Episode 567, Small Mouth Bass Fishing on Lake St. Clair with Marcel Veenstra of Marcel's Guide Services

Up North Journal Podcast

Talking with Marcel Veenstra of Marcel's Guide Service about fishing small mouth bass on Lake St. Clair here in Michigan.

1. Dealing with Covid and how it has affected his booking fishing trips
2. Had a few cancelations
3. Has a team of five guides

How he got started in Michigan

1. Moved to Michigan from east coast in 2004
2. Married his co-angler then moved to Michigan
3. Fished Bassmaster Elite Series and FLW
4. Started guiding after another pro suggested it
5. What brought him to Michigan and how he met his wife

What to expect on his guidedtrips

1. What you need to bring
2. What is provided
3. How long are the trips
4. Types of fishing
5. Educating the patrons

College and High School Fishing teams

1. Adrian College
2. Educating kids
3. The internet has changed things
4. Why is Adrian College's team so good

Fishing Lake St. Clair in the spring

1. Where do you start
2. Fish with the crowds or go off on your own
3. Key is knowing the sweet spots
4. 6 to 10 feet of water
5. After the spawn
6. Find their food
7. Feeding differences between Small and Large Mouth Bass
8. Types of baits to use
9. Finding locations that hold fish
10. What electronics are most important
11. Finding trophy fish

Technology is getting too good

1. It is starting to become more technique instead of finding fish due to technology
2. Is technology too good?
3. You still have to trigger the bite
4. Does old school work on educated fish
5. Getting away from the crowd

www.marcelsguideservice.com

810-923-5035, Marcel's Guide Service

Biggest mistake fisherman make on Lake St. Clair

1. Put in close to where you're going to fish
2. Learn to understand the fish

Proper way to hold a fish when taking a photo

1. Don't keep out of the water for extended periods of time
2. Support the fish
3. Don't live well a bunch of fish to take a photo at the end of the day

What questions should you ask when looking to book a trip with a guide