Smallmouth Newbie on Mille Lacs

  • wfredregill
    Posts: 8
    May 26, 2014 at 8:21 am #1358550

    OK, calling all Smallie experts…I need your advice.

    Went up to Isle yesterday to chase smallies, having read the reports that it shouldn’t be too tough to catch some, and I love smallies. I have some experience but not a lot.

    I headed out about 7:30 am and started on some of the reefs marked with the nav buoys. I rigged up a 1/8 oz mushroom head jig with a 3″ watermelon grub, a 4″ green tube,3/16″ jig, purple / green Xrap, and a wacky rig with a reddish Senko. Also had a dozen shiners in the livewell.

    I sneaked up on the reefs and worked the 4′ to 8′ break lines, and alternated between rigs. At times I tried the shallow tops, and other times I fished as deep as 12′ when marking fish out there. When using the grub and tubes I let them sink to bottom and lie there, and then jiggled them around a little, then slowly jigged them back to the boat. Also switched colors on the tubes, motor oil, mustard, watermelon, etc. Also tried a some natural colored Raps, perch, crayfish. Also tried a 1/8 oz Watsit crayfish imitating jig. I also tried the shiners on jigs and walleye-style with a long snell, fishing the windward side of the reefs.

    Not much wind to speak of until about 10 and then a fresh breeze came up.

    I worked practically all the marked reefs in that SE part of the lake, and a new unmarked areas I targeted with Contour Elite and loaded to the Lowrance.

    I went all day without a fish or even a bite.

    Any ideas on what I was doin’ wrong? Any suggestions are much appreciated. I’m determined to figure this out.

    Cheers,
    Will F

    mwal
    Rosemount,MN
    Posts: 1050
    May 26, 2014 at 9:00 am #1412269

    What was water temp? Smallies may not be shallow if temps were not in mid 50’s

    Mwal

    mwal
    Rosemount,MN
    Posts: 1050
    May 26, 2014 at 9:54 am #1412274

    They should be cruising shallows looking to make beds. If they are on beds it turns into a sight fishing situation. The need gravel to spawn not rock piles so they may not be in those areas you were at. Look to the margins on those areas where it transition to gravel or sand. Also the beds can be in anywhere from 2ft to 10ft of water. When bedding they will not move to grab a bait you need to put in the bed where the guarding males can grab it. Remember to go small as they will pick a larger bait up carry it off nest and drop it. Females general spawn then head deep to recover then start feeding again and use the structure you were on. The full moon is past and the temps have just hit the desired range so I think you will have a prolonged spawn lasting a month like last year and may catch fish in all stages at any time.

    Mwal

    epeterson12
    Member
    Posts: 37
    May 26, 2014 at 11:12 am #1412281

    Go shallow. I have had great luck fishing SMB in the last couple weeks near rocky shorelines and weeds. Most of the fish I have caught no matter what time of day have been in less than 5 FOW. Finding eddies and current breaks that are stocked full of bait fish have also been the key. Keep trying the perch raps. One of my favorite baits to use for SMB is a perch jointed shad rap #5 or #7. I would suggest giving the jointed shad raps a try. Best of luck to you!

    bowtecmike
    Zimmerman mn
    Posts: 467
    May 26, 2014 at 12:48 pm #1412286

    I was on mille lacs yesterday primarily walleye fishing but I spent an hour during the day pitching for smallys with bright tubes and bright ratlin raps both produced fish I only pulled 5 smallys but all were in 5-9ft of water smallest was 19” largest 21” hit very hard but they were spread out on the north end gravel/rock between Red door and Barnavelds. Good luck

    Grouse_Dog
    The Shores of Lake Harriet
    Posts: 2043
    May 26, 2014 at 7:01 pm #1412325

    Pre Spawn blues –

    Give it about another 10 days

    Dog

    Mike Klein
    Hastings, MN
    Posts: 1026
    May 26, 2014 at 7:29 pm #1412329

    Keep back from the tops and cast as far as possible the clear water spooks them easy.

    fish_any_time
    Champlin, MN
    Posts: 2097
    May 27, 2014 at 7:29 am #1412362

    Sounds like you are out on the main lake reefs. I would be looking in the bays and sight fishing with small plastics.

    wfredregill
    Posts: 8
    May 28, 2014 at 4:40 am #1412536

    Wow Mwal, thanks for all the great info. I did try to look for the beds, but I must have been too far into the bigger rocks. Do you just look for the transition to sand/gravel visually? Or if it is deeper, do you have to check the sonar?

    wfredregill
    Posts: 8
    May 28, 2014 at 4:43 am #1412537

    Thanks a bunch for the info – I will definitely try that.
    Best of luck to you as well!

    wfredregill
    Posts: 8
    May 28, 2014 at 4:48 am #1412538

    Thanks MIke, sounds like you had a productive hour! I’m hoping to be able to replicate that sometime! Good to know that the smallies are really there, I was beginning to wonder. Thanks for the info and Good luck!

    wfredregill
    Posts: 8
    May 28, 2014 at 4:49 am #1412539

    Thanks Dog, I will keep tryin’! Good luck to ya!

    wfredregill
    Posts: 8
    May 28, 2014 at 4:53 am #1412540

    Quote:

    Keep back from the tops and cast as far as possible the clear water spooks them easy.

    OK, I may have spooked them a bit by getting too close. Thanks!

    wfredregill
    Posts: 8
    May 28, 2014 at 4:58 am #1412541

    Quote:

    Sounds like you are out on the main lake reefs. I would be looking in the bays and sight fishing with small plastics.

    Yes, I was definitely out on the main lake, so I will be trying those bays next time around.

    And to all of you guys who responded to my post: THANK YOU! Your responses are invaluable and I can’t wait to get back out there. And hopefully I can return the favor someday. Cheers, Will

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 15 total)

You must be logged in to reply to this topic.