Pat Magee Posted June 17, 2015 Posted June 17, 2015 I have been going to Door County for a few years and this year I am finally going to forego the golf and bike trails to head out in pursuit of some amazing Door County smallmouth. I will be fishing out of my kayak so I have hired a well respected guide who occasionally likes to chase smallies via kayak. I also plan to check out the Mink River as well as a couple of other rivers within driving distance. We are staying in Egg Harbor but everything is a short drive along the upper peninsula I know some of you have been up there to Sturgeon Bay and other areas in Door County and I am wondering what I should prepare myself for? I have been doing a lot of research and feel like I am well prepared but I would love to hear from some people who have made the trip. I am sure my guide will put me in some good water but I don't just want to fish that one area and I don't want to fish with a guide everyday either. I have a few places to launch from and a long distance paddle to one of the few islands doesn't intimidate me. I have already started rigging my kayak (anchor trolley, lights, etc.) for the big water. My Jackson Coosa is probably not the best kayak for that body of water but I feel that as long as I can keep the boat in one spot I will be able to make it work. I'm not asking for any secret places or anything just some general ideas of what to expect. I would hate to come back to the STL wishing I would have planned differently or approached the fishing differently. I have checked out a lot of the forums but I honestly struggle to find anything that is recent. Any knowledge you want to share is welcome and appreciated. MOsmallies 1
MOsmallies Posted June 17, 2015 Posted June 17, 2015 All I can say is I'm jealous and I wish I was going with you... I'll be surprised if you come home without a new personal best! Take tons of pics Pat Magee 1
ColdWaterFshr Posted June 17, 2015 Posted June 17, 2015 I'll be in Sister Bay the last week of July. I've been there once before and tried wade-fishing in the lake around Peninsula SP and had ZERO luck. I think a boat and a guide is a must. Would be curious to find out what works for you and compare notes when we get back.
Pat Magee Posted June 17, 2015 Author Posted June 17, 2015 Sounds like I will be leaving when you are coming in. Darn! I have stayed in Sister Bay before as well. Peninsula State Park was going to be one of my launch spots since I have heard that some people have had good luck along the sandy/rocky shorelines. Now I may have to reconsider. My guides name is Brett Alexander and he comes well referred by a bunch of people. He also is a great walleye guide and they catch them by the boatload. He catches his fair share of smallmouth but he spends alot of time guiding walleye/salmon trips. We have been texting back and forth and he seems pretty excited about someone asking to go out in a kayak instead of a bass boat. He said they catch a lot on a drop shot so I will be giving it a try even though it puts me a little out of my normal comfort zone. I have gone back and forth about buying a fishfinder to help put me on fish but I don't have the first clue on breaking down the info on a FF just yet.
Gavin Posted June 18, 2015 Posted June 18, 2015 Think you will do fine OYO after a day with a guide. Remember the pattern and start there. Fish may move but you have a clue about places to start. Very jealous! Some great fishing in Door.
Quillback Posted June 18, 2015 Posted June 18, 2015 Think you will do fine OYO after a day with a guide. Remember the pattern and start there. Fish may move but you have a clue about places to start. Very jealous! Some great fishing in Door. Yep, what he says. Don't be afraid to ask the guide for tips on where to go and what to use for the rest of your trip.
Pat Magee Posted June 18, 2015 Author Posted June 18, 2015 Oh I am definitely not afraid to ask for tips. I have been texting him pretty frequently regarding tackle and how I should outfit my kayak. My biggest fear is going up there and only catching some 8" goggleye! I have yet to catch a 20" smallmouth and if I can't do it here I will be pretty pissed off.
MOsmallies Posted June 18, 2015 Posted June 18, 2015 Oh I am definitely not afraid to ask for tips. I have been texting him pretty frequently regarding tackle and how I should outfit my kayak. My biggest fear is going up there and only catching some 8" goggleye! I have yet to catch a 20" smallmouth and if I can't do it here I will be pretty pissed off. Don't be pissed if you don't catch a 20" up there because their 15"-18" fish will weigh way more than the smallmouth here in Missouri. They grow like footballs up there. You may catch a 17" fish up there that weighs as much or more than a 20" fish here in MO. Pat Magee 1
Pat Magee Posted July 11, 2015 Author Posted July 11, 2015 Big thanks to MoSmallies and Smalliebigs! MoSmallies helped me install my anchor trolley and some additional baits. Smalliebigs is hooking me up with a some yak rack items for the family truckster. Hopefully I can add some pictures of some nice smallies after I return. Thanks for all the help fellas! MOsmallies 1
Gavin Posted July 11, 2015 Posted July 11, 2015 Sounds like you are ready! Have fun and post up some of that Northern Bronze! Pat Magee 1
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now