Big Ten College Bass Championship - Oct 11th Lake St. Clair NEED BOATERS

[bshaner]

So far the forecast is for West and NW winds each day respectively at 8-9 mph.  Pretty decent forecast for fishing the US side, even though it's going to be cold.

I think I almost felt a snow flake today.  Why am I in Michigan again?

B

[djkimmel]

I talked to Adam Young from the U of M team and found out there have been several last minute cancellations. We could really use some more boats - we are way short now with only a week to do. Getting near desperation time for these kids to all get out fishing. Kids will be coming in from all over the midwest for this opportunity.

They are coming from a number of Big 10 schools. It would be more than a shame to not get them all out. Please remember we need to keep every single person we can involved in the outdoors which means passion the legacy on to our youth.

Saturday is a practice day so if you can only make Sunday, the actual competition day, could definitely use some help!?!

Send me a message and I will get you Adam's contact information ASAP!! Please!

[MadWags]

I have been checking the shallow bite occasionally and will again today. All the big smallies, the biggest being 5.5 plus, have come deeper in the 12-15ft range. I have been keying in on the perch schools. Seems the smallies are eating the little perch. Don't shy away from the groups of perch fishermen. They are part of the food chain. If they are on the perch and walleye, the big bass are there.

[bshaner]

Good info, thanks!

B

[River Rat]

I started in the 11'+ range and marked fish on rock piles that I've liked before (except on tourney days) but didn't get anyone to really take, and there were perch fisherman around.  Got small fish up in 8'.

[Waterfoul]

I talked to a good friend and LONG time St. Clair tourney fisherman Friday... he said don't bother thinking "fall bite" as the summer bite really never got going and the fish are still scattered.  He is fishing a tourney this week some time and said I should call him on Saturday for an update.

I was there about 3 weeks ago and couldn't buy a bite along the Mile Roads.  All our fish came from 13-16' of water seemingly in the middle of nowhere.

[Waterfoul]

Anyone care to have a $5 a man sheephead contest on Saturday since we are able to fish that day?  Not the students... just us boaters.  Anyone?  Could be interesting.

[bshaner]

None of you stand a chance against me in a Sheephead tourney.  You should just keep your money.

B

[MadWags]

Has anybody's student anglers contacted them yet?

[bshaner]

I have not heard from mine.  Only a few days away.  Looks like they are hurting for boaters now though.

It's pretty late in the year to expect a good turn out.  I know a good portion of guys who put their boats away for the winter by now in favor of hunting season.

Personally, I'm putting off my winterization and winter clean out to support this tourney.  I hope it goes well!!

Should be fun!

B

[Waterfoul]

Shoot... I fish till the ice hits the lakes.  But I don't hunt so it's easy for me.

I've asked the few guys I know who's boats are still out and they are all busy this weekend.


Well, last two times I've been there I've gotten a few sheepies that would qualify as TOADS... so there you go!  Who's in??

[River Rat]

I've done nothing but donate at tournaments this year, put me down for $5.

[djkimmel]

I haven't been contacted yet. I'll see if I can find out more tomorrow. I had the feeling many of the students would start arriving starting tomorrow on so that might be why. Wags, I'll ask Adam to confirm they have you down and received your information too.

I just noticed earlier today that the 'St. Clair River' is off limits. Glad I noticed that because a bunch of us fished the river last time the Big Ten came to St. Clair. I want to find exactly what they expect by saying the river is off limits.

[Waterfoul]

I have not heard from my fishermen either.  Cutting it close guys!!

I also wanted to ask about what constitutes "the river."

[djkimmel]

Update today (Wednesday) from Adam Young. This is tentative, but probable.

Due to continued problems getting the last few anglers a boat to fish out of things have been delayed. Adam is checking today with 3 boaters who were getting their boats fixed to see if they would be available. If you can talk someone into helping out as a boater, please do and have them contact Adam. PM or email me (djkimmel at greatlakesbass dot com) and I can put you in contact if you don't already have Adam's info. We are short with no alternates.

Wags - you are confirmed in both days.

Either tomorrow, or maybe Friday morning Adam will be getting the competitor anglers' contact information to each boater and vice versa - again delay due to the shortage of a few boats. Make sure Adam has a phone number he can reach at on those days.

Since most of the anglers are staying at the Victory Inn, getting together there Saturday morning with your anglers will be simplest. Otherwise, expect to meet them Saturday morning before safe light at Harley Ensign unless you are contacted and work out something different. If you are volunteering both days, you will probably have the same anglers in your boat both days. (Some kids are bringing their own boats and final specifics depend on how many boats available Saturday and/or Sunday.)

The St. Clair River is not entirely off limits. Again - this is NOT final - but we will probably be able to fish the US side of the river up to about Algonac State Park. Most likely up to a line across the river very near there. As in most tournaments over there when there are mixed seasons, expect to be asked to not fish OR run in any closed waters. I believe the Detroit River will be completely off limits for various reasons that make sense in this type of event (remember the teams can work together on the water).

The goal of this event is to help the kids get on and catch keepers. I was told the most recent event saw only 22 keepers weighed by 37 anglers. So big fish are cool, but for this event, any keeper will be real important to these kids all things considered (that means brown or green bass remember is all else fails ).

Though they are on their own as far as fishing Sunday and boaters can't fish, you can help a lot on Saturday.

BTW, the real Firecracker tower is entirely in Canadian waters and therefore not available to fish. The international line cuts half way between the floating buoy on the channel drop and the fixed tower marker. I wouldn't expect this to be an issue in this type of event, but I see tournament anglers often claiming ignorance of the ability to read a nautical chart fishing the actual Firecracker tower during closed seasons.

[Waterfoul]

Well, according to my contacts the St. Clair River hasn't been fishing very well lately anyway... but I may want to hit some of the channels on Sat.

[River Rat]

Thanks for the updated info DK!

I'll be out tomorrow w/ my brother scouting around if anyone else is out and want to compare notes.  I'm in a white and green Champion.

Scott

[Waterfoul]

I'll be out friday morning... time depending on what time I drag my sorry butt out of bed here in Grand Rapids.  Black/silver Triton that says "West Marine" on both sides.

[MadWags]

Wow! You should see the mud line from the wind storm last night.
Chocolate Milk !
Maybe this will drive them shallow because the near shore water is the only thing fishable right now.

[River Rat]

Where's that at, which shore or area?