Where do I begin? It was been too long since I have been at the “submit report”. I will start with saying, anytime you throw Hauglands and the Upper Mississippi river together, you are going to end up with smallmouth. We just came home from a week of vacationing and fishing…
Pictured first is a great family friend. Luke Reid and his first ever smallmouth bass. How lucky is this guy that the first smallmouth he ties up with is a beautiful 19″ healthy bronzeback!?! Way to go Luke. He is from Australia, so even a top water bite of any kind was a first for him. You should have seen the look on his face when that beauty his his bait!
Picture next is my wonderful fiancee and her first ever white bass! The four of us got into a top water feeding frenzy like I have never experienced before. It was so chaotic that dad and I ended up unhooking the ladies fish, and actually didn’t catch many because of how quick they were catching them. You would get hit four or five times on the way back to the boat. Thats fine with me though, I love it when kids and ladies get in on great fishing!
We concentrated most of our efforts on the various wingdams in the area. Fishing both sides, while the majority of the fish liked the bait being swept over the wingdam, as opposed to bringing the bait back upriver while holding the boat above the wingdam. The most productive baits were topwater baits. However we did catch fish on tubes, BFT ringworms, and crankbaits. (thanks for the recommendations Dean!)
As for the whitebass, if you have ever fished them on Pepin, you know there isn’t much regularity with them. When they go, you need to be at the spot, with your line in the water. Top water baits, or flukes produced the most fish.
A big thanks to my family, Cam and Deidre Haugland for letting us use their home for the week! It was a blast thanks so much guys! And you too John, that jet-ski was a blast!
I would strongly recommend a fishing trip up to the Pepin area during the fall months. Make sure to stop in and say “HI” to Dean at Evert’s Resort! He will make sure you have all the bait, tackle, and gear to make your fishing trip more successful. AND, if you bring him cookies, the fishing report will be better! It was GREAT to FINALLY shake your hand Dean!
Good luck, stay safe, and THINK ICE!!
Great report Luke! Those are some awesome fish!
Here are a few more pictures from the week!
More of the “vacation” photos. The first one is of Sarah and her first time seeing the bluffs at Pepin. Second one is of her and I eating at a really great place in Pepin, they only have outdoor seating…WAY COOL, and great food as well! As does the pickle factory…amazing ribs!
The next couple are of us touring redwing, sarah’s first time to redwing as well! Awesome town! With tons of great shops and coffee places to visit.
Next picture is the boat I bought…or wish I could afford I guess.
Then one of the spectacular view near Alma.
And a beautiful sunset on Pepin!
Pickle Factor Ribs!!! MMMMM!!
Now that’s a family vacation
Great report Luke!
Congrats buddy! You didn’t let that slip on accident, did you? Well, if you did, the cat is out of the bag now! Good for you.
Ditto!!!! Wow.
Congrats Luke!
Great report !
Nice report Luke.
Congrats on the beautiful catch!
Oh yea, nice fish too!
lol, no, no slipping!
Thanks guys!
Nice pix and report!
Congrats!
Glad you had a good trip & nice that ya stopped by!
Congrats!
ni