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Cinco De Mayo Smallmouth Fishing

Updated: Oct 21, 2023



It is Cinco De Mayo and there is reason to celebrate!! Fishing is open again in Washington so I decided to celebrate by going smallmouth fishing in the Columbia River Gorge. It was a beautiful day, the new Hobie 360 worked great and I caught enough nice smallmouth to put me in a celebration mood!

Bill Matthews Outdoors
First fish of Cinco De Mayo!!

Spinner baits and Rattle Traps worked great in the morning!


The bite was not epic, but they were chasing rattle traps and spinner baits. When that slowed down I was able to mop some bigger fish with a split shot rig using a worm from Dry Creek Outfitters in the "Bill's Money" color and a size 1 Trokar Drop Shot Hook. All the fish were in the 2 - 3 pound range so I was very happy with the results!! I was also able to try out the new Eagle Claw EC2.5 rods and reels and I was very impressed! The actions and performance were fantastic, I highly recommend for smallmouth fishing!

Bill Matthews Outdoors
Beautiful Day to be in the new Hobie PA 360!

The bigger fish came on the Trokar/Dry Creek Outfitters Drop shot rig


When I got home, it was time for a Cinco De Mayo celebration witch called for homemade Tacos, and some ice cold Corona beer with limes!

Bill Matthews Outdoors

Cheers to Cinco De Mayo and to better days ahead!





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