St. Clair Lake – Late July Fishing Report

It was great to be back in Michigan last week at the Bassmaster Open on Lake St. Clair.  The fishing was amazing, as St. Clair is one of the best smallmouth fisheries in the country.  Hot, hot, hot went the practice rounds with air temps breaking the 100 degree mark one day and water temps in the low 80’s.  Tournament conditions saw some rain and clouds for the first day of the tournament and the sun and heat returned for the second tournament day.  I had an average finish, ending up in the middle of the pack.  I caught between thirty to fifty smallies every day that was a real treat.  I’m still rocking from the wave action out on the big water.  The best techniques proved to be the drop shot and tube baits.  Drifting and dragging these baits over and around sand spots, grass beds and rock piles.  Berkley Gulp was a big hit for me and my partners as it always is when fishing for summertime smallies.  Below is a picture of my practice partner Theo with a nice Lake St. Clair smallie.