This will never happen in a tournament. First five fish on Friday were all smallmouth. They measured 19.5″, (2) 18″, a 17.5″ and a 17″. Five fish I wouldn’t question keeping in any river tournament. Had my flat so I didn’t have a scale or camera but I’m sure the would have been over 15 pounds.
Congrats, Riverfan! Mind sharing your presentation, water conditions, and general location (i,e, rip rap, wing damn, etc.)
I had a hard time locating smallies this weekend. Largemouth tended to be biting fairly well in the backwaters on grass-undercuts with a vertical presentation… I boated 2 over 4 lbs! Best weekend ever… 
might have had something to do with the rain!
Reel Guy,
Because of the MN State tournament is on the river this fall I cant say too much. However, the pattern revolved around sand breaks, heavy current and swimming a grub. I’ll PM you with more info.
I caught 3 smallies on Friday that went 19.25, 19, and 17.5. I guess the big bronzies had the feed bag on on Friday!!
Had my camera too, but still not in the digital age in the boat, so I will have to wait to fill the film before seeing them!! 
By the way, the 19.25 went 4.0, the 19 went 3.5, and the 17 was 2.7 if memory serves. Went out from 5:30 pm to dark, and the river traffic wasn’t terrible.
C’mon John, I am sure to forget by then.. 
Good Job, I had the misfortune to battle with Mayflies and high dirty water. I found all my fish located in a couple small areas. They were eager biters when you find them but I really struggled for much of the day. I did however have the good fortune to spend it with someone I respect very much. (BB Bane). We followed every conceivable largemouth pattern I have ever experienced in the summer just looking for fish and even fished some areas that I have not been around in years. (Really tough) Then I went to a spot that usually holds smaller fish but they are always there. We managed quite a few and even though we wasted over half the day the fish finally told me what they were doing. Its funny how they do that after you’ve left the water and are on your way home.
See ya this fall.
Jc
Made it out Sunday morning for a few hours. I have to second the motion of tough fishing. I hit my smallmouth areas that held fish last weekend and had very limited success (a few hits and a couple shorts). I actually pulled decent largemouth off these fast current areas. The river is fast and dirty and the Mayflies have to be at full strength (I hope they can’t get worse 
). Did catch a couple of 2.5 pound largemouth. Crankbaits were my best bait.
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
