Smallies Love The Rat Lure!

A quick evening trip to the river for some kayak fishing fun with one of my favorite topwater lures for summer smallmouth bass, the BBZ-1 rat!
Gear used on this trip:
Lure: Spro BBZ-1 rat 40 amzn.to/3Y0R0NL
Rod: St Croix Bass X 6'6" MH F amzn.to/3PAz6iz
Reel: Daiwa Zillion SV TW G amzn.to/3PEchdT
Line: Power Pro Super Slick V2 30lb amzn.to/3NJ7jva
Pliers: Umpqua Rivergrip amzn.to/44Y3vfa
Net: Frabill amzn.to/44SXJeT (new floating version)
Anchor: Power Pole Micro amzn.to/3v4kFbK

[@rubickmanastry2270]

I'm absolutely addicted to your vids Matt. You do literally everything right, the editing, the reasoning, the casting, you showcase your gear, you have the best voice for narrating, and you are always respectful. You are the only fishing channel on the platform I can watch now. Thanks for taking us along! Already looking forward to your next video.

[@TJL2013]

Truly the best fishing channel on YT.

[@chipseiler1766]

Well said. You are also truly blessed to have such great spots to fish. Those smallmouth today were just beautiful both in size and color. That first fish. Wow!

[@wyldedime6516]

So relaxing! The best fishing channel makes us feel like we are out there fishing

[@John-yo5sw]

We’ll said! I’ll only add that I felt an adrenaline rush when he was reeling in that first hog! Matt shares what’s happening with the viewers in such a way that we feel like we’re right there with him! Greatest fishing channel by far! 🎣👍

[@jd8745]

​@@John-yo5swyea bcuz you can hear his heart thumpin in his vids. Love it as well!

[@Laszloh_Kovacs]

You make super technical casts look absolutely effortless, man. It's almost as impressive as the giant fish that you catch.

[@erichoffman2243]

I thought the same thing that he has some impressively crazy-accurate casts!!

[@Bamainjc]

Top water river smallies never gets old !

[@aposey89]

Your accuracy with a baitcaster is absolutely phenomenal

[@henrydillshaw3442]

Nothing I love more than coming back from my morning walk to a fresh upload by the master himself ! Have a great day everyone !

[@johnd5643]

Thanks for showing how many times you cast at that tree before getting a bite. Helpful to see realistic fishing experiences.

[@ndyakangler]

The one I got bit on was probably the last cast I was going to give that spot before I kept moving. Usually if there’s a fish there it’s first cast, the instant the lure hits the water it gets smashed!

[@steinerp]

I believe you've used the savage gear rat as well. How do you compare the two? (Assuming my memory is correct)

[@josephmollohan8907]

This guy has absolutely the best fishing channel ever. I really can't see why he does not have over a million subscribers. Or his own fishing show on cable TV

[@perryj8850]

Always amazed that I have never seen another boat on the water in any of these videos. So lucky to have all of the water to yourself!!

[@bac1308]

Even my tiny local pond has 3 or 4 boats milling around every day. Almost every lake and river of any appreciable size in my state is jam packed with boats until winter

[@bunoman772]

a video from NDYakAngler in the morning - great with coffee!

[@Alexander-vp6jf]

I love that you show the braid tangle from snapping the rod back . We’ve all been there.. few channels are willing to be this transparent. Keep it up!

[@GLepage74]

You are the reason I got into fishing Matt! By far the best fishing channel on KZbin. No annoying ads, plugging of personal products, or telling you to subscribe. Just nature and fishing! Keep up the great work!

[@jamescanady3442]

You, Greg Blanchard, and Bama Saltwater keep me on this platform. Thank you!

[@Dr_Zeros]

We love the different lures you use. You inspired me to get a top water spider and I’ve caught more fish than ever before with it. The action on some of these lures is amazing and you do a great job showcasing them.

[@cliffcarr3853]

I watch alot of different fishing channels, but none do I enjoy more than this great Channel! Thank you for your great content!

[@mikewazowskiilluminati1284]

In my opinion at least, this the best fishing channel. It’s so relaxing and entertaining to watch

[@ebaker60]

Ahhhh good morning with awesome fishing! Great way to start out my Sunday.

[@VORIANYT]

Went kayak fishing yesterday. Caught a few smallies. You're an inspiration bro. 🙌

[@rayman7712]

No fishing show or other KZbin channel has the level of consistent action you deliver, sir! Keep up the amazing work!

[@JohnnyParker-we4nf]

Watching the vids puts me on the water. It unplugs me from all the crazy stuff going on today.

[@OwnedByACatNamedC.C.]

I really enjoy all your videos, as I’ve been living vicariously through your adventures on the rivers & lakes; in areas that remind of my trips to Ontario & Minnesota. Great memories; & with your camera angle set up from your own viewpoint I pretend I’m actually the one catching the fish! Smallies are my favorite. The only thing I used to do which you haven’t done yet is to name each of them before they are released! 👍🏻 🎣 🐟

[@brianathern9154]

Great rat patrol video on the river. You manage the landing and current at a Jedi level brother. Thanks for taking us along again. Blessings Matt

[@lstepinski]

Very impressive! I would have taken one look at the speed of that current and all the tree debris and decided to fish somewhere else. It takes a lot of experience and skill to handle a kayak in that current let alone fishing at the same time. You are the man!

[@Steve16346]

Excellent for a Sunday watch!

[@jimb1283]

Thank you sir. Another good one. I really love when it is rat time.

[@george8214]

The casting and boat control is incredible. Especially in that current! Anyone who fishes from a kayak knows it ain’t as easy a he makes it look. Those casts a 11:00 or so under that overhang , one right after another, finally getting hammered were amazing to watch.

[@timmygreenwood6253]

The Bob Ross of fishing. Your videos are so relaxing!

[@JReb71]

Always a fun trip . Nothing better than catching smallies on the river

[@lindapetersen1800]

Thanks for taking us with you it was a Pleasure for me !!! I lean into the screen just to see the fishies up closer I know it will be A moment or two but always hoping to get a little bit more of a fish then for me !!!

[@Twangtown7]

I love that your channel is no frills, just straight fishing...and still gets more views than some bigger channels.

[@TheArtisticAngler]

The second blowup lol!!!! I totally relate, except I will always manage to hit myself with the lure! 😂 Thanks for the great video!

[@773fishing2]

Your ability to bed fish smallies with soft plastics and also catch them in fast moving rivers on top water rats is astonishing. I'd be lucky to master 1 of those techniques. You're a true sportsman!

[@ericwakeman6665]

Awesome work once again Matt what an awesome evening in the water!

[@kylegrosvenor772]

Your comment about your braid has been the story of my adventures the past few weeks 😂 cheers to another good one!!

[@donaldreed6856]

love watching you fish. I learn a few things, and relax...

[@tmkayakfishing8236]

Smallmouth on the rat love it so much fun. You turned me on to it a couple years back. Thank You! I don't leave home without it. Lol

[@heavenbound358]

Man, THAT was a great day on the water no matter where you are. Those are some really productive fisheries near you.

[@603Wild]

What a blast! Those river smallies fight a little extra too!

[@randallburgess46]

Another great video with the rat 🐀 lure. That’s the bomb 💣 for small mouth! Thanks for taking me along!

[@dennisstewart7849]

Nice video Matt, glad I could go along on this trip.

[@christinerogers5331]

Thank you, Matt, so very much for bringing us along with you on a peaceful river trek watching you RATTIN out those beautiful smallies! I enjoyed every moment! Anxiously awaiting your next video! Take care and be safe.

[@kevintesmer4985]

I don’t think there is anything more terrifying than having a trebled lure flying back at you so quickly it breaks the sound barrier 🤣. I see my life flash before my eyes every time I do that 🤣. Great video as always my friend ❤️. Tight lines!

[@hbrianunderwood4946]

How you navigate that yak while hanging onto a tiger by the tail is beyond me!?? Great stuff!

[@andydolan176]

Another wild ride Matt. I've said it before and I'll say it again, "YOU COULD CATCH A FISH IN A DAMN PUDDLE". I don't know how you developed your fish radar but it's like your superpower, your spidey sense. Thanks for the video pal.

[@DanKoning777]

2:53 "Just as I was saying-I hope I can find a couple of big ones to eat that rat lure.." Seems some smallies were saying the same thing: "We need to find a big ole' rat to eat." Great time on the water-thanks for taking us along. God bless. [edit]: I'm surprised that those big ole' pike aren't thinking the same as well.

[@bebopjones7985]

Thanks for another ride wit' ya! Been watchin' almost 2 years, dropped important work to watch yo' stuff!

[@lucasrobinson3141]

I love your videos, they are so relaxing and the tidbits of knowledge you're dropping is so helpful. Thanks for being awesome.

[@stonefly69]

Love the precision of your casting! Great vid!!!!!

[@philipstephan5451]

Just a beautiful day catching some really nice and I mean really nice small mouth bass. Thank you for taking me along, loved it, stay safe.😊

[@brucesheehe6305]

Matt is on a first name basis with his fish. He treats them with TLC!

[@ronaldkulas5748]

It has been decades since I explored the Red Lake River, Matt, but if you ever want to see a beautiful (the scenery can blow your mind at times), tumbling river loaded with Smallies, I suggest you take a trip between St. Hillaire and Red Lake Falls, MN. Even down river from RLF is quite the experience, but you have to go a long way to get out and the last stretch flattens out. I can see that the river levels are getting close to optimal, and you know that we are entering the time of year that smallies go crazy. I am not worried about giving anything away because it is something that takes effort.

[@bassinwiththeburtons239]

All I'm saying the video where he runs the crankbait under the river bank and caught those smallmouth is one of my favorite videos

[@wisconsinrogue8753]

That first one you caught was amazing. Thanks for your hard work

[@austinmaisuria5748]

You’re videos made me get back into fishing and now I want a kayak

[@ButternutDonut]

This channel is a gift.

[@mattgoodchild8215]

Yes I did enjoy it ...wicked Matt Thanks ....having some nice zander on lures here in the UK canals 👍🎣🐳🍻

[@ndyakangler]

Awesome! I hope to catch a Zander one day. The one lake in North America that has a few is about a 90 minute drive from home.

[@airgunner8462]

I really enjoy your videos. Very calming and entertaining. I was so into watching, my biscuits almost burned in the oven!

[@FECHI17]

I love your video’s please keep up Im really enjoying this cuz Im learning to start fish on my self lost my fish buddy 2 years ago so Thank you ❤️👊🏻

[@oldmanfred8676]

Tough to lose a fishing buddy, makes it hard to get motivated.

[@Steve-uy8kx]

My wife found a brand new one a few weeks ago tangled up in a log. I retrieved it. She thought it was a gimmick until I told her we used to catch mice as a kid and solder a thin wire on a big hook to wrap/tie mice on. We would set them on boards by lily pads, flip the bail and row back away. After a few minutes, yank the mouse off the board. They never lasted more than a few minutes before getting stomped. I'll be taking my new rat lure on a paddling trip to Quetico next month!

[@gopurplekity]

The fishing in downeast Maine has been for lack of a better term, ass, this year. Weve had so much rain the river in flooded so here I am watching someone else catch fish😂. Absolutely love your videos ❤

[@tylergolka7073]

Awesome job with those finicky summer bass. Was down by my local bridge tonight and got a smallie and a couple bites. Can't wait for fall to fish. Best month was May this year but I have doubled what I caught last year so can't complain. Thx again for taking us out again brother! Another great spot👍🎣

[@zachzz8053]

Absolutely always waiting on your videos! They never disappoint. I've gotten into kayak fishing for few years always struggled but I'm always learning from your videos! Keep it UP! 10/10

[@baileyd1111]

It amazes me how well your kayak sits in one spot and tracks straight pointed up stream. With mine I have to continually make adjustments.

[@ColoradoFishing]

Awesome night for only having a couple of hours to fish. Such healthy and strong smallies in there. Love the 6' 6" rods for casting from the kayak, so accurate as you displayed nicely :).

[@chrisb5023]

I wish we had a river loaded like that here! Would buy a kayak in a heartbeat. Love you videos man, amazing accuracy btw!!

[@jasonroberson171]

This has to be the most accurate casting ever be ever seen!

[@DWPFishing]

I like how your always trying new lures and not just traditional ones. I think the first vid i watch from your channel was the picachu one. Crazy how expensive those lures are. I caught my first rat lure fish two weeks ago. It was a 28" 5.86lbs pike minow on a BFS combo. Nothing as big as some of the fish you catch, but on BFS gear, the fun factor went up a few levels.

[@Kltpzyxm17]

Beautiful lighting! So good, I had to watch it twice 😊

[@TheMichiganFishHunter]

I live in northern Michigan and top water Sallie's are my favorite. Nothing as exciting as that.

[@dylancross233]

Absolutely amazing video and an amazing fisherman

[@steelworkerblake9482]

Bro I'm freaking jealous. 😮😮😅😅. This is crazy. Love watching your videos. There the best on KZbin.

[@andrewwillard5625]

Your content got me and my friends into fishing got our first propers and got my first smallie last weekend like a 3pounder too thanks for all the awesome content.

[@davejanoski3364]

Literally casting under the tree like pointing a laser lol. Nicely done

[@mellowfellowfishing]

Ahh... so awesome, Matt! Thanks for the content and inpsirstion! I gotta get floating again!

[@704_jah]

Watching these videos while high are the best 😂. Been watching for 2 years 🫡 love the content keep catchin em

[@SGT_Reid]

Another relaxing video, thank you sir! Be blessed.

[@bmwstan1]

Out rocking it again Matt. Awesome

[@pavabo]

Ahhh, back in my (your) kayak fishing on a Sunday morning

[@rolandgdean]

I'm living vicariously through you this year Matt. Apparently we don't fish anymore. Great video man.

[@theman21030]

Nice ! What a beautiful target rich environment.

[@oldschoolhawking8191]

So much fun, I'm envious! 😎👍

[@nicweldon1616]

Love watching your videos! You should do a kayak set up video in the future.

[@alexalbin1187]

I’m so badly contemplating investing in a kayak..... thanks a lot buddy 😂🇺🇸

[@pauljstod8804]

Looks like an absolute blast 💥 enjoy the fishing 🎣

[@jemsoprano]

You are the Bob Ross of fishing.

[@macjig5148]

Fabulous fishing and fabulously entertaining.

[@bobbyswain7049]

They sure love the Rat on that river. When you swung and missed on that 2nd fish I thought you had buried that sucker in your forearm. Glad you didnt lol.......nice vid

[@ndyakangler]

It was close! I had flashbacks of a Whooper Plopper 75 flying back and catching my arm a few years back!

[@shephusted2714]

great flow on the river

[@oxyfee6486]

I tried this yesterday in Southern Ontario, bugs almost carried me and my yak off the river, I have never abandoned a day of fishing, until yesterday.

[@DavidBronstein1961]

Love me some rat fish! Been using the 40 on local pond. Got one nice fish on it so far on slow early evening. Action is amazing. But god your casts to cover! Not sure id have the confidence to throw a $40 lure so close to potential snags and overhangs. Mad skills! And that Daiwa Zillion: gateway drug!! I’ve got one and now most of my other reels suffer in comparison.

[@guitardoug12]

Amazing! I have to try that rat at the Delta where I live, near Tracy Cal. Great job!

[@LiveBassFishing]

Those smallies are vicious. Great video, man!

[@skynet9483]

Nothing beats river smallies fight on top water rat!

[@firestarterseag]

Great job!!! This is the best fishing channel.

[@smackyobassfishing7737]

I think we love the rat lure just as much 😅😂

[@HexyHunterCOTW]

I'm from SD any tips for walleye btw you inspired me to get a fish swimbait for pike bc of that one perch swimbait

[@ndyakangler]

I’m not much of a walleye fisherman, I’ve tried but it seems like the only time I catch a few is if I stumble on a hungry school while bass fishing.

[@HexyHunterCOTW]

Thxs

[@BenjySparky]

Matt you rock! Love the channel and content! Peace

[@rvmcwhorter]

You are the man . Always gettin em , love it !!

[@starkeyshelbyj]

The best❣️🙏🏼Sunday service😉

[@jeffhensley9988]

This was so cool to watch! You never disappoint, Matt! I imagine that there are a lot of "real" rats/mice that have regretted jumping/falling in that river.

[@codclansteel2155]

I threw this lure the other week in my local river and I'm not kidding I threw it at the same spot 4 times and every single time I got a fish