Links & FAQ
What else is there to do in Traverse City and the surrounding area?
Traverse City is a very family oriented city in a wonderful location right on the water. The city is also known as The Cherry Capital. In addition to the cherry orchards, there are numerous wineries sprinkled about, with many located on the Old Mission Peninsula, which extends right out from Traverse City. Many visitors to the area fish during the day and go wine tasting in the evenings!
Another thing that the Traverse City is becoming much more recognized for are its microbreweries. Hops for brewing beer is quickly becoming a very big crop in the area. The climate that helps the grapes for wine flourish here is also beneficial for the growing of hops.
The Traverse area has some outstanding golf opportunities, including several public courses that are nationally ranked. And of course, there are lots of pure sand beaches for the entire family to enjoy. Speaking of sand, Sleeping Bear Dunes is only a short drive from downtown Traverse City. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park was named the 'Most Beautiful Place in America' in a poll conducted by the morning television show Good Morning America. Traverse City is home to not only the National Cherry Festival, but also a nationally recognized film festival, The Traverse City Film Festival.
Here are several links to websites that can detail various options and activities.
Traverse City Convention & Visitors Bureau
For information on downtown TC shopping and dining: Downtown Traverse City
Traverse City's National Cherry Festival
Traverse City Film Festival
Higher Grounds Trading
The Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay
Where are places that I and/or my family can stay while in Traverse City?
There are many options for hotels in the Traverse City area.
For reviews of various places to stay, I advise spending some time on TripAdvisor
Many families enjoy staying at the Great Wolf Lodge located right in TC.
A beautiful option for couples or families right on the beaches of East Bay is the Tamarack Lodge. With 800 feet of sandy water frontage, this is a wonderful facility that many customers find exceptional.
Or, another top-notch option for couples or golf enthusiasts looking for a resort setting is the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, which is a few minutes drive up the road.
Another fantastic option is a short drive to the south in Thompsonville. Crystal Mountain Resort & Spa offers year-round entertainment for individuals and families alike. It is a true family resort, with many activities all year as well as some excellent restaurants. Crystal Mountain Resort & Spa proudly holds the distinction of the #1 resort in the Midwest.
Where can I get a good cup of coffee before the trip?
I'm glad you asked!
I've been lucky enough to travel around the country and beyond on fishing trips, and in every town, it's almost always a struggle to find a great cup of coffee in the early morning. The offerings in hotel rooms just won't do. So, in 2011, I decided to start my own coffee company, Deep Blue Coffee Company, to help with this very issue. I have freshly brewed coffee available for every customer that fishes with us at Traverse City Bass Guide Service. Whether you like it straight, with sugar, or creamer, it makes no difference'we've got you covered. Best of all, it's served in our very own Traverse City Bass stainless steel tumblers. The coffee that we serve is the Traverse City Bass Blend, which is small batch custom roasted to the exacting specifications of Deep Blue Coffee Company. This blend has been receiving quite a bit of attention, and has been featured in Traverse Magazine and the Traverse City Convention & Visitor's Bureau's 'Tasty Traverse Foodie Tour' display. This special blend is even available at several local retailers in the Traverse City area.
Where in Michigan is Traverse City?
Traverse City is in northwest Michigan, on the shores of Lake Michigan. Part of the lower peninsula, Traverse City is a true family vacation destination that is within a day's drive from Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Wisconsin and even Pennsylvania. It's a short drive from the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park, which is worthy of a family visit. And for those that require air travel to the Traverse area, the Cherry Capital airport is a wonderful facility, and is probably one of the nicest airports that I've personally ever been through.
What is the best time to fish for smallmouth bass on Grand Traverse Bays?
Any time you can make it! Actually, the Grand Traverse Bays are extensions of Lake Michigan. These waters are very deep and clear, meaning that they warm more slowly than the surrounding inland lakes. The prespawn period from the end of May through towards the end of June has water temperatures in the low 50's. This can be absolutely fantastic for some of the biggest fish of the year. July can be a transitional period as fish move from the shallows to offshore structure. The mayfly hatch can begin anywhere from the 4th of July through the end of the month. This is perfect topwater time during the low-light periods of the day. Swimming a grub, burning a spinnerbait or fishing soft plastic jerkbaits rule the daylight hours during this period. August is great for dropshotting offshore, or finding active fish cruising the flats and casting to specific structure with a spinnerbait or crankbait. Because the water is so deep and clear, the water stays much warmer later into the year than the surrounding air temperature. Power fishing tactics can really pay off well through October and even into November.
What are some typical baits that you use for the big smallmouth?
I'm an artificial junkie! I love experimenting with various lures and retrieves. For these fish, it's hard to beat a Lucky Craft Pointer during the prespawn. Spinnerbaits can absolutely dominate as the water warms. I use a custom color that a friend and I developed specifically for these gin clear waters. Crankbaits can be phenomenal at times. CFlash crankbaits as well as the new line of Kopper's Live Target lures have accounted for some amazing catches. I love using swimbaits for giant smallies. Typically we won't get as many bites with this category of lure, but when we do, they all seem to be huge, and they absolutely crush it. Soft plastics such as Sweet Beavers, tubes and craw imitations are staples here. Soft plastic jerkbaits can really be productive during certain conditions. Finesse plastics fished on a drop shot rig are also very effective. For every trip, I try to pour custom plastics for this drop shot technique. I have many aluminum molds for pouring plastics that were custom made specifically for Traverse City Bass, and even some that were custom designed to give our customers an edge by using baits the fish haven't been accustomed to seeing before.
Doesn't the super clear water make it difficult for fishing-specifically power fishing?
Not at all! I feel right at home bass fishing the clear glacial waters of northern Michigan. The clear water forces me to be creative, and a better angler and guide, while still being able to utilize power-fishing techniques. Most days I don't find that we have to use finesse approaches to catch quality fish. But when we do, our own brand of custom hand poured soft plastic lures can be key. These baits are poured prior to every guide trip. And as a bonus, because of the clear water, customers are often able to see many of the strikes, adding to the excitement and memories. Spend a day on the water with us at Traverse City Bass Guide Service and I think you'll agree that there's nothing to be scared of when fishing clear water.
What is the best time to fly fish for cruising carp on Grand Traverse Bay?
Typically, June is the best month to sight fish the cruising carp on the bays. Here, huge numbers of schools in the dozens roam the flats as they prepare to spawn. While June into the middle of July can be prime, carp are available to target through summer and into the fall.
What are some of the flies that are used for sight fishing carp?
Here in Northern Michigan, carp are not the trash eaters that they have a reputation for being elsewhere in the country. Great Lakes carp will readily eat minnows, crayfish and insects. This gives fly anglers plenty of options. I tie most of the flies that will be used to target the carp, but many commercially available flies such as small clousers and baitfish patterns, natural crayfish and various nymph patterns all work well. We'll just have to experiment during your trip to see which pattern is the best for that given day. It's not uncommon for fish to prefer a certain pattern over another from one day to the next. Due to the invasion of round gobies in the Great Lakes, carp have also been preying more and more on these small fish, that resemble sculpins. It is now common to hook carp on bigger goby-imitating flies, presented low in the water column, right along the bottom. Bass anglers have have also caught carp using drop shot rigs, presenting goby-imitating soft plastics poured by us at Traverse City Bass Guide Service.
What are some of the other waters you fish besides Grand Traverse Bays?
I fish several of the area's inland lakes, including Lake Leelanau, Torch Lake, and Elk Lake to name a few of the bigger bodies of water. There is so much fishable water in the area it's truly an impressive place to be a fishing guide. Many of the inland lakes hold spectacular populations of largemouth bass, giving us yet another option for your day on the water.
If I catch a trophy smallmouth bass, can I keep it?
I try to practice CPR, meaning Catch, Photo and Release of all fish that we catch. However, as an IGFA certified Captain, I am capable of weighing any trophy or potential record fish that you may catch. Should a record fish be caught, you may certainly keep it if you wish, but I am always partial to catch and release. I try to always have a camera on board to photograph your special catch if you have forgotten to bring one. Beginning with the 2011 season, the IGFA has introduced a new live record category, allowing us to measure, weigh and photograph and release your potential record.
Where can I get my own Traverse City Bass t-shirt or other TCB gear?
At Traverse City Bass Guide Service, we are very lucky, and excited to be able to provide you with your very own TCB gear and apparel on our online TCBShop as well as on our Traverse City Bass Facebook page. We offer all of our Traverse City Bass licensed apparel and gear on these online shops. Short and long sleeve t-shirts, a stylish TCB hoodie, a couple of different styles of hats, gift certificates, stainless steel tumblers, decals, beer koozies for bottled beverages, and our very own dye-sublimated sun protective sun buff. Also available for enjoyment at home is our custom artisanal roasted Traverse City Bass Blend coffee. To date, we're proud to say that we've shipped our coffee as far away as Australia and even to Guam! Since it's always small batch roasted, it'll arrive at your doorstep fresh roasted and ultra fresh.
How come other people always seem to only talk about the salmon fishing?
Lake Michigan is loaded with not only King salmon, but also Coho salmon, steelhead and lake trout. The Boardman River runs right through downtown Traverse City. In the late summer and early fall, King salmon run up the river to spawn, leaving Lake Michigan and the Grand Traverse Bays. It's a beautiful and exciting sight to see the salmon swimming upstream. Steelhead and brown trout also make their way into the rivers, and it's not uncommon to see them swimming alongside the salmon! What does this means for anglers not fishing for salmon, steelhead or lakers? Less angling pressure on everything else!
OK, now I'm curious about salmon fishing. Do you know any good guides?
If you are curious about salmon fishing, please check out our sister company Manistee River Salmon. While the Manistee River itself is just over an hour south of Traverse City, it is a world-class fishery. A couple of years ago, an angler fishing the Manistee River landed the current world record brown trout, weighing 41 pounds 7 ounces! What a whopper! If you're a Basshead like I am, this type of fishing is sure to appeal. It's 100% casting for salmon. No trolling whatsoever! And some of the most vicious strikes you could imagine. Many bass anglers are now addicted! Like crankbait fishing? Then this style is definitely worth trying. If you're looking for more of a relaxed style of salmon fishing that can include up to 6 people, I can recommend several area charter boats that specialize in fishing Lake Michigan, trolling for salmon, lake trout and steelhead.
What form of payment do you take?
At Traverse City Bass, I try to accommodate several forms of payment for your convenience. I accept personal checks, cash, credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover) and PayPal. Any of the mentioned forms of payment can be used to cover the deposit, as well as the balance of the trip itself.
We feel very fortunate to be able to make our living on the water through fishing, and as great as these fisheries are, we must be vigilant in our hard work to keep them that way. By pledging at least 1% of all of our profits, we show our commitment to our planet, working towards the future. Please visit http://www.onepercentfortheplanet.org.
Other links include:
International Game Fish Association
Michigan Charter Boat Association
Manistee River Salmon Guide Service
