20 inch White Bass
Finally the weather has broken here in Michigan, and you might have noticed a drop in the number of blog posts over the last week or so. I have been hard at work finishing up some articles that will be appearing soon in Michigan Outdoor News. I have two features scheduled to come out in the next issue. The first piece is on fishing white bass in the spring time; if you caught my post “Birds + White Bass = Hours of Fun” you know just what kind of fishing I got into. I had to get a few trips in and get some pictures for that article and I had a very tight time crunch for that. Spending two days fishing and collecting pictures for the article, I ended up with 6 Master Angler White Bass.
If you are not familiar with the DNR Master Angler program, it was launched in 1973 to better recognize anglers who catch unusually large fish. The program began with just 19 species of fish eligible to win distinctive Master Angler shoulder patches. Today, nearly forty years later, the program has expanded to include 52 various species for which anglers may compete for honors. The list of catches eligible for recognition ranges from such seldom-caught species as the American Eel and Northern Hog Sucker to the commonly sought Yellow Perch and Walleye. In addition to the shoulder patch, anyone entering a new state record fish receives a certificate of recognition upon verification of his or her catch by a DNR Fisheries Biologist. At the end of each calendar year recognition certificates are also awarded to anglers entering the top five fish in each category.
For a White Bass to be recognized it must measure 16 inches overall length. This year I am keeping my own personal records of every Master Angler fish I catch. I am not planning on sending them all in, it is just a goal I have set for myself this year. The biggest white bass this spring for me was 20 inches (see picture).
Brendan with one of the many carp we caught that day
After the white bass fishing, I headed out with two young men that are serious about their carp fishing. I spent the day catching and getting schooled on how to fish for carp using European methods. Fishing for them this way is down right fun. If you are looking to find a fish here in Michigan that will give you one heck of a tug and have a real chance at catching fish weighting up to 30 lbs, carp offer this to you. Carp inhabit hundreds of bodies of waters here in Michigan, making them easily found by any angler. Stay tuned to my blog for a run down of my day out fishing with these two young men. This trip was a real blast.
Just yesterday I was out on Lake Erie chasing after some walleyes. I spent the day on the water with Captain Andrew Oleksiak. Capt. Andrew is a full-time Professional fisherman who fishes the FLW Walleye Tour, the Masters Walleye Circuit, and the Michigan Walleye Tour. We ended up trolling up 18 eyes and 5 Master Angler Freshwater Drum. This was the first time I reeled in 5 master angler fish in one day, so it was pretty neat. I will be reporting a full rundown on what we did out on Erie hopefully just in time for everyone heading out this weekend to fish Brest Bay. Most of our fish came in the top 4 or 5 feet of the water column. More on why that was soon.
Capt Andrew with some nice Lake Erie Eyes
I want to take this time to say sorry for not posting too much over the last week or so, but I was out working hard getting you guys some good stories. I also had to finish up a piece on Weapon Rig fishing which should also be featured in the same issue of Michigan Outdoor News. I will cover Weapon Rigging more on my blog when that bite is on but until then check out the 1st issue in June of Michigan Outdoor News for some info on fishing this rig.
So stay tuned, there should be some good blogs coming soon.
