Today's special - Rock Bass
Michigan Fishing
Jun 5, 2023 12:53:08 #
Spent the past few mornings paddling, trolling and casting for anything that would care to bite in a couple local inland lakes. Wish I had brought a fly rod, as the bluegill were going after a small white fly hatch that would have been a ton of fun. I'll go back tomorrow specifically for those little beauties if the winds stay low!
After having spent the entire Spring working the bigger waters of Lake Michigan, it was quite a change to launch in some of my other favorite haunts. The surface temps on the water are in the low 70's, which has all the fish spawned out and returning to their usual Summer lairs.
The plan was to specifically target walleye in 20 to 40' of water, but after a big fat "zero" on that kind of action I resorted to chasing after pike and bass. My fingers were sore from having changed lures so often and dealing with the swivel clasps! Caught nothing large or photo worthy...with an assortment of rather small LM and SM bass that chomped on my offerings of Mepps spinners and Rapala shallow diving crank baits. No northern pike at all, which kind of puzzled me!
The surprise for me this morning was to inadvertently come upon an area that was well populated with rock bass. Although nothing close to trophy size, they put up a very good scrap for their proportions.
Have a terrific week ahead folks!
After having spent the entire Spring working the bigger waters of Lake Michigan, it was quite a change to launch in some of my other favorite haunts. The surface temps on the water are in the low 70's, which has all the fish spawned out and returning to their usual Summer lairs.
The plan was to specifically target walleye in 20 to 40' of water, but after a big fat "zero" on that kind of action I resorted to chasing after pike and bass. My fingers were sore from having changed lures so often and dealing with the swivel clasps! Caught nothing large or photo worthy...with an assortment of rather small LM and SM bass that chomped on my offerings of Mepps spinners and Rapala shallow diving crank baits. No northern pike at all, which kind of puzzled me!
The surprise for me this morning was to inadvertently come upon an area that was well populated with rock bass. Although nothing close to trophy size, they put up a very good scrap for their proportions.
Have a terrific week ahead folks!
Although I missed sunrise, the lake was still awaiting my arrival at 7 am.
Had a great time catching these "hand sized" rock bass on Rapala shallow diving crank baits (silver shad and crawdad patterns) in a size 5.
Jun 5, 2023 13:20:30 #
Jun 5, 2023 13:27:12 #
Jun 5, 2023 13:41:43 #
USAF Major wrote:
Made many a dinner on the U.P. out of them! Fine eating fish.
Thank you USAF Major! They are indeed a tasty morsel! After catching and releasing several I kind of wished I had started to keep them from the "get go". I grew up eating these and they are well worth the time it takes to prepare them...pretty much the same as a bluegill or crappie for the most part!
Jun 5, 2023 13:44:14 #
OJdidit wrote:
They are a lot of fun to catch!
Thank you OJdidit! They definitely put up a worthy fight! One of the largest ones this morning had me thinking it was a smallmouth initially...giving the rod a good bend backwards!
They were in a super calm area on the lee side of an island. Would have been a perfect place to use worms under a bobber!
Jun 5, 2023 13:53:45 #
Jun 5, 2023 13:56:22 #
Rock bass are good to catch all around. They put up a good fight and provide tasty fillets.
Jun 5, 2023 14:11:59 #
NJ219bands wrote:
Nice 👍
Thank you NJ219! I managed to get a pretty good kayaking workout in while going after them!
Jun 5, 2023 14:13:26 #
mistred64 wrote:
Rock bass are good to catch all around. They put up a good fight and provide tasty fillets.
Thank you Mistred64! I agree 100%! The next time I visit this particular lake I just might come equipped specifically to catch more for a meal!
Jun 5, 2023 18:50:28 #
Jun 5, 2023 21:38:06 #
CamT wrote:
Nice must have been fun
Thank you CamT! Yes...very fun! I covered a lot of "blank water" under the kayak with no fish seemingly present for the most part...so running into those hungry rock bass made my day. The other smaller bass were fun as well, but more sparse.
I was glad for such calm conditions, and even with a slight North wind kicking up near the end of my planned time on the water conditions to be out were absolutely perfect. I made sure it was at my back for the return paddle back to the launch site!
Jun 5, 2023 22:23:42 #
fishyaker wrote:
Spent the past few mornings paddling, trolling and... (show quote)
Sounds like a fun time catching rock Bass! Looks like a very nice place to fish! Congrats on your day catching! Good luck and be safe!!
Jun 6, 2023 07:20:07 #
Bassmatter wrote:
Sounds like a fun time catching rock Bass! Looks like a very nice place to fish! Congrats on your day catching! Good luck and be safe!!
Thank you Bassmatter! For whatever reason...I rarely catch rock bass around here...even though I know they are plentiful if you choose the right places. It was a real treat and surprise for me. The hot spot was located on the opposite side of the island that is pictured in one of the photos straight out from the launch.
Jun 6, 2023 09:19:58 #
Jun 6, 2023 11:34:42 #
Papa Jack wrote:
Rockbass are fun to catch
Thank you Papa Jack! They sure are! When other fish may be picky or scarce...the good ole' rockies will step up to the plate. What is really nice is when you come upon some larger ones that are worthy of keeping to clean for a meal!
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