Grand Traverse Bay, Suttons Bay area 8/3 to 8/11

[196Champ]

Heading up to fish 8/3 to 8/11, first timer going with some other folks who have been up several times before. Anyone willing to share a fishing report of the area for smallies?
Planned on fishing the drops with a tube, drop shot and spybait for starters.

[LOZ]

Heard they all went belly up in the bay.

[196Champ]

Some feller from Missouri came up and sore mouthed every one....heard he was a Gambler enthusiast....

[thedude]

I'd fish inland - elk, torch, walloon, intermediate, charlevoix.

Dropshot, tube, hula grubs. If theres some wind a crank, spinnerbaits or rigs

[LOZ]

I'd fish inland - elk, torch, walloon, intermediate, charlevoix.

Dropshot, tube, hula grubs. If theres some wind a crank, spinnerbaits or rigs

Any particular reason you’d stay inland? Just curious, because I have always done well up there in the bay this time of year.

[thedude]

just a little easier to pick apart for a first timer. There's a lot to learn to be successful up there and a lot of water to sort through. Aug fishing has always been really good for me on those lakes also, but you can just drop a trolling motor and start chucking/winding and get into them.

not an expert on the bays, just my experience when i was a newbie up there dealing with late summer fish

[LOZ]

Cool, I thought I was missing a hidden treasure on the inland lakes. I am actually going with Champ on Friday, and have been going for the last 5 years. The first two years were definitely learning experiences.

[Ranger519VS]

drop shot is your friend on the bay. you cannot go too deep. 25' visibility in the water so start there.

[MoStratos]

Hey guys, heading to Michigan later. week. Gonna spend 2 days in Traverse City, 2 days on Mackinac Island, and 2 days on the Upper Peninsula before heading back to Missouri. Im not bringing my boat, so I'm asking if any bank fishing opportunities for smallies? I know how clear the water is, soIm wondering if a waste of time from the bank? Would use a guide for one day, but am already doing a salmon charter and dont want to pay for another day. Any suggestions? Thx much.

[Ranger519VS]

Might try casting west bay bryant park or east bay the state park beach. Might be some bank runners. The tail race in elk rapids holds a few. things are pretty limited from shore though

http://tcbassdestinationcharters.com/

[MoStratos]

thx for the info Mr. Derickson