[jomonkey527]

Went today. I hate fishing from the shore, but have not had a chance to get my kayak from my parents. So I hit the Saugatuck Resevoir today. At least for me the bite there has been slow, well nonexistant until today, as well as those anglers I have talked to there and seen. Besides one guy who caught a nothing to write home about rainbow.

Well I saw many sunfish and small bass along the shore yesterday. So I started off throwing a perch colored husky jerk Rapala. I did great there last year using anything perch colored. Nothing. Aftter getting skunked there so far this year I went over all I have tried. The Husky jerk, Original Rapala, crankbaits, all with nothing.

So I happened to have a worm hook, and a package of Berkley Small Fry. So i wacky rigged it, unweighted. On my first cast I got a bite! But I lost the fish in the brush at the side of the reservoir. I hate fishing from shore. As an aside, I love the Berkley Fry I like the way they work wacky style, and the scent they have, but they really are not very durable.

Second cast out I got one again. He put up a good fight, and I have moved just slightly away from the brush and landed him. He was just a bit over 12 inches.

So I bounced around the various shore access points. I only had so many of the Berkley fry, and went over to a Vicious Fire Tiger crankbait, and had a bite from another smallmouth, but lost him at the shore as I was trying to move to a better area to land him. I hate fishing from shore.

Moral of the story, it looks like the smallmouth bite is really picking up there, and I hate fishing from shore.

[brandon72801]

Yeah, bite has been tough there. Spend about 12 hrs there the last three days with not even a bite. Hit the usual access points on both Valley Forge & Rte 53.
Let's hope it picks up soon.

[jomonkey527]

I got some bites. on 53 just before the bridge on your left there is an area that is now underwater whereas last year it was dry. Thats where I got my first two bites. Also once you get past the bridge I ame that left and headed up that way. There is a little pulloff on the left, and the water was really still. I had another bite there too.

It can be a pretty frustrating place to fish, especially if you are hoping for a walleye like I am.

[brandon72801]

You could fish the entire shoreline last year it was so low!! It was awesome.

[2FastCars]

It's starting to get warmer, so the fishing should pick up. Hopefully this weekend!!!! I spent some time there with member on here and we haven't had any luck. Fishing from shore especially with the water this high really stinks....there is not many open spots to fish. I'm going to try my usually smallie spot this Sat morning. Maybe I'll see you guy's there!

[jomonkey527]

Cool! Maybe we will run into eachother. I'll be up there with my daughter. I am really hoping I can put her onto some fish. She won't use live bait, or a bobber. So I will do my best.. Like I said above it's been tough there so far for me.

[jomonkey527]

What are the good spots on Valley Forge? I have one fished the little cove that is pretty much right where you turn onto Valley Forge.

[2FastCars]

Yeah, maybe we'll run into each other...I'm looking to be there both Sat and Sun. I think with the weather getting warmer, you'll be able to hook into some nice fish! I'm hoping for some luck this weekend!! I'm pretty much always on Valley Forge. There are quite a few spots on Valley Forge, if you continue down from the cove you fished at....you will see all the turnoffs. There are also a couple of spots down by where Godfrey and Valley Forge meet..this is usually where I fish. For most of the places on Valley Forge...and for the Saugatuck in general, you will need to bring your hiking shoes

[brandon72801]

You can just park in one of the turn-offs and then walk the shore until you find a spot that allows you to cast without hooking a tree or falling in. There are lots of rocks on the Valley Forge end so bring extra lures. Right Mike?

[Flipper]

You guys need some waders.
_________________
Go big or go home!

[2FastCars]

[jomonkey527]

Yeah I have lost some lures there. It makes me very frustrated to lose $10 lures.

[jomonkey527]

Well I went up there with my daughter today, and nothing. It was pretty windy too.

[KingCranky]

Anyone been here recently?

If so, how was the action on the smallmouth and largemouth? And is the water level back to normal?

It's about an hour trek for me, so I need to know if it's worth my gas money and time to make the venture right now.

[jomonkey527]

It's been ok. Last couple times there I've caught a couple largemouth and smallmouth. Nothing greater than 1.5. After all this rain i would say pass until it clears. The bridge where everyone seems to fish is usually so filled with debris it makes fishing a chore. I have never fished off Valley Forge after rain. Though earlier in the year I caught a couple nice rainbows a day after rain, a 12 inch and a 3 lb 3ounce rainbow.

I may try to head up there early Sunday morning before church and hope the water has settled. It may be my only chance the next week or so to get my line wet. I'll post what happens if I go Sunday.