A Day on the Water — Marabou Banger Popper

10) North Channel Smallmouth, Popovics' Popper Pattern RULES! July 10

Bass Poppers Big Smallmouth Bob's Banger Popper Marabou Banger Popper Pike Popper Popovick's Jiggy

10) North Channel Smallmouth, Popovics' Popper Pattern RULES! July 10

On the long padIe downstream from the launch in Saint Johns Marsh, I tried for largemouth in some new to me shallow weedy bays and some seawall spots, nothing there.  Nearer the mouth of the North Channel, the current flowed briskly over deep, partially weeded flat. Drifting along the 8 foot contour, casting Poppers out across the current toward 12 or 15 ft depths near the edge of the much deeper central channel.  On the first drift the White 3/0 Marabou Banger got hit by a very big, hard fighting smallmouth that shook the hook on the first high jump.  I stopped to set...

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Lake Huron Spawning Smallmouth, May 20 to 22

Broken Barb Hooks Clouser Minnow Patterns Marabou Banger Popper Mopworm Jigs Opal Minnow Jig

Lake Huron Spawning Smallmouth, May 20 to 22

The Michigan Fly Fishing Club does a big outing at the tip of the Thumb, usually the weekend before Memorial Day Weekend.  Its a good time to go but expect a lot of guys on the water that weekend.  We fish spots from Quanicassee to Huron City. I fished the river mouth pond of a small natural flowing stream.  The water was deep and still with visibility of maybe 4 feet.  Lead eyed Clouser Minnows in Brown, White and Chartreuse or other Chartreuse combinations are always good to get deep 6 or 7 feet down and get lots of fish here. ...

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12) Clinton River Cutoff, Popper Pattern for Bass, no Muskies 7/27/20

Kayak Bass Marabou Banger Popper

12) Clinton River Cutoff, Popper Pattern for Bass, no Muskies 7/27/20

There were very few trailers at the public boat launch Monday afternoon.  I launched there to take advantage of the short carry for my kayak and short walk to a parking spot.  The little emerald shiners had finally started to come in, bringing more bass with them. There are three marinas built out into Lake Saint Clair there.  When power boat traffic is light, their built up riprap or steel retaining walls make sheltered bays around the boat launch and the Clinton River cutoff outlet.  I fished those riprap walls where the west wind was partly blocked.  I finished the...

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10) St Clair River Bass, maybe a Musky, Popovick's Popper Pattern RULES July 10

Marabou Banger Popper Popovick's Jiggy

10) St Clair River Bass, maybe a Musky, Popovick's Popper Pattern RULES July 10

I was looking for more of the fantastic White Bass surface fishing like last year.  The Mouth of the North Channel no longer has good public access.  Decker's Landing has been closed for many months now due to very high lake levels.  Many home and cottage owners are being flooded out or are fighting to save their homes from the high waters and big motor boat wakes.  I put in at Saint Johns Marsh and made the long paddle downstream to outlet of the North Channel into Lake Saint Clair. Along the way I threw bass and musky poppers in weedy bays,...

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