Where are the smallmouths biting this month?

I have only fished the Croix with a good buddy of mine in the late fall for smallmouths. We would go past HWY 8 and fish north of there. I just got my own F&S boat this summer and want to start dragging my wife out on the river so I have a good reason to fish and hang with her. Saves the complaining later…lol My problem is I read these forums and half the time when people are saying where they are biting at, I don’t know what location they are talking about unless they say Stillwater or Hudson. Not asking for fishing hot spots but if someone on here kind of knows where the smallies hide at this time of year would be much appreciated. Thanks for taking time to read this and if you reply, thanks!

Welcome to IDO…As for the Smallmouths this time of the yr try the upper Mississippi (between Dayton and St Cloud) or Lake Mille Lacs.

The croix is full of smallies from where it starts to where it ends. Not sure if you could find a poor section of that river to fish them.

Where are the smallmouth on the Croix.

Yesterday I got out for a couple of hours fishing. We put in at O’Brian Park and fished down about 3 miles. The river is still somewhat fishable from my boat, though in several places I did have to get out and pull over some sandbars. But that’s what is expected this time of year.

Regarding fishing it was really good. Though I didn’t have a lot of time and was mostly talking with my wife when I did fish the smallmouth were very willing and for the Croix nice size. I also got a bonus 8 pound northern.

This time of year the bass are transitioning to deeper run (remember these fish are very vulnerable so practice careful release) Whenever the current hits rock shoreline and begins to pool I focus on the upper part of the run. Don’t be afraid to pitch right to the shoreline, you will be surprised at how tight these fish will be to the shoreline. These areas are even better when you have an incoming stream. I have found that even a little flow will draw and hold fish. Often more then one.

Regarding what is working my go too is a 3. 5 inch gitzit tube jig on an 1/8 ounce or 2/26 BfishN jig. I like to bury the head at the top of the jig. Generally I will fish these on 6 pound mono. This lure has become my go too all summer. I can fish it on the drop. I can also fish it as a shaky worm. Pick it up off the bottom, shack it and set it back down. With practice I have also learned to fish this as a cover bait. Gitzits come in multiple colors. This summer I bought a couple of packages of there Olive Smoke Red Sparkle. I used them up so quickly that I special ordered a package of 100. This color seems to really trigger the fish and for don’t be surprised if you also get walleyes. In fact in June my two nicest walleyes on the lower Croix came on this color.

Because of water depth if I can I like to leave a car at O’ Brian and launch the boat at Osceola. It’s always easier to go downstream. If you focus on current and deeper holes with rocks mixed in I think you will be successful. Also, don’t be afraid to bring some night crawlers as well as your pan fishing gear. Lots of opportunity.

Seems like 6 lb test could often be on the light side for the larger bass in order to avoid a prolonged battle. Especially this time of year. I made that decision years ago and switched to 8 min. 10 if I am throwing heavier baits and expect big fish. You can still use a light rod and get all the fun of rod bend but the fight can be ended quicker. Just my .02

That is a really good suggestion. Thanks. I am in the process of respooling my rods and will make the shift.

Thanks for the feedback! Going tomorrow morning with a buddy from work. Going to start in Hudson was thinking of working the marina’s and working my way towards Stillwater. Going to start there and hopefully come back with a story to tell..

Gitzit tubes crush bass. I also use Suffix Elite 6 pound test for tubes, Suffix 6 is strong and you can get them in no sweat with this mono.

This Just In 4.5 lbs on a rap