More Mississippi smallies (pics)

[Bizzo]

So these Senkos are starting to make me feel like I know what I'm doing! I have been hitting the smallies pretty good on the mighty Mississippi.

I have to say that smallie fishing in this part of the river is a blast. I think I have been skunked once in 3 weeks, and that was before I discovered this forum and senkos! These fish are just awesome to catch, much more fun to me than largemouth for a fight.

This one went 3lbs even

This one was 3lbs 2oz

These next two are 2lb 2 oz and 2lb even repectively

[roadwarrior]

You're on 'em.

Congratulations!

8-)

[dgquail]

Nice

[bassbob08]

nice fish, good job.

[GrandSlamBasser87]

Those are very respectable bronzebacks!! Nice job and welcome to the addiction!

[jc2bg]

Congrats on your catch. Please tell us a little more about your fishing area, techniques, etc. I may never get to your stretch of the Mississippi, but then again I may!  

[Bizzo]

Well, I don't have a boat so I just fish from the bank. I spend a lot of time wading as well. The part river where I fish is about 3-4 feet deep at its deepest right now (except for one spot I will talk about), it is REALLY low.

I seem to find the fish in the deeper areas, 2-4 feet deep, with larger rocks and vegetation, with a shallower area nearby. I have two favorite spots, one is an area of vegetation and rocky bottom 2-4 feet deep just before a very shallow (6 inches or so) area. The other is a pretty unique spot. It is two deeper holes, maybe 6-7 feet deep at most, separated by some large boulders and smaller rocks with an area of rocky rapids beside it. I can walk on the rocks and stand at the center of all 3 areas and just cast around.

I have had the best luck with senkos, but have also caught some good fish on twister tails with a jighead, and larger topwater propeller baits. I have caught the most fish on topwater by throwing them just beside boulders sticking above the surface. I tend to get quite a few reaction strikes that way. If I dont hook him, I throw a senko that way and can get them a good amount of the time. I think the key is structure and deeper water. I am going to be ranging up and down river a bit more looking for other spots. I am going to get some fat ika's as soon as the wife gets over being mad at me for all the money I spent so far! Maybe my *** order has some ika equivalent freebies!  

[Nick]

Ika's cost lots more than they are worth. A green or brown tube will do just as well.  If you want the best soft plastic with low water throw a superfluke. Your MN smallies will really crush it in the low waters.   Been there and done that.  Enjoy your new found skills, and tell the wife that chasing smallies is better than chasing skirts.

[eastkybass]

congrats on some great looking fish.  Have fun pulling in those hard fighting smallies.

[Bizzo]

So I went to my favorite spot again yesterday with my new spinning rig, "just to try it out for a half hour" and 3 hours later I hook into the biggest smallie I have ever caught. It fought twice as long and hard as any of the 3 pounders I have caught. But of course since I was "only gonna be there a half hour" I just shoved some lures in my pocket and left my cel phone/camera and scale at home. It's so frustrating to have caught such a big fish, the biggest ever for me, and have no picture or any idea what it actually weighed! I am going back tonight though to get him again!

[jc2bg]

Rock on, Bizzo. I don't have any bass waters near my home, so I'm forced to play golf most nights after work, and only fish on days off and weekends. I *** your opportunity, not to mention the fun you're having! -- JC