Catching Smallies near Monti

[tsande00]

So I've decided to give this open water thing a try in the winter. I've never really fished this area before (aside from some fruitless catfishing attempts) but I do hike down along the river in Montisippi a lot with my son and the fishing from shore looks like a good time.

I am hoping somebody out there can give me a few pointers. I don't have any fly fishing gear but am wondering what a guy would use as far as tackle/rigging is concerned.

Any pointers would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[fishface]

Tsande,

Buggers and clousers'v been pretty consistant for me. White black chart. in combonations and alone have all been good. In the winter closer to the bottom. I use a 5 wght. Vary the retrieve till you get the one they want that day. Probably do better with spinning gear, but personaly, I get more satisfaction with a flyrod. If you'r spinning, jigs are tough to beat. same colors. good luck up there. Lets pray for upper 20's at least before the close in Feb!

[LegattoAD]

I was out in Monti for the first time early this month. I used spinning gear. I tried tubes, worms, and ring frys but the smallie beaver on a shakey head jig is all that worked for me, just be aware of the rocks. I snagged and busted probably $3-4 for every pound that I caught that day, didn't have waders/boots so I couldn't do anything about it with any real effect.

Play with your colors until you find what works for you. Have fun, let us know how you do!

[LazyIke]

tubes on tube jigs have been effective, but football shakey heads rigged with texposed tubes and craw-tubes have been good too. I was out there recently on a 3-degree day with -15 wind chill and caught a couple 3-pounders and one really nice 4-pounder. I got the 3-pounders on cell phone footage:

I'll be there tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. or so, for most of the day.

[river rat316]

Nice fish, and I hate to gripe but I see it all the time there, the worst thing you can do to these fish is drag em out of the water in extreme cold temps into the snow, there gills are exposed to the cold and can freeze in under a minute. It didn't look like you had em out of the water long at all, but its just a word of warning to those that go down there.

[RuKiddingMe]

Thinking I'd like to give this smallie fishing a try sometime, where are you guys accessing the river from? I'll play trial and error with the rest I'd just like to know how and where you are getting there from.

[tsande00]

I've never heard of 90% of these lures. Does your run of the mill bait shop carry these in the winter? (Does Monti Bait and Tackle carry them or do I need to go to Big C?)

[Gordie]

DID you guys see the pic in the outdoor news of the gal that caught the 24 inch smallie on the miss It didnt say where she was fishin but it looked to be a very impressive fish

[Dylan33]

Thinking I'd like to give this smallie fishing a try sometime, where are you guys accessing the river from? I'll play trial and error with the rest I'd just like to know how and where you are getting there from.

Really anywhere in Monticello will work, it is all open water. Most people go to the Montissippi Park- start at the boat landing and you can walk up/down the river forever if you have waders.

[RuKiddingMe]

I have waders, how deep is it along that stretch?

Thanks Dylan much appreciated

[Dylan33]

I have waders, how deep is it along that stretch?

Thanks Dylan much appreciated

the river around there is fairly shallow- MOST spots you will be able to walk out 15-20 feet from shore and still be in less than 3 feet of water, but be cautious because there are some dropoffs and holes and plenty of rocks and boulders you could turn an ankle on. The water is up and moving fairly quickly for this time of year. Be safe. Have fun, and let us know how it goes.

[LegattoAD]

Tsande, a lot of these baits are considered more "summer" baits and unless they have enough space, a small retailer probably won't have them set out in favor of ice fishing gear.

However, it doesn't hurt to call them up and ask. It wouldn't make sense for a shop to not sell something just because it's in the back room... But if you're up for a 20 minute jog, Big-C is always a fun trip!

[tsande00]

Tsande, a lot of these baits are considered more "summer" baits and unless they have enough space, a small retailer probably won't have them set out in favor of ice fishing gear.

However, it doesn't hurt to call them up and ask. It wouldn't make sense for a shop to not sell something just because it's in the back room... But if you're up for a 20 minute jog, Big-C is always a fun trip!

Yeah I think I might just go to Big C and ask a clerk for smallie tackle. After watching that video I'm even more pumped. Ice fishing is my favorite past time so I'm not going to hang up the fish house for small mouth fishing, but I love it along the river in the winter time and would like to at least try it. Maybe I'll see some of you out there this weekend. Thinking Sunday, back near the power plant property where you have to walk in a ways.

[river rat316]

DID you guys see the pic in the outdoor news of the gal that caught the 24 inch smallie on the miss It didnt say where she was fishin but it looked to be a very impressive fish

I call [PoorWordUsage] on that one, 20 some years of both the DNR and The nuke plant folks doing electro fishing up and down the river and they have never shocked one over 21". I have seen a honest 21.5"er (not mine) and have caught one approaching 21". The forage base and growth season isn't there to support a true trophy fishery, I know lots will argue with me on that but the #'s support me not them, also lots need to take a measuring class. Mouth close tail pinched ON A BOARD not a tape with the fish flopping around and someone holding the tape on the lower jaw while the mouth is open and extending the tape down the body. This turns a 20" fish into a 22-23" fish real quick, now fudge an inch or so because we are all fisherman and thats where these stories of 24" fish come from.

[Dylan33]

24''? Thats nothing. I've caught several smallies down there that were pushing 26"!

[Presco]

Dylan, what are the water levels and current like right now? You mentioned they are high and fast, is it typical winter levels or is the water really up still? I plan to hit it this weekend before this next cold snap.

Regarding the comment about the DNR and powerplant folks, I've actually heard the opposite. Talked to a powerplant guy that told me they've pulled some monsters out of the plant outtake area that would potentially be state records. Never know how accurate these stories are, but thats what I heard. For what its worth, I've pulled fish approaching 21" out of there. They don't weigh as much as a lake 21", but they are still big fish. One thing I will say, a river 17" pulls like a lake 20"+.

[LegattoAD]

Sounds like I need to grab my waders and go for a walk next time I'm out there.

[Dylan33]

24''? Thats nothing. I've caught several smallies down there that were pushing 26"!

Calm down, calm down...I'm joking about the 26'' ers. There are some decent fish to be had...biggest i've seen down there was just over 20.

[Dylan33]

Presco-

Water is up about a foot or so from the levels we had this time the past few years. Nothing like how high the water was this summer, but high enough to warrant me saying be careful. So, be careful, have fun, and let us know how it goes.

[Presco]

Thanks Dylan, is the current normal? If its easier to just email me, do that. Its scotpren at hotmail. Couple other questions for you.

[Dylan33]

Thanks Dylan, is the current normal? If its easier to just email me, do that. Its scotpren at hotmail. Couple other questions for you.

email sent

[Presco]

Hit the river today, current was moving pretty well out of Montissippi. Quite a few folks there, parking lot was pretty full. Current was a tad slower out of Ellison. Fun day, caught a few fish, had some laughs, wasn't at work. How can you beat that?

[jwmiller33]

thanks for the report presco. did you just park at the boat launch near montissippi county park? i live in coon rapids and have had the open water itch BAD the last few days, so i got the waders out and put together a backpack of gear to target some river smallies, but im just not really sure where to go? I saw Dylan33 posted that he was out around the Monticello area. How far does the open water go? There isn't much open water down here in Coon Rapids by me, so I'm wondering how far I have to go to get to fishable water? I was thinking of trying Elk River, and if I couldn't find fishable water there, I was going to drive to Monticello. Does anyone have any advice? Are you guys just parking at the boat launch parking lots? Thanks guys

[Presco]

Nothing scratches that open water itch like a trip to Montissippi park. You are correct, just park at the launch, if its a nice day, you'll see lots of other cars there. Waders are important for a couple reasons, but one reason is that some of the landowners along the river don't want you on their property. Find your bait of choice whether tubes, craws, or live bait and head down to the river. Pretty simple. Stay safe out there, lots of rocks and little holes to step in while your wading, but the water is fairly clear.

[hockeybc69]

Hey Riverrat,

You dont believe this fish is 24"?

[tsande00]

Looks more like 23.65" to me.

[Dylan33]

That fish is NOT 24". the girl is under 5 feet tall, so it just looks big.

[hockeybc69]

even if she is small, its not 24" big.... not even close......

[Presco]

For me, I guess I really don't care, either way its a nice smallmouth. Maybe its 18", maybe its 25". Either way, its a nice fish. Most people don't have a clue how big their fish are and like a previous poster said, most people add an inch or two to any catch. I have a buddy that fishes a shield lake up north every spring and swears they catch 25" smallies every day. I've seen pics, they are catching nice fish, but they aren't even 20" most of the time. Does it bother me that when I come home from my Canada trip excited about the fact that we caught some 19" and 19.5", he thinks, "only 19.5?" A little, but I'm not going to worry about it. Nevermind the fact that a 25" smallie would most likely be a state record and potential world record.

If you want to see what people think about the size of their fish, check out the Lake Link site and go to the Angler's Page, open the Photo Gallery and search Smallmouth. As you page through it, you'll see all sorts of fish that are no longer than 16" that people claim are 22", or fish they've measured at 19" they claim weigh 6lb.

[Dylan33]

But every 19" I catch IS 6lbs! seriously.