The Next Generation of Anglers

When you set 62 kids loose on 80 trout, something special happens. The pond at Fox Ford of Cadillac came alive this weekend with the laughter of children, the hum of conversation, and the splash of trout hitting the net. For a few hours, time slowed down. The only things that mattered were bent rods, smiles, and memories being made.This event, hosted once again by Fox Ford of Cadillac, has become a fall tradition in Northern Michigan. The leaves start to turn, the mornings cool down, and the kids line the banks with fishing poles in hand. A big thanks goes to Steve at Pilgrim’s Village for providing the bait that kept the trout biting from start to finish.By day’s end, there weren’t many fish left in the pond and plenty of kids left grinning. The Northwest Michigan Fishing Club deserves a huge thank-you for the time, energy, and heart they put into this. Fifteen volunteers made sure every child had a chance to fish, learn, and feel that rush when a trout bends the rod.Events like this remind us why we fish. It’s not just about catching—it’s about teaching, sharing, and passing along something that lasts a lifetime. The outdoors brings us together, and on this day, every cast told a story worth remembering.Tight lines,Bait Man … See MoreSee Less

Photos from NWMI Fishing Club’s post … See MoreSee Less

HOOK & PADDLE – WEEKLY KAYAK FISHING REPORT

Presented by Buc’s Aqua Farms Inc.🌬 On the Water This WeekCold northwest winds have dropped water temps into the upper 50s, with overnight lows in the low 40s across Northern Michigan. Anglers are finding success early and late on protected bays, coves, and timber edges. Mornings remain calm enough for kayak launches, but plan your return downwind as gusts rise by midday.🔥 Hot Yak Bite AlertThe Hodenpyl Dam Pond bite near Mesick is red-hot with walleye, pike, and mixed panfish active along timber and current seams. Jig-and-minnow rigs and slip floats are producing during calm morning windows.🌊 Lake of the Week – Hodenpyl Dam Pond (Mesick, MI)Hodenpyl Dam Pond offers diverse fishing and quiet water surrounded by forested shoreline.Species: Walleye, pike, smallmouth and largemouth bass, rock bass, perch, bluegill, and crappie.Hot Zones: Mouth of the Manistee River for pike and smallmouth, sandbars near the dam for walleye, and timber fields for panfish.Access: DNR Launch on Hodenpyl Dam Road, Burton’s Landing, Red Bridge, and Norman Dixon sites.Bait Shops: Thirlby’s in Mesick (crawlers, wax worms, red worms; no minnows) and The Dam Store (live minnows and tackle).🔎 Hottest Bites Scan — Fall Focus🧭 Northern Michigan (15 Lakes)Torch Lake (lower basin): Perch active on small minnows over mid-lake flats; smallmouth on tubes near gravel breaks.Burt Lake: Perch and walleye steady on cabbage edges and points; jig-minnow combos early and late.Mullett Lake: Deep perch schools and night walleye on crankbaits near river mouths.Elk Lake: Smallmouth and perch mixed on rocky transitions; ned rigs and minnows best.Long Lake (Grand Traverse): Walleye off island saddles at dusk; perch on weedlines in 10–14 feet.Lake Charlevoix (South Arm): Perch roaming Elm Point; walleye on crawler harnesses after dark.Big Glen Lake: Clear-water perch deep at 30–40 feet; smallmouth on tubes during wind ripple.Little Glen Lake: Perch holding at vegetation edges in 10–15 feet on small jigs.Crystal Lake (Benzie): Perch off drop-offs near weeds on small minnows; drifting pays.Platte Lake (Lower): Perch on inside turns at 8–12 feet; search until you mark tight schools.Portage Lake (Onekama): Perch consistent mid-lake and near North Point; minnows under floats best.Hamlin Lake: Perch steady along cabbage; crappie suspended over timber on tubes.Otsego Lake: Evening walleye jig bite strong on sandy bars; perch close to first break.Black Lake (Cheboygan): Perch holding in cabbage pockets; bonus pike cruising same lanes.Crooked Lake (Emmet): Perch on channel edges; minnows and hair jigs producing.🌲 Upper Peninsula (15 Lakes)Lake Gogebic: Walleye and perch strong on first breaks with jig/minnow drifts.Indian Lake (Schoolcraft): Perch and walleye tight to weeds; slip bobbers shine evenings.Big Manistique Lake: Walleye and perch on island contours; small harnesses doing work.Little Bay de Noc: Perch shallow on minnows; night walleye on reefs near Kipling.Au Train Lake: Perch and crappie steady at dusk along weedlines with small tubes.Lake Antoine: Panfish active along docks; small minnows best.Brevoort Lake: Walleye and perch in cabbage pockets on jig/minnow.Bond Falls Flowage: Panfish on timber edges; slow pike in stained coves.Michigamme Reservoir: Perch and walleye off channel flats with crawler rigs.Peavy Pond: Walleye and perch vertical jigging stump flats during calm hours.Portage Lake (Keweenaw): Perch and smallmouth on rocky transitions with blade baits.Lake Independence: Perch on mid-depth breaks; walleye at dusk on harnesses.Chicagon Lake: Smallmouth on rock points; perch mid-depth on tiny minnows.Fortune Chain Lakes: Crappie and perch near saddle edges; slip floats excel.Grand Sable Lake: Clear-water perch deep and spooky; light line and finesse jigs key.🌾 Southern Michigan (15 Lakes)Gull Lake: Deep perch forming schools; smallmouth on rocks and swimbaits.Gun Lake: Crappie and bass active on wood; mini swimmers producing.Kent Lake: Largemouth near wood; jigs and spinnerbaits early.Union Lake: Walleye near channel points; perch scattered mid-depth.Wampler’s Lake: Largemouth and perch on crawler chunks around weeds.Lake Hudson: Bass and crappie around cover on jigs and minnows.Coldwater Chain: Bluegill and perch on deep edges; drop-shot rigs effective.Crooked Lake (Delton): Bluegill on wax worms near vegetation; light floats work.Paw Paw Lake: Bass in weed pockets; perch along first drop in 12 feet.Holloway Reservoir: Walleye along old channel; crankbaits effective early.Lake Chemung: Perch off points; crappie suspended deeper midday.Silver Lake (Waterford): Panfish near docks; small plastics steady.Portage Lake (Jackson): Bluegill and perch under lily pads on wax worms.Cass Lake: Smallmouth on humps; perch deeper mid-lake on minnows.Big Wolf Lake: Bass on shallow wood; bluegill tight to pads in the evening.🌊 Top 5 Kayak-Friendly Rivers (This Week)Manistee River: Salmon, steelhead, and walleye below Tippy; spawn and beads producing.Au Sable River: Browns and smallmouth on spinners and nymphs in slower seams.Huron River: Smallmouth steady near wood; finesse worms and jerkbaits working.Betsie River: Fresh salmon entering; spawn sacks in deeper slots.Muskegon River: Walleye and smallmouth along deep seams; jig/minnow combos best.🎣 Technique Spotlight – The Ned RigA Ned rig is a finesse fishing technique and rig, popularized for bass fishing but effective for many species, that involves rigging a small soft plastic bait—typically 2 to 3 inches long, often a stick bait or worm made of buoyant material—onto a light mushroom-shaped jig head.Key Features:The design causes the bait to stand upright on the bottom, mimicking a small baitfish or aquatic creature feeding or moving slowly along the bottom. This appeals to pressured and finicky fish. The presentation is “do-nothing” simple but highly effective, especially in tough conditions and clear or cold water. The mushroom head keeps the bait from tipping over, adding realism to the profile.Setup and Technique:Typical setups include a mushroom-style jig head paired with short stick baits, worms, or creature plastics in the 2–3 inch range. Use a spinning rod with light braid and a fluorocarbon leader—10 lb. braid to a lighter leader works well for sensitivity and casting. Cast and let the rig sink on a slack line, then use small hops, subtle twitches, or a slow crawl along the bottom. Avoid aggressive hooksets—a steady reel-in is usually enough, as fish often hook themselves.Application and Target Species:Although mainly associated with bass, Ned rigs catch a variety of fish, including walleye, crappie, bluegill, and perch, due to their compact, natural action. They shine in tough conditions, cold water, or when fish are wary of larger or faster-moving presentations.Origins:Named after Midwest finesse angler Ned Kehde, the rig grew out of light-line bass tactics and quickly gained national attention for its reliability and versatility. Today, the Ned rig is a staple among finesse anglers across the U.S. and one of the best kayak fishing techniques for cold, clear fall water.⚙️ Gear Review – Influencer CombosShimano Stradic FL + St. Croix Mojo Bass for finesse.Daiwa Tatula CT + Dobyns Fury for power.Abu Garcia Revo X + Veritas for all-around.Lightweight, corrosion-resistant setups remain best for kayak comfort and control.💰 Gear Spotlight – Apex Watercraft TyrThe Apex Tyr stands as the most expensive factory fishing kayak on the market at $7,999, crafted from full carbon fiber and weighing only 40 pounds for elite performance.🍂 Fall Kayak Clothing GuideLayer synthetic base, fleece mid, and waterproof shell.Boots: XTRATUF Wheelhouse, Grundéns Deviation, NRS Boundary.Gloves: Gill 3-Season or neoprene.Always wear a kayak-rated PFD and pack dry clothes in a sealed bag.🛠 YakAttack Accessory of the WeekOmega Pro Rod Holder ($39.95): Universal LockNLoad system ideal for trolling or drifting setups on kayaks.🎣 Pro Tip – Dwayne & TiffanyOne crisp morning, we paddled out across misty, timber-studded waters, knowing that sometimes the best bites come when patience and positioning work together. Instead of charging ahead, we let the kayak drift broadside, using the pedal drive to gently steer along a submerged tree line. The lures danced in the strike zone, lingering alongside the weathered wood and dark shadows where big perch and bass like to hold.Suddenly, Dwayne’s rod dipped hard—right at the edge of a steep drop-off carved out by old river currents. We kept our drift slow and steady, resisting the urge to overcorrect. That single, strategic pass over the structure kept our bait hovering just long enough for a strike. Staying broadside let us cast to every pocket and limb, doubling our chances before the wind pushed us out of position.It’s a simple move, but it turns minutes of random drifting into a focused hunt. Try it next time—especially when the pressure’s on to pick apart tough cover or tight breaks. The best stories come from small adjustments that put you in the right spot at precisely the right moment.⚠️ Safety SpotlightAlways check wind direction before launching. Plan your return downwind and carry extra dry gear. Cold water demands extra caution this week.📸 Community ShoutoutThanks to everyone sharing kayak fishing photos from across Michigan! Tag @UncleBuckTheBaitMan with #HookAndPaddle to be featured next week. … See MoreSee Less