I ended the 2011 Door County fishing season this past week.  Smallmouth are scattered making fishing spotty until water temps drop below 60 degrees which is a turn on for bass.  We did manage to find a few lunkers, however, that would make any bass angler take notice.  Bob Crosse from Monroe, WI fished with me and caught this huge fish on Sept 15th.  It measured 21 inches and weighed around 6+ pounds.  Notice the belly on this fish...no food shortages this summer evidently.  I'll start posting blog entrys once the 2012 season approaches.  Until then, best wishes to all my friends and clients.

 Smallmouth action remains excellent lately with nice fish being caught mostly on plastics.  High winds continue to play havoc from day to day which is always frustrating.  Small craft advisory's in effect again through tomorrow.  So I sit on shore and wait.  This has been the summer of storms and wind all over the Midwest.  Fish when you can...that's my motto.

 Excellent smallmouth fishing continued today.  Mary Ellen Sullivan and her two children, James and Madeline fished for 3 hours with me this  morning.  We boated around 25 fish, all but a few were legal size.  We kept none.  Madeline had the hot hand and caught the most and biggest fish including one that topped 19 inches.  We had several doubles too which always creates a circus.  Mary Ellen and James caught two dandies at the same time and are shown below.  I was the bait boy.  Whoppers all around!

Yesterday morning saw beautiful weather in Door County, perfect for fishing.  Things were slow to begin with but once we found fish all three anglers on board started hauling them in.  Fun action, good company.  Check out what Dennis Pasterski caught on his birthday yesterday.  NICE! 

 The past week has brought outstanding smallmouth fishing to northern Door County unlike salmon fishing action.  On one trip I guided for last Friday two clients from Illinois boated over 30 smallmouth with at least a dozen over 18 inches.  The water was clear and we could see fish swimming everywhere and not another boat in sight.  Crankbaits were the hot ticket.  Check out these pics.

 The weather may be hot and sticky, but smallmouth action remains good.  Repeat customer Steve Sullivan and his son James experienced decent action this morning aboard my boat.  Jumbo leeches were the preferred bait.  James outdid his father all morning long.  So it goes dad.
James had the hot touch last year too and you can see his picture in my gallery.  James landed a sweet 4 lb + smallie this morning which was the biggest of the day.  Dad lost a big one.  Get the picture?  Congrats James for another great performance.

Yesterday was one of those great days when the weather and the fish cooperated.  The weather could not have been better.  The water was so clear we could see fish swimming 50 feet from the boat.  Jim and Mary Clay fished with me and they both competed for the biggest fish.  Both fish weighed 4.5 lbs, but note the girth on Mary's fish.  I declare the contest a draw.  All fish were liberated to fight once again. 

 East winds providing good action yesterday.  So did a falling barometer.  Earlier in the week high pressure and clear skies made smallmouth bass uncooperative.  But not yesterday...they smacked cranks all morning long.  The biggest fish of the day was 5 lbs.  All fish were released.  Water temps rising which will also help fishing.  Unfortunately I cannot access the Mink River this year due to low Lake Michigan water levels.  Plenty of fish in the bay, however.

 Tried out the new boat rig yesterday in pursuit of big smallmouth bass.  The boat worked shallow water nicely and provided an excellent casting platform as I expected it would.  We caught some nice fish in shallow water including a 22" whopper that weighed 6 lbs. The fish was caught on a fly rod which is a super way to fish for bass in shallow water.   I love sight fishing for smallmouth!

 I am finally in full operation now that my new boat is rigged and ready for action.  The new Humminbird and MinnKota electronics are truly amazing.  The boat itself is so comfortable and roomy for anglers.  Bass are plentiful and biting too.  Makes for a great summer!