Solo River Smallmouth Trip Michigan

This is the type of trip I always hope for on the road; river smallmouth on a flow that I've never been on, willing to smash topwater. Following the ‪@KayakAdventureSeries‬ in Whitehall, Michigan, I had a free day before jumping back into visiting ‪@boonedoxusa241‬ dealers. This watershed is certainly dominated by trout, but I was able to find some smallies, including several bigs, yielding a 5 fish total of 93.25 inches. But that solid topwater bite didn't come without some initial struggle!

[@BassManStrikes]

Fished that river many times but way up river where there are no smallmouth.

[@steinerp]

Nice video. Was up there for a 3 day camping trip but got out at the dam so didnt get that far downstream. I was mostly camping with family but you way outfished me. I got 1 bice trout on a fluke with underspin and nothing else. And now that I think of it we launched that same Sunday.

[@BGkayakfishing]

Another great video, Jeff! Do you have a video that I can refer to that will give me some tips on locating water that looks good on google earth or other apps? Obviously you never know until you get there but do you have any tips/videos showing what you look for when you are searching for new water? Thanks in advance!

[@TheLittleStuff]

This one is a good start. I know that to look at different historical images of the same area, you need to do it on a laptop, not a phone. Pre Float Trip Planning Google Maps and OnX App kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZqrFepWHpZ6NpNU

[@GRASSNBASS]

Jeff those Michigan smallmouth are unaware that you are an excellent River smallmouth angler!

[@TheLittleStuff]

I had so many missed hook ups at the second spot until I went with the Choppo!

[@GRASSNBASS]

@@TheLittleStuff those big smallmouth are smart man and sometimes it’s tough for them to get all of that Magdraft

[@ElBote54]

You kicked their patooties today, Jeff 😄

[@TheLittleStuff]

It was a fun trip once I got to the right areas with the right bait!

[@5against4]

Hey Jeff, Enjoying your vids. keep it up. I'm in Pa on the Susquehanna. high rent district..LOL.. that cracked me up. TC&TL

[@TheLittleStuff]

I miss the Susquehanna! Glad you’re enjoying the videos.

[@mattstephens8887]

Fished that river a lot. Mostly for trout and the occasional walleye, but absolutely never averse to catching smallmouth. Next time you’re in that neck of the woods, you might try something that imitates a leech if you can’t get them up on the surface….

[@TheLittleStuff]

I’ll try that next time!

[@georgetollefsen994]

And look at that he coughed up a crawfish, it seems like when they’re eating, they will hit the whole buffet 😂

[@TheLittleStuff]

That river had good flow. Compare that good bite and good flow to the next few trips: low flow, difficult bite in Virginia and Kentucky.

[@robertpapps3618]

You fished one of my favorite SM areas in MI. This year in June the water was high and current strong which made it a challenge but still manage to catch and release quite a few.

[@TheLittleStuff]

It had very strong current for its topography. Fun fishery for sure!

[@juancanon1459]

All I notice now is that peregrine. So curious about that design

[@TheLittleStuff]

It’s designed for efficient propulsion against current. If there’s enough demand, Innovative Sportsman might do a run of them.

[@juancanon1459]

@@TheLittleStuff well I’m def in the market for the osprey outfitted with the torqeedo this winter. But I’ll hold out and see if you do a review/walkthrough of that prototype and the differences between the two. Any idea if and when he would do a run of them?

[@TheLittleStuff]

@@juancanon1459Probably not soon. The Osprey 1436 is closest to what the Peregrine does.

[@nrthlife325]

Great content! Thanks so much for sharing. What is the rack/rollers/box set up that you have? Is it something you fabricated or does a company make it? Thanks.

[@TheLittleStuff]

It’s a Boonedox prototype set of equipment. The rollers will make loading any kayak easier. They fit at the end of the Groovy Extrusion. We have three different lengths of that extrusion that you can either attach to a flat surface (like the all metal rod box, the Rod Pro), or another cross bar extrusion. We are developing a modular set of parts that can be used to make whatever overlanding rack, trailer set up or roof rack set of accessories you want. Stay tuned!

[@lovethecastYT]

It always amazed me that I can hook myself and other lures 1000 times with trebles but a bass can fully eat one and not even catch the tip of a barb 😡

[@TheLittleStuff]

Things happen quick. I bet they get hooked and get unhooked in an instant.

[@chrislesnefsky4117]

Mentioned visiting Tennessee and Kentucky. Ever explore Ozarks in southern Missouri and northern Arkansas? Those are my waters, would love to see how you approach those streams!

[@TheLittleStuff]

That’s actually next. Kayak Adventure Series is in Missouri in a few weeks. I’ll fish somewhere in that region.

[@chrislesnefsky4117]

@@TheLittleStuff Hell yeah! Just pick a weekday, lots of floaters and rafts on the weekend depending on which river you choose.

[@johnwhite993]

Great video as always Jeff. Thanks bringing us along. Some super nice fish too. Safe travels to the next adventure

[@TheLittleStuff]

Thanks John. Kentucky and Virginia are up next!

[@georgetollefsen994]

Thanks! I hope this helps the channel

[@TheLittleStuff]

Much appreciated George!

[@highnoon116]

Question, with the Magdraft what not use braid and flouro leader? Thanks for another great smallmouth clinic!

[@TheLittleStuff]

That’s a good call. That rod/reel set up was made for deep 1 oz football jig fishing. All fluorocarbon.

[@georgetollefsen994]

Jeff , I have found that after missing big smallmouth or even hooking one and losing one on a bait fish pattern, I throw a craw type bait back at them and they take it? It seems to work a lot. I lost a big smallmouth on a Jackhammer and followed up with a wacky rig sinko and got them? It just seems to work. Great water and awesome stuff! Thanks for sharing!

[@TheLittleStuff]

Follow up baits are effective provided that they are delivered quickly. Buzzbait miss, follow up fluke is the standard in summer, but switching forage type can work too. They are just amped up and ready to eat.

[@donaldschrader7901]

If you have never been to Michigan it’s a must. Great state with countless opportunities. I spent 2 weeks up there in the UP chasing grouse and woodcock with my dog. Lots of rivers to choose from everywhere we went.

[@TheLittleStuff]

I want to go back! Following the Kayak Adventure Series has been a fun way to bring myself to new water this year. Next up: Missouri and Arkansas!

[@tanmartin-pt7ip]

Nice video man, Always learn something by watching your video.

[@TheLittleStuff]

Glad you’re learning! Three more videos cued up in the next 9 days!

[@westmichigandangler1712]

Looks like a good day. I love the river smallmouth out here. The topwater fishing with poppers/buzz baits can be fun, but a Texas rigged 4" lizard is absolute candy most days. The options and places to catch them in mi seem endless.

[@TheLittleStuff]

No doubt Michigan has some top notch river smallmouth fisheries. I would have never thought “lizard”, but I am sure it works well!

[@Wilcox93]

Swimbaits and flukes! 2 of my favorite ways to catch em on the New River here in WV

[@TheLittleStuff]

Yep! The Choppo made this trip super fun too!

[@davidthompson3291]

Great instincts on the first location. It is always a difficult decision to pack up, relocate and re-launch on a fishery where you have no history.

[@TheLittleStuff]

I experience a lot of that and don’t always have an option to change to anything different than where I was. When I moved, I was hoping for less gradient. The second spot had a similar, but slightly lower gradient, which seemed to be more conducive to smallmouth than trout. There just weren’t enough spots for smallmouth to step aside into an eddy to get out of the current. That’s what just did not seem right.

[@LazoLivin]

The bob ross of river fishing

[@TheLittleStuff]

😂 I just got a haircut. Maybe I should have kept a fro growing and started talking about happy 🌲 🌲 trees.

[@LazoLivin]

@@TheLittleStuff the patients in your information an the way you fish. It’s very relaxing an informative. Almost like I’m having a one on learning session with you bro. God bless I enjoy your videos

[@jasonvenesky2438]

Those waters look amazing!

[@TheLittleStuff]

Lots of flow and gradient for what is a fairly flat state.

[@necrom21221]

Nice smallmouths.

[@TheLittleStuff]

They were. Michigan has some great fisheries!