Smallies in July

[unfrozen]

I'm planning on making my first trip to Mille Lacs the second week in July. Just heading up from the Cities and back the same day. I'm planning on getting to the lake by 6:00 A.M. or so and I'd like to chase Smallies and perhaps walleyes later in the day.

Is the SE area of the lake the best place to accomplish both goals?

Is live bait necessary? I don't usually use it but if necessary for the walleyes I will.

I'll be going up solo so am also wondering which is the best launch to use.

Thanks is advance,

Unfrozen

[TrophyEyes]

I would say hit the walleyes early morning with Spinners and Night Crawlers. I would then do your smallies in the afternoon. SE is a great place to launch. I like Izatys or by McCoids. I actually like using a green northland jib and a white mister twisty tail on a straight retrieve in July and early August for smallies and it produces better than anything else. I have also picked up walleyes doing this same tactic. Hopefully that helps.

[123fish]

TrophyEyes what depth are you usually targeting when using that jig and twister tail?

[TrophyEyes]

6-8 ft. up to 2ft. The DNR puts out some really nice markers for you to throw at. They are the ones that say "ROCKS". If you are not proficient with a tube, and don't mind retying from time to time, it is an easy way to fish.

[123fish]

Thanks for the info. Might have to give that a try next weekend. Have never used a tube in my life but sure have caught a lot of walleyes on our local prairie lakes using a twister and jig.

[TrophyEyes]

I will warn you that color matters for some reason. I have played around and Green and Solid White is the only way to go. I would also try a white X-Rap.

[123fish]

10-4 on the color. I see this thread mentions July. Will they be in those spots now?

[TrophyEyes]

They might be, but my guess is that could be deeper. I would say if it is a warm sunny day like today they would easily be up there. In a couple weeks they sure will. I am going to give it a try around the 4th of July. I am sure that some other folks have techniques for right now that would work better. I have heard rattle traps on a little bit of a deeper edge can be very effective right now.

[snowman678]

I have to disagree on the color thing T.E., I've found that anything in pumpkin, or resembling crayfish works very well also. I'm not saying that green or white don't work, I'm just saying there are others as well.

[Juan Grande]

Fished Mille Lacs hard today for smallies and didn't get a bite. Fished a lot or rock reefs and rock piles in 3'-10' of water Threw everything in the box. Saw a few nice fish, but couldn't get them to bite anything. Very disappointing.

I guess we should have sold out and fished for walleye like everyone else.

[deerwoody]

Fishing for walleyes is hardly a sellout.

[fishorgolf]

A freind of mine pulled a real nice 5 Lb'r from my dock sat. I would post a picture but i don't know how.

[Coach1310]

send it to K Dawg. He posts pictures for others.