Even Later Smallmouth Bass Fishing Trip
Almost like an extension of my last smallmouth excursion, I got out again this Saturday, took my buddy Skippy as he was going to help me out by towing my boat to his warehouse for storage when we were done, kind of sad 
When I looked at the forecast, it showed an overnight low that stayed in the 40's which had me excited about the potential of a good morning bite and good fishing all day. It turned that Friday night dipped into the low 30's and we had a good cover of frost. Water temps at 9am were 37-38 degrees. The recent Bassmaster article that eluded to the switch getting flipped when water drops below 39 degrees rang true on Saturday. Speaking of cool weather, I cannot stress the importance of layering up with moisture wicking under shirts and good hat and gloves to stay comfortable and safe when fishing this time of year. Check out Akinetix.com for good deals on some new gear!
It took me about 30 minutes to get bite and only after i dropped down to a 2.5" Tube, but it was a good fish, pushing 3.5lbs. We worked this area for quite some time, Skippy hung a beauty of a Northern Pike on a Sexy Shad Red Eye Shad.
We explored more of the river looking for other deep channel bends with nearby feeding ledges, I caught a chunk smally on a Storm Original Wiggle Wart
at about noon and then we came back to our starting spot, had 1 short strike on the 3.5" tube and picked up a nice 3lb fish on the mini-tube a little later.
Then it was time to go, I think if I had time to fish a little longer, the water temp was getting closer to breaking 39 degrees when we left and I think I could have caught a few more smallies. That is it for fishing out of the boat, unless I go to Texas to visit my Dad this winter, if not I will have to entertain myself chasing bass from the banks when weather allows this winter.
Stay Warm,
Rich
When I looked at the forecast, it showed an overnight low that stayed in the 40's which had me excited about the potential of a good morning bite and good fishing all day. It turned that Friday night dipped into the low 30's and we had a good cover of frost. Water temps at 9am were 37-38 degrees. The recent Bassmaster article that eluded to the switch getting flipped when water drops below 39 degrees rang true on Saturday. Speaking of cool weather, I cannot stress the importance of layering up with moisture wicking under shirts and good hat and gloves to stay comfortable and safe when fishing this time of year. Check out Akinetix.com for good deals on some new gear!
It took me about 30 minutes to get bite and only after i dropped down to a 2.5" Tube, but it was a good fish, pushing 3.5lbs. We worked this area for quite some time, Skippy hung a beauty of a Northern Pike on a Sexy Shad Red Eye Shad.
Stay Warm,
Rich
Rich - I am new to your blog and even though I'm sure your information is great for people where you are fishing - I have no idea where you are fishing, north, south, Oregon? Could you let me know.
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Welcome to the fold! This trip was around the Minneapolis, MN area!
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Hi Rich. Nice looking fish. Unfortunately, I will be ice fishing until the next tourney season (I fish small local tournies in so. MN).
Actually, I just wanted to pick your brain on which topwater poppers you prefer. I've stared to look into the Lobina Lures Rico, and would like to know whether or not you have used them, and if so, your opinion.
Thanks,
Mike
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My favorite popper is the Daritsu Yellow Magic
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Thanks Rich. So what do you use to throw these poppers (rod, reel, and line)?
Mike
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Sorry for the delay, but usually a 6' medium/MH rod with a Shimano Curado and 30lb Braided Line, sometimes mono, but mostly braid so when I fish around wing dams, I get sawed off less
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Rich! Great looking blog and I love your pictures! We have some small mouth around here on the Willamette River in Oregon but I have never been out after them, maybe I'm going to have to change my ways! Wishing you best of luck! Tight lines!
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I really don't like fishing in cold weather, I hate that chill that hits your hands while reeling. Sometimes though it is worth it, especially when you're catching some good sized smallmouth bass like you posted up above.
By the way I have a Storm wiggle wart like the one you posted above, but it's blue and silver. I used it very lightly, never caught much on it. I'll have to try it out more this summer.
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