Grand River in Michigan

[hear_kitty]

OK sparky and jon i opened this so we can work this out what day or days night or nights jon do you have access to any blue gills? any thoughts on where to start? ok give me some feedback

[jspiel]

as i said in my PM i think the best bet for launching is west river dr. i will try to get some gills sat morning, hope they are biteing......i went to globexplorer.com last night and put in belmont MI for the address. the areail phots that come up show the river around the west river dr boat launch, and allow a very tight closeup......you can pan upstream and down to check out the river contours......there are several good looking spots within about a 20 minute run from the launch......give me a call if you need more specific directions......

[bwanatony]

OK, you guys are plotting a fishing trip in my back yard you know...
Mind if I tag along? What time is launch time?
Tony

[hear_kitty]

OK, you guys are plotting a fishing trip in my back yard you know...
Mind if I tag along? What time is launch time?
Tony Would love to have ya tag along but boat only fits 3 maybe we can get togehter and fish on another trip? do you have a boat if so by al means come on down we will tag team them

[bwanatony]

Yes, I have my own boat, and I also know where to get bluegills nearby.
I launch at that ramp all the time, and there's good fishing near there, too.
It's also a great place to shear pins and mangle props if you don't know the channel.
What time?

[bwanatony]

11:00 Friday, 6/9
Hey,
Since my office is right on the Grand River, I just went to have a look at the water level & clarity. I grabbed a cup of coffee at the Shell station at Ann & Monroe, and there's a bunch of giant mayflies clinging to the outside walls of the place.
I hope that doesn't mean every fish in the area has a belly full of mayflies!

Anyway, the river is neither high nor low, and the clarity looks pretty good.

I also had a thought, I have a 12' seine we could use to try to collect some extra bait. I'll bet we could gather some sucker minnows to go with the bluegills & whatever else is available.

My preference would be to fish from 5pm or so to roughly midnight. How does that sound?

[jross1901]

have a great trip fellas, those flatties should be biting.
wish i had a boat so i could tag along.

[bwanatony]

J Ross- check for a PM.

[hear_kitty]

11:00 Friday, 6/9
Hey,
Since my office is right on the Grand River, I just went to have a look at the water level & clarity. I grabbed a cup of coffee at the Shell station at Ann & Monroe, and there's a bunch of giant mayflies clinging to the outside walls of the place.
I hope that doesn't mean every fish in the area has a belly full of mayflies!

Anyway, the river is neither high nor low, and the clarity looks pretty good.

I also had a thought, I have a 12' seine we could use to try to collect some extra bait. I'll bet we could gather some sucker minnows to go with the bluegills & whatever else is available.

My preference would be to fish from 5pm or so to roughly midnight. How does that sound? Me and sparky should be at the boat launch by 3 and fish till? any extra bait would be great its nice to have someone you and jon that now the river this is my first time down there and hopefuly my and sparky's first flathead! we are talking about the launch on west river rd right? This should be a good trip hope we knock them out of the water

[bwanatony]

Ooohh Boy,
First flats for the two of you? Now the pressures on me, as the unofficial "guide".
I'm going to PM the bluegill source to you & Jon.
I'll have a tough time getting there that early, but anything is possible.
Check your PMs guys.

[hear_kitty]

Just getting there a little early to check the river out with the fish cam!

[bwanatony]

Glad to hear you have electronics, my depth finder and my deep-cycle charger both puked in the same week, and I can't get either replaced by tomorrow.):

[jross1901]

bwanatony has been kind enough to invite me along as well.
i can't wait to meet the BOC michigan guys. and maybe this time sparky, we can catch some fish.
see you guys tomorrow:big_smile: :big_smile:
-jim

[bwanatony]

Trying to add a photo, let's see if it works...

OK, it works, but I need a better photo, preferably with a fish.
Hope one of y'all is a photographer...

[Sparky Larson]

Hey Steve, I mean Jim,
I'm glad to hear that tony asked you along. It will be good to see you again and also meet Tony, not to mention meeting Jon. Heck this Saturday get together could turn out to be a real Hoot!
Now, what we need is someone to teach Don and I how to catch a Flathead!LMAO.
Keep your eyes posted on this thread for a time table from Don.
Sparky

[bwanatony]

OK,
This could be quite the expedition.
The key, my friends, is good bait. Without a sufficient supply of quality live baitfish, we will be unhooking 13" channels all night. If we have any trouble getting bluegills, we may have to buy suckers/shiners from Brenner's Bait a mile or two west of the ramp. Bring $$, big ones ain't cheap, but without live fish for bait- the trips a bust.
(BTW, I have secured spousal consent, so I'm in for sure.)
Bring some crawlers, too, so we can fish for suckers while we're catfishing.
If someone can bring a pair of waders, we can seine near the ramp for bait.
The hunt is on!
Tony

[hear_kitty]

Ok this is the plan me and sparky will leave here 11:30 12:00 and should be to the dock by 3:00 any way so me and sparky can check out the river and may hook some bait. you all have my cell number we will meet at the dock! as you show up!

[bwanatony]

Anybody who beats me to the ramp could fish for bait if they feel like it.
Try tossing a small piece of crawler into the slack water around the island just downstream from the ramp, at the mouth of the Rogue River. You may get a rock bass, bullhead, sucker, or bluegill.

[dreamcatcher]

Man, you guys sound like you're all set to catch some flatheads! This is shaping up to be quite the trip, and I'm anxious to see what you guys pull out of the river, ESPECIALLY the virgin flathead fishermen. ROTFLMAO!!! Please take plenty of pictures, especially some good mug shots of our newer members so we can see what they look like(preferably with a flathead)!

Hey, if you guys need help with posting any pics let me know...

My fingers are crossed, and I hope you guys get into them. Have a great weekend!:big_smile_2:

[jspiel]

tony, glad to have you coming along. takes the pressure off me. i will be getting to the launch about 7:00. if im lucky i may get there by 6:30.....im going to richmond park in the morning to get some gills. a friend of mine lives near there, and told me they are on the beds in the pond......i convertes a 30 qt. cooler into an airated livewell so they should keep well enough.....see you tomorrow......

vic, i cant believe you will only be cheering us on from afar. the flaties her are so big we need your cue sticks, er fishing rods, to land theml LOL

im not much of a photographer, but i will be taking pictures.......get the steak dinner ready sal.....the record could fall this weekend.....

[bwanatony]

Hey,
Just wanted to mention that it's going down in the low 40's the next two nights, so anyone planning to stay out late would be wise to pack clothes for the cold & damp we are likely to have.
Building a fire in the boat isn't an option... better safe than shivering.
Tony
PS: Local word is the cats are hungry! Woohoo!

[Sparky Larson]

Thanks for the clothing tip Tony. I'm getting more excited every time I read this thread. As for Jon saying, he is glad you're tagging along cause it takes the pressure off him! Heck the pressure is on Don and I, neither one of us has ever landed a Flathead. The only time I've ever seen one was in a tank. So, when it comes to pressure, this fisherman has to brake his cherry tonight.
LAMO
Sparky

[hear_kitty]

With all this talk of pressure and breaking cherrys and the cats being hungry i thought i should get out the heavy equipment!

[jspiel]

i was able to get about 15 4-5 inch gills this morning. i checked in at brenners afterwards, and was told that the last they heard, yesterday, the flatties were hitting on 4-6 inch sucker minnows and gills......the paper say they are hitting on gills, gizzard shad, and cut bait.......i will also have a couple dozen shrimp, and a couple dozen frozen smelt for tonight.

since don is breaking out the heavy gear, and i assume sparky is too, i will leave my real heavy stuff home tonight. i am bringing my 8 and 10 foot medium heavy casting gear, and a medium power caster loaded with 14 lb test fireline......(the light one if for fishing the shrimp and smelt before the sun goes down) i'm also bring 2 dozen crawlers in case the drum are biteing.....


MERRY FISHING TO ALL, AND TO ALL A GOOD CATCH

[RiverKat]

With all this talk of pressure and breaking cherrys and the cats being hungry i thought i should get out the heavy equipment! Wow! Doing battle with a 20lb + shovelhead on that gear! I'd almost pay to watch!!!:lol: Custom rod holders are sweet though.

[jspiel]

well, its 2:00 am, and i just walked in from our trip......im not gonna tell how anybody else did tonight, but i will say i didnt catch anything. there will be some very interesting pictures tho. DONT BELIEVE ANYTHING DON OR SPARKY SAY ABOUT ME.......I REALLY DIDNT DO IT.........i had the time of my life tonight. i sat between two great guys, and they are good fishermen too......it was great to finally meet steve and tony......you guys all rock. im looking forward to our next trip.

[bwanatony]

Hey,
No pics yet, but when 5 guys catch 40 lbs 11 oz of flats, that's an average of over 8 lbs each, and a darn fair night!
If we had not released them all, we could have pigged out!

Next stop, the LOWER Grand- with a bucket load of bullheads!

Great time guys, see you next time. Hope y'all got home safe.

Tony
(my bass fishing friends laughed at my 14/0 circle hooks, but he who laughs last, laughs best!)

[hear_kitty]

We all had a big time on the river first of all i would like to thank tony for sharing his spot on the river!! It was nice to be able to meet Jon and steve i mean jim and tony and as of corse sparky was a ball of fun! When any of the boc members get a chance to go fishing with this bunch you should take full advantage there a good bunch! ok first sparky wen't 3 for 3 one tree one stobe and one bass jon wen't one for one with a grape vine and steve i mean jim and tony im not sure who cought what and of corse me one bass and a busted prop! but i would do it again and will!!

[hear_kitty]

When tony and steve say they catch big catfish they mean it

[Sparky Larson]

I must admit, I've done a lot of fishing in my life, and I've caught a lot of fish over the years. Yesterdays fishing trip Has to rate up there at the top.
Don and I left his house, about 10.30am on a mission to go and catch a Flathead on the Grand River. Well, after heading West for a few miles on a hunt for some heavier line and bigger circle hooks, we headed South and than East and then in a circle, back North and than West again. You know, Don and I live so far in the sticks, even God doesn't know where are homes are. Anyway, its a nice trip this time of year.
At about 2:00Pm. We showed up at the boat launch, than off to the local bait store, where we ran into Tony, who had just been out catching bait. Steve, I mean Jim, is going to meet Tony at 3:00pm or 4:00pm and fish in his boat, While Jon, is going to meet up with Don and I, in Don's boat, About 7:00pm ( Now, About Jon, There's a piece work! LOL. Don't get me wrong, Jon is a Great guy and a good fisherman, I think! I'm not sure, but Jon might be related to Vic Brown, If you know what I'm talking about.) I shouldn't say that about Jon, cause he came to the launch on time, with a cooler full of live gill. He also had in tow a couple of rods, that looked like cue sticks! I'm sure he had stopped at Vic's house to borrow equipment.

Anyway, it was a good thing that Jon brought some bait cause Don and I went out to catch some and couldn't catch cold! I really shoudn't say that,
we caught a couple of Bass, a Tree, and a Staub. (For those who don't know what a Staub is, That is that unsightly looking stump or tree, that for what ever reason, God put in the river so you could drive your hook in and have a better day of fishing. Tony, says they are there so the Flatheads have a place to hide, and ambush pray. Don, thinks he put them there so you could drive your boat over and bust your prop. That's another story I'll get to later!).

Tony, is a true Fishermens friend. He told Don and I where to fish and basically what to do, until his fishing partner showed up. ( Tony, was intent on getting Don and I to hook up with a flathead. He was truely sincere. He knew Don and I were both Virgins to this type of Catfishing, so he was bound and determend to bust our Cherrys) Bless his ever lovign heart!
Well, needless to say our first little venture was fruitless. Accept for the couple of bass, a tree, and of course that unsightly Staub.

Steve, ( I mean Jim) showed up with Tony to meet Don and I a couple miles up the River. We fished for a couple of hours, til Jon showed up at the boat launch. Now, the real fun begins. We headed down stream to a hole Jon, had heard of and wanted to try. We gave it a half hour or so and decided to go fish with Tony and Steve. ( I mean Jim)
We were motoring up stream, (you know, not to fast, but not to slow). All of a sudden, it happen! For what ever reason, " God" had put this big boulder in the river just a foot under the . I don't mean a Staub, I mean a GREAT BIG BOULDER! Don, or anyone else for that matter, didn't see this mamoth thing. Yep! You guessed it, he drove his boat right over it! (At this paticurler time, Don was in the process of inventing a new language. I thought I had heard it all, but found out, you're never to old to learn.)
Well finally, at about 8:30pm or so, we meet back up with Steve,( I mean Jim) and Tony to fish this Secret hole. This hole is so Secret Tony made us all stand on the front of his boat and Promise to never tell any one of this secret place. ( If you all know how big Jon and I are, You should have seen the Captain of our boat go through this program. That was something to see!LOL).
So, by 9:00pm, know one had boated a fish. ( Secret place remember, The fish don't even know where this place is) Anyway, about 9:30pm Steve ( I mean Jim) gets a hook up, but know fish. A little while later his does hook up with a small 5 or 6 pounder, and gets it in the boat. All right first fish of the night. Then about 10:30pm he lands a 12 or 13 pounder. Congradulation Steve, (darn it I mean Jim).
Not long after that, Don gets one on, but there was equipment failure. ( Line Broke). I do believe that both Don and myself are finally seeing the advantage of heavy equipment. ( Bet you folks never thought you would hear that come out of my mouth.)

During a low period in the action, my bait was splashing around right in front of me. Don't ask me how, I had casted my bait thirty yds. up stream. That little bluegill had my line so twisted up, it looked like the back of my TV. After a few choice words, and a lot of work getting that little feller back in the water fishing, I finally realized why I do a lot of day time fishing. I CAN SEE!
Why would anyone fish in the dark! You Can't See!!!!!!!! Oh yah, now I remember! You fish in the dark to catch Flatheads!!!!!!!!
Well, it's not long, whem I hear Click, Click,Click of my baitcasting. engaged the reel and that rod bent over the makings of a Giant Pretzel. I was slowly starting to reel in, with fish on, when the line went slack. No Hook up! But I did get to feel the pull of a pretty good fish, which was more than likely a Flathead.

Now, all this time Jon, is sitting there doing nothing! I mean he is talking and what not, but he ain't catching any fish. As a matter of fact, he ain't even gettin any bites. Then it dawns on me! He's
sitting in the middle seat of Don's Boat. Yep, the same seat that this other guy was sitting in a few weeks ago and left this awfull smell. You all know who I'm talking about. Old mister stinky, Dogfish Vic. Hell, Jon, it isn't your fault you didn't get any fish, or bites. Someone else left that smell there. You get a free pass Jon!
Don, We're going to have to disinfect that boat. You don't suppose that smell caused equipment failure do ya? Well, thats a subject for another post.

Now, Don and I had spent more than 9 hours in the boat and after a serious case of boat Butt, soar back and stiff legs. We decided to call it a night about midnight. It diddn't matter much to Jon, once he realized he was sitting in " THE SEAT". (Besides, Don and I still had a three hour drive home).
Off we went to the boat launch.

We just got the boat out of the water, when Don's phone rang! ( We new at this hour, it was not the fishing God asking us how we did). No, it was Tony! He said, have you left yet? No! Stay there, we got a good fish to show you.
A few short min. later, Tony and Steve ( I mean Jim), showed up with a Beautiful Flathead that went well over 21 pounds. Many High fives to Tony.
Tony is a true fisherman and a real Conservationist. We quickly took picture, than Tony kissed this beautifull fish and released it back into the Grand River to lay her eggs and be caught again by another angler. Maybe, ME! Or Don! Or even Jon, if he goes right home and washes the smell off his pants.

Tony, I know you truely wanted Don and I to catch a Flathead. Don't be disappointed, cause we both had a greattime
Well, the fishing trip was a hugh success and I had a ball! Don and I didn't Break our Cherrys, but we had them dented a little bit.


Jon, it was fun having you in our boat for a few hour of laughter and fun! Tony, Thanks for sharing your time, your fishing Tips and of course The SECRECT FISH HOLE! Steve, ( I mean Jim) it was great seeing you again. I hope to get with you on the Kazoo sometime this summer.
Don, and I said our good byes, and by 5:00am, I was in my own Fart Sack sound asleep.
Sparky

P.S.
Now if anyone wants to hear the story of how Don Lambert blew the whole Ass end out of his pants, Give him a call!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LMAO

[jross1901]

Well last night work out excellent. Three nice flats 6lb2oz and a 21lb8oz 37inch for Tony, and i managed a nice 13lb flat. tony and i went 3-4.(i managed to miss the strongest run of the evening).
fisrt off i'd like to thank tony for sharing his boat and knowledge of the river and flathead fishing(screw those channels) with me. he's a true gentlemen and a spectactular fishermen.
also it was great meeting don, and jon, which i didn't get to shoot the crap with them much, but hopefully that will soon change.and good ole' sparky, i don't think i ever saw this man catch a fish in my life.hehehe but a riot to be around.maybe the k-zoo will be productive for us. and drag don along for that.
until next time tight lines
and thanks for the awesome evening of hunting for the great white of freshwater.
-jim

and next time tony we're bringing my net.

[hear_kitty]

Don't loose sleap over it i think a trip is being planned under your nose so don't be surprized when you get a pm from me! If you have the time???

[hear_kitty]

Let us as a fishing family do what is rite share info and catch fish! The time is growing close that I don't now what i will be able to DO! This is and has been the best years of my life have fun!

[bwanatony]

Hey,
Glad to show a few of my spots to GUYS WHO ARE SWORN NOT TO BLAB IT ALL OVER!
You know, if we had decided to pack it in just 30 seconds earlier, we would not have met that 21 pounder. Pure luck, man.

Nights like last night, with the full moon, fresh breeze, new friends, and a few nice fish make for great memories. Why anyone would kill a fish that took 20 years to grow, just for a few pounds of PCB contaminated flesh is beyond me. When I want to eat fish, I go perch fishing!

Jim, thanks for coming along- 7 or 8 hours in the same boat and we couldn't find anything to disagree over! Let's do it again!

Jon, Spark, & Don: glad to hear you had a good time. I have to admit, this trip really broke with tradition. Usually, when I take someone catfishing, THEY catch all the fish and I go fishless! From here on out, you're my good luck charms!
(Actually, I know why your boat went flathead-less: Sparky's salty language turned the air & water blue! Glad we were upstream, or it would have affected us, too! LOL)

I'll post pics once I know how to resize them. I downloaded the software, but haven't figured it out yet.

Who wants to do a Trophy Trip to the Lower Grand? A 24 hour deal, maybe? August sometime? Hmmmm?

[hear_kitty]

Hey,
Glad to show a few of my spots to GUYS WHO ARE SWORN NOT TO BLAB IT ALL OVER!
You know, if we had decided to pack it in just 30 seconds earlier, we would not have met that 21 pounder. Pure luck, man.

Nights like last night, with the full moon, fresh breeze, new friends, and a few nice fish make for great memories. Why anyone would kill a fish that took 20 years to grow, just for a few pounds of PCB contaminated flesh is beyond me. When I want to eat fish, I go perch fishing!

Jim, thanks for coming along- 7 or 8 hours in the same boat and we couldn't find anything to disagree over! Let's do it again!

Jon, Spark, & Don: glad to hear you had a good time. I have to admit, this trip really broke with tradition. Usually, when I take someone catfishing, THEY catch all the fish and I go fishless! From here on out, you're my good luck charms!
(Actually, I know why your boat went flathead-less: Sparky's salty language turned the air & water blue! Glad we were upstream, or it would have affected us, too! LOL)

I'll post pics once I know how to resize them. I downloaded the software, but haven't figured it out yet.

Who wants to do a Trophy Trip to the Lower Grand? A 24 hour deal, maybe? August sometime? Hmmmm? I or we will be back long before than don't wory tony your spot is safe the only one i will take there is the close family that we have here and you will be a part of that!!!!!!!!!!! this is a good deal!!!

[hear_kitty]

And I will say this that the only fish that will be taken out of there is a pic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!! done deal!!!!!!

[Sparky Larson]

Tony, I would sure like to partake in a venture like that if time permits. Lets keep the lines of communication wide open. To have a chance to hook into one of those big boys (I mean girls) like you did last night would be a thrill of a lifetime.
Thanks again.
Sparky

[dreamcatcher]

Tony, you are definitely an asset to the BOC here and abroad. After talking to Sparky and Don I can say that they have a NEW appreciation for the beloved shovelhead cat. ROTFLOL. Those were some nice cats that you and Jim caught, and it was only fitting that you caught the largest one just prior to hauling up the anchor!

Now I want you two virgin flatheaders to repeat after me:

It ain't like channel catting...it ain't like channel catting...LOUDER...it ain't like channel catting...:0a1: :0a1: :0a1:

I should get some heavier gear...I should get some heavier gear...I should get some heavier gear...I will get some heavier gear:happy: :happy: :happy:

Sounds like everybody had a good time, and learned a thing or two, which is what it's all about with the BOC.

Let's do it again sometime soon, but this time I want to come along...

24 hour excursion sounds good to me...right up my alley

[bwanatony]

I should get some heavier gear...I should get some heavier gear...I should get some heavier gear...I will get some heavier gear:happy: :happy: :happy:


Berkely Reflex 8' Cat rod: $20.00. Abu Garcia 6500C3: $60.00. 65# test superbraid line: $18.00.

Dragging a 20+ pound flathead out of a log jam: PRICELESS!

[Derick]

awesome stories guys, sounds like everyone had a fun, and safe, trip! i cant wait until i get the chance to meet you all and hopefully catch a couple fish too!!

[bwanatony]

When there's log jams around,
And your bait weighs a pound,
And your weight is another eight ounces,
You don't want to fear,
That you'll bust up your gear,
When a state record catfish a'pounces!

Use enough rod!


QUOTE=bwanatony]Berkely Reflex 8' Cat rod: $20.00. Abu Garcia 6500C3: $60.00. 65# test superbraid line: $18.00.

Dragging a 20+ pound flathead out of a log jam: PRICELESS![/QUOTE]

[dreamcatcher]

When there's log jams around,
And your bait weighs a pound,
And your weight is another eight ounces,
You don't want to fear,
That you'll bust up your gear,
When a state record catfish a'pounces!

Use enough rod!


I must say that I like how you think Tony! ROTFLMAO! Keep them coming brother...

[bwanatony]

Thanks Vic,

To all: you can get an Abu Garcia 6500 at Walmart right now for $54.00!

If I didn't need a new fish finder and a new deep cycle battery right now, I'd be buying 2! (that would give me 4, I guess, but its always good to have a spare...) good thing its Father's Day this weekend!