2009 MI BFL will start at Mullett Lake

[djkimmel]

SEE UPDATE BELOW - THIS IS NO LONGER ACCURATE - djk 6/24/08 Confirmed with Anthony Wright that the Michigan BFL will start next year at Lake Charlevoix instead of Mullett Lake. FLW Outdoors wants to give those giant Mullett and Burt Lake bass a break for a year. And check out the giants over on Charlevoix too!!

[motocross269]

I think that is a good call.......Something different..

[MBell]

I heard the same as well.  However I also heard that they are returning to Burt/Mullet for 2010.  Charlevoix can be even better if we hit it right.  Will lake michigan be open since there is no lock?  I'm assuming it would be.
-Matt

[djkimmel]

Yes, Anthony did confirm we'd be back to Mullett in 2010. I hope Aloha SP works with us as well again.

I know I will have no reason to ask about making Lake Michigan off limits since it is open. The MDNR has no issues at this time, so it will most likely be open barring small craft warnings.

[dashaver63]

I was going to make this my last season fishing all 5, but might have to rethink things now. How does Charlevoix fish in June? Will it be another bed tournament?

[MBell]

Same type of fishing with way more fish.  It will be easier fishing as far as numbers go.  I could see a jerkbait bite competing with the bed bite.  Burt/Mullet put up great weights but it can be a difficult place to fish, it's not easy you really have to have confidence and know what to look for.  Charlevoix will be easier on a lot of guys.  It will be a more expensive trip though, I did Burt/Mullet this year for what I consider cheap.
-Matt

[dashaver63]

That could be interesting. I know the boaters have alot more invested in these tournaments, and I'm in no way complaining about it, but sitting in the back of the boat watching the boater pull fish off beds gets a little frustrating after a while. I threw a jerkbait so much last Saturday, my wrist is still stiff. I did get my fish, and worked my tail off for it, which is all I was hoping for.

[djkimmel]

Well, there's plenty of time for things to change, but why wait?!? I confirmed today that FLW Outdoors has decided to go back to Mullett Lake and Aloha State Park in 2009 after all.

Cheboygan wants us back bad and the awesome Michigan Department of Natural Resources staff are making even further accommodations so we can have another great event. In addition, the same wonderful people from Cheboygan are going to feed us not just Friday at the pre-tournament meeting, but ALSO SATURDAY at the huge (expected) weigh in! Just too good to turn down so back to Burt and Mullett we go for 2009.

Lake Charlevoix is a very good fishery, but you need to go to the great fisheries that throw out the red carpet like Cheboygan does. I thought this year went very well. Next year should be better.

[djkimmel]

Glad you like it.

[motocross269]

I am a little dissappointed only because I was hoping a change may throw off some of the hotshot sticks up there that have the bedding areas memorized like the back of their hands...But it hard to complain about the opportunity to fish a lake where 27lbs won it...
It's all good...

[TCook]

I dont think charlevoix would of been a bad choice for 09. A week before the BFL on Burt/Mullett it took 27.18 to win on charlevoix and 26.59 took second. This was only an 11 boat BAU tournament too. Maybe a change of scenery would of been the right move when looking at the results of the past 3 tournaments. Although the same guys will likley be on top there as well, from what I understand its a similar deal. Not to mention taking some stress off the spawn at Burt and Mullett for one year might be a good idea.

T

[dashaver63]

Hopefully maybe next year we can have a somewhat normal spring and catch a full blown spawn. I just hate the 6 hour drive. It is an amazing fishery, how many times do you see an inland lake outside of Falcon give up a 27lb. bag, or even a 26lb. bag to finish SECOND! I guess I'll just have to win that Ranger at the Regional and go as a boater next year!   LOL

[MBell]

I am a little dissappointed only because I was hoping a change may throw off some of the hotshot sticks up there that have the bedding areas memorized like the back of their hands...But it hard to complain about the opportunity to fish a lake where 27lbs won it...
It's all good...

Charlevoix would have been good fishing but no way the accomodations would have been as good, way more expensive.  Don't let those burt/mullet guys get in your head, I've only fished the lake 5 days in my life and took 5th this year.  It probobly would have been the same guys at charlevoix anyway, it's all bed fishing. 
-Matt 

[motocross269]

True.... those guys are good on all the smallie lakes up there...
I had to cut back a little this year so I am only fishing the last three BFLs...Next year I plan on doing the whole series again.
There is a ton of Camping and reasonably priced motels at Burt and Mullet..So no complaints there...I have been looking at motels in the Charlevoix area for a Team Bass tourney and everthing there is limited or a little pricey....

[djkimmel]

We often stayed down the south arm in East Jordan. Better pricing in the past and more angler friendly. Been a while though.

[jcox7]

Sometimes reading this stuff is funny Same people always at the top come on Chad caught 27 lbs to win last year he only caught 3 fish. Trevor came in second and didnt fish last year, Matt came in fifth and he didnt last year,  Sure Hardy does well every year but no matter where you fish this is going to happen (ie) see Clapper Balog Trombly......

If you dont think that you can find the winning bag it is simple dont complain just dont try.

[motocross269]

Sometimes reading this stuff is funny Same people always at the top come on Chad caught 27 lbs to win last year he only caught 3 fish. Trevor came in second and didnt fish last year, Matt came in fifth and he didnt last year,  Sure Hardy does well every year but no matter where you fish this is going to happen (ie) see Clapper Balog Trombly......

If you dont think that you can find the winning bag it is simple dont complain just dont try.

I wasn't complaining....Hardy would be in contention on Charlevoix...The guy is untouchable on all northern lakes....But since you opened that can of worms...
If you want to get into the big water guys..IE Clapper, Balog, trombly etc...I think they have to many tourneys on the Big water.  4 tournaments out of 5 are on Lake Erie/St Clair... years ago we fished Wixom, Muskegon, Saginaw Bay, Coldwater chain etc along with the big water...This IMHO showed who the most well rounded anglers where....I would have liked to at least see the Grand River stay on the schedule...Don't get me wrong the top anglers in the state are awesome everywhere, but we have pretty much eliminated Largemouth competition from the BFLs...But I am only one of 400 anglers that fish the BFLs and that is just my opinion (which this forum allows me to express)(not my complaint)
The BFLs are the best run tourneys and the best anglers in the state fish them....So yes I will continue trying to catch a winning bag ...No matter where they go..

[TCook]

Sometimes reading this stuff is funny Same people always at the top come on Chad caught 27 lbs to win last year he only caught 3 fish. Trevor came in second and didnt fish last year, Matt came in fifth and he didnt last year,  Sure Hardy does well every year but no matter where you fish this is going to happen (ie) see Clapper Balog Trombly......

If you dont think that you can find the winning bag it is simple dont complain just dont try.

I dont get whats so funny with pointing out that there are a handful of guys that seem to be really locked in on Burt and Mullett? When I look at the results over the last three years I see Telguska finishing 1,1,4 Pipkins 1, 3 (in 07) Bond 3, 8, 4 Snyder 6, 5 Modrack 10, 7, 8. Even though these guys would likley be on top elsewhere, I dont see what a change could hurt.

[Team houston]

Even though I am a lowly co-angler and have been fishing Redman since the late 80s I would prefer 1 LM tournament a year.(grand,muskegen etc.) But when you have the best SM fishing in the world,bar none, 3 or 4 of the tournys need to be there. Thats my opinion

[motocross269]

I am just a Co also..At least for one more year...I have a boat, but I know that the quickest way for me to learn some of the big water tactics (NOT SPOT Stealing but Tactics)...Is to fish from the back of the boat for at least one more year...I have been on the water alot this year working areas, but I still need to get some big water confidence in both driving the boat and fishing tactics before I go as a boater..
I fished Redman a little in the late 80s also....Then things in the military started heating up and i just didn't have time to fish any more...I am now just getting back into fishing since I retired a couple of years ago...So far it has been a blast, things have changed a ton..