Curly's Photo and Fishing Blog
Fishing Should Start Picking Up
The cooler weather should get fish back on the bite, and a little rain should help. Most are reporting that the fish are not up the river yet in numbers but this cool weather over the weekend will help. The mouth of the Platte River mouth is hot with lots of fish being caught on spawn surf fishing.
FISHING CONDITIONS ON LAKES CADILLAC AND MITCHELL
FROM PILGRIM VILLAGE FISHING SHOP
The lakes are cooling down and bass and pike fishing is getting stronger.
BBTâ??S Bass R Us Classic was held Saturday after a cold front, rain and wind storm passed through Friday.
A Classic is a test of the best and all 26 boats passed. Rich and Aaron Mast out fished the rest with a winning 15.19 pound, 5 fish limit. Eight other teams were in the over 12 and 13 pound range. Eighty-six fish were weighed for a total of 199 pounds. All fish were returned to the lake they were caught—ALIVE.
The pike on Mitchell and Cadillac harassed the tournament fishermen. Many of BBTâ??s finest said no other lake they fish have so many big pike. See picture of Chris Palmbos from Allendale. His 40 inch, 12 ½ pound pike is on the way to the taxidermist.
Weâ??ve reported before that spinner baits are deadly on pike. Chris caught his on a white/chartreuse searching for small mouths.
Panfish, currently good gills and sunfish have been caught at both entrances and in the canal connecting Cadillac and Mitchell. Have no explanation why they are there. Boat traffic makes no difference. Leafworms or wax worms are their favorite. Few are fishing crappie lately. Those that are report dong best outside the weed line across from the High School on Cadillac.
Itâ??s September but no serious perch are showing up. Lake temperatures are still warm. This will improve.
Manistee River—Many have caught salmon fever. Theyâ??re there and the parking lots are filling up. Freshest fish are from High Bridge down river, especially the Bear Creek area. The river is down and clear. At Tippy Dam there is some coho mixed with the kings. All kinds of tackle are working. Some fish flies, others Thudersticks, Rapalas, Cleoâ??s or spawn. Take your choice.
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