First Smallie of the year!

[AllenOK]

Got out for a bit today after the madness at work.  Was using my little UL rig with a small inline spinner.  Fishing a crystal-clear stream that's only a couple feet deep.  Lots of laydowns in the water, including a new one this past winter.  Had a brief tussle with a Smallie that spit my lure.  Moved about 15' further downstream, just past the new laydown, popped off a cast, and BAM!  Caught this one.  Possibly the same fish, but I'm not sure.

View attachment 5

Bass fishing in Michigan is "Catch and Immediate Release" right now, so this fish was released shortly after the pic was captured.  At least I can fish for them.  Some parts of the state you can't use certain lures right now, as some species are completely closed to fishing while they are spawning.

 

[AtticaFish]

Those smallies are sure fun to catch. Glad you got out. It was a nice day here on Sunday but Saturday was nasty!

 

[AllenOK]

AF, they are fun, that's for sure. This one fought like crazy, and tried to abrade my line on some sticks a couple times. Luckily I got the fish in. Saturday was nasty, luckily I had to work all day. Sunday and Monday were great, although Monday was windy.

 

[duffy]

They sure are fun to catch and tasty too when you can keep them. I've had some take on a floating Rapala that was almost as big as they were. Sounds like your F&G dept. is at least trying to promote them, our's seems to think they are a nuisance. All they are interested in are trout and salmon.

 

[Jig Man]

Nice fish...And ya'll can keep that nasty stuff there.

 

[hookup]

Bronze is the right color!