I've fished for over 45 years. Creek fishing adventures turned my brother and me on to fishing for those little tanks about 3.5 years ago. I drive my wife crazy with all my fishing trips. I'm excited to go fishing again! Great video, great series.....I'm not gonna lie, I hope it takes you a bit longer to find a 20.
That gambler is huge down here in Florida! Great bait even for speckled seatrout, redfish, flounder, and so on. I love this river fishing man, I’ve really been itching to do some my self on my new yak. I’m just not trying to have to worry about going downstream and getting shuttled😂is it super hard to go upstream where you’ve been?
The water flows pretty strong so it is definitely an exercise to get back upstream, but it is doable so I just make it work. Totally depends on depth and level of current!
Those EWG jig heads are my favorite. I just can't stand getting caught up in all of the grass so I started using them when I moved here. It's been successful catching smallies, largies, walleye, everything. My favorite plastic on them are the YUM swim'n dingers. I love regular old worms too.
I am relatively new to fishing but have grown to love catching the smallmouth. Fellow Michigander here and would love to know where to find the smallies…other than near Traverse.
Ever since your tiny jig video came out, I went out and bought a few brands of tiny jigs(Keitech, Duo Realis, and Raid). I've been catching tons of fish on them like bass and perch. This morning before work, I was jigging a river across the street from the job site and hooked into, and landed a 3 foot pike. It was insane, caught in on an Uglystick Dock Runner with a size 500 spinning reel, some of that pink spro finesse braid(8 pound) with a short 10lb fluorocarbon leader because it was the only non brain line in my car. Thanks for turning me on to the tiny skirted jigs. I also lost a huge bass on a drop shot because I had a tiny size 4 hook looking for panfish bites. Hope you find that 20" soon!
Shoutout to the Burro Bug as a micro jig trailer for River Smallies!!! Caught my first 20.5" smallie yesterday on the annual Father/Son (since I was 5--now 44 and it's been extended to my two boys)... we slayed them on the Shenandoah River... the big one weighed in at 4 lbs was on a Nikko 4" Hellgrammite but the fun was had on the Keitech Mono Spin with your Mule Burro Bug on it (both in green pumpkin). The smallies and sunfish couldn't leave it alone. The Jig was first paired with the 2" Keitech Little Spider for a trailer and burned through them. Then used Eurotackle Micro Finesse Craw trailers and they were more durable and looked good but still quickly went through half a pack because of the sheer numbers of fish. I finally switched over to the Burro Craw and caught about another 35 fish--on the same trailer! That material is so tough that it's hard to even notice that the craw has been used despite nearly zero paint left on the Jighead.
Happy to hear you had such success! Also glad the Burro Bug helped you land a lot of fish without constantly re-rigging. More time fishing = more fish caught :)
@@FishAnything - - thanks man-as much as I loved catching that monster river smallie, my favorite memory of that trip was my almost 7 year old working that jig. I was teaching him about the current breaks in the riffles and how to cast upstream and slowly reel the slack in to maintain a feel with his lure while jig and trailer rolled naturally with the current into the hole with the fish…. The diligence and attention to detail in the retrieve in that little guy was awesome-if only I could get him to focus that hard in school (we get a lot notes sent home from the teacher 🤷♂️)! Hard to truly describe it in text but I’ll remember it forever. I don’t know what it is but that micro jig and trailer is just more fun to throw than the Ned or standard plastic-might be even more fun on the BFS which is the next step.
Pausing at 2:44 thinking I'd go to a popper. But as I commented on a previous top water video, I'm just more confident in that lure. Still, maybe a topwater lure that pauses for a bit would get eaten here.
It's a nuanced version of the shakey... the only subtle difference in the Jighead is the offset rather than the traditional j-hook with a screw lock. Because of the traditional shakey-style hook, thicker worms didn't work very well but the EWG with a Jighead provides the bigger bite for things like the Yum Dinger or other stick baits. But you're not wrong, they look a lot alike and can be fished in the same.
@@logannewman4532 - I don’t either and prefer the offset style hooks…. I use these and Ned rigs for all my soft plastics on the river but don’t use any traditional shakey head style worms.
This kind of action never gets old . That 20 will probably come when you least expect it. My hope is that the camera is rolling when it happens so that we can all enjoy watching you bring it in. Thank you, Ethan
I'll be glad to join you for a great numbers fishing trip for river smallies. After a few modest days I definitely appreciate trips like that. A buddy and me spent a week on Rainy Lake in Ontario Canada for smallies. Started off with big numbers and those 13-15 inch fish averaging almost 1.5 pounds. As the week progressed our numbers went down and the average size went up...16-19 inchers with a best just under 20. Never take those blessings for granted. Bring on more videos!!!!
I recently discovered your channel and I love it. You truly have a gift for entertaining, informative content. I’m recently disabled by Cancer and have only just now, been able to get back to fishing in short periods of time. I went today for less than an hour but caught two of the most beautiful bluegills I have ever seen and one crappie. The bass decided that they weren’t gonna bite so I went my ultralight St Croix rod and had a blast! Keep up the good work. I really appreciate you 🙏🏽
Thank you so much for the kind words and support. I hope you are doing well - sorry to hear you had to deal with cancer. Holler anytime you have questions/feedback!
Fantastic video. You caught a lot of fish. I think that was an awesome trip. Like I said before, this is a great series and I think you will get that gorgeous small mouth soon. Heading to the beach this weekend but I will be watching your videos.
I've fished for over 45 years. Creek fishing adventures turned my brother and me on to fishing for those little tanks about 3.5 years ago. I drive my wife crazy with all my fishing trips. I'm excited to go fishing again! Great video, great series.....I'm not gonna lie, I hope it takes you a bit longer to find a 20.
Haha that is epic! And yeah, don't worry, the 20 is going to work me pretty hard. This series will be around for a bit longer I believe :)
Talked to one of your fans on the Columbia River yesterday.
Whaaaaaat really? So happy to hear that you ran into a fellow viewer. Truly appreciate both of your support.
Love you doing series like this! I'm jealous of you doing it though, closet smallie river from me is over 3hrs away one-way :(
Oh wow I hope you get a chance to fish river smallies one of these days. Bummer they are so far away!
If you are get a ned specific setup do bfs! Use an EWG football ned jig. I have a feeling it will match your style and you will love it.
For sure! BFS is great for Ned style fishing.
I love smallmouth too! Buzzbaits are so much fun!
Such a fun fish and a fun way to catch them 👏🏽
Those flappin shads are good for those saltwater fish too!
I really liked these things. I’ll be using them more this year.
what's the weight and size on that hook? do you think it was the right one for that swimbait?
Believe it’s a 3/0 and yeah it feels about right.
Disc golf is so much fun!! Lol fishing and disc golf have me outside a lot
I need to try disc golf one of these days!
Awesome. The other day I was out throwing the ned rig all morning and landed 21 small mouth over 1 pound. Great video!
Sounds like a super fun day!!
can’t wait for the next ep. 🔥
Can't wait to film and edit more. Hopefully sooner than later.
Love the video
Thank you Garry!
That gambler is huge down here in Florida! Great bait even for speckled seatrout, redfish, flounder, and so on.
I love this river fishing man, I’ve really been itching to do some my self on my new yak. I’m just not trying to have to worry about going downstream and getting shuttled😂is it super hard to go upstream where you’ve been?
The water flows pretty strong so it is definitely an exercise to get back upstream, but it is doable so I just make it work. Totally depends on depth and level of current!
💯🔥💙👍
Cheers :)
feel like a 20 inch smallmouth shouldnt be too hard up here in new england it isnt atleast
Those EWG jig heads are my favorite. I just can't stand getting caught up in all of the grass so I started using them when I moved here. It's been successful catching smallies, largies, walleye, everything. My favorite plastic on them are the YUM swim'n dingers. I love regular old worms too.
I have been thinking about picking up some of the swim'n dingers. Now I will need to!
No offense Ethan, but I selfishly hope you never land that 20...
because I never want this series to end!
Hahaha well you might get what you wish for, but I sure hope not!
I am relatively new to fishing but have grown to love catching the smallmouth. Fellow Michigander here and would love to know where to find the smallies…other than near Traverse.
Feel free to message me on Instagram or something and I can help as best I can. I prefer to avoid posting exact locations :)
Let’s gooooo. I felt inspired so I went to a new lake and cracked a new PB smallie.
WOOOOO! Love to hear that!!
No a river question but. This time of the year is a red horse fly good for targeting bluegill in a pond? God bless and tight lines
I honestly like the Red Dirt color for Bluegill all the time. If they don't seem to crush it, try to tone it down and go more natural.
Ever since your tiny jig video came out, I went out and bought a few brands of tiny jigs(Keitech, Duo Realis, and Raid). I've been catching tons of fish on them like bass and perch. This morning before work, I was jigging a river across the street from the job site and hooked into, and landed a 3 foot pike. It was insane, caught in on an Uglystick Dock Runner with a size 500 spinning reel, some of that pink spro finesse braid(8 pound) with a short 10lb fluorocarbon leader because it was the only non brain line in my car. Thanks for turning me on to the tiny skirted jigs. I also lost a huge bass on a drop shot because I had a tiny size 4 hook looking for panfish bites. Hope you find that 20" soon!
I love to hear this. So happy you have been having success with the same type of stuff I fish :)
Great action. Love the channel. Can you make a video on how you handle tackle management on your kayak?
Thank you! I will keep that in mind for future videos!
Shoutout to the Burro Bug as a micro jig trailer for River Smallies!!!
Caught my first 20.5" smallie yesterday on the annual Father/Son (since I was 5--now 44 and it's been extended to my two boys)... we slayed them on the Shenandoah River... the big one weighed in at 4 lbs was on a Nikko 4" Hellgrammite but the fun was had on the Keitech Mono Spin with your Mule Burro Bug on it (both in green pumpkin). The smallies and sunfish couldn't leave it alone.
The Jig was first paired with the 2" Keitech Little Spider for a trailer and burned through them. Then used Eurotackle Micro Finesse Craw trailers and they were more durable and looked good but still quickly went through half a pack because of the sheer numbers of fish. I finally switched over to the Burro Craw and caught about another 35 fish--on the same trailer! That material is so tough that it's hard to even notice that the craw has been used despite nearly zero paint left on the Jighead.
Happy to hear you had such success! Also glad the Burro Bug helped you land a lot of fish without constantly re-rigging. More time fishing = more fish caught :)
@@FishAnything - - thanks man-as much as I loved catching that monster river smallie, my favorite memory of that trip was my almost 7 year old working that jig. I was teaching him about the current breaks in the riffles and how to cast upstream and slowly reel the slack in to maintain a feel with his lure while jig and trailer rolled naturally with the current into the hole with the fish…. The diligence and attention to detail in the retrieve in that little guy was awesome-if only I could get him to focus that hard in school (we get a lot notes sent home from the teacher 🤷♂️)! Hard to truly describe it in text but I’ll remember it forever.
I don’t know what it is but that micro jig and trailer is just more fun to throw than the Ned or standard plastic-might be even more fun on the BFS which is the next step.
Pausing at 2:44 thinking I'd go to a popper. But as I commented on a previous top water video, I'm just more confident in that lure. Still, maybe a topwater lure that pauses for a bit would get eaten here.
I probably should try to work one a bit more. What brand do you like?
@@FishAnything I've always stuck with the good old Rebel.
The gambler flappin shad is one of my favorite smallmouth baits. Among other uses.
Honestly this is a sick little bait!
The John Dalton rig looks a lot like a shakey head to me.
It's a nuanced version of the shakey... the only subtle difference in the Jighead is the offset rather than the traditional j-hook with a screw lock. Because of the traditional shakey-style hook, thicker worms didn't work very well but the EWG with a Jighead provides the bigger bite for things like the Yum Dinger or other stick baits.
But you're not wrong, they look a lot alike and can be fished in the same.
@@mike2687 Yeah. This looks almost exactly like the jig I use for a shakey head. I just don't like screw locks at all.
@@logannewman4532 - I don’t either and prefer the offset style hooks…. I use these and Ned rigs for all my soft plastics on the river but don’t use any traditional shakey head style worms.
Yeah it is basically a shaky head. So many names for so many very similar rigs. Jig and plastic :)
This kind of action never gets old . That 20 will probably come when you least expect it. My hope is that the camera is rolling when it happens so that we can all enjoy watching you bring it in. Thank you, Ethan
I would not be very good at this whole UA-cam thing if I didn't keep the camera on for the 20" bite. I trust I will make it happen :)
Another great video. I love when you do the series. Keep up the great work.
I really enjoy making series. I find they are more fun to make and they create more of a goal/story.
Solid start! Can't wait to see you hit that 20 incher!
The day will hopefully come haha
I'll be glad to join you for a great numbers fishing trip for river smallies. After a few modest days I definitely appreciate trips like that. A buddy and me spent a week on Rainy Lake in Ontario Canada for smallies. Started off with big numbers and those 13-15 inch fish averaging almost 1.5 pounds. As the week progressed our numbers went down and the average size went up...16-19 inchers with a best just under 20. Never take those blessings for granted. Bring on more videos!!!!
Heck yeah Brian! I was super happy to be out catching numbers. No complaints from this guy :)
I recently discovered your channel and I love it. You truly have a gift for entertaining, informative content. I’m recently disabled by Cancer and have only just now, been able to get back to fishing in short periods of time. I went today for less than an hour but caught two of the most beautiful bluegills I have ever seen and one crappie. The bass decided that they weren’t gonna bite so I went my ultralight St Croix rod and had a blast! Keep up the good work. I really appreciate you 🙏🏽
Thank you so much for the kind words and support. I hope you are doing well - sorry to hear you had to deal with cancer. Holler anytime you have questions/feedback!
Great series very fun, to watch
Thank you!!
Fantastic video. You caught a lot of fish. I think that was an awesome trip. Like I said before, this is a great series and I think you will get that gorgeous small mouth soon. Heading to the beach this weekend but I will be watching your videos.
Thank you very much :)
NDyakangler
Might have to go fish his waters lol
Is this series going to continue after the initial five videos? Or are you going to keep going until you catch a 20? Like Pursuit of a 10.
Ain't over til I get the big donkey girl