Off to Washington Island for smallies!

To start the week the film crew and I are leaving the walleye gear at home and will be heading to Washington Is. to fish with Paul Delaney for the opening week of smallmouth bass fishing (opened July 1).

The last time I was out there we didn’t film but we did get into some of the biggest smallmouth I’ve ever seen with one fish pulling a digital scale to 6Lb 10 oz. Now that’s a toad!

Wish us luck… and expect some updates from the road. I for one am looking forward to the cool water keeping the humidity and temps down a bit!

For those not familiar with Washington Is. it is the large island at the tip of the peninsula that divides Green Bay from the rest of Lake Michigan.

Washington Island

Likely all you really need to know is the area is under-fished, the smallmouth bass grow huge and the water is as clear as you’ll see it anywhere so we’ll be sight fishing cruising schools up on shallow flats!

Looking forward to the report James!

Will be up at Gills Rock the 14th – 21st. Primarily doing salmon fishing, but will try to get a day in on the smallies around the island. Open seat 14th 17th. Leaving the 8th for Bemidji, Mn. – on to Lake Nebagamon, Wi. and then to the Door. Be looking for your update.
bestfishes – jim

http://i1061.photobucket.com/albums/t478/Bassville_USA/th_VernHugeSmallie.jpg

James
Best of Luck,
CAN NOT wait for the video….

Jack

I expect a FULL report……

Wow James you are giving me itchy feet, I have been wanting to do that trip the last couple of years. I,ll be waiting to see your report for sure.

James, Pack an assortment of tinsel jigs in 1/4 and 1/2 oz – silver, gold, green/gold, and blue/sliver. If you get bored on the smallies, or just want a change of pace – chinooks are doing well also.

Good Luck!!!! It looks like it is going to be a great week. Usually this is the week that we head out there and salmon fish but this year we decided to head north to Swan Lake outside of Grand Rapids. Kinda wish we were headed back to the big lake due to the awesome fishing reports I have heard.

Randy,

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If you get bored on the smallies

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GET REAL……
Yeah I’m bored catching 5 lb up to near 7 pound Smallmouth, think I’ll go catch a few Salmon.
I DO NOT think it is possible to leave Smallmouth like that, do you really think?

Jack

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Randy,

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If you get bored on the smallies

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GET REAL……
Yeah I’m bored catching 5 lb up to near 7 pound Smallmouth, think I’ll go catch a few Salmon.
I DO NOT think it is possible to leave Smallmouth like that, do you really think?

Jack

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Yes, I do think! I guess when you have it almost in your back yard and have fished them so much, its easy to consider taking advantage of the MANY opportunities D.C. has to offer. Plus, you have such a short boat ride to hit deep water. Had numerous times up there when we could see trout/salmon busting on alewives while we were fishing smallies. Hooking a fish that can burn 150 yrds of drag off in seconds isn’t a bad thing

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Randy,

Quote:

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If you get bored on the smallies

---

GET REAL……
Yeah I’m bored catching 5 lb up to near 7 pound Smallmouth, think I’ll go catch a few Salmon.
I DO NOT think it is possible to leave Smallmouth like that, do you really think?

Jack

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Gotta agree with Randy on this one.
If you think catching a 7lb smallie is fun, (which I definitely do) then try holding onto a rod with a 20# plus King Salmon tearing off line on the other end.

Can’t really see how you could go wrong either way though!

Looking forward to seeing the results of this trip!

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Randy,

Quote:

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If you get bored on the smallies

---

GET REAL……
Yeah I’m bored catching 5 lb up to near 7 pound Smallmouth, think I’ll go catch a few Salmon.
I DO NOT think it is possible to leave Smallmouth like that, do you really think?

Jack

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Gotta agree with Randy on this one.
If you think catching a 7lb smallie is fun, (which I definitely do) then try holding onto a rod with a 20# plus King Salmon tearing off line on the other end.

Can’t really see how you could go wrong either way though!

Looking forward to seeing the results of this trip!

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Yep, when my thumb gets raw from handling so many 5#-7# bass during the course of a whooooole week, I think watching my drag screaming from a freight train might be a welcome respite… Love ya Jack, but going with the guys above…

Mark

I concede you guys. I’ve never fished for Lake Michigan Kings, but it does sound like fun.
My only big Kings fishing was in the 1960’s out from the Golden Gate, and many over 30 pounders, but the gear was so heavy there was NO line burning, just try and hold onto the rod til the fish tires and comes in. NO one out there had downriggers.
Willing to learn,
Jack

Jack, like I mentioned before – if you ever get over here, I’ll make an open seat for ya! I’ld get a kick out of seeing you with a 12′ noodle rod holding up the BIG “C”

meanwhile – James, we’re waiting

James must be on the road it rained last night.

It was a great trip and the weather was perfect with light winds and very manageable conditions on the lake. As for the fishing the bite was awesome. Dozens upon dozens of 3 – 5 lb bass in crystal clear water. The west channel was loaded with fish for anyone headed out there in the near future. Nothing fancy was needed as far as presentations are concerned; stickworms or grubs took all our fish with the stickworms producing the most fish and biggest fish. Finding the fish is easy… use your EYES! The fish are in very shallow water and they stick out like a sore thumb. The bass are dark black against a very light bottom and can be spotted from a long way off.

Here’s a real short underwater video we shot out on Washington Island that should give everyone an idea of how incredibly clear the water is and how much fun it is to chase these bass. You can see them cruising the shallows from a long, long way off. If I could have figured out a way to fabricate a tall casting platform to allow for a higher vantage point I think I would have done it!

Sounds like an awesome trip, and am sure you didn’t go looking for any Salmon.
Can’t wait for the videos of the trip.
Jack

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Sounds like an awesome trip, and am sure you didn’t go looking for any Salmon.
Can’t wait for the videos of the trip.
Jack

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Nope, no salmon on this trip but I will be going back in August for a combo walleye and king salmon trip.