Fall often produces some of the best fishing of the year as fish stockpile calories in preparation for winter. This means fish are often actively chasing big meals, and the bite can be incredibly aggressive. This exact scenario plays out every fall on Lake Oahe. This fall, I was fortunate enough to experience this bite with a prototype JB Designs rod in my hand.
Fishing with Josh Bible out of his Caymas DV22, we launched out of Sutton Bay Lakeside Use Area on a cloudy and windy mid-September Sunday. We ran north from the boat ramp, focusing in the middle section of Lake Oahe between Stove Creek and Pascal Island. We had prepared for rain, but fortunately for us the showers stayed to the south right up until we put the boat on the trailer at the end of the day.
Josh is the owner of JB Designs Custom Rods, and as he looks to expand his Walleye Series lineup he’s been working on developing a Jigging Rap rod to produce for anglers. After a day of catching dozens of fish of all species, all signs are pointing towards these rods being just about ready for production!
Jigging Rap the Ticket for Success
Aggressive vertical jigging presentations, such as ripping Rapala Jigging Raps, is one of the most effective ways to enjoy this fall bite. This is because fish are actively feeding, and the aggressive action of the Jigging Rap can draw both strikes from hungry walleyes actively feeding and reactionary bites from neutral fish.
An additional benefit of the Jigging Rap is their weight and profile allows for increased casting distance, and can sink quickly to deeper depths where fish may be holding.
Personally, I rarely use forward facing sonar or similar livescoping graphs, but the biggest takeaway I learned watching the Jigging Rap on livescope was how long it actually takes a Jigging Rap to fall to the bottom. Many times, I found I started my jigging cadence too soon, and wasn’t effectively fishing near the bottom. This was an important lesson I learned that helped me put more fish in the boat on this day, and will help me in future days on the water as well.
Jigging Raps were also an important component of the presentation, because fish were holding at a variety of depths. We had the boat positioned on main lake points, and were seeing fish at every depth between 20-40 feet. The majority of fish were near bottom, but fish were also actively suspending and feeding in the deeper water adjacent to these areas as well.
Bright colored Jigging Raps were most effective. Jigs and minnows did not produce, nor did a jig and white colored Berkley Labs plastic. This further proved that it was the combination of the aggressive action triggering both active fish, and drawing reactionary bites as well.
Lake Oahe Smallmouth Bass Fishing is Unbelievable
While walleye were the target species, it’s always fun to catch fish and this day in particular was a reminder that the smallmouth bass fishing on Lake Oahe is absolutely incredible. We saw some of the largest schools of smallmouth bass that I have ever seen both on livescope and on 2D. It was fascinating to watch these smallmouth chase the baits, scoffing at the jigs and minnows and plastics and hammering the Jigging Raps.
For nearly two hours, Josh and I enjoyed an absolutely incredible smallmouth bass bite with fish coming for one of us from nearly every cast. We caught a variety of sized fish, but there were several that surpassed 18 and even 19 inches. It was both incredible numbers, and incredible quality.
In addition to smallmouth bass and walleye, we also caught channel catfish and freshwater drum. Lake Oahe is truly a spectacular fishery for a number of species, and whether you’re targeting walleye or smallmouth bass there’s a great bite to be had and this day was a perfect example of that.
Developing the JB Designs Jigging Rap Rod
Throughout the day we were testing a couple prototype rods specifically designed for Jigging Rap fishing as Josh finalizes the exact rod for production. This is a process that has taken over a year as the exact rod continues to be refined.
“This prototype was a 7’2” mag medium, moderate fast,” explained Bible. “I gave it to a couple guys to try out and they felt like it was pretty limber so I actually cut off an inch and a half off the tip.”
On a second prototype rod, Bible cut three inches off the tip as he compared the results of both. After comparing these results, the rod with one and a half inches cut off was the best performing of the two.
“The rod performed the way I expected it to perform,” continued Bible.
While rod styles and preferences can vary by individual, Bible develops these rods with what he feels most anglers will prefer.
“It may not be for everybody, but it’s what I feel works best for me and what other people feel works best for them,” concluded Bible. “I think I’m pretty close to calling this rod good, and putting in my first order.”
Production takes approximately six months, which means these rods should be available for the 2027 open water season.
Currently, JB Designs rods are available at Lynn’s Dakotamart in Pierre, The Rooster in Rapid City, and Lured Inn in Ogalalla, Nebraska.
Overall, the day was a reminder of three things to me – Lake Oahe offers fantastic fall fishing, both anglers seeking walleye or smallmouth bass will find incredible fishing on Lake Oahe, and the in-depth design and testing process is what makes JB Designs rods a favorite among many anglers.
