Expert Guided Jet Boat Bass & Bow Fishing Adventures
Private Trip
River Fishing
Combines bass fishing before sunset with bow fishing after darkTargets smallmouth bass, carp, dogfish, and bullheads on Rum RiverFeatures jet boat access to large river portions with guide
Get ready for a day that combines the best of both worlds on Minnesota's famous Rum River. This isn't your typical sit-and-wait fishing trip – we're talking about a high-energy combo that'll have you chasing smallmouth bass during the golden hours before sunset, then switching gears to bow fishing under the stars. With Steffen's top-rated guide service, you'll cover serious water in our jet boat while targeting everything from scrappy bass to monster rough fish. It's just you and one buddy, so you'll get personalized attention and prime positioning all day long.
This world-class fishing adventure kicks off with 2-4 hours of traditional bass fishing as the sun starts its descent. We'll cruise the Rum River's most productive stretches, hitting structure and cover where smallmouth love to ambush baitfish. The jet boat lets us access shallow flats and rocky areas that other guides can't reach, giving you shots at bass that rarely see lures. Once darkness falls, we completely flip the script. Out come the bows and high-powered lights as we shift into bow fishing mode for another 2-4 hours. The same river transforms into a completely different hunting ground where carp, dogfish, and bullheads become your targets. You'll be amazed how active rough fish get after dark – it's like watching a whole new ecosystem come alive.
For the bass portion, we'll rig you up with medium-heavy spinning gear loaded with proven Rum River producers. Think jigs, soft plastics, and topwater when conditions are right. The key here is reading the water and matching your presentation to what the smallmouth want that particular evening. As we transition to bow fishing, the setup changes completely. We provide recurve bows with heavy arrows designed for fish, plus powerful LED lighting systems that turn night into day underwater. Bow fishing requires different skills than rod and reel – it's all about judging refraction, leading moving targets, and making quick shots when opportunities present themselves. Don't worry if you've never drawn a bow on fish before; most anglers pick up the basics pretty quickly, and the learning curve is part of the fun.
Black bullheads might not win beauty contests, but they're absolute workhorses that'll test your bow skills all night long. These bottom-dwellers grow thick and chunky in the Rum River, with some pushing over a pound. They're most active during warm summer nights when they cruise shallow water looking for food. What makes bullheads exciting targets is their unpredictable movement patterns – one second they're sitting still, the next they're darting sideways. Plus, they're excellent eating if you know how to clean them properly.
Common carp are the real prize of any bow fishing trip, and the Rum River holds some absolute giants. We're talking fish that can stretch over 20 pounds and fight like freight trains once you stick them. Carp are incredibly smart and spooky, so shot placement and timing become critical. They love to cruise the shallows at night, especially around weed edges and muddy bottoms where they root for food. The best part about targeting carp is the sheer size – landing a monster feels like you just arrowed a submarine.
Picked dogfish round out the rough fish trio and provide plenty of action when carp and bullheads are being finicky. These smaller targets rarely exceed a few pounds, but they make up for size with numbers and attitude. Dogfish school up in certain areas and can provide rapid-fire shooting opportunities that keep your adrenaline pumping. They're also great for beginners to practice on since they're less spooky than carp but more active than bullheads.
This customer favorite combo trip delivers two completely different fishing experiences in one action-packed outing. You'll leave with stories about bass that crushed topwater lures at sunset and arrows that found their mark on trophy rough fish under the lights. The Rum River around Ramsey offers some of Minnesota's most diverse fishing, and our jet boat setup means you'll cover more productive water than any other guide service in the area. With only two spots available per trip, these trending combo adventures book up fast during peak season. Ready to experience why anglers keep coming back for more? Let's get you on the water and show you what the Rum River is really about.
Ameiurus MelasBlack bullheads are perfect bow fishing targets in the Rum River shallows. These smaller catfish run 8-14 inches and 1-2 pounds, but they're scrappy fighters with poisonous fin spines that'll give you a good sting if you're not careful. You'll find them tucked under docks and along muddy banks during the day, but they really come alive at night when we're out there with the lights. They're bottom feeders with incredible senses - over 100,000 taste buds covering their whole body means they can find food in the murkiest water. Spring and fall are prime time when they move shallow to feed aggressively. Local tip: look for them around any structure or debris piles where they like to hide and ambush prey.
Cyprinus CarpioCarp are the heavyweight champions of our bow fishing trips on the Rum River. These golden-colored bruisers average 15-30 inches and pack serious muscle at 10-30 pounds. They're bottom feeders that cruise shallow flats and weed beds, especially during spring spawning runs when they gather in big schools. Summer finds them spread out in 8-12 foot depths, but they'll surface to feed on insects at dawn and dusk. What makes carp so popular with bow fishers is their size and the challenge - they're smart, spook easily, and fight like crazy once hit. They're also invasive here, so you're doing the river ecosystem a favor. Pro tip: watch for muddy water and bubbles where they're rooting around on bottom - that's your money shot.
Squalus AcanthiasI need to clarify something here - the "dogfish" we target on the Rum River aren't the saltwater spiny dogfish sharks described in that reference material. Our freshwater "dogfish" are actually bowfin, a completely different species that's native to Minnesota waters. These prehistoric-looking fish are absolute monsters, growing 18-30 inches with powerful jaws full of sharp teeth. They're ambush predators that lurk in weedy backwaters and slow sections of the river. Bowfin are incredibly tough fighters and can gulp air, so they stay active even in low-oxygen water. They're most active in warmer months and love shallow, weedy areas perfect for bow fishing. Local tip: look for them basking near the surface on calm, sunny days - they're easier to spot and make great targets.
Ramsey, MN