Poll: Pick the 2012 Fall MadWags Memorial West Michigan Lake for Sunday Sep 30

[djkimmel]

it only let me vote 1 time ?

You should be able to vote for your top 2 choices. Can't remember if I have an unlimited change your vote option sent or a limited time frame??

[Mike S.]

Don't make me hide your drain plug and prop Mike LOL

Chances are, I will forget the drain plug anyways!

[Waterfoul]

I for one just don't want to drive all the way to Skekemog again this year.  It may fish better than last year but with gas headed to $4+ a gallon this summer I'm thinking of my wallet first, fish second.

[Cy]

it only let me vote 1 time ?

You should be able to vote for your top 2 choices. Can't remember if I have an unlimited change your vote option sent or a limited time frame??

I was only able to vote once.

[djkimmel]

Scroll up the poll and click the Remove Vote link.

Then you can check up to 2 boxes and submit your vote again.

I don't have a time limit set and you can change your vote at any time with the above process until I make a decision.

[MSURoss]

I for one just don't want to drive all the way to Skekemog again this year.  It may fish better than last year but with gas headed to $4+ a gallon this summer I'm thinking of my wallet first, fish second.

agreed

[djkimmel]

Just one reason I'm asking. Though Skeg is getting quite a few votes...?

[Mike S.]

It appears that Skeg is king. The only problem is that there really aren't a lot of people voting, and a majority that did may not show up anyhow. Mona didn't get many votes, let's just go there.

[TCook]

You should scrap that list and go to walloon or crooked, one of the smaller lakes up that way. That time of year you gotta go up north.

[Mike S.]

DK you might have to change the name to the Madwags Memorial North West. I'm up for just about any lake. I love going to new places that I otherwise might not find time for. Let's just make sure we don't ever go to Macatawa.

[djkimmel]

Don't really want to go that far North. I'm concerned few will show up. I was kind of thinking the more Southern lakes would get more votes this time? A little surprised but I like the North too. I did ask for people to not vote if there were likely to not go.

I'm assuming people who voted want to fish it regardless of location. I'm holding the event more for members who want to fish it regardless, than for people who will only go if it is at this lake or that lake. Of course, I would like to see people catching fish too and want a good turnout.

[TCook]

I didn't vote since I wont know if I can make it a week or two before. I just figure on top of hanging with the GLB crew guys want as good of fishing that this side of the state has to offer. The smaller lakes would be easier to figure out and as you know Dan the north is where its at especially that time of year.  Looking back I don't think the fishing has been good at any of the fall opens maybe this can be the year that turns around. Guys who fish up there need to give there 2 cents and recommend the best lakes that are smaller in size. I think enough guys would make the drive like I said before many make a trip or two up there in the fall anyways. For a smaller lake I know crooked is excellent in October more times than not but I have only have fished a few lakes in the north. So guys that fish up there where are the gold mines? Its time to get these guys on some big fall smallies!

[djkimmel]

Walloon can be really good or really challenging in the fall, and the launch is kind of awkward for a group. Crooked is a lot easier than many lakes up there though no guaranty. Probably the closest to it up there on average. I go there in the fall when the wind is screaming on the big lakes. We might all end up following each other around in a big circle tossing spinnerbaits?

Not a ton of good places to stay real close to Crooked? That and it's tucked way up in the left pocket is why I didn't put it on the list.

I thought maybe Skeg might be most peoples' travel limit. We hit Skeg on an off day too. It is usually better, but I did load in some closer lakes considering gas price speculation for the summer.

We could have a drawing for Don's 'secret' spot from last year. Someone else can have it though Don won't be the only person who wants to scalp me!

I'd go to Charlevoix too but we hit wind on that lake and we don't do much fishing or all maybe pile in the south end of the South Arm. If it gets cold early, it could be real tough for many anglers. I actually had a number of people ask about Skeg again so I put in on the list.

[customfishn]

If Don's "secret" spot is the same place he fished the last time I was up with him its more of a community spot.  The fish just feel comfortable with him since they are the same size.

[Mike S.]

Whatever it is, it seems to work for him.

[Jmcfarland]

Ok guys, here is what I think. Last year when you guys fished skeg you had about the 2nd major cold front come and slam in about a day (Oct 1st) before the tournament. The weekend of the 25th last September we fished Walloon in our club classic. I was on the fish good but a major cold front and cold rains had cooled the water about 10 degrees over night that weekend also. It turned the fish off major. I had 2 fish for about 5lbs at Noon. The sun came out about then and the winds calmed. I then got a flurry of activity from about 1:30 til the 3 o clock quitting time. The fish were not hammering the bait. No tap. Nothing. I was fishing a tube. I would get caught up in some grass or weeds pop it free and when it settled back to bottom I would just pull slowly and I couldn't tell you for sure if it was a fish or more weeds but would set the hook anyway, REEL AS FAST AS I COULD and when the fish was finally right next to the boat I would get a tug back and the fight would be on. It was crazy, especially when you got a 4 lber on and would have swore it was a weed, and it goes nuts with only 10lb test and 8ft of line out. Ended up with about 15lbs and big fish of about 4lbs. Good enough for 2nd place and big bass. Anyway, I know the week leading up to the DK open the weather was cold and stable and then on about Friday another cold front blew in for you guys. I know there are some awesome fisherman on here but, I believe any lake you would have went to last year in the northern region on that day would have been a struggle. I have not voted and won't know if I can try and make it this year or not as our club classic is scheduled for the same day. I would like to see you guys give Skeg another shot. If you get 1 or 2 days of stable weather before the tournament you will smash them. If the wind blows tie on a spinnerbait/crankbait and hit gravel points all day. If its calm hit the reeds, big rocks and dark spots with tubes til your arms fall off. It can be awesome that time of year. We have a club tourney on the chain sometime in the middle of September. I would be happy to give water temps and some heads up to help you guys out. It is the least I could do after a no show last year.

[djkimmel]

That would be helpful if we repeat the lake. I'm surprised Cadillac/Mitchell has more votes than Hamlin? I didn't expect that. I've never fished there. Might be slow the day after the NBAA Fall Classic? What does everyone else think? I put it on the list because some of our members will probably be at the NBAA Fall Classic.

[Waterfoul]

Fishing after the NBAA Classic on Cad/Mitchell would be tough for sure.

[djkimmel]

Yet... Cadillac/Mitchell just picked up another vote?

[cameraguy]

One of these days I am going to make it to this event. Maybe it will be this one. It would have to be as a back seater and it seems like they are usually taken. That being said, I voted for Cadillac/Mitchell. They are very good bass fisheries with a big variety of areas to fish. But I didn't know about the nbaa tournament being held there. 


My second vote is Manistee. I have never been on the lake in a boat and like someone else stated, I enjoy fishing new water. Plus, I like the idea of possibly hooking a salmon or steelhead at that time of year when they should be in the lake in big numbers. Its also a bonus that it isn't as far as Skeg.