Yeah that launch is NARROW to say the least. I’ve seen a few close calls for pleasure boaters backing in. But yes, it’s got a healthy population of smallies. Not many over 4+lbs but good numbers if 2-3+

Rather than just deleting your comment, I thought I’d at least respond: First, thanks for watching the video. Second, this was recorded and posted a number of years ago in 1080p (which is still considered HD). Lower resolution/blurriness would only be results of trying to watch it on a large 4k tv and/or slower Internet that reduced to lower than 1080p. Lastly, I can only assume that if you watched 10 minutes that you likely are trying to clean or fix a reel. Baitcasting reels can be complicated like you mentioned, but if I can help in anyway, respond here and I’ll do my best to assist.

Thanks for checking out the video. It’s definitely not for the faint at heart at first but hopefully this has helped some take that leap. Once you’ve done one they almost all look the same.

I had the same hesitation years ago. I posted this in hopes it helps some figure it out… for those that don’t want to mess with it, I also do reel cleaning for people. Find me on Instagram: @MC_WRK2FSH

I don’t guide but know a bunch of really great guides on the lake. If you’re looking for someone, shoot me a DM on my Instagram or Facebook page (links on my channels main page).

Thanks for checking out the video. This is a full length video and only sped up the portion where I was doing redundant actions and can be paused. Is there a section you are looking to slow down?

No, it's everything. You are a fast talker naturally, I guess! @@MichaelCross

@@robertbrandywinejust wanted to confirm, you don’t have the playback speed more than 1x? Maybe even try dropping it down to .5x playback if it’s still too fast. I posted the video as a tutorial and full walk thru, albeit a long video, as most videos I had seen were too brief and condensed. Hope you find what you’re looking for and more importantly you got your reel cleaned and ready for the water. Thanks again for checking out the video.

No, it's at normal speed. I've tried playing it slower on other videos, but then the video is fuzzy. @@MichaelCross

If I’m thinking of the part(s) you are referring to, there are two springs that help with the thumb bar mechanism. They are called the kick spring and clutch spring. They have a small post on each end and one goes into the frame and another into the “Lift Curve” which is the main plastic insert that sits on the frame.

If you reach out to me on instagram, we can share pictures if needed. instagram.com/mc_wrk2fsh

Thanks. @@MichaelCross

Thanks for checking it out and hope it helped!

Hope you get'em!

Thanks for check out the video. I love that area; so many good lakes. In fact I was just up there this last weekend on a few neighboring lakes. Hope you catch’em!

Agree 100%. I’ve cleaned every brand and different models and would agree, why mess with a good thing.

Dude and how on earth do they keep making it better?? Have you gotten to work with any of the gen 5s yet? They shrunk the frame a good deal without reducing any internals. I'm using your vid to figure out what I did wrong during the full clean of my gen 5 rocket.

@@cheapshotfishing9239 what seems to be happening that doesn’t seem to be right? When in doubt, I still use schematics regularly as a reference for newer models or any part is in question.

It's just crunchy and feels weird compared to how it was before, it's hard to explain, doesn't feel like there's explicit damage and nothing's missing, but maybe I flipped something around or did some other thing I shouldn't have

@@cheapshotfishing9239 if it’s crunchy; likely an alignment of the gearing. I’d recommend take the handle/side plate off and try to spin the main gear shaft and gears to see if it still feel crunchy. It may be something wasn’t align on the pinion or the gears. Sometimes the order of things wasn’t put back right and may be worth just disassembling again and follow a schematic to insure proper order of parts. Never fun but also part of the learning experience.

Lots of truth to that, especially come summer months.

Thanks for reaching out and noticing it’s been quiet… I’ve got so much footage but not enough time to edit like I’d like. I post regularly on Instagram: @MC_WRK2FSH if you’d like to follow there. I’m hoping to have more content coming this year!

@@MichaelCross ok sounds good

Looks like you guys figured them out! Congrats.

Have you tried loosening the tension knob (on the handle side)? If it’s too tight, it pushes the spool over too far for the side plate to go on smoothly.

You’re quick on the response thanks it worked!!

@@Brandonkanzaki glad that worked! Tight lines!

Thanks for checking out the video. I’d be happy to answer but can you confirm which part or time stamp you’re referring to?

3:55

@@schleegz56 that part is the sleeve that sits inside of the clutch/one-way bearing. I’m not sure what the question is (maybe an auto correct), but anyone can take the sleeve off. It’s important to remember the direction it come as it acts somewhat like a key to the clutch. There are usually one, or sometimes two, small washers that will go on either end to watch for as well. Hope that helps. Let me know if there is something else you’re looking for?

It slides right off in your video, but doesn’t seem to move at all when I try to slide mine off. Could it be corroded?

@@schleegz56 it could be. It should just slide right off. If it doesn’t move at all, it may be corroded or if it moves a little it may be hanging up on the threads of the gear/handle shaft. Sometimes the threads will get bent or flanged and prevent the sleeve or washers from sliding off.

Thanks for checking out the channel! Hope you catch’em. Tight lines!

Appreciate the comment and checking it out! Hope it helped get your reels ready for the season!

@@MichaelCross it’s still apart but I’m waiting for my grease and oil to come in any minute now. There was a ton of gunk , excess grease and some nasty sludge from frog fishing gross ponds. Should work well.

@@brandon34344 most don’t realize just how much grease comes packed in on reels straight from the manufacturer… plus, getting that slop off is all key to peak performance! Sounds like you’re on the right track! Tight lines this year!

@@MichaelCross yes this is first time ever trying this. The reel was night and day worse than yours. Can’t wait to put it together. Keep up the great work

@@brandon34344 let me know how it goes!

Thanks for checking out the video and the comment. Glad to hear it helped get the side plate off and hopefully the maintenance you were looking to do! Tight lines!

Thanks for checking out the video. You might be able to get parts directly from Abu Garcia. If not direct from them, if you have the specific reel schematic for your reel it will have a part name and number that you can Google search and generally find a part supplier online that way. Best of luck with the part search.

Thanks for checking out the video and comment. Several places to get a one-way bearing/clutch but the key will be to find the specific part number off of a schematic. Once you have a part number you can usually just do a Google search with brand/model/part number and you’ll get a few part sites. One I’ve had a lot of success with is www.mikesreelrepair.com or sometimes going right to the manufacturer is the easiest. Wish ya all the best with the repair and swap.

Nice work. The last couple pieces are a nice extra step when the thumb bar is sticky or the reel has been dropped in water. The tension springs are the toughest part to deal with. Tight lines!

Thanks Dennis for checking out the clip. Usually I don’t scent my baits but occasionally if I think about it, I’ll spray some gulp juice on if I have it in the boat.

I’ve heard there may be more than that… just need to find them. I know there are a couple well known ones for sure.

Ha! I posted the full length video in hopes it helps people gain the confidence in doing it themselves. Almost all bait casting reels have 90% of the same build so it makes it relatively easy to replicate across brands. That said, I clean a lot of reels for people who feel the same way or don’t want to take the time.

Thanks for checking out the video. The best tool you could probably look at is Google earth. There is a lot of rock in the lake; especially the northern half. If you can find grass/cabbage by rock there is bound to be some fish around. There are really two ways to fish the lake: shallow or deeper (12-15+fow). Go with what works for you and have fun! Good luck on your trip.

Yes and yes! #puremichigan

Ha! They wouldn’t help anyway; seems those fish are here one day and gone the next. They move so much it’s hard to go back to fish day after day let alone a month or years later once they go deep.

Thanks for the comment. I was actually just on Walloon last week and they were up bedding on flats. Right about now you’ll likely still have some shallow fish however as summer progresses you’re going to have more fish moving to deeper areas. The lake doesn’t have a lot of grass but if you can find some on a break it’s a good place to start. The main basins to are good for mid-depth crankbaits, especially on windy days. You may find some early morning topwater in a few shallow places but the bigger fish are likely deeper.

@@MichaelCross ok thank you next week I might head out there.

Awesome! Thanks for checking out the video and channel! Hope it helps out a few more fish in the boat.

First, I’m jealous! We decided not to make the trip this coming summer and I’m bumming. Second, it’s a lot to take it in and cover before you dial in some patterns. I know a local guide up there if you’re looking for a day out to learn the ropes. For your first few times out, make sure to track your trails on your graph. There are a lot of shallow reefs, boulders/boulder fields. I usually idle and trim up for anything less than 6-7fow. If you go out on a sunny day, you can generally see the color changes and reefs to watch out for. That said, some of those reefs and boulder fields hold fish. Ned rigs and occasionally burning a crank or spinnerbait will get ya bites. It all looks fishy but the key is to look for something different: the biggest boulder in a rock field, dark spots or deeper areas around shallow areas. Deeper rock becomes important later into the summer. Good luck bud! Let me know how you do. If you are in Instagram, look me up @mc_wrk2fsh

@@MichaelCross Thanks for the info. I'll definitely take the name of that guide. We're only up there for 5 days and it may make the most sense to get one. Not sure how much the wife is going to let me fish! Thanks again!

His name is Capt Colton Tompkins and he runs Fish the Bruce Charters: fishthebruce.ca or on Instagram @fishthebruce_charters. Great guy and knows the Red Bay and Little Red Bay area well. Let him know I sent ya!

@@MichaelCross Thank you for the contact info!

@@arronkowalczyk9869 gladly! Have a great time!

Hey bud, thanks for checking out the video. I’ve got another video on Charlevoix that shows a little more info about my bait. As for locations, that lake took a long time for me to figure out so I can’t give details but what I will say is to focus on deeper water off the breaks in 30-40fow come late summer/fall. You’ll catch some shallower but they will usually be smaller fish. Tight lines! Hope you catch a few.

Thank You!

@@MichaelCross one more thing though what fishing weight should I use?

@@jonathonhartwell5936 for deeper water I use a 3/8-5/8th weight.

@@MichaelCross thanks! Can’t wait to get out on the lake! Good luck too!

Thanks for checking out the clip and comment. I have used some music for compilation parts but, like this one, leave good portions without music as well.

You’ll have a great trip. It will be very crowded but you’ll catch’em.

Absolutely. IG: @mc_wrk2fsh

Thanks for checking out the video and congrats on the boat (nice choice w/Triton)! Couple recommendations: start small, don’t try to tackle the whole lake at once. They will be shallow (2-10ft) in spring as they move to spawn (usually late May), and once that’s over they migrate deeper. I’ve had my best luck midsummer fishing off the break in 30-40+fow. Shallow baits: ned rig, dropshot, hair jig. Deep baits: tube and dropshot with 3/8-1/2oz weights to get down faster. If you’re catching fish from shore… I’d recommend expand on similar areas first. Have fun exploring the lake and hope you catch’em!

@@MichaelCross quick question how do I find the breaks? what do they look like on a topographic map of lake Charlevoix?

@@funnynader9149 a break is anywhere the depth changes quickly. Example: 12ft of water drops to 30, 40, 50 feet.

Hey William. Thanks for checking out the channel. The answer really depends on what the priority is: size or quantity. Long and Grand tend to have more numbers of fish but Hubbard has potential for bigger fish but fewer numbers.

Thanks for checking out the channel and kind words. I love putting together edits just not enough time to produce the regular volume needed to generate subs. Hope to have a little more time to put some more out this year.

Thanks for checking out the video Paul; and yes you are correct about C “Clips”. I think they should be more aptly called “springy little buggers” or “oh crap where did that go” clips. LOL

This is late fall and fishing both the US and Canadian sides. Moved around a bit that day.

​@@MichaelCrossmost obscure answer ever

@@BaadMotorFinger First, thanks for checking out the video and commenting. Second, did you happen to watch the video through its entirety? I do share quite a bit of info in there. If so, is there something more specific you are looking for (short of providing exact waypoints)?

Thanks bud! And I know what you mean; there is a legendary local angler in my fishing club with eyes like an eagle at 80+yrs old… he still smokes us all! I will say, using side imaging has helped tremendously in locating beds.

Thanks for checking out the video. All depends on what time of year you’d prefer. The spring fishing is probably the most popular because they are shallow. Late April through early June is generally preferred with the more consistent weather (and warmer) by mid-may being preferred by some. That said, the bite is pretty good before and after, just a little less consistent. Summer is great for deeper fishing; video gaming, etc.

Thanks for checking it out bud!

@andrew vanharken stick to Orion haha :P

@@mofobassfishing79 😂

Thanks bud!!

Thanks. So many lakes, so few days. At the time I filmed this video Grand had just gone through a fish kill from Largemouth Bass Virus and rumor was it was fishing tough. Sounds like it’s on the rebound and hope to get up there more next summer.

@@MichaelCross gotcha. We stayed in a cabin 2 weeks ago on grand lake and fished it two straight days. Fishing was horrible. I was under the impression that grand and long and winyah and Hubbard were all awesome small mouth lakes

@Brett Rzucidlo I was on Grand the beginning of September for the first time. Fishing was decent, fewer numbers than long but a few bigger fish (3.5-4.5lbs). Generally Long has quantity, but over 4lbs is rare. Winyah is a completely different beast, river channel and flats, not as much of a fan, and Hubbard has fewer numbers, can be fickle, but a chance at fish over 5-6lbs. Hope that answers your question posted on the other video as well.

@@MichaelCross yes. Thank you. I have been fishing for largemouth for the last few years and was curious about smallmouth and am on the hunt for them. Going to st Clair in a few weeks. I heard case lake in metro Detroit where I live is pretty good for them as well. Thanks for responding

@@brettrzucidlo1105 careful, once you get the smallmouth itch , it never goes away! Lake St Clair is a very special lake and probably one of the best smallmouth lakes in the country. Cass Lake, along with Union, Orchard, etc all have a decent population of smallies. Topwater, spinnerbait, swimbait, ned rig, and dropshot along the flats and breaks are safe bets. Good luck! Thanks for checking out the channel!

I have a ‘05 Triton TR186 and have truly loved it. I do pick and choose the days I take it out on the big water however. In the spring and fall you can get into a decent bite relatively shallow which affords better protection than mid-summer. If you’ve been on LSC on moderate windy days or hot summer w/boat wakes, you know the pain trying to run in it. I have resigned myself to avoid those types of days.

I was curious as I'm looking to get a boat soon. Leaning toward the 19-20ft range, but would love to get an ~18ft to fit it in a single space. But yessir, LSC can be rough. She's claimed a few rods of mine years back, was fishing in 4-6ft waves near the shipping canal.

If you plan to fish the big water, bigger is always better. They still take a beating BUT it will be slightly more comfortable and able to cut waves better (vs slapping them). That said, I am definitely happy with my 18.5’ rig. It’s great for inland lakes and can manage the big water when needed. Tip: most 19 & 20ft bass boats actually measure about the same length when you fold the tongue. Check each year, model, etc as the storage lengths vary by brand, year, model.

Thanks for checking out the video and the question. First, Walloon Lake is probably one of the most scenic and beautiful lakes in Michigan! Great choice! Second, what time of year and where on the lake are you staying? That will dictate a bit on what your odds might be. It’s always worth a shot from shore. I’d take a topwater (popper or spook type bait), a senko, ned rig or drop shot for your best bet but if you have access to a kayak or small boat even better. As for other places you might be able to get into smallmouth, you could try the rocks around/along the public pier in Petoskey.

Hey there Phil! I appreciate you checking in!!! This year has been a tough one; started a new job at the beginning of the year (less time off), my kids are teenagers now with one going into high school and we purposefully dedicated a lot of time to family stuff, etc… all that to say, I haven’t had as much free time for editing. I’ve got lots of video, just need time to edit. Hoping things settle down a little come late fall and should have a bunch more videos coming. Also headed to Alpena at month end so I might have some good footage from that trip.

Awesome! Glad to assist.