Full throttle and everything is a go in West Michigan. With bass season now open anglers around the Grand Rapids area are in full tilt to fish some of the best waters around. The lower Grand River is full of small mouth. Use green pumpkin seed tube baits, small crank baits, crawlers, shiners, leeches, and don’t forget about the live soft crawls. You just can’t beat live soft crawls and we are the only store around to carry them.
The pike action is hot and heavy around the Grand River, Reeds Lake, and Millennium Park. Use live suckers, big spinner baits, big body baits, and work them.
The crappies are spawning and can be found in the shallows everywhere. Try using fat head minnows under a ShagNasty Float and keep working it. You’re allowed three rods so it’s ok to leave a couple out there, but have one rod and work that minnow. Or tie on small tube bait, beetle spin, or twister tail. You’ll hit and fill up the cooler fast. I’ve had a lot of reports saying that Reeds Lake crappie population is the best it’s been in years with schools of a few hundred moving through.
GILLS, GILLS, GILLS, pound for pound you can’t beat them. They are on their beds…and if you fish beds throw into the middle of the school of beds. That’s where the biggest one is going to be!
There is still a large amount of steelhead in the Grand River. Try using wobble glows, beads, and spawn. The walleye action has also been really good. Slow rolling white twister tails along the bottom has been working great. In the tail waters use buck tail jigs or crank them out with stick baits.
Big flatheads catfish and channels line the river. Use live suckers or cut bait, soft crawls, or crawlers to hit them. Try using a no roll flat sinker with a bead and a hook. This allows the fish to take line as he runs with the bait. Then tighten up the drag. Fish ON! Then hold on to your britches because there have been a lot of big cats, 20 to 30 pounds, being caught! I love eating a smaller flatheads catfish… it’s some great eating. You will see guys all summer long on Fulton Street Bridge and up and down the river targeting this beast!
If you have a broken rod or reel drop it of at the store so we can fix them and give them out to kids in need! Stop by the store down on Bridge Street. We are open seven days a week and are here to serve you. Book a guided trip with us and we will put you where you want to be! Take care, God Bless, and I hope everyone has a great summer!
[easy-social-share]