Anyone catching smallies

Anyone doing any good on smallies ? Any tips presentations for locating the fish in the fall here? Just trying to eliminate some water. Does the tuna boat traffic start to slow down soon?

Sunny days after 12 noon until about 3 pm is the best time for the next several weeks. The bass are going to be found in low current, smooth, sand, or rock areas adjacent to deeper water this time of year. They enjoy the warmer water in the shallower areas and are usually grouped in schools of 15 + fish. Watch for surface action on the water, or birds circling to give away their location. Crank baits have been taking these fish lately.

Thanks Hoosier , I have not been to the St Croix in many years and went out last Saturday with limited success. Fished between Stillwater and the power plant and found some fish. Will be on the water next week to try again south of Hudson.

Still haven’t found the smallies, or I should say biters. I see them busting in a few spots but can not get them to hit anything artifical. Went out Wednesday morning in the wind and the rain, not the best conditions did not catch a single bass. I noticed I had a few minnows left from the weekend in the baitwell, I was able to catch 2 nice sized walleyes one was 26″ and the other almost 23″ and a sheepie. I would have traded these for a few 14″ bass.

I’ve been getting all my big Smallies on magnum sizes topwater lures. I’ve been working them slow too. Twitch, Twitch, Twitch—pause. The pause is about 5-10 seconds, sometimes more. During that pause is when they hammer the lure. I hope that helps.

I’m the first one to admit it…that I don’t know anything about bass fishing (and many other things)…but isn’t it about now that the crayfish migration happens? Shouldn’t the bass be looking down and not up? Hasn’t anyone told them yet?

If those Smallie are busting Shad, chances are they are looking up. Not only that, a school of 4 inch Shad offer a more filling meal than a couple 3 inch crawfish.