Korn (Senior Equipment Editor)–My Flambeau fishing mates ask me all the time, “Korn, how did you become such a great fisherman of the smallmouth?” ” I wish I was more like you.” I tell them you really can’t be like me because I have superior talent and am a Pro Staff member of three national fishing companies. I do however share some of my tactics with them and they occasionally catch a fish.Rods:
6′6″ to 7′ med light action rods with a fast tip (preferably St Croix, Limit Creek, or Shimano). Longer rods help you throw the plastics we employ further. I also prefer fast tips for lightning hook sets and medium light rods are heavy enough to get fish in and light enough to be really fun.
Line:
I prefer mono on the river because it breaks easier if you get hung up while fishing timber or going thru rapids. 8 lb Trilene or Berkley Sensation. 6 lb is too light for river in my opinion.
Lures:
Tube baits are the number one lure for riverine smallies. I believe they imitate crawfish the smallie’s favorite quarry. I like pumpkin or green metalflake. Innovative Sport Group out of WI make the best and baits with heavy garlic and salt content also give me an advantage. I hate Chompers but some folks have luck on them (only Indiana folks seem to favor them).
These tubes can be fished a number of ways: inside tube jig head, texas rigged with a small pinch weight above it or hooked thru the nose of a tube with a #2 bait holder (this is weightless and effective for shallow areas).
Also, don’t overlook the venerable Senko worm! Green and red metal flake are the best with weight or weightless rigs and #2 EWG Gamukatsu red hooks I recommend.
So that’s about it. It really isn’t about the fishing, it’s about the drinking. If you want to fish between the drinking, employ the tactics above and you will be a little better than you were before but never as good as the Kornster.
Korn out