As the surface temps continue to climb and finally hit that 60-degree mark, the smallmouth bass fishing is heating up on the Missouri River. This time of year, it seems to be tough to catch the larger bass in this system, but those of the small and medium variety are more than eager to put a bend in your pole, and there’s no better fighting fish than a river smallie. Even the little guys strike your presentation with everything they’ve got, making you think you’ve hooked into a trophy every time the rod loads up.
This weekend I had the great pleasure of joining my father, Joe Kuehl on the Missouri River to chase one of my favorite species of river fish, the smallmouth bass. Dad and I haven’t had a lot of chances to hit the water together so we were both glad to see that mother nature smiled on us and gave us a beautiful day with scattered clouds and variable winds. On this day, we were fishing the stretch of river between Yankton and Vermillion. We targeted sandbars, current breaks, and wing dams. The dams produced best on this trip, giving up a lot of numbers, but only modest fish in size.
However, my dad did get into his largest river smallie to date. About mid-afternoon his ringworm was smacked by this 17-inch smallie (picture #1 above). For those of you familiar with this stretch of river, you know that’s a darn fine smallie, especially for this time of year. A quick photo and she was back swimming the Missouri, along with all the other smallies we caught and released, about 40 fish in total over a 4-hour period.
This week, the smallies again preferred BfishN and Everts Ringworms over every other bait we threw at ’em. A Cotton Candy BFT Paddletail held it’s own today as well. For Ringworms, the darker colors outperformed everything else, with purples, blues, and blacks catching the most, and the largest fish. Ringworms and Paddletails were fished on a 3/16 ounce BFT Precision Jig in sour apple, orange chartreuse, and chartreuse. For pitching jigs and plastics, we use St. Croix Legend Tournament extra fast action rods with 8lb Berkley Sensation (green) line. This combination is tried and true and I highly recommend it if you enjoy fishing jigs and plastics on the big river.
Next week, I hope to have a report from Lake Oahe, SD. Have a great week everyone!
Nice report Wade! Gotta love them smallies!
Good stuff, Wade!
Those are some nice ones Wade.
I can’t believe I’m going to say this but after my tournaments are over in July I may have to come join you for some, dare I say, smallies. 
Good luck at Oahe this weekend.
Nice report Wade. Those are some good looking smallies!
great report Wade, did you get on shore for a couple pounds of morels? I know there’s got to be a few good areas around there.
That sounds like a winner to me, Ben. I’m looking forward to some good times with buddies on the river this summer!
Pete, We didn’t make time. I wish we had time this weekend but we spent a bit of time putting docks in the river and other chores around the cabin. That only left time for fishing. The mushrooms will have to wait for now. I hear the season is running a tad late up there too.
Was out tonight & picked a pound of morels.
Nice report Wade,thanks for sharing.
Hey Ben, I knew you had it in you to chase smallies,if you are ever bored and in the neighborhood, give a shout(pm me),i know a few smallie spots.