The bite here on the upper Mississippi River this past week has absolutely exploded into high gear. The smallmouth bass sense the nearing end of September and are bunching up in big numbers all throughout the river system. No matter if you fish way up north or south on a river or lake this time of year, a smallie will be a smallie and by nature they tend to bunch up in big numbers. Find one fish and you will most often find a number of fish very close by….so close in fact that they maybe trying to grab that bait of choice directly from the mouth of another fish.
For the last 5 days I have been fishing 4 different sections of river and one thing remains to be certain and that’s the need of finding those hidden haunts that these fish utilize this time of year. Most often finding spots such as these are rarely done by visually searching shoreline structure or cover. The areas that I have been having my best luck as of late is slightly deeper sand/gravel areas of 6-10 feet of water that is out of the current and adjacent to some nearby deeper water. Finding these areas can be a fairly quick work of art. With water temps still well into the 60 degree range, faster horizontal presentations can be thrown until you make contact with a fish and then immediately slow down and work the area over with more finesse presentations to hopefully maximize your catch rate of a potential area that is holding more than that single fish. Throw a few casts around the area and if no response, keep on moving until you make contact again. Sooner than later you will find an area that is holding many smallies bunched up in an area that can be about as big as your boat.
Many presentations have been working well for my boat this past 5 days but some of the most reliable from day to day is either a YUM 4” Dinger or a YUM 5” Houdini Shad. These two soft plastics can be used in a number of fashions this time of year. Split shot rigs, drop shot rigs and unweighted have all produced well for my boat. The water clarity is at a all time high right now on the river and these smallies can track down a bait in very short order, so work the area of your cast for a short period of time and make another cast relocated.
As always this time of year be aware of the Catch and Release restriction state wide here in Minnnesota on rivers and lakes. Handle the fish carefully and quickly for a quick photo and gently release them back to the water immediately.
More pics
Dee Zee, I ALWAYS look forward to your Fall Smallie reports!
Nice fish and report!
a couple more
Awesome Job DeeZee! I like to see those nice bronze-backs.
SWEET
Those smallies are awesome looking fish
Terry, nice toad
Kick
!!!!!!
Nice fish guys! Those are some awesome looking smallies.
Excellent bonus fish as well!
Nice fish!!!
Great information and pictures of awesome looking smallies as always Steve
Hey Steve I was just wondering…
When do the BIG fish show up?????????
Also if you could tell me when the big fish in numbers show up!
WOW, You seem to out do yourself every year Steve!
Man those are some TANKERS! 
Just living a dream Lip! I had some writers in the boat this past week and after I hoisted a nice smallie I looked right at the writer and said…If I could kiss this smallie like I kiss my wife, I would…..Did I just cross that line?
At any rate..that was after fishing for 5 straight days….it never gets old! I think its safe to say, I need help! 
Call me…I would be more than willing to help catch them hogs
Counseler Bret…..I got your number ready and willing at my finger tips on speed dial when that time arises! Thank you!
Whoa!! You drive by my house all the time and never stop. Don’t be taking some old guy from Skonny out before me!!
Easy Steve, not sure if you know what you’re getting into…….You know that slimy mess you get from having a Pike or Catfish roll around in your boat right? Well….that’s the same mess you get when you have Bret in the boat. Good luck trying to wash that out….
BTW, those are some great pics.
Kooty,
I have heard this saying for the last 3 years now…. “I have to fish that Mississippi River back behind my house sometime”. Time to belly up to the ramp and get on it!
Thank you Blue for reminding me of those pesky ankle biting flies that love that carpet slime in the hot sun.
Bret, on second thought I think even draggin Kooty out with me does not sound all that bad now.
You’d be proud of me. I dug out my bass tackle last night and got it ready. It took about 2 minutes since I only have a 2 lures.
Awesome Steve!
Hey Blue…. I thought we were going to go this year?
Nice!!!
