traverse city, MI bay fishing?

[xpndbl3]

I'll be headed up to traverse city, MI next week for 5 days and was wondering if there is any fishing to be done in either the west or east Grand Traverse Bays. I'll be leaving the bulk of my salmon gear at home since I'll be mostly staying at long lake a few miles south of the bay for some bass, walleye, and muskie/northern fishing but since I'll have our center console was debating hitting the bay up as well. Last year I inquired through local tackle shops for fishing around november as that's when I was up there and was told nothing but whitefish. Now that it's earlier in the season, anyone local know if there's fish to be caught and a general idea on what bay and where?

thanks in advance.

[ALLEYES]

You will see the boats trolling out front of the river right in downtown TC.

[pbrktrt]

Some great smallmouth action in the bays also.

[SPOONWASHER]

Awesome smallmouth action! I have never fished it this time of the year but I would fish deep drops in 20-40 fow with a drop shot rig and a leach or goby imitation. We fish it when they are on the beds in June and kill them! Witnessed a 7lb smallie pulled out of the east bay buy a guy I know. There is also a pretty plentiful white fish population I believe.

[ALLEYES]

I pulled a 6lb smalljaw out of west bay several years ago.

[xpndbl3]

thanks guys, guess I'll try for some smallies out there. ALLEYES when you say they are trolling right out in front of the river, what are they trolling for? walleyes or for staging salmon?

[ALLEYES]

Salmon