Mississippi River (Monticello to St. Cloud)
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Mississippi River (Monticello to St. Cloud) Fishing Reports
Stay up to date with the latest fishing reports from Mississippi River (Monticello to St. Cloud). Reports are submitted by local anglers, fishing guides, and our team of fishing experts.
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- Species
Smallmouth BassTechniqueShallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6')SeasonFallStructureRock PileA bit slower this morning on the river. Still got into a few smallies. Had the best luck in rock piles or boulders using a shallow crankbait in about 5' of water. Also brought in a nice 18" walleye today as well on the crankbait.
- SpeciesSmallmouth BassTechniqueBuzzbaitsSeasonFallStructureBrush Piles
Had so much fun the weekend before. ..I wanted to do it again....started early in the am and didn't have much of a bite till after noon with the exception of a handful of pike on square bills....the smallmouth bite picked up just up river from snuffies landing and was lights out down river from there. Throwing buzzbaits in the eddys and brush piles was producing almost every cast for a while...paddle/float to the next spot that looked promising and bam get hit for one fish and some spots held two decent fish....had to cut the fishing short to meet my shuttle out of there at montesippi Park so I missed a lot great fishing...next time...
- SpeciesSmallmouth BassTechniqueShallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6')SeasonFallStructureRock Pile
Epic night of fishing! Caught 40 smallmouth in 2 hours! (And a couple of walleye) Many of them were over 3lb. Shallow cranks in 3-5' of water in rock fields.
- SpeciesSmallmouth BassTechniqueShallow Diving Crankbaits (0-6')SeasonFallStructureRock Pile
Found smallies stacked up on shallow rock fields. Roughly 4'-6' of water. They wouldn't hit anything but the bright colored squarebill tonight.
SpeciesSmallmouth BassTechniqueSoft Body Swimbaits (Small/Medium)SeasonFallStructureHumpsFish were bunched up on rock humps near deeper water in minimal current in 58 degree water that was low and clear. Shad colored swimbait was key, put well over 30 smallmouth in the boat along with 4 eater size walleye. Ned rig put a few in the boat but swimbait was most productive today
- SpeciesSmallmouth BassTechniqueFootball JigsSeasonFallStructureLaydowns
Its my favorite fishing time of the year, fishing smallmouth. They know its time to get up shallow start feeding on baitfish before the winter weather kicks in. Look for movement on the surface as an indicator for fleeing baitfish. This is followed with a top water lure mimicking the behavior. A Megabass pop-x would be a good choice. If you miss the fish let it sit it might take another pass otherwise follow up with a Fitzgerald Tungsten Micro jig in threadfin using a zman batwing as a trailer. If the presentation seems a bit large or fish have slowed down use a dropshot in its place. Its likely that fish as long as they did not get fully hooked will be in the area and ready to eat still. For the three set ups I used. (1) a team daiwa tatula Lt spinning reel with a tatula 6'6 spinning rod, followed with a seagar smackdown in 10lb test and 8lb flouro leader using the double uni knot with a dropshot zman hog. (2) team daiwa med-heavy 7'1 tatula with a daiwa tatula reel in a 7.1. I use straight 100% fluorocarbon in 15lb test in berkley for the microjig. As the water starts to clear the fish can see that bait much clearer so I use straight. For the topwater I use a team daiwa glass 7'0 crankbait rod with 10lb straight flouro in berkley. The rod has enough play with the glass to keep the low stretch of the flouro from popping out the treble hooks. Additional thoughts are switch to a prop bait if the fish are active and chasing, if they are sluggish use a popping bait like the megabass popx and let it sit longer. If the fish is missed let it sit for a bit longer they may be short striking it yet.
- SpeciesSmallmouth BassTechniqueBuzzbaitsSeasonFallStructureBrush Piles
Clear Waters Outfitters Bronzeback Classic. Slow start to the morning. Was focused on Ned rigs and worm jigs...just wasn't producing the bigger fish...switched to topwater with a buzzbait and a YUM Tip Toad trailer. Pounded the banks around deeper brush piles and larger boulders...fish were tucked up underneath and close to shore...ended the float with over ten fish that measured over 18" biggest being 19.5" average 18.25"
Robert BeamanBronze AmbassadorSpeciesSmallmouth BassTechniqueNed RigsSeasonFallStructureBoulders
