Pics from my 1 week vacation in Clare/Farwell.

[21XDC]

Had a great time even though it rained a few days. Caught lots of fish, Mostly on my home made bladed jigs. This was the first time we let our dog/puppy Ginger "Off leash" and she was great. First time for her in my boat, in the lake, kissing fish... . The only big fish I had on I lost next to the boat. It was a big 4. The rest were just chunky 1-2.5lb fish. Night fishing was good too on these home made baits. We only got out 3 times in the Yaks, and it was fun and peaceful. Tried to find a good place for Ginger to fit, But did not think it was doable as she cant sit still. . I got permission to fish Lk 13 for a couple hrs one evening, I caught about 10 off the docks and found the bulk of them down in the holes... I slayed them one after another... Same baits, But heavier. I also caught a ton of pike and lost many baits on both lakes. Part of Michigan fishing. Back to work today... Here comes the weekend.

[opaleski]

It is always fun to get away, but, after a while you always want to get back home!! Looks like you had a great time--Does your wife fish??

[Big dreams]

That looks peaceful. Nice looking pup you have there Mike.

[brnzbaklvr]

Awesome pup and great pictures...Your pup looks just like my neighbor's and about the same age...Wonder if they came from the same litter..
I drive by Lake 13 quite a bit...Looks like a fun little lake...Don't they have a public access??
I was up north a few weeks ago and set the hook on what I thought was a bass in about 2 feet of water...It was a pike and as it was coming up it broke my line...The sudden release almost made me fall in on the opposite side of the boat...

[brnzbaklvr]

Oh Yeah....How much did Jay's get you for??

[21XDC]

My 15 month old dog is a rescue from Alabama. She is a Rhodesian Ridgeback mix. Lake 13 is private. 95 acres. 5 lakes is 120 acres.

[21XDC]

It is always fun to get away, but, after a while you always want to get back home!! --Does your wife fish??

We were happy to get home... My wife used to fish a few tournaments with me before we got married and had kids. Maybe she will start again... Probably not.

[Brady bass]

If I wasn't working out of town this week Mike you could have got a hold of me maybe we could have had a beer or two after work. Glad you had a good trip

[21XDC]

Oh Yeah....How much did Jay's get you for??

I never stepped into the place this year... Like BPS or Cabelas, They don't have anything I need. I buy all my plastics in bulk on line. I make everything else. I have more baits than Jays.

If I wasn't working out of town this week Mike you could have got a hold of me maybe we could have had a beer or two after work. Glad you had a good trip

That would have been cool... Maybe next time.

[MichPhoenix77]

I never stepped into the place this year... Like BPS or Cabelas, They don't have anything I need. I buy all my plastics in bulk on line. I make everything else. I have more baits than Jays.

That would have been cool... Maybe next time.

Do you make your own Crankbaits as well Mike? I've seen your blade baits, spinner baits and Jigs but have never seen any Crankbaits.

[21XDC]

I paint crankbaits, I don't "Make them"

[MichPhoenix77]

I paint crankbaits, I don't "Make them"

So you buy blanks? Paint them, add hooks and snap rings?

[21XDC]

Yes

[mittenbass]

Pups getting big. My wife used to go fishing with me before we got married...not anymore lol. Maybe you’ll have better luck.

[MichPhoenix77]

Yes

Do you have a link to where to buy some? Sounds like a fun winter project.

[castforcash]

Not sure where Mike buys them, but Barlows and Netcraft sell lots of different blanks. Nice vacation Mike, gotta love those inland lakes and no recreational traffic.

[21XDC]

Do you have a link to where to buy some? Sounds like a fun winter project.

Avidbasstackle.com

Cedarrunoutdoors.com

Dingerbaits.com

Getbitcustombaits.com

Predatorbassbaits.com

https://www.ebay.com/str/fishingacce...3&_dmd=1&rt=nc


You need to know what your buying as some products are better than others.

Not sure where Mike buys them, but Barlows and Netcraft sell lots of different blanks. Nice vacation Mike, gotta love those inland lakes and no recreational traffic.

During the week, I was basically the only one out on the lake....

[jusmangrum]

My girlfriends family has a house on a private lake in Claire Mich called Bailey lake. I went there back in June. My first time ever seeing Amish people, I wanted to hang out and talk to them but they did'nt seam as interested in that as I did. Haha. But I caught alot of fish in the 2 to 3 pound range on that lake over 3 days. It was a fun time.

[21XDC]

I caught so many bass on the bladed jig it was stupid.... So I made a new mold today.

Looks better..... To me.

Fish wont care.

3/8, 1/2 and 5/8oz for now. Having Bobby from Whopper baits making me a bunch of color matched trailers in harder saltwater plastic for durability.... I went though a regular bag of 50 in 4 days fishing on vacation...

Caught a ton on them. The skirt is black/blue/purple.... With heads that match. The black ones are for night fishing... 3/8oz... All have 5/0 round bend hooks.

[21XDC]

My girlfriends family has a house on a private lake in Claire Mich called Bailey lake. I went there back in June. My first time ever seeing Amish people, I wanted to hang out and talk to them but they did'nt seam as interested in that as I did. Haha. But I caught alot of fish in the 2 to 3 pound range on that lake over 3 days. It was a fun time.

Bailey lake looks like an awesome frog lake....