This was as good as I could have wished for in terms of a river smallmouth trip. I ended up with 98 inches on my top five fish, using a variety of power fishing tactics. Mid May in Minnesota on the upper Mississippi is heaven on earth.
Born in Minnesota. Learned to fish for smallmouth in Minnesota. They used to be considered a trash fish, since the walleye is king in that state. Now, even the iconic “walleye factory” of Mille Lacs Lake is a smallmouth (and musky) lake! What I appreciate is how smallmouth techniques translate so well to other areas. BTW, you can find spectacular smallmouth fishing in North and South Dakota, too. But everything translating to the Mighty Mississippi in MN will reward you, river-wise. I would point specifically to the St. Croix, which is scenic and has big fish.
Thanks Tom! I’ll have to go back. North Dakota was a long drive that transitioned from Montana’s mountainous terrain, following the Yellowstone along so much of 90 to a more flattened terrain best suited to crop production. That’s where the lakes, ponds and soggy ditches started popping up everywhere. We have a beautiful country. I have the privilege of driving much of it.
@@TheLittleStuff Thanks, Jeff. You are right. I’m doing a deep dive reading books about “long hunters” (e.g., Davy Crockett) and mountain men (e.g., Joe Bridger) and Lewis & Clark who explored westward in the 19th century. Imagine seeing that landscape for the first time when it was relatively pristine! Both spectacular and foreboding. FWIW, I’m fishing smallmouth and fly fishing for carp in Lake Michigan right now on Beaver Island. Nirvana… 🇺🇸
This is NDYakAngler territory!!! One of my other favorite fishing RU-vidrs especially for smallmouth. So cool to see you both attack similar rivers in different ways
I’m up fishing the headwaters of the Mississippi in the lakes the river flows through. No smallmouth in Mississippi here. What an adventure and amazing day. Thanks for sharing your progression process. We’ve been going to bass lakes and having terrific days instead of only fishing for walleye avoiding those pike. I learn and enjoy your videos
Wonderful video! You are really putting the hours and miles in for Boondox! I am going to be purchasing some of the new accessories for my HOBIE PA. Thanks for what you do!😀
I appreciate your supporting me with using the Boonedox gear I sell and use. I’m on the way to Boonedox HQ in NC this afternoon. We have Gear Boxes for the truck bed rails. I get to ditch the big plastic boxes you see in this intro and have my Torqeedo/Tackle/Net etc in designated lockable metal boxes. Making time for fisheries like this on my Sales Manager travels is what keeps me going!
@@TheLittleStuff I have a trailer, not getting the groovy landing gear.Getting the slotted console, rod stager, drive hanger, and hook hanger. Any discount codes would be appreciated!😄
@@TheLittleStuff I get it, when I was a sales manager of a tackle company, I traveled quite a bit and found time to fish the prime locals in the areas I traveled. Keep up the great work!😄
I so much appreciate you not bed fishing. Don’t like bed fishing either. Kinda like shooting fish in a barrel with a shotgun. The dome is the best invention for fishing haha. Got some friends in the twin cities and in Hibbing in the northern part of the state. Thanks for bringing us along for the fishing Jeff. Be safe on the road. There’s some crazies out there. Looking forward to the boondox video coming up
Jeff great Little Stuff as always. Populus deltoides, the eastern cottonwood is a huge PIA when it gets on your line and in your spool. Thats a good find that you were fishing.
I was up there around the same day! I threw a small white buzzbait all day, pinpoint casts around wood breaking up the current rewarded me with great topwater strikes. the eddies with the cotton scum had fish too, but it fouled up my buzzer. Pretty much all I fish all summer til october is topwater, and it is always fun. I am sure there are some days when soft plastics will put more and bigger fish, but man I just love the visual strikes! Interestingly, all those good spots you were hitting were high and dry last year with our severe drought, it is good to see the flow is back! If you come up this fall let me know, I would love to explore some water with you. september into october is nuts!
Great Stuff Jeff! Happy Father’s Day! That’s some great water ! Hey Jeff I use white or Dark depending on the water color,but I find that when the water is Gin Clear, I don’t have a lot of success with white? I have been hitting the Delaware a lot and the water is Lowe and clear. Have a great Father’s Day!
I go with a more natural color like Zman shiner color, I don’t know why? I personally just don’t have the success with white in super clear water? It was just an observation, if I could figure out these fish all the time I would be a very wealthy man!lol
Funny you mention not doing much with the Mag draft I have the same problem with a chatterbait everyone I know swears by them most days I can’t even spell bass when I have one on
Something that's jumping out to me, while you a very skilled kayak fisherman, many are not. Floating a river, by yourself in the middle of nowhere, that you aren't totally familiar with, presents a higher amount of risk. Maybe I missed it, but a safety message that stands out in every video would be good to have. Not trying to be a Karen, but it's an opportunity to promote safety first. PS. Nice Fish!!!
Wow, hoping to catch a few nice ones on the Juanita Wednesday. River is pretty clear.Scented jerk shad is one I am throwing,Glad you had a safe trip. Thanks for putting these videos out for us.
Right on. I just drove from MD to NC, then out into KY. Lots of low clear water right now. Big change from this MN and MC (Michigan - upcoming videos). I’ll be wading and dragging soon. Hope you do well on the Juniata!
