Mississippi Smallmouth

Just finished up with a week on the Mississippi River on pool 4 and 5 for the St. Jude/Dick Hiley benefit tourney.  The format for this event is a team format so good friend Chris Luedtke and I teamed up to try and take down the big bass on the river.  We practiced for 3 days and found some really good fish and good areas.  We felt like we were on enough to get a solid top 10 finish, if not win.  These two smallies were one of many doubles that we had through out the week.  We found most the fish either trying to spawn or staged on there way to spawn with a few post spawn fish biting as well.  In layman terms, the fish were in all stages of the spawn. :)  

SMB's were not the only fish we were after or catching.  We also spent many hours locating the LMB's and found some giants.  Chris flipped up this toad on the 2nd day of practice.  Most of our fish, either species, came on a smoke colored tub jig either flipped to shallow cover or thrown out in a current break. 

This was the mouth to one of our top back water sloughs from last year.  I was very disappointed to see the lay downs that had floated in during this spring high water.  If you have ever met me you know that I am very determined and this small log jam was not going to keep me out of the winning area.  I proceeded to tow the logs one at a time with a rope.  Chris thought I had lost my mind....  There was a reason we brought a chain saw and I was going to put it to use.  After many hours of working to clear this area to get back in there I had to finally give up.  There were a few trees that were too big and heavy and would not move.  I need a barge with some big equipment, not a ranger bass boat with a chain saw and rope!  ;)  It was fun trying.  

As for the tourney.  We finished the first day in 12th place and felt pretty good about our chances.  We weighed 6 fish for 16.77 and caught about 40 keeper smallmouth.  Day 2 brought much different conditions and we ended up only weighing 5 fish for 11.87 and falling out of check contention.  As for the fundraising.  The 70 teams of anglers raised $131,000 for the St. Jude Childrens Hospital.  I would call that a success.  :)    

Update on Thursday, May 6, 2010 at 11:44PM by Matt Peters

A short clip showing how nasty the mouth of one of our best spots (in past years) was. The log jams were big and lots of them. But that wasn't the worst thing....the worst thing was the mosquitoes! They were trying to carry me off.

The Infamous "Mud Idling"

This is a short video from yesterdays practice day on the Mississippi River in Wabasha MN. Chris and I were able to locate some good areas, needless to say this wasn't one of them.

St. Jude/Dick Hiley Fundraiser Bass Tourney

I don't mean to overwhelm you with asking for donations but this is a must and coincides with my mission of helping Brett and all kids in need of medical attention. So take a minute to read below and if you can, please make a donation of any sorts. It is much appreciated
I am participating in the 12th Annual Dick Hiley/St. Jude Bass Classic to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital on May 1-2, 2010 in Wabasha, MN. I am asking for your support of my participation in this cause to raise the much-needed funds for St. Jude. St. Jude is the single largest center in the United States for the research and treatment of childhood catastrophic diseases. When St. Jude first opened in 1962, a child with leukemia had virtually no chance for survival. Today, thanks to the research at St. Jude, over 94% of children with the most common form of leukemia, (ALL) will survive. St. Jude has treated children from all 50 states and from around the world. No child is ever turned away because of a family’s inability to pay for the lifesaving care at St. Jude, which is why fundraising efforts like the Dick Hiley/St. Jude Bass Classic are vital to the success of the hospital. This fishing tournament is by far the most inspirational and unique event I participate in throughout the year and offers inspiration to all participating anglers. The hospital is working against the clock to save the lives of these children but need our help to make it happen. I need your help to reach my goal of $2,500 for this great cause. Any donation is much appreciated. If you made a donation through Paypal it was received and will be handed in at the event. God Bless and Good Fishing! MP

Whack Fest 09 Part 2

The first trip was so good we had to go back for more on Saturday when the temps hit 40!  We were back on the Mississippi River.  Needless to say it was a slug fest on some giant smallmouth.  We had doubles and triples all day!  We ran out of bait in two hours, did i mention we had 8 dozen minnows?!

I would say the average fish we caught was 3 pounds with many over 4.  The biggest fish was caught by Hotrod and measured 20 3/4"!  A real donkey of a smallmouth. 

Nice fish Rodney!  I am jealous, you always catch the big ones. 

I could not imagine living anywhere else but MN, the vast choices of fishing we have throughout every season is second to none.  

More ice fishing updates coming soon.