After reading DZ’s latest smallmouth report, I knew it was time to head north up to the Mississippi at Sartell for some smallmouth fishing. I was on the water by 10:45 and fished until 7:00. It was a great day to be out fishing… my 1st time out in over 3 months.
The fish are just starting to bunch up. It took me awhile to pinpoint exactly where they were at. Luckily, I had good starting points from one DZ’s past guide trips.
My arsenal was loaded with Jimmy D River Bugs, 4 – 6” chubs and buzz baits. I started the day off first thing with a 17.5” smallie on a 1/8th black River Bug. However, the fish had a preference for minnows yesterday. As a matter of fact, I didn’t even try the buzz baits.
The set-up I used yesterday was a Gamakatsu SIZE 1 Offset Shank Worm EWG hook with a #3 split shot about 18″ or so above the minnow. The barb was pinched down because the smallies are generally very aggressive at this time of the year.
Yesterday, it seemed like the smallies wanted to chew on the minnow for awhile. Normally, they take the minnows head first so you have to be very quick. Set the hook the very first you feel them. If you have the barb pinched, it’s so much better when one does (and they will) swallow the hook.
Biggest smallie of the day was over 19.5”. The majority were 14 15”. Fish totals for the day…
Smallies 28
One catfish going 26”
Northern 1
Sunburn – note to self, leave a tube of sunscreen in the boat.
Sorry both the camera and sunscreen were left at home. I hope to make it back up to Sartell at least one more time before the water temps drop too low. Then it’s on to the Saugerama at Red Wing.