Fishing Michigan

I’ll be the first to admit,  with so many species of fish available to anglers in Michigan,  bass are not really high on my list  to target.  They fall only slightly higher than sliver bass, cats and carp in priority,  and I haven’t EVER targeted the bottom three.  Seriously this is the Great North, where God has given us the whitefish, pike, walleye, perch, bluegill and crappie to eat. If I really want to go fishing for something that I can throw back, muskies rule.

My cousin’s son wants to be a tournamnet bass angler,  so she calls me from time to time with questions on how to go about acheiving the goal.  Perhaps even fishing with him the first year or so, just to get adjusted to the level of skill needed.  Even with all my suggestions about targeting walleye,  with all the associations and clubs here in the state, he is bound and determined to chase those green and bronze fish for a living.

So the other day I am up in the shop, going through the gear.  Have to admit, I just might be too much of a fish head for my own good, ’bout the only thing I don’t have are the new goby style plastics that have come out in the last couple of years.  Who knew when they invaded the Great Lakes, that those darn smallies would just eat them up.

So what do you need to get started bass fishing, probably less than what is in the shop,  but it is a good starting point to refer back too.  There are crankbaits that run shallow, dive deep and suspend.  Most of the suspending baits are also jerkbaits.  Topwater baits that include wobbler, poppers, buzzbaits and floaters.  Spinnerbaits for shallow and deep, slow and fast. Plastic trailers and jigs for deep water bites, flippin’ and pitchin’.  More plastics for rigging and dropshoting.  Then rods and reels, hooks and line, weights…..there probably is more to the list, but I will quit right there!

Start with a few rods and reels to accurately and effectively toss baits that can be 1/16th of an ounce all the way up to an ounce or more.  Actions will be from light to heavy on the rods. Reels will have six to 25 lb monofilament, with braids up to 50 lb in strength. Your lighter lines will be predominitely be used with spinning reels,  although a dropshot rig on casting reel works, as well.

What lures are there to choose from to fish for bass, answer is TOO MANY.  Many of the bass lures that were used 40 yrs ago are the basis for many of the lures we use for pike and muskie today.  They are just a little bit bigger is all.  In warmer weather climates like those in  California and Florida, many of the muskie baits are being turned into bass baits. Warmer water equals more active bass, more active bass equal larger bass, and the term bucket mouth really isn’t a stretch when discussing largemouths.

Cranks are an universal bait for many species, and they apply to bass as well.  The newest generation of baits have come from Northland and Storm in recent years, plastic molded suspending baits.  Jigheads made of resin for the weight and made to look like lifelike fish.  If you are just starting out, get a selection of shallow to medium to deep diving baits. Some that susupend and others that sink and rattle.

With the large slections of plastics available, you cannot go wrong with any of your selections if applied to the right circumstances.  There are worms and twisters, lizards and crawfish,  and the faithful tube.

Spinnerbaits are probably the most commonly used bait for bass fishing.  Choose the right weights, colors and blades to match the tactics you are using to catch the fish.  Shallow water, lighter weight for control.  Heavy and willow blades for fast moving fish and those suspended.  Deep down and cold water conditions, pick heavy and colorado blades for slow rolling.

One of the more unique baits to bass fishing is the use of the jig.  Doesn’t look anything like the standard jig used for walleye or crappie.  Usually accompanied with a piece of plastic or pork for some extra flash at the tail.  Supposedly to mimic crayfish, the jig n pig set up can be pitched, twitched and flipped into cover or along the edge before a drop off.  Make sure you bring a towel, because the stuff they spray on their plastics, well, it just don’t smell right!

Have said it before, and will say it again, topwater is a blast!!!  Is there a more effective way to target bass? Maybe, is there another more fun for the angler, nope!  Its one thing to see a fish take a swipe at your bait in clear water below the surface, its another thing to watch the water explode as a bass goes after your lure.  Watch them wobble, wiggle, pop, walk and buzz through the weeds and pads, where you might think it too thick for a fish to be, and just wait for it!

Kind of remember now why I do have all this bass gear.  Hard to beat a day fishing for anything, but when the challenge is there,  the fire gets going.  Think I hear a fishing show on the tube, good luck !