Still a few to be had...

[Jim Hudson]

With the warmer then normal temps lately, I took advantage to do a bit of smallie fishing here in my back yard. Always fun to tangle with these beasts of Chequamegon Bay. I seen Crappie Keith made a good post about these fish as well. Fall time is definately the right time for big fish on this water!!!

My favorite tactic to catch em this time of the year is throwing jigging spoons at them. Hopkins and the alike. They are schooled up thick and when you get on a pod, it can be fast and furious. Great time out there...

[LEECH21]

Nice fish!

What the average length on the smallies out their? If you don't mind me asking.

Gotta love that fall bite!

[Jim Hudson]

Leech,

Average fish, your talking 17 to 18 inches. Lots of 20's around, with 21 to 21.5 pretty common as well. 6lb fish are very do able in a day here, especially in the fall and or pre-spawn.

[Nick Kuhn]

Do you guys ever run into other species out on the bay. I know it's a fantastic smallmouth area, but you'd think it'd be good for other things. No reason why it couldn't be like Green Bay for Muskies and Pike.

[TonkaBass]

I envy you!

[Jim Hudson]

Vahn,

A big yes on the other species.. Walleyes, trout, salmon, and pike too are all caught in areas we catch smallies.

I hear you on the northern stuff.. I have tried religously to get ample regulations on this bay for a good pike fishery. Being low density, they need protection. Right now, and previously speaking, our regulations have been lax on the pikes here. And it shows.. Runts are the norm. A few big ones every year, but not what it was back in the day and no where near what it should be. For the musky... There are very few and I do not see the DNR doing anything to implement stocking efforts for them.

Tonka,

Come on up and get in on the action... It definately is a blast!! Ice time is near too, even catch quite a few through the hardwater. Thats a hoot.

[slabchaser]

wow those are some pigs. nice fish

[bassNspear]

awesome looking fish.

Always great to get a few like that on a trip!

[LEECH21]

Awesome!

[Jim Hudson]

Here are what a common smallie looks like throughout the season.. As you seen above, thats the fall size range..

Winter...

Spring...

Summer...

[LEECH21]

Daaaaang!

Here I thought the smallies in my area were big being around 20 inches! Wow!

I'm still searching for that 21!

[Central Bassman]

Nice fish!!!

[bassNspear]

Nice looking fish. Im sure it was a great time.

[Cecil]

I'm on my way! Actually might be going out there next spring...