The bite is hot with this fall weather approaching. I was trolling a #6 Blue Storm Rattle Rap on the Mississippi River. Got into some numbers, thought I share some pics of the nicer ones caught today. 

 

 

 

 

Those are some great looking fish!!

Awesome fish man!

Two questions:

What camera and mount setup are you using for the selfies? More importantly, why can't there be any smallmouth in the Mississippi River in Louisiana?

Awesome fish man!

Two questions:

What camera and mount setup are you using for the selfies? More importantly, why can't there be any smallmouth in the Mississippi River in Louisiana?

 

Thanks guys! I enjoyed catching them too.  I am using a GoPro Hero 3 that is mounted on the front of my kayak. I built the mount myself and I film my fishing adventures. I can't answer your question on why no smallies in Louisiana lol… Looks like you better move up here to Minnesota then! 

I thought I share another beautiful Fall Smallie from 2 days ago. They sure are packing on some weight for the winter

 

Congrats on some great looking fish.

Awesome fish man!

Two questions:

What camera and mount setup are you using for the selfies? More importantly, why can't there be any smallmouth in the Mississippi River in Louisiana?

I don't know the answer to your question. If you look at the picture real good the water is not Muddy. The river is narrow and not near as nasty or as hot. Make this question a topic . Some one is sure to answer it.

Thats some nice ones.

I don't know the answer to your question. If you look at the picture real good the water is not Muddy. The river is narrow and not near as nasty or as hot. Make this question a topic . Some one is sure to answer it.

The question I was asking about no smallmouth down was just in jest. Just picking about that. I'm jealous! Smallmouth look like a fun species. We just have spotted bass in our moving rivers down here.

Awesome fish man! Keep it up!

Some nice looking smallies. 

 

That pretty blue Mississippi water sure doesn't look like the Mississippi in from of the Arch.

Some nice looking smallies. 

 

That pretty blue Mississippi water sure doesn't look like the Mississippi in from of the Arch.

Just north of Memphis The Mighty Muddy is The Mighty Muddy Ha !!!! There is no Blue in Muddy. Just Mud.

Are you actually fishing in the main river? What kind of structure are you targeting in that wide of a river? Current breaks?

Are you actually fishing in the main river? What kind of structure are you targeting in that wide of a river? Current breaks?

Yes I am fishing the main river. I am in central Minnesota and the Mississippi here is pretty clear compared to the south. The water current is slower this time of year and I target the weed lines or drop offs. I'll troll raps about 20 yards out along the shoreline where the water drops off. The main river isn't that deep, maybe only 10 ft in the middle right now. So I am fishing in about a 4 ft drop off. I also look for any fallen trees. Bass hid outs It's a rocky/sand bottom where I am at and the smallies love to school up there. 

Awesome fish!

Still super jealous down here in La!

Very nice fish ~

 

You really should be wearing a PFD while in the Kayak.

 

It's just not enough to have one "in the boat"

 

A-Jay

 

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/126933-my-pfd-testimonial/?p=1396450

 

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/145432-my-lifejacket-saved-me-today/?p=1621056

 

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/129795-let-my-stupidity-be-your-lesson/?p=1434226

 

 

Very nice fish ~

 

You really should be wearing a PFD while in the Kayak.

 

It's just not enough to have one "in the boat"

 

A-Jay

 

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/126933-my-pfd-testimonial/?p=1396450

 

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/145432-my-lifejacket-saved-me-today/?p=1621056

 

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/129795-let-my-stupidity-be-your-lesson/?p=1434226

Great fish, and I have to echo A-Jay.

Safety first, you have a lot to live for!

Thanks Guys!  I appreciate the comment too. I will consider getting a better one that is more comfortable to wear all the time

Thanks Guys!  I appreciate the comment too. I will consider getting a better one that is more comfortable to wear all the time

I'm not a kayak fisherman, but I'd highly suggest getting an automatic PFD as well. Especially as the water cools in the fall, if you happened to tip into cold water, it's amazing how fast you lose the dexterity in your fingers and might not even be able to get a manual one to deploy. 

 

A friend of mine fell in just after ice out several years ago and was in the water less than a minute before I got him back onto the bank. Water temps were in the low 40's and air temps were in the mid 50's. Even despite the warmer air temps, I had to literally carry him to the truck because his knees wouldn't bend. Had he been alone he probably would have drown because his limbs quite functioning so fast. 

I'm not a kayak fisherman, but I'd highly suggest getting an automatic PFD as well. Especially as the water cools in the fall, if you happened to tip into cold water, it's amazing how fast you lose the dexterity in your fingers and might not even be able to get a manual one to deploy. 

 

A friend of mine fell in just after ice out several years ago and was in the water less than a minute before I got him back onto the bank. Water temps were in the low 40's and air temps were in the mid 50's. Even despite the warmer air temps, I had to literally carry him to the truck because his knees wouldn't bend. Had he been alone he probably would have drown because his limbs quite functioning so fast. 

 

I'm personally mixed on the subject of automatic life 

vests vs. "plain" life vests...

 

Read a lot on the matter, and it seems that *most* 

seasoned kayak fishermen will opt for a vest without 

the need for inflation.

 

Reasons include cost of replacement parts, as a yakker 

is more likely to experience splashes, etc., being lower 

to the water than a boater.

 

But I know some who wear them and love them. Me? 

I prefer a standard fishing/yakking vest. It never needs 

a new cartridge, etc., and will always work.