Rapala Original Floater
 RAPALA ORIGINAL FLOATER 07 FISHING LURES US $5.99 
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RAPALA ORIGINAL FLOATER 07 FISHING LURES US $5.99
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RAPALA ORIGINAL FLOATER 07 FISHING LURES US $5.99
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 Rapala original floater 18 color MU RARE US $19.99
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how to catch smallmouth bass in southeast minnesota?
i live in southeast mn, and i've only caught smallmouth in the mississippi river. i'm generally more concerned with largemouth, but smallmouth are fun, too. typically, i'll cast a rapala original floater (f-5) along the dike (which, here, are basically 20-30 feet long rock-covered slopes that run east to west) and reel it in relatively quickly toward shore. i was just wondering, where do smallmouth live? i mean, i've never seen one caught in any lake in my town, but i know they're in the mississippi main channel. also, what are some other ways i could catch them?
i greatly appreciate any and all help, thanks
Here is some basic info on Smallmouth in MN:
1. MN Smallmouth (in lakes and in river systems) love Crawfish imitations and small baitfish imitations. I recently pre-fished for a Tourney out of Lake Vermillion and we found that (basically) the Smallies wanted variations of Crawfish Soft plastics, smaller Buzzbaits, deep Wacky rigged Senko's and Inline/Short-arm Spinnerbaits.
2. Smallmouth are MUCH easier to target in a current/river system because they will stage exactly where they are "suppose to be". River/Creek Smallies tend to stage (during the Summer/Fall pattern) on current breaks and eddy areas. Find boulders, rubble and wood along an eddy point near deep water and "generally" you will find River/Creek Smallies stacked like cord wood.........
However, LAKE Smallies are a TOTALLY different animal! If you try to pattern a post-spawn "summer" Smally, they can be (literally) anywhere and everywhere. Smallies are the "pickiest" Bass God made and I have been shut-down on many a days when I thought I absolutely KNEW where they would be.
Here's an interesting story about Lake Smallies- I was watching WFN's "Lunkerville" the other night and a gentleman was relating a story about his experience fishing a tourney for lake Smallies in Upper NY.
They pre-fished for their tourney and could NOT find them. So, they decided to try to spot some with an underwater camera.......They went to some obvious structure and lo & behold they found 100's of Smallies stacked-up on an submerged island in 25-30FT of water.
So, during their tourney they decided to stay within a 100 yards of the structure they had found.....
(Here's the interesting part) During their 8 hour T, the fish "turned on" for (only) two 20 minute periods!!!!!!! During that 40 minute (combined) time they boated 25 Smallies......the rest of the day(7 plus hours) they got NADDA!
The point??? Smallmouth can turn off at a moments notice and turn back on just as fast.....
They remind me of Brook Trout.......
So when it comes to Lake Smallies your best bet is to try a variety of depths, lure sizes, line sizes and times of day....
Here are my top Smally lures:
1. Yum, Crawbug- Either fished weedless with a 2/0-3/0 offset hook and worm weight OR simply jigged with a tube-jig this is a "booyah" lure to try for Smallies at ANY time of the year- http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_45768_100007004_100000000_100007000?cmCat=CROSSSELL_SEARCH
2. 1/4- 3/8 OZ Blue Fox, Vibrax Minnow- This lure just plain catches FISH! A Rapala body with the flash & vibration of a Spinner??!!!!! I never leave home without them, (ESP for Smally fishing!!)- http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_15446____SearchResults
3. Pop R' type Topwater- ANY Popper type lure fished early or late in the day with an erratic "fast" action is a KILLER for large Smallys- just ask ANY Pro!- http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_44609____SearchResults
4. Wacky-rigged (either Drop-shot Wacky or Deep Wacky) Senko- a "no-brainer" that catches fish- http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_100688_100007000_100000000_100007000_100-7-0
5. 1/2-3/8 OZ Bomber in Citrus Shad or White- Cranks work WELL for Smallies! Make sure to buy two different styles- bright colored ones (for a reaction strike) and Crawdad colored ones for a more realistic approach- http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_15524____SearchResults
Here are some good lures to start with......understand, Smallies are so dang finicky you never really know what might jazz them from day to day, (OR hour to hour!! lol)
Hope this helps ya? Good luck on your next trip!
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