Ethan. This video should have 1 millions views. Fact of the matter, in that fall transition Bass just are not biting it. And there are those TH-camrs that are telling you that fall transition is the best next thing to slice bread. When in reality, it’s not. And those are the videos we don’t take anecdotally. I’ve seen big ass Bass go up to my lure, look at it, analyze it, stare at it, and then go away. I’ve experienced that same frustration over the last 3 to 4 weeks . If we could only know what is going on in their heads, we would be billionaires in the best fishing industry.
I would suggest stopping/slowing your retrieve when a fish blows up on the Whopper Plopper. If they don't get it the first time (assuming they do not feel the hooks) many times they will come back multiple times. Another suggestion is to switch out your front treble hook with a red EWG treble hook. The red hook gives the bass something to target when hitting the lure. That works for crank baits as well.
I was hoping this would be one of those videos where you end up catching the smallie you wanted in the last minute of the video. Still, it was a blast watching. Thanks for sharing your river adventure with us!
Glad to see the bronze search. Imma start in the spring. Only Mule gear (DonkeyTail, Burro Bug, Jack Worm, Bronko Blade, Minnow) plus the keiteck spin jig. Top water? Your lures float with a #8 Ryugi hobbit ewg hook. I like you gear. Nothing else in my box other than a couple craink baits. That's all i need. 😉
Good to see one more video about the road to 20”. So frustrating. They must be watching your videos and decided to mess with you. Thanks for the video.
Perseverance my friend for your quest of the 20 inch fish. Had a late summer trip for river smallies with my brother and our long time guide and now friend. We had a bruiser clearing out its territory behind a downed tree right by a drop off. This fish literally chased our topwater lures back to the boat, baitfish were shooting out of the water but the beast would not strike and get hooked. Follow up swim baits and plastics NOPE! Felt that for you, it wasn't quite the time yet. But..one thing our friend shared is he's seen smallies blast baitfish and lures with a tail slap to stun them then go back around for the kill. It was wild to experience a smallmouth porpoise on the surface but not get hooked. He said when he sees that his go-to is a Popper style bait like a Chug Bug. It hangs around longer and the rattling sound sometimes helps seal the deal. I love the verse at the end. Still on the quest for my own 20 inch smallmouth. Blessings Ethan
Doesn’t matter what your fishing for. You alway make great content. Love your brand and your videos. God bless and tight lines. Hope to fish with you one day!!
Next time bring a Zara Spook too. If you aren't getting hook ups on he plopper but they're hitting the topwater, the Spook (or the smaller version Spook = Zara Puppy) could be the ticket! Have a great Fall! Blessings!
Sometimes I think that these bigger fish just want to " toy " with our baits. I've had that happen to me many times and it does get frustrating. But it is a fun way to fish and some of the blow ups are amazing. Thanks for the video Ethan.
Do you modify your ploppers at all? I’ve found upsizing the gap using finer (thinner wire) hooks helps a ton. I’ve also observed that 75s get more solid thumps many times than 90s when I’m getting a lot of misses. Keep it up man great series!
I don’t have much luck on the 75 for some reason. I’ve heard I need to swap hooks but that didn’t feel like the issue with these fish. These smallies would smack it and not even touch the hooks 👊🏽🤠
Size 90 are the worst for me. My number one is by far the 75, second the 110. I sold and/or gave to buddies all my 90… something is just wrong with the 90. Can’t say what. But 75 is SOO much better (many bites, high % of hookups).
That being said, my observation is that the sweet spot for speed retrieval on the 75 and 90 are not the same. I reel in the 75 (bigger prop than the 90) slower than the 90 that have that nice pronounced whop-whop-whop And I do change the hooks on all WP for lighter gauge hooks (those stock trebles are « Musky rated gauge hooks!).
![Winter Fishing From The Bank [Ultra Light Tackle]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/-_ZvQuVwcl4/mqdefault.jpg)
Ethan. This video should have 1 millions views. Fact of the matter, in that fall transition Bass just are not biting it. And there are those TH-camrs that are telling you that fall transition is the best next thing to slice bread. When in reality, it’s not. And those are the videos we don’t take anecdotally.
I’ve seen big ass Bass go up to my lure, look at it, analyze it, stare at it, and then go away. I’ve experienced that same frustration over the last 3 to 4 weeks . If we could only know what is going on in their heads, we would be billionaires in the best fishing industry.
I haven't had any luck this fall. Just one dink and even the bluegills have disappeared.
Fall is definitely highs and lows. Some days are junk fishing like this, others are fast paced power fishing frenzies. Just gotta keep after them!
I would suggest stopping/slowing your retrieve when a fish blows up on the Whopper Plopper. If they don't get it the first time (assuming they do not feel the hooks) many times they will come back multiple times. Another suggestion is to switch out your front treble hook with a red EWG treble hook. The red hook gives the bass something to target when hitting the lure. That works for crank baits as well.
Good intel!! I will definitely try these tips out!
I was hoping this would be one of those videos where you end up catching the smallie you wanted in the last minute of the video. Still, it was a blast watching. Thanks for sharing your river adventure with us!
Thank you! I trust we’ll find the big one next year!
Great Scripture.
It felt like a good choice! 🙏🏽
Whopper Plopper is one f my favorites
It’s hard to beat for covering water!
Glad to see the bronze search. Imma start in the spring. Only Mule gear (DonkeyTail, Burro Bug, Jack Worm, Bronko Blade, Minnow) plus the keiteck spin jig. Top water? Your lures float with a #8 Ryugi hobbit ewg hook. I like you gear. Nothing else in my box other than a couple craink baits. That's all i need. 😉
I absolutely love to hear that you enjoy the gear and take a minimalist approach. Keep it simple!
Excellent video Ethan. Always fun going after smallmouth!
Thank you Tom!
Good to see one more video about the road to 20”. So frustrating. They must be watching your videos and decided to mess with you. Thanks for the video.
Lol honestly it felt that way. My best blowups just wouldn’t hold on!
Nice video that was ahard day hope you and your family has a very merry Christmas
Thanks Ray! Christmas was great - I hope yours was enjoyable too.
Perseverance my friend for your quest of the 20 inch fish. Had a late summer trip for river smallies with my brother and our long time guide and now friend. We had a bruiser clearing out its territory behind a downed tree right by a drop off. This fish literally chased our topwater lures back to the boat, baitfish were shooting out of the water but the beast would not strike and get hooked. Follow up swim baits and plastics NOPE! Felt that for you, it wasn't quite the time yet. But..one thing our friend shared is he's seen smallies blast baitfish and lures with a tail slap to stun them then go back around for the kill. It was wild to experience a smallmouth porpoise on the surface but not get hooked. He said when he sees that his go-to is a Popper style bait like a Chug Bug. It hangs around longer and the rattling sound sometimes helps seal the deal. I love the verse at the end. Still on the quest for my own 20 inch smallmouth. Blessings Ethan
I’ll have to look into the old school chug bug!! Thanks B!
Doesn’t matter what your fishing for. You alway make great content. Love your brand and your videos. God bless and tight lines. Hope to fish with you one day!!
Truly appreciate you Caleb.
Next time bring a Zara Spook too. If you aren't getting hook ups on he plopper but they're hitting the topwater, the Spook (or the smaller version Spook = Zara Puppy) could be the ticket! Have a great Fall! Blessings!
For sure! I honestly thought about it but I despise working a spool from the kayak lol
This weather right here. This is the next 6 months for me. This is my entire winter.
Lucky duck!!!
@@FishAnything Ask me how lucky I feel in July when it's 115° lol.
Was that a tribute to Mr. John Dalton at the end?
Inspired by JD, tribute to JC 🤠
Great video. Keep up the grind. You will get that 20”. I’ve just ordered some whopper ploppers. Can’t way to though em.
The ploppers are a lot of fun - good luck!!
Sometimes I think that these bigger fish just want to " toy " with our baits. I've had that happen to me many times and it does get frustrating. But it is a fun way to fish and some of the blow ups are amazing. Thanks for the video Ethan.
Sure felt like they were messing with me that day!
Do you modify your ploppers at all? I’ve found upsizing the gap using finer (thinner wire) hooks helps a ton. I’ve also observed that 75s get more solid thumps many times than 90s when I’m getting a lot of misses. Keep it up man great series!
I don’t have much luck on the 75 for some reason. I’ve heard I need to swap hooks but that didn’t feel like the issue with these fish. These smallies would smack it and not even touch the hooks 👊🏽🤠
Size 90 are the worst for me. My number one is by far the 75, second the 110. I sold and/or gave to buddies all my 90… something is just wrong with the 90. Can’t say what. But 75 is SOO much better (many bites, high % of hookups).
So funny how preferences vary by angler. I have way more bites on the thinner 90 variety than the chunky 75. Not sure what it is!
This is funny! Well I guess we are not all the same after all! 😅
That being said, my observation is that the sweet spot for speed retrieval on the 75 and 90 are not the same. I reel in the 75 (bigger prop than the 90) slower than the 90 that have that nice pronounced whop-whop-whop
And I do change the hooks on all WP for lighter gauge hooks (those stock trebles are « Musky rated gauge hooks!).
You pulled the pike too hard.
Could be! Thanks for the feedback 👊🏽