You guys think there will still be a chance for some top water smallie action next week? Can't hardly wait!

Sure, they'll still be feeding on the surface. The lower the light, the better your chances, so rise early and stay out late.

If it is too dark to filet without a headlamp, then it's time to be casting shallow running minnow lures (think Rap minnow or Bomber Long A). Make that cast parellel to the shore3-5ft. out from a deep shore, or around weed beds . Don't lose a finger, catch a fish! (Hey, that's catchy!!)(ooohhhh, another pun....)

So do the SMB only or mostly only feed on the surface with low light conditions this time of year?

Everything will be there.......kinda odd, but I have caught plenty of walleyes doing this.

Thanks for the tips guys. So bass? Do you slow retrieve? Twitch? Would a jointed rapala work?

I have caught smallies on topwater at all times of the day. Best times obviously are usually the first two hours of daylight and the last two hours. Cloudy days can be magic. And when the sun is out fish the shady side of the island if possible. My topwater baits of choice are small or medium size PopR, a zara puppy, or small propeller bait. Those are my three favorites and there are plenty of others that work well for other people. Also, a slower presentation seems to work best. I tend to work the zara puppy too fast but I really like to watch it dance.

Good luck. I have never had the privilege of fishing the BWCA in the Fall. I hope you can post a trip report when you return.

quote drrick: "So do the SMB only or mostly only feed on the surface with low light conditions this time of year?"

I'll just say it's still worth it to fish sub surface if your talking about cloudy conditions. I liked throwing Zulu's and jigs for small mouth as well as top water. If it's dark out I'll just throw top water for bass.

No...however, low light makes them better predators. Remember, bass are ambush feeders...whatever will give them the edge. Sunrise, sunset, cloudy, drizzly (oh yea!!). Be on the water when feeding conditions are best. Calm, clear day??? Noon-ish??? Yup, time for camp chores! and hook sharpening!! They will feed where the opportunity is best.....bottom, top....and when the odds are in their favor. Sure, you can get lucky dangling a leech in front of a bass 29ft. down at noon, but 20min. after sunset they are actively cruising, looking for a meal....better chance of lure and fish contact. Fish hard when they are excellent predators.....and be quiet, that paddle thumping on the gun wale is not normal-that 22in. smb WILL notice it!!

Everything bassnet says is 100% right 99% of the time, but bass do deviate. I recall rising at four one morning, crossing one lake, portaging to another, and surface fishing the length of that lake with middlin' success. On the way back to camp, with the Sun at high noon and a surface lure dangling from my rod, I cast it on the original lake and it was BAM, ZAP, POW, with smallmouth rushing my lure like the Joker's (Cesar Romero version, natch) henchmen, circa 1967. So, every now and then, cast the weird lure at the weird time.

HOLY ZARAGOSSA, MISSMOLLY!!!!! Cesar Romero???

Hate to be the THAT guy with the bucket of cold water. Not saying I'm right just relating my experiences is all......

The difference between the spring and fall topwater bite for quality fish is night and day iMO. Bigger fish are often deeper. They can be brought up at any time of day however with a big noisy lure like Quetico Mikes Lucky 13. This can take a bucket of patience but often will result in the biggest smallie of the trip.

Your better off with tube jigs fished from 15 to 25 ft. Or even better live crawfish or a jig and minnow. Capiche?

quote bassnet: "HOLY ZARAGOSSA, MISSMOLLY!!!!! Cesar Romero???"

Ha! Glad someone got the reference!

We caught a lot of walleye 18-28" (two 28"), smb (one 21") and several pike Saturday (8/27) late afternoon/evening throwing J11 original Raps and big Bomber and Yozuri minnow-style cranks, Wood Lake EP. Fished a shallow bay 6-12' in depth with weeds/cabbage throughout. Kept the rod tip up and worked the big cranks just under the surface and above the weeds. Pulled in lots of weeds, but a lot of big fish came up and just nailed the big cranks. A lot of fun.

quote magaak1: "We caught a lot of walleye 18-28" (two 28"), smb (one 21") and several pike Saturday (8/27) late afternoon/evening throwing J11 original Raps and big Bomber and Yozuri minnow-style cranks, Wood Lake EP. Fished a shallow bay 6-12' in depth with weeds/cabbage throughout. Kept the rod tip up and worked the big cranks just under the surface and above the weeds. Pulled in lots of weeds, but a lot of big fish came up and just nailed the big cranks. A lot of fun."

That was a heck of an evening! Congrats! Any pics?