In Search Of Northern Michigan Smallmouth Bass (Part 1 of 2)

As a multispecies angler, I can appreciate pretty much any type of fish... But one species that will always rise to the top of my list of favorites is a good ol' SMALLMOUTH BASS! They are aggressive, fight hard, and live in beautiful ecosystems. What's not to love?
For the 4th of July weekend, I spent time with family on a Northern Michigan lake. I hit it hard in the kayak for 4 straight days in search of smallies. This is part 1 which consists of day 1-2. Stay tuned for part 2!
Check Out Jolene (My Kayak): bit.ly/sportsman_online_outdoo...
I tried numerous presentations throughout these after-work fishing sessions. Couldn't seem to dial in a consistent bite but you will see in the next video that I learned a few things that will eventually pay off!
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Underspin: discounttackle.com/collection...
Mule Fishing: www.mulefishing.com/
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[@nealulmer1787]

That lake looks absolutely incredible.

[@FishAnything]

Dang right cuzzzz! Hope all is well in Minnesota.

[@alexdeneau5866]

Sweet rig man

[@FishAnything]

Thank you Alex! I love this dang kayak :)

[@charlesforest5323]

2 minutes in and I'm stoked. My buddy just left his job at the bait shop but we are gonna go chase smallies on the yaks in a few weeks. Pretty stoked for it!

[@FishAnything]

GO DO IT. Let me know how it goes Charles :)

[@charlesforest5323]

@@FishAnything will do!

[@iancameron1662]

Ethan try wallonia lake it's near traverse

[@FishAnything]

One of these days I will have to drive up that way!

[@adamkaralus5468]

This is what we’re here for! Great scenery and great shots

[@FishAnything]

HECK YEAH! Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@TW14137]

Where did find those...or are you sandal shopping? I just saw a lot of toes & crotch shots

[@Tsaustin1]

love this video. you talk through your thought process and I love it. it's a great way to learn.

[@FishAnything]

Thanks T! Learn from my mistakes lol

[@rhensley05]

Great video as always

[@FishAnything]

Thank you! :)

[@rhensley05]

@@FishAnything man I wanna go test out the mules for some crappie out here. Been waiting almost two months for my kayak. Bank fishing in Arizona is rough

[@rhensley05]

Last time I was visiting family in Michigan we slayed the pan fish from the bank. Ain’t like that out here. My family is in Hastings/dorr/ Grand Rapids and delton county near Battle Creek.

[@FishAnything]

I hope that kayak shows up soon man! I’m sure it will help

[@Tightt88]

Also, I like the new narration. Keep up the good work.

[@FishAnything]

Thanks man I decided to try something a bit different :)

[@j.t.cooper2963]

It's crazy, I'm 56 years old and I have never once been confronted by Fish and Game for a license check. 👍🏻😎

[@FishAnything]

Lol it is definitely crazy! I think this was the first time in Michigan and I might have been checked once in Kansas.

[@Tightt88]

Look at that water clarity! Beautiful. I love and miss Michigan.

[@FishAnything]

It is a heck of a body of water. Big fan!

[@willtrotter8178]

Just dropped by to say I received my order of donkey tail Jr.s and mule jigs today! Can’t wait to try them out on the lake this upcoming weekend. Best wishes from SC.

[@FishAnything]

Awesome! I hope they are working well for you Will :) Thanks for the support!

[@InTheWoodsToday]

My last encounter with a DNR officer was at my favorite Dam. He asked me what I caught, where my baitfish were from and if I kept any fish of legal size. Then after our conversation he was kind enough to say " The last guy I talked to caught Catfish here as well but he was using chiken liver on the bottom." I just admired that he loved the sport enough to give me advice from a local to help me catch more fish. Like you said buddy, respect! 🤙🐟

[@FishAnything]

DNR Officers are almost always cool people who also love the outdoors. Nothing but respect!

[@user-qf9zd6kp5u]

I caught 2 huge small mouth today. The biggest one was 8 pounds

[@FishAnything]

WHAT?! That is epic!!

[@jonpogue427]

Great way to end/start the week with a online Outdoorsman video!❤🎣👍

[@FishAnything]

Thanks JP hope all is well brotha!

[@jonpogue427]

@@FishAnything all good here. I know that you are going to be really busy as pregnancy moves along!❤🎣👍

[@HookinDinks]

Smallies are easily one of my favourite fish to catch. Love the vid boss!

[@FishAnything]

Thank you! Smallies are the best :)

[@FitzYakin]

Outfreakinstanding video Ethan. Love the big water and I love those bronzebacks! Big, deep water is tough to fish because it's a challenge finding them but when you do, the reward is all worth it. What a great couple of days. Love fishing that rock in clear water. Love seeing those boulders down below. Love those smallies fighting, diving and digging hard. The rockos are fun too but sometimes I think they steal the lure before the smallies can get to them. Fortunately they weren't overwhelming you on these 2 days. And much love to the DNR. I run into them a few times a year and they are always very professional and friendly. Love running into them, knowing they are out there working to keep people honest and enforcing fish and game laws to protect our wonderful resources. Very jellyfish on this one buddy. A gorgeous and productive couple of days. No giants but even those 13-15 inchers fight hard and they are such beautiful fish. I need to get back out to the big water, in the kayak, and get after those small jaws. It's been a month or more for me. Would have loved to have been out there with you. Love the idea of this mini series and very much looking forward to Part 2!

[@FishAnything]

Thank Fitzy! Definitely agree with everything you said - smallmouth bass are a total blast, but especially in an ecosystem like this!! Glad you enjoyed the video - part 2 will drop tonight :)

[@FitzYakin]

@@FishAnything I'm on it in about 10 mikes. Watching it on the big screen 😁

[@Tightt88]

I want to see you go after Bowfin. You have never felt a fight like a Bowfin fight. If you think Pike are crazy, Bowfin make them look like your wimpy cousin lol.

[@frankdudek6242]

👍

[@FishAnything]

:) hope you've been out crushing some fish Frank!

[@jodycromer5710]

Do u ever dropshot the donkey tail jr?

[@FishAnything]

I plan to. Haven't done it yet personally but I think it will be great when I find deep gills

[@kirkgeno6077]

Straight🔥bro...looks incredible!

[@FishAnything]

Thanks Kirk! Now I need to go chase some Freshwater Drum :)

[@mattyschell1973]

Great Video, Ethan. Really dig this kind of movie-style with the narration. And thanks again for another quick delivery on the Mule gear 👍

[@FishAnything]

Thank YOU Matty for the ongoing support. I enjoyed experimenting with this video and trying something new. Hope you smash some donkeys soon brotha!

[@HoosierStateFishing]

Man, that water looks incredible! Excited for this series, Ethan! Awesome thumbnail by the way.

[@FishAnything]

Thanks DB! Part 2 will be a bit better and yeah I was stoked about the thumbnail. Changed the text to an actual smallmouth side for the coloration haha

[@noahtyson1]

What line are you using that is that aquamarine color?

[@FishAnything]

This is Sunline Xplasma 10lb braid! Hi Vis green

[@shawneldridge4465]

🤔 hmmmmmm, I wish the water in Allentown Pennsylvania look like that as well, nice blue and Crystal clear that's for sure. Instead has to be dark and dirty and ugly.

[@FishAnything]

Haha yeah this kind of water is few and far between but it is always amazing to get out on. Super beautiful!

[@shawneldridge4465]

@@FishAnything 👍👍

[@mthompson2442]

I just got checked for the first time ever on Wednesday in my state. Im glad to know they are there though. I always see lots of people not following the regulations. Lots of special rules in my area for random bodies of water.

[@FishAnything]

For sure. Also people litter like crazy and I hate that crap. The DNR staying around keeps folks honest.

[@ldsudduthhanover]

Man you said it...Smallies are my kryptonite..I will chase them at the expense of others.. I like 'em in the creeks though.

[@FishAnything]

I love smallies no matter where I catch them but I totally agree that small creeks are probably the coolest ecosystem to find them :)

[@caseysullivan6751]

Headed back to Northern MI on Sept and May have to take trip to Traverse for some smallmouth! I was rooting for you when that tank rolled up!

[@FishAnything]

Yes! Hope you have a bit more luck than I did here. Regardless of how the fishing is, enjoy the beauty this state has to offer :)

[@davidrauschenbach6871]

Ethan think you need too eat power food! For dinner after all that peddling. Nice to see you get on them. Can’t wait for the next video hopefully you found some larger ones!

[@FishAnything]

I smashed some burgers that night haha Thanks David! Part 2 I figure a few more things out ;)

[@anastaciolopez1434]

If anyone can figure this fish out you can. So just hang in there and you will. Great job.

[@FishAnything]

Part 2 I catch a few more :)

[@richardsousa2625]

Hell yeah!

[@FishAnything]

WOOT WOOT!

[@InTheWoodsToday]

Dude! Donkeytail on a underspin??? Why havent I tried that yet??

[@mattyschell1973]

Exactly why I just bought the 'Karma' color myself this past week. Im hopin it's just as successful down here in the Southwest

[@FishAnything]

Heck yeah boys! I honestly heard about it from people sending me pictures of their rigs on Instagram haha I can't claim to be the smart one here :D

[@mackjenkins7721]

Man that's funny how these fishes like to play games. When they playing games it messes up your mind cuz she trying to figure out what they going to do. But at least on day one you did not get skunk. Day #2. look like it was a good day on the water for you too. Surprise the game warden came out and check for your license. That was cool on day #1. Seeing you kayaking barefooted👣. That's how I have to kayak to is Barefooted 👣 because of my very extremely wide foot i have. That was the first man that was cool seeing. Hey buddy I have a question? Did you get new Chaco sandals? They look like they are new & you just recently got them. I am going to get me some custom-made Chaco sandals here shortly. Good video brother thank you for sharing.

[@FishAnything]

Thanks Mack! Yeah it was a dang blast on the water! And these aren't new Chacos, I just don't wear them super often. Great shoes though! Barefooted fishing ain't bad but the pedals are a little hard on the bottom of my feet so I prefer sandals.

[@mackjenkins7721]

@@FishAnything oh okay you just don't where the Chacos sandals that much. That's what I hear they are great sandals to wear. I'm just used to seeing you wearing your Teva. I have a pair of Teva that I found out of nowhere in a size 15 but the Velcro straps won't stay together because of my foot being so wide. And I don't know why but teva's don't make there sandals in size 15 which they should. I can agree with you fishing barefooted👣 is not bad. I can't stand having sweaty feet & with my toes being very fat and wide they sweat easily. I know what you mean about those pedals hurting the bottom of your feet. That's why I'm looking for a pair of Barefooted 👣 pedal that r wide for the pedal drive. Oh I don't blame you for wearing your sandals man i wear mind's all year long. Thank you brother I appreciate that.

[@kenappleby8481]

Some beautiful water there! I've never seen a smally but hoping to go up north some at the end of the month for some river fishing. Odd that they were that pale with that clear of water - still awesome looking fish! Did I hear/see you on a new yak on your livestream the other night!?? Also, what GoPro do you use for your headcam and what mic along with that? Thanks and hope you had a good time with the fam!

[@FishAnything]

Thanks Ken! Yeah I had a blast on this lake. And yes stay tuned for another kayak lmao I use a GoPro Hero 9 Black with the internal mic.

[@fishingwithvin]

lol the game warden’s here know me by name and by what I drive, the last time just last week he stopped to do a check when I was with my wife in her suv and when He came around s tree and seen me he said: “HEYYY you changed vehicles on me Vin” I kinda like the new platform you’re using with talking through transition’s very National Geographic!

[@FishAnything]

Thanks Vin! Haha and I can only imagine - you are always out there chasing donkeys :)

[@erikfrankfurt4650]

Yo.. You talk too much. You're in fresh water and the fish don't like noise. You should stop waxing your legs too.

[@FishAnything]

Thanks for bringing positivity and kindness to the world! Hope you have a great day Erik! 🧡

[@erikfrankfurt4650]

@@FishAnything The first part was me telling you some actual advice and the second part was me being a drunken-hater. Take it all for what you will.

[@brownbouy3043]

@@erikfrankfurt4650 to each their own. Alcohol does make you have a temper, so maybe try to work on that😉