Catch and Immediate Release (CIR) Bassin'

One thing that state government got right over the last few years was the liberalization of our Michigan bass fishing season.  One can now legally bass fish year-round; but it is strictly Catch and Immediate Release (CIR; no harvest) until Memorial Day weekend.  I'm okay with that, I'm never tempted to keep a bass.  This change in season also addresses and alleviates the historic, rampant illegal bass fishing that always took place; after all, folks could always fish for "panfish" and "walleyes" with Senkos, weedless jigs, spinnerbaits and such.

While the open waters of March used to mean Lake Michigan Brown Trout and Cohos to me, these same days have now become Bass Season.    And with a bit of practice, they have provided a legitimate shot at some of the year's biggest bass.  While bass might not be quite as exciting as our Great Lakes salmonoids, they are my comfort fish; and they're quite a bit closer to home and more convenient.  I can go from my desk to my boat deck on Reeds Lake in a little under 45 minutes, and that includes walking my dog, Ollie!

I hit the water twice this week after work.  Both days were very pleasant, and one was very productive. The bass aren't exactly plentiful yet, but they are all chunky-to-large specimens, and each one is a bit of a gift.  I'm not inclined to complain about all the pike I'm catching, either.

My experience so far this year has mirrored, while improving upon, last season.  I'm paying close attention to water temperature and conditions, patterns and presentations.  I know I have some tremendous jerk- and rattle-baiting ahead of me, and I'm constantly introducing new presentations into the mix as a learning tool/reality check.

Not a bad start to a post-work trip!

Berkley Cutter over 3.5 to 5 feet of water has produced several nice bass.

Over 20 inches and fat = Easy 5-Pounder

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...

When you get greedy and rush to make just One Last Cast... you end up breaking your hot lure on the trolling motor!

March has been good!  I can't wait to see what April provides!

New Year, New Techniques

It appears as though I've made it through another winter (although the current forecast seems to put any further progress on hold), and the ice has been out for 10 or more days.  The docks are not yet in place, but both bass and pike seasons are now open; and weather and schedule were favorably aligned.  On March 5, 2017, Numenon began her 15th year of service.

34 degrees F air temperature; and 37 degrees for the water.

It's a fishy launch; but I still find it difficult to believe that modest Reeds Lake supported such enterprises.

My maiden voyage each year is usually a shake-down trip, with actual catching being a pleasant bonus.  I usually start on Lake Michigan for brown trout, too; I'm not exactly experienced in chasing bass and soft-water pike at this time of year.  The actual fishing details of the day can be found here; it was a good day!


We saw a bald eagle; we caught both targeted species (pike and bass); and I converted on two new-to-me techniques.  The pike ate a crank bait delivered off a three-way rig (2-ounce bell sinker); this is not exactly a new technique for me, but it is on Reeds Lake.  The biggest bass of the day (as well as a very heavy Mystery Fish that, alas, got away) succumbed to The Technique of Silent Capture, i.e. spy-baiting.  I'd sought the spy bait for exactly these conditions; cold water and difficult conditions.  It seems to have paid off!  I've definitely added it to my tool box!

Three-way rigging cranks caught the season's first fish!

Slow-jerking a Shadow Rap fooled the first bass.

The season's first lunker fell for The Technique of Silent Capture!

Duo Realis Size 80 Spy bait (top) and Rapala Shallow Shadow Rap jerk bait (bottom) caught bass this day.

But there were many other reasons to declare this to be a good day!  I was sharing the boat with long-term friend TM, and I know he likes to relax and enjoy himself.  In addition to simply sharing the day with him, I thought I'd treat him to a hot lunch aboard Numenon.  Now, a portion of my winter has been spent day-dreaming about pike and perch fishing in Sweden; in fact, a trip to Sweden has probably wormed its way onto my ill-formed Bucket List.  While I've long been aware of the outsized, brackish pike and perch in Scandinavia, this group of pikers has awakened my interest in fishing there.  In addition to the fish, the solitude, the surroundings and the coffee, they always seem to enjoy a hot lunch out on the water!  So TM and I enjoyed the Kanalgratis-inspired Inaugural Hot Dog Hot Lunch aboard any of my vessels.

A Thermos never lets you down, especially if you pre-heat it with boiling water.

I had given this some thought; as well as the Thermos full of dogs, tongs, buns, condiments and drinks were readily available.

Ready for customization, but this is how I prefer my dogs.

TM knows how to enjoy life.  And, he has proper manners!