Smallies

Worked the Croix today from sunrise to about 3pm (thanks to the thunderstorm).

Launched with the intention of a muskie hunt, however when my buddy quickly boated a nice 15″ smallie, then another, then another………well, we put the muskie gear down and proceeded to change the chase!

When the smoke cleared and the thunderheads rolled in at 3pm, we had about 40+ fish. Nothing huge, maybe biggest at 17″, but just non-stop action!!! Lots of 12 to 15 inch fish.

I’ve never aggressively chased smallies before on the Croix and didn’t realize the fast action I was missing out on!!! Armed with a handfull of tubes and a couple of white spinnerbaits was all we needed. My buddy Al mostly worked the spinnerbait at the bow, while I was clean up crew with the tube picking up the more neutral fish.

Spinnerbaits where worked at a very slow pace, as well as most of the tube fish came when the tube was laying on the rocks motionless.

Basically, all fish came from rip/rap or boulders in very shallow water.

After realizing the Croix has this high of a population of smallies, I think I might have to return!!!!!

Nice job Gary and Al

You should try it in the fall, it can be like shooting fish in a barrel.

Ron

Gary, Lots of smallies but for some reason the growth rate is very slow on the ‘Croix. I fish for them more than anything else and my largest is 20.5″. Those 18″ to 20″ fish are hard to come by. Might have something to do with the crawdad population? Does anybody know if the crawdad population is low on the ‘Croix?

Yea Steve, we noticed that. We found areas that were very consistent for producing the 15 to 17 inch fish, but could never break that 17″ barrier.

I again was truely amazed at the quantity. Each spot we hit produced 3 to 4 fish and once we established a quick pattern, it was hopping from one spot to the next, just running and gunning!

I would guess we probably only caught 3 little guys. All the rest were 12″ or bigger…

Same results for me last year Gary on Memorial Weekend, many fish but none over 17″. Are the fish in Micah’s post 17+? Do the big fish head for the smaller water this time of the year?

The Upper ‘Croix reminds me of the Flambeau River. Skinny water, some holes and lots of rocks. Maybe the crawfish are more prolific up there?

I made it out last night at about 3:30. Just in time to get wet and watch the lightning. I only made it to about 6, but I had about 20 with the biggest probably only around 15 inches. I can’t say I had a pattern going. Anything I threw worked, but my best bites where on a black/red flake tube on a Mark Zona 1/8 oz bite me jig head and burning a white swim jig as fast as I could and they would come up and inhale it.

I was way south by Prescott, so maybe there is some truth to the upper end holding better fish. Although I have seen some big bags from guys that fish the lower end as well.

Gary, I have a small club tournament Sunday, so feel free to share where those 17 inchers were

I’m going to try and get out Wed and Thurs night so if anyone wants to tag along for a night, give me a shout.

Yes Cougareye, some of those fish are 18’s and the one I caught was pushing 19 with the biggest belly I have ever seen on a smallie. They are harder to come by in the spot we fish them as it’s becoming a bait slingers paradise. Lawn chairs and stringers and my beloved bass on their way to the knife which just maddens a guy like me. I need to get up towards Dezurik to find the mississippi smallies or head further up the Croix where it’s harder to get.

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I need to get up towards dezurik to find the mississippi smallies or head further up the Croix where it’s harder to get.

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No smallies up this way either!!