All bass fishing is catch and release only

Smallmouth Bass - Lake St. Clair, Lake Erie, Saginaw Bay and several inland lakes offer some of the best smallmouth bass fishing anywhere. Fishing is always good, different techniques are required at different times of the year. Fishing takes place from April 1st to ice-in which is usually the first week of December.  

SEASONS:
Early Spring through the spawn.  The fishing is very productive and some of the most exciting fishing takes place at this time of the year. Many of the fish are visible holding from 6 inches to 8 ft of water and are eating baits such as Super Flukes and top waters and spinnerbaits.  This is an awesome time to be out smallmouth fishing.

Summer:  As the fish settle into their summer patterns a change in techniques is often necessary. Fish generally are a little deeper and by mid-Summer they are schooled and feeding heavily. This time of the year tubes dominate as the most productive baits. Fishing is very productive and 25-40 bass days are common. Fish generally are holding from 12ft all the way to 45ft. My biggest Smallmouth, 6lbs 8oz, came in the month of August in 37ft.  Summer provides Great weather and great fishing.

Fall:  With the arrival of fall the Smallmouth Bass start feeding very aggressively. The fish make a big
move toward the shallows to get that last big feed before a long winter. Some of the best action of the year happens here. Once the fish are done with the shallow water frenzy they retreat to their wintering areas and will still feed very aggressively until ice over. This bite typically last until the water temp reaches 39. Some of the biggest fish of the year are caught at this time. Five bass limits weighing in excess of twenty pounds are the rule rather than the exception. 

Other Opportunities
Smallmouth Bass trips are available for different bodies of water throughout the State of Michigan.  Places such as Grand Traverse Bay, Thunder Bay, Bay De Noc and countless other Great Lakes Ports offer often untouched fishing opportunities. Michigan also has top notch inland Lake Smallmouth Fishing. The Smallmouth opportunities are endless. Trips requiring more than 100 miles of one way travel require a two day minimum booking. Discounts are available for multiple day trips.

Rates:

8 hour trip - $350
6 hour trip - $300
4 hour trip -$ 250

Walleye trips:  I can accommodate three anglers at no extra charge.

MEET YOUR GUIDE - GERRY GOSTENIK

Gerry Gostenik left his full time job as a biologist at the University of Michigan to pursue a career both as Fishing Guide and Tournament Professional on the Bassmaster Tour.

With a growing guide business Gerry had the opportunity to grow as a fisherman and as a person. He has taken people fishing from all walks of life and backgrounds. He has had the pleasure of guiding clients from Italy and Japan as well as people that have special needs physically and mentally. Through these experiences he realized what a truly great sport that fishing is and how many people love to spend time on the water. Gerry has many great memories of past guide trips and has made many great friends. He enjoys every opportunity to show and teach people what Michigan and the Great Lakes have to offer.

Tournament Fishing
Gerry’s National tournament career basically started at the same time as the guide business did.  After four seasons of fishing both the Eastern and Central Invitational Trails, both stepping stones to the Big Leagues (The BassMaster Tour), he finally qualified in 2000 finishing 15th in the Central division.  Back then you had to finish in the top 15 in one of the divisions to advance to the  professional( Tour) level. This was no small task considering there were 300 anglers per division and the bodies of water the tournaments were held on were much different that anything he was used to. He learned a tremendous amount about fish behavior and reading water and as a result has managed to maintain his Bassmaster Tour status.