guys  !!!!!   That Waterfoul can catch some fish  !!! 

[LAPORTE]

  Nice job guys  !!!!!   That Waterfoul can catch some fish  !!! 

You are right Jeff.. He can catchem. Also it looks like to me Mike was a great host giving up the front of his boat maybe ? or he was just catching so many that he would give Mike a shot at them ... lol

It looks like you guys had fun in the cold.

[mikesmiph]

Nice job guys. Maybe sometime I'll drive out and we can make it a 3 Mike boat. LOL I'd love to learn some deep/cold water tactics.

[Waterfoul]

Laport... no matter what happened... Mike was on the front!  LOL!!  Since Mike had never fished the area we were in... he LET me run the bow... he kept saying "it's like a personal guided fishing trip."   

Mr. Smith, you are more than welcome to make the treck over any time... might have to wait till spring now though.  The more Mike's the merrier!

[Mike S.]

For sure, Mike definitely knows what he's doing. I learned quite a bit about the lake I live closest to.

Now, Mike Smiph, you know you are welcome here any time. You just have to give me a heads up.

Boy, it sure is pretty out right now. Just so happens, I'm at home early from work, and the boat is hooked up right now. Hmmmmm, what should I do?  I will let you know later.

[Waterfoul]

Are you kidding?  Go fishing!!! 

[Mike S.]

I went to the lake. North west wind, the lake was good and rough. Lots of sun overhead. I went where we caught our fish the other night. Nothing. I went to several other places on the lake. Nothing. Went to my absolute favorite spot. Nothing. Went back to where we caught fish the other night. Nothing.

To top it off, I look at a spot I haven't tried, which has lots of structure, and the cranking battery is dead.  Oh boy, here we go. Luckily I carry jumper cables in the boat. Well, that ended my day.

[Mojo]

Laport... no matter what happened... Mike was on the front!  LOL!! Mr. Smith, you are more than welcome to make the treck over any time... might have to wait till spring now though. The more Mike's the merrier!

More Mikes ?? What if mojo mike goes in mikes boat with mike on the motor behind mikes boat....  Lol.

Gosh - smallies in November. Can anyone think of a better fall? Mike and mike - I visit white lake every year so I hope to meet y'all then.

[Mike S.]

White is 10 minutes from my house. If you get an early morning to get away while you're there, give a shout, and we could head out for a little bit.