2010 DK Open East Sat May 15 L St Clair - Info & Signup Here

[Mike S.]

The anticipation is getting to me.  I have had very little time to fish, being as I've only had 8 days off this entire year.  I took vacation for Friday through Sunday for the LSC trip.  Half way through my 12 hour day today, I put in a vacation day for Thursday.  I am going to beat up White lake Thursday and Friday morning.  Can't wait to see the sun come up on the water.  Saturday just can't get here fast enough.

[mikesmiph]

Mike, you sound like Veronica. Shes driving me crazy already LOL

[t-bone]

I may bring my nephew. He loves to fish but has to get clearance from his mom. My boat is big enough for 3 and he can fish up front with me.  Hope that isn't a problem.

[Mike S.]

I feel like a little kid at Christmas, Mike.  Everybody at work is picking on me about it.  They just don't know. 

[djkimmel]

I may bring my nephew. He loves to fish but has to get clearance from his mom. My boat is big enough for 3 and he can fish up front with me.  Hope that isn't a problem.

Not a problem. I just need to know ahead of time and you've let me know. I will count on it that you have parental permission covered since he is a relative.

[djkimmel]

I feel like a little kid at Christmas, Mike.  Everybody at work is picking on me about it.  They just don't know. 

We understand Mike. That's all that matters...

[djkimmel]

Dan,
Here's my status.  I worked on my oil leak and never found one.  I replaced a small line from the backup reservoir and tightened the cap.  I ran it for a bit in my yard and never found a leak.  So I'm hopeful that it was just a leaky cap.  I will run the boat this week to be double sure, but I should be fine to be a boater on Saturday after all.  But please pair me up with someone who wouldn't be devastated if we had any issues.  I plan to stay in the Mile Roads.

Great to hear you are back!!! I have you matched up with a new person that should be happy for any fishing on Lake St. Clair. I expect an awful lot of us will just be down along the Mile Roads with you. It's that time of year.

If you have motor troubles you should be able to get a tow back anyway. I bet you have zero troubles though.

[thedude]

at the risk of getting stuffed into another boat  - if its easier Dan - you can move me to the boaters list. If Don and I both go from 1 list to the other, that leaves 2 people needing a ride instead of 6. I have to drag my boat-seat along with me anyway cuz i can't stand up all day.

In which case - Mark - i can't loan you my golden rule!

That would be a bigger pain and expense for you, I know, but get me down to maybe one doubled-up boat then - maybe two. I'm waiting to hear from one boater who has not confirmed and one person that might come back in as a boater to even things out (if both agree).

Is this okay with you dude? I will make sure there are good places for everyone to fish. Skip was kind enough to even gave me some additional places to send new people to catch some bass.

not a prob dan - i'd prefer to fish as a non-boater just to learn the lake better, but i do have at least 1 rider to car pool with so its not that big of a deal if that is what it comes to. there's added benefit in bringing my floating tackle box anyway

[djkimmel]

Just a note, especially for the new people, do not get out there running full speed all over, particularly in low light. Every spring there a number of floating logs, trees and other debris in the lake and some of it will not be floating right up high on top of the water.

I've never hit anything out there, but I came close to a huge chunk of tree trunk once. This is a big river system with a ton of current from the various channels and wind driven.

It will be chilly anyway, so take it easy out there and have everyone in the boat on the lookout for floaters. The odds are rare but not 0. Most of it floats through the system by Memorial weekend, but there are always floaters out there somewhere throughout the season. Of course, kill switches and life jackets are mandatory for everyone any time the big motor is running.

Tuna boat traffic will probably not be real high but beware of boating regulations and responsibilities also.

#1 EVERY BOATER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR AVOIDING A COLLISION. Don't ever leave it up to 'the other guy' to do the turning. Some boaters out there have no clue - have never read any boating guides. I definitely go by the rule - jerk or not, I will give way to the big tuna boat.

When two boats are approaching, the boater on the right always has the right of way. Concede the right of way to be safe. Don't try to beat him/her. He/she may try the same thing. See rule #1.

Do not cut off a large boat that is traveling a limited depth and width marked channel. I'm talking about the channels into the various canals, marinas and small rivers.

Stay to the right in any limited width channel when coming in or out. If a large boat is coming in or out of such a channel, you must get out of their way. Even if you are fishing, you still have to get out of the way of any large craft coming in or out. You cannot cause the large craft to have to risk leaving the marked channel and damaging their boat. Yes, they are responsible for their wake (though later in the summer you wouldn't know it), but in the end, if you cause the large craft to leave the marked channel or risk it, you will be at fault, not the large craft. And if you stand your ground and they swamp you, there will be no winners. Move out of the way and let them pass.

The impact should be minimal for this event. Nothing like the full blown madhouse the US side of the lake can be later in the summer on a warm, sunny afternoon. It should be very enjoyable. Just stay alert to any boat traveling towards you from any direction. Especially if you are in front of canals, channels and rivers. Some of them will run by you like you are a channel marker. That is just part of the fun of boating in a state with a ton of boats and no requirements for knowing boating safety before you buy a boat. Have your horn ready and if someone looks like they might not turn, remember rule #1 above. ALWAYS!! Be safe and enjoy some of the best bass fishing in the world!

[djkimmel]

at the risk of getting stuffed into another boat  - if its easier Dan - you can move me to the boaters list. If Don and I both go from 1 list to the other, that leaves 2 people needing a ride instead of 6. I have to drag my boat-seat along with me anyway cuz i can't stand up all day.

In which case - Mark - i can't loan you my golden rule!

That would be a bigger pain and expense for you, I know, but get me down to maybe one doubled-up boat then - maybe two. I'm waiting to hear from one boater who has not confirmed and one person that might come back in as a boater to even things out (if both agree).

Is this okay with you dude? I will make sure there are good places for everyone to fish. Skip was kind enough to even gave me some additional places to send new people to catch some bass.

not a prob dan - i'd prefer to fish as a non-boater just to learn the lake better, but i do have at least 1 rider to car pool with so its not that big of a deal if that is what it comes to. there's added benefit in bringing my floating tackle box anyway

I still have not heard from 4 boaters, but assuming they are still coming we are only 1 nonboater over at the moment with you as a boater. I sure appreciate you bringing your boat. I'll make sure there are specific spots for new people to go to and I also try to make sure I don't have any boats with 2 people totally new to the lake in them as much as possible.

[motocross269]

You new guys with boats don't worry about it....The majority of guys will be clustered around the mile roads...It is only about 5-6 miles from where we will launch...I am going to try to get out Friday if the weather is decent..I have only been out once this year but I have some GPS coordinates for the Mile Roads that I will be happy to give out...No guarantees but it will give you some places to start....

Thanks for the Report Skip.....I would love just to spend the day in the Metro Canals...Don't get much of a chance to fish LM anymore and it is a blast in there..I am not surprised by the drop in Temp...It has been cold at night....It was running around 48 a couple of weeks ago...What is it now at the Mile Roads...??

[djkimmel]

Getting close. Down to 3 boaters not confirmed yet.

I'm down to only 2 boaters doubled up at the moment. Time to get one more boater and hopefully confirm the last 3 boaters.

[1javelin]

Did well as a boater last time I was there, but unfortunately the boat is still in the shop and won't be done by the weekend, or if it is I won't have time to run it and make sure it is fine .  Definitely coming as a non-boater though, looking forward to tearing up some smallies!!

1jav

[dartag]

Got Mud!!!!   Bring them Flippin Stix..


No Waterspouts predicted.   I love it when they predict them...  Never seen one though.




GALE WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 5 PM

TODAY
EAST WINDS 20 TO 25 KNOTS WITH GUST TO 35 KNOT GALES.
CLOUDY. A CHANCE OF LIGHT SHOWERS THROUGH 8 AM...THEN SHOWERS WITH
SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS THROUGH 5 PM...THEN SCATTERED SHOWERS AND
THUNDERSTORMS. WAVES 3 TO 4 FEET...BUILDING TO 4 TO 6 FEET BEFORE
NOON.

TONIGHT
SOUTHEAST WINDS 15 TO 20 KNOTS...DIMINISHING TO 10 TO 15
KNOTS...THEN BECOMING EAST 5 TO 10 KNOTS. CLOUDY. AREAS OF DRIZZLE
WITH A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS DURING THE EVENING...THEN
AREAS OF DRIZZLE AND FOG. WAVES 2 TO 3 FEET...SUBSIDING TO 1 TO 2
FEET OVERNIGHT.

WEDNESDAY
NORTHEAST WINDS 5 TO 15 KNOTS. CLOUDY DURING THE
MORNING...THEN CLEARING. A CHANCE OF DRIZZLE THROUGH EARLY
AFTERNOON. WAVES 1 TO 2 FEET.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT
EAST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS. PARTLY CLOUDY DURING
THE EVENING. CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF RAIN SHOWERS OVERNIGHT. WAVES 1
TO 2 FEET.

THURSDAY
EAST WINDS 15 TO 20 KNOTS...BECOMING SOUTHEAST 10 TO 15
KNOTS. SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS LIKELY. WAVES 3 TO 4
FEET...SUBSIDING TO 1 TO 2 FEET LATE.

FRIDAY
SOUTHWEST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS. MOSTLY CLOUDY...BECOMING
PARTLY CLOUDY DURING THE AFTERNOON. WAVES 1 TO 2 FEET.

SATURDAY
NORTHWEST WINDS 10 TO 15 KNOTS...BECOMING VARIABLE 10
KNOTS OR LESS...THEN BECOMING EAST 5 TO 15 KNOTS. PARTLY CLOUDY.
WAVES 1 TO 2 FEET...SUBSIDING TO AROUND 1 FOOT DURING THE AFTERNOON.

[markgoetsch]

Again if anyone doesn't know where to go along the mile roads they're more than welcome to follow me.  As of Sunday the temp was 49 in the morning and up to 53 in the afternoon.  I can't wait I love fishing st. clair this time of year!

[bob o]

i was going to hit muscamoot bay but the reports don't look all that great proably end up dragging/cranking the mile roads 

[Skip Johnson]

Yesterday I seen cut cord wood to full size floating trees, I came within 10 ft of the tree at 50mph...kinda gave me a shiver becouse I was looking at my gps when I seen it go by so watch for that sort of stuff.
The water was anywhere between 46 to 54 degrees depending on location.
The rivers are dumping in muddy cold water but st clair recovers fast and we have a few warmer stable days before the TX so I predict good weather and great fishin especialy in metro basin.
At this time of year st clairs fish don't need too much coaxing to get them chompin!

[SethV]

Skip, thats really cool of you to post such a detailed report.

Should be a fun day, looking forward to seeing everyone!

[djkimmel]

Did well as a boater last time I was there, but unfortunately the boat is still in the shop and won't be done by the weekend, or if it is I won't have time to run it and make sure it is fine .  Definitely coming as a non-boater though, looking forward to tearing up some smallies!!

1jav

I've got you covered.

[djkimmel]

We are about even right now. I have one boater who is having exciting family changes coming soon who will let me know later tomorrow for sure if he can make it.

I have one boater and nonboater I cannot get a hold of, but they are related and wanted to fish together so that should not affect anyone. We may end up even or with only 1 boat doubled up (me, I don't mind).

I will post the draw tonight expecting at most 1 or 2 changes since everyone is pretty much confirmed otherwise. Sorry about the late posting but there have been many, many changes over the past week and a half. Thanks to my 'assistant tournament director' Bobber for all your help confirming people's status.