I love fall, the colors of course are cool, but the true thrill is catching 100 plus trophy Smallies for the day with the wife and kids 5 & 8. The monster Smallies are on the feedbag and bulking up for winter as they were engulfing 8-9" minnows. Today, Saturday, I got the pleasure taking my wife Carrie and my girls Olivia and Isabella out. The weather was absolutely gorgeous and plenty of monster Smallies made for a great Saturday afternoon. It was the second day in a row i quit due to running out of minnows but not before boating 100 plus myself on Friday we were able to duplicate the mega minnow pattern for another 50-70 in 3 hours today. And the size? Smallest fish out of 150 plus was 17" and largest 21" with more 19's than i cared to count. Both of my girls said it was the funnest fishing ever and want to go back out soon! We stopped photos after the first half hour or so, here are a few. All barbs on the hooks were pinched down and all fish were returned immediately to the water, this is recommended to everyone as these trophies are very aggresive right now so if you miss the hook set just drop it back for a couple seconds you will get them again, no need to let them swallow the bait. Take a kid fishing, i've dedicated over half my trips this year to kids and love every memory, hopefully it lights a flame for the love of fishing.
-------------------- Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.
-Vince Lombardi
Great pics. I was suppose to be on the river yesterday too, unfortunately the batteries for the trolling motor have apparently died. I'm glad I tested it before driving up there.
-------------------- I was born in the 70's, grew up in 80's, made my mistakes in 90's now I'm just trying to make up for lost time.
Kooty, You are welcome anytime in my boat i'll be on the water almost everyday until Dec between the river and Mille Lacs. It sure is nice the monster smallies are on the chew with Mille being so slow this fall.
-------------------- Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.
-Vince Lombardi
The Smallies are so stacked up right now and hungry we were fortunate enough to hand feed a couple big suckers to the Smallie pack by holding the minnow in hand under a foot of water boatside, it wouldn't last more than 30 seconds before being eaten. It's like fishing for panfish from a dock but we are talking monster Smallies. Some of the best fishing i've ever experienced hands down.
-------------------- Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.
-Vince Lombardi
Thanks man! I was really bummed. I'll definitely take you up on the offer in the next week to 10 days. I'll be up at Mille Lacs all weekend. Give a yell on 82 if you are up there Thurs - Sat nights.
-------------------- I was born in the 70's, grew up in 80's, made my mistakes in 90's now I'm just trying to make up for lost time.
Quote: All barbs on the hooks were pinched down and all fish were returned immediately to the water, this is recommended to everyone as these trophies are very aggresive right now so if you miss the hook set just drop it back for a couple seconds you will get them again, no need to let them swallow the bait.
I cannot put enough emphasis on this above statement right now! We have been catching the same fish 2-3 times a day...so careful handling and precationary actions (barbless hooks and quick hook sets) with these minnows are extremely important!
Sounds like the family had a great time! My 6 yr old loves this bite!
Steve it is one of the best times fishing I've ever had, to say the Smallies are on a tear is an understatement. I owe you one! Thanks for the tips which helped get me & the kids on such an awesome bite, the memories will last forever. I turned into such a kid when I was out there that I put the fishing rod down and fed minnows to the Smallies by hand, I couldn't believe it but they would grab it right from my fingers. Thanks again and hopefully we'll see you on the water.
-------------------- Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.
-Vince Lombardi
Yep, as big as i can find with 8" or 9" being the biggest and the 18"-19" Smallies eat them, as James Holst says: "like a quarter pounder with cheese". I've even resorted to setting out my minnow traps in the creek for suckers and chubs but have not had the best results with them. If anyone has any suggestions or if its even possible to trap suckers and chubs this time of the year I would appreciate some info.
-------------------- Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.
-Vince Lombardi
Quote: on the other hand, sounds like you coulda fileted those chubs!
Plus they make a pretty awful "SPLAT" sound when they hit the water at the end of a long lob cast!
If you want to see this bite in action, here's the video to a show In-Depth Outdoors filmed with Steve last fall using this "mega minnow" technique. $150 in minnows gone in 4 hours!
Fall Smallies + big minnows+ kids= PRICELESS
If that doesn't make a person smile then nothing will. Great job putting the young ones on a great bite T. 
