The Bassett - 10/21/02

[Fried Fillets]

Started out in American waters; 400 club, 13 mile, 9 mile and GPYC. Caught 1 little perch between all these places, stayed in the 14 -16 fow areas. Only area that had real clean water was the 400 club, the water was a little cloudy down around 9 mile and the yacht club. Decided to try the weather buoy. Fished about 2 miles ESE from the buoy and immediately started catching fish. Nothing huge, but put about 15 fish in the box in the 8"-10" range. Wind changed from the N to the NE and the bite shut off. Water was also a little cloudy. Pulled anchor and headed for the Bassett. Dropped anchor at an old GPS setting (18fow), bounced the mudder and started catching fish. Again, nothing huge , but steady action and the water was clean. Things quieted down around 1:15pm, didn't get over there till 12:15pm. At 2:00pm I decided to make a small move, 300 yards. Started catching fish right away and it was non-stop until I ran out of bait at 3:30pm. Again, nothing huge, biggest fish was 12", but the action was great. It didn't make sense that I was catching fish one after another because the lake was flat, the sun was shining bright and it was the middle of the afternoon. Ended up with my 50 keepers, nothing smaller than 8". Now the cleaning:(, can't wait for the eating:D..................Steve

[Wannafish]

I live north of Lake St. Clair by about an hour plus. I would like to come down and fish LSC for some perch with my Grandson, age 6, and have never fished that lake at all.

Can you, or someone give me some tips as to a good place to put in, (22 ft Starcraft, salmon boat)need a good ramp, decent security, bait shop(s) and what's this I see abouot Canadian water? (license) ?

Don't have a time frame, probably sometime in the next couple of weeks, 'specially if we have a decent Indian summer here shortly.

[salmonslammer]

Wannabe,

You should be able to put in at the hall rd launch (M59 E till you drive into the lake) without a problem. My boat is only 16' but I have seen 26' launched without a problem.

Minnows are the bait of choice at this time of year, fish them any way you like, just about 6" off of the bottom. I rig one pole with a crappie rig and my UL with a 1/8oz tube jig. The jig will outcatch the rig 2-1.

Location is hard to say. The perch move alot in the lake and are hard to find sometimes. Moniter 68 on your radio. I would try out by grassy island and the North channel area. As the weather cools the fish will be moving in shallower water, key in on the weedbeds. I had a boatload of waypoints, but since some mullet stole it (actully the whole backpack) on the PM, I don't have that option anymore!! Maybe someone will throw you some didgets! I dont fish in canada so I can't help you out there.

[Gone Fishing]

Great report Fried Fillets. I hope to get out later in the week so maybe I'll see you out there.
Wannafish, the boat ramp just South of Crocker is probably closer to the action unless you fish Anchor Bay. There is a bait shop on Jefferson just South of Metro Parkway that has very good bait right now and hopefully will till the end of the season. Shoot me a PM a couple days before you plan to go and I'll try to help with some coodinates but just to warn you, I usually fish Canadian waters. If you want to stay on the U.S. side, I'm sure some other guys can get you pointed in the right direction.

[Wannafish]

Thank you, gentlemen, I am lurking here quite a bit to see what I may learn, and it is definitely of benefit.

and uh, Crocker road is where? Going to mapquest next.
Can a Candianb license be purchased here somewhere? Jefferson bait shop?

[Gone Fishing]

Wannafish, Crocker rd. launch is a few miles South of Metro Parkway on Jefferson. The only bait shop that I know of without going to Canada is Lakeside at 10 mile and Jefferson. You have to pre-pay and they go over to Canada on Thursdays to pick up the licenses. If you have the time, you can call the MNR at 1 800 667-1940 and order one and they will mail it to you but this obviously takes some lead time. Good luck!

[tony_1]

Wannafish,

If you use the Crocker ramp watch the depths, if get really shallow really quick. A better ramp choice might be the South River Road/Clinton River ramp. If you use the crocker ramp stay away from the north side, its only about 2 feet there again. That is located about a 1 or so north of the bait shop Gone Fish was refering to.

[Gone Fishing]

Tony1, thanks for the input. I was suggesting using Crocker and I've never launched there. I would hate to see someone damage their equipment so thanks for giving everyone a heads up. Wannafish, the Clinton River ramp (Harley Ensign) is at the end of South River Rd. where it dead ends at the lake.

[tony_1]

GF, its a great ramp the only thing is that the bay fills up with dirt. Especially with an east wind, I think they might have to put a break wall in that bay or something, or else dredge it every year. The DNR has dredged it twice that I know of and it probably can use it again. Don't get me wrong it can be used still even with bigger boats, but if your unfamiliar with the area it can get a little hairy. I wonder why they didn't expand the old Admirals ramp in the canal? I think that the DNR owns that property also.

[tubejig]

Wannafish, with the water that your boat takes on stay away
from the Crocker launch and use Harley Ensign. You need about
36 inches with the motor down and the crocker launch would be
too close for comfort and I would hate to see you damage anything. Also, I got my Canadian lic last week in Sarnia at
Canadian Tire on Exmouth st.


tubejig

[Wannafish]

Thqanks alot, you know that boat better than I , haven't even had a chance to get it wet since I brought it home!! Too much work or the weather hasn't co-operated when I did have time. Dying to try it out, and then go catch some fish!!

Harley Ensign is where again, is that the one at the end of Hall rd?

[tubejig]

check your pm's

tubejig

[Wannafish]

And this time I shall be cautious of fat fingers,and spelling, and having read THOROUGHLY the previous posts,I now know where Harley Ensign is, at the end of South River Road.
Very good, now I just need to get out there and catch fish.

I really like this board, great group of people. Pretty forgiving too.