Need advice from you Sag Bay Experts!!

[langkg]

Greetings.

Just booked a week long family vacation starting Aug 12th in East Tawas. We're staying here: http://www.timberlaneresorts.com/

This is on the point right next to Jerry's Marina. I plan to do a little fishing while there and had some questions for some of you guys that are familiar with the area. Here goes......

I'm using a 16' tunnel jon with a 25hp Mariner. I use the boat for ducks and some fishing on inland lakes. I'd like to target perch and walleye but given the size of the boat am I OK on the bay? I'd think the fish might be somewhat deep by that time of summer but that should be a fairly protected area with the point. Assuming a guy uses his head and keeps an eye on the wind/weather is that boat OK up there? It's not a deep vee but I'm just doing some casual fishing here and some slow boat rides for the family.

Should I consider some of the inland lakes that are in that area?

What works well for perch that time of year? How about walleye? Is jigging with minnows productive or must I troll?

thanks in advance!!!

-KEN-

[WALLEYEANGLER]

A great inland lake just north of there in Oscoda is lake Van Etten it has good walleye, Pike and Perch fishing.

[Tom (mich)]

Last year during that time period there was an outstanding walleye bite directly out of Tawas. Things can change dramatically this year due to changes in forage and water temps, but last year the program had the fish stacked up feeding on smelt in 55 FOW down maybe 20-25 feet. It was a classic suspended bite, and the fish were bigger than average Bay fish. Any smelt imitating bait worked.

In general, you can hit 55 FOW if you head due SE out of Tawas for maybe 2.5 to 3 miles, not too bad of a run in your size boat if the weather conditions are decent.

[Backlash]

You are going to see boats fishing just out from Jerrys early in the morning and late into the evening. Happens every year. I camp at the state park every year for the past , oh poop I can't count that high. Last year I was fishing out by the point up to eleven at night doing real good. The guys fishing out in front of Jerrys are trolling crawlers. Guys out at the point are trolling stick baits. Your boat will do just fine out in front of the marina. Good luck.

[DREAMCATCHER]

You hit the nail dead on when you talk about using caution and some good
common sence. Any time you are on the big water a vhf radio is a must
and watch the weather/wind direction. Guys at Jerry's should help you out
with current fishing conditions or you can talk to guys coming off the water at
the state launch which is near the Holiday Inn. Walleyes will no doubt be
suspended but perch should be OK by then. Most fishing will be off Twas point
so get a local map and learn the bouy numbers. Walleye,perch,lake trout,browns and a few skinny salmon are close depending on weather
conditions. Good Luck and Be Safe not Sorry. DC