Here today, gone tomorrow. That’s the textbook standard for smallmouth and especially during fall. That’s when those bass begin transitioning from feeding on crawfish to baitfish. Also on lakes like Mille Lacs the offshore behavior leans toward the nomadic side of the bass fishing equation.
What all that means, at least to me, is tomorrow will be a huge turning point for the strategies and patterns of the anglers. This tournament is not so much about fishing specific “spots.” It’s more about dialing into where the smallmouth position on the expansive reefs and flats producing the best catches. They will move around but within the same area.
The key will be keeping up with those movements. And maintaining boat positioning. The open water is giving everyone a bouncy ride up on the front deck. Sure, those guys are used to it, but another day of it will test their mental mettle.
And then you have the weather. Tomorrow’s forecast is same as today’s conditions. A 50% rain chance with southerly winds at 10-15 mph. Sunday will indeed be the game changer. Sunny skies. Post front conditions. That will re-position the bass even more.