Heading up to Mille Lacs next week. I’d love to find some smallies, but have never targeted them before. Been on the lake a couple of times, but I don’t know much about it. Would really appreciate any first-time smallie hunter advice.
I may consider a guide for the first day. Any recommendations?
Thanks all in advance,
Regards,
FM
Guides: Tony Roach or Brad Hawthorne would be a good place to start checking.
There was a similar post and lots of good ideas a couple of weeks ago. smallmouth-help
http://www.in-depthoutdoors.com/community/forums/topic/smallmouth-help/
First thing I’d make sure which way the wind is blowing the day your fishing. I’ve always had good luck out of isle launch and work the reefs and rock piles up the east shore. Head to big point as well. Also don’t be afraid of working the reed edges looking for small holes or rocks with a senko Texas rigged. You can do well with shallow running fat raps as well. Once you hit em slow down and cast some finnese baits. Caught a lot that way.
Have fun!!
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We hired a guy from Roach’s guide service. Great investment.
We found s allies on the east side. 8-12 ft and boulders
We hired Bob “Bobber” Carlson from the Red Door. He helped us the first half day with walleyes in a year where the baitfish were so prevalent that we sought his advice for smallies and found our own on the north end…
Right now I would still consider the help of any qualified guide (there are smallie guides too, although Tony and Brad would be great choices), but if I had to, hit the rocks, start shallow (steveo’s 8-12) and go deeper… Tubes, drop-shot, senkos or slow rolled spinner baits. If you consider live bait, set the hook early and don’t gut hook ’em.
Mark
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