Curly's Photo and Fishing Blog
Monday, June 23, 2008
Weekend was Spotty
Fishing was spotty this weekend with storms rolling though some areas in Northern Michigan Sunday. Fishing is still good in many lakes with panfish being the main bite as they are still shallow in many lakes spawning.
Photo above was taken on Spider Lake Saturday Night out on Jack& Sue Leishman’s island by yours truly
Lake levels on Cadillac and Mitchell are very high. Most life residents of Cadillac say itâ??s the highest theyâ??ve ever seen. Many docks and other obstructions are still under water near the shore lines. Most boaters have been considerate about their wakes so as to not to damage property along the shorelines.
The good news is that there are no heavy weed beds on the surface. The best news is that fishing has been good. The fish have been oblivious to the storms and enjoy the larger lakes.
Itâ??s has been a long, cool, stormy start to summer but its here. Bluegills are finally spawning. Limits of gills and sunfish are common. The largest have been males indicating the spawn will last for some time. Thereâ??s been no special time. The bite has been on all day. Most find them in 3 to 6 foot depths. Fish beds, usually can be seen when itâ??s calm. Bait with Leafworms, waxworms or crickets and bring home a meal.
Crappies are still cooperating also. Usually weâ??re finding them in the 10 to 15 foot depths, but theyâ??ve been suspending in the top 6 foot column. Use slip bobbers, baited with small minnows. Drift until you catch one, then anchor. Where thereâ??s one thereâ??s usually a school.
Many are using ultralite rods and are casting small spinners like Beetle spins or Road Runners and have been catching larger specks. Twelveâ??s and larger are common using this method.
Mixed catches of gills, crappie, perch and rock bass are the norm.
The predators, bass and pike are taking advantage of the panfish on their beds. Theyâ??re cruising the shallows eating their small neighbors. J. P. Matlak caught some 9 inch gills he caught while on nearby Pleasant Lake.
Daryl Simmons is a happy bunch. Alexis, JR and Logan enjoyed Lake Cadillac catching gills with their grandfather. This is what itâ??s all about.
Detailed maps of current fish conditions are available at the Pilgrim Village Fishing Shop. Stop in.