Forums
New posts
Search forums
What's new
Articles
Latest reviews
Author list
Classifieds
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles and first posts only
Search titles only
By:
New posts
Search forums
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Forums
Chatting and General Stuff
Fishing
Trolling
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="2buffalo" data-source="post: 2529911" data-attributes="member: 122577"><p>I can't help you specifically on southern smallmouth bass or trolling for them. I fish tournaments so we are casting artificial lures. I fish for smallmouth 95% of the time when I am on northern lakes. Although years ago I used to troll. These are just general comments and ideas.</p><p></p><p>Smallmouth bass are nomadic. They move with the bait. When they are feeding on bait fish they move with the bait. Relocating them with electronics is key to taking the luck out of it. They are also ferocious feeders. If you are on them and they are feeding they will hit your bait. If you know they are there with your electronics and they are not feeding find some that are feeding and come back later. </p><p></p><p>Smallmouth love crayfish. If they are feeding on crayfish it will be harder to catch them on a live shad. Typically if you see them on your electronics stuck to the bottom they are eating crayfish.</p><p></p><p>Smallmouth will eat bigger bait fish then you would think. I have seen 2 lbs fish with a 9" perch in them.</p><p></p><p>Smallmouth start moving up to spawn when the water is around 62 degrees. The males will not leave their beds until they have guarded the fry and the fry leave. They dont eat during this time. Of course every fish does not move in or out at the same time but if the majority of the fish are spawning the fishing will be slow. Depending on the weather this could take several weeks. My guess is that you hit them with the guide on the way in or way out. </p><p></p><p>In the spring and fall you will catch more fish in the depths you are fishing. Smallmouth are cool water fish and go deep in the summer. This is when dropshot rigs and football head jigs shine. In the north the majority of the big smallmouth go between 30'-70' deep.</p><p></p><p>I could go on and on but I won't bore you. If I were you I would get some shad colored stick baits that dive to different depths and put some of them out while trolling. The length of your line behind the boat will determine the actual depth they dive to. You can still have some live bait out at the same time for stripers. In the long run it will be cheaper than live bait with just as much or more success. Again I have not fished for smallmouth in the south only spots and largemouth and there are differences but this may help.</p><p></p><p>Good luck.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="2buffalo, post: 2529911, member: 122577"] I can't help you specifically on southern smallmouth bass or trolling for them. I fish tournaments so we are casting artificial lures. I fish for smallmouth 95% of the time when I am on northern lakes. Although years ago I used to troll. These are just general comments and ideas. Smallmouth bass are nomadic. They move with the bait. When they are feeding on bait fish they move with the bait. Relocating them with electronics is key to taking the luck out of it. They are also ferocious feeders. If you are on them and they are feeding they will hit your bait. If you know they are there with your electronics and they are not feeding find some that are feeding and come back later. Smallmouth love crayfish. If they are feeding on crayfish it will be harder to catch them on a live shad. Typically if you see them on your electronics stuck to the bottom they are eating crayfish. Smallmouth will eat bigger bait fish then you would think. I have seen 2 lbs fish with a 9" perch in them. Smallmouth start moving up to spawn when the water is around 62 degrees. The males will not leave their beds until they have guarded the fry and the fry leave. They dont eat during this time. Of course every fish does not move in or out at the same time but if the majority of the fish are spawning the fishing will be slow. Depending on the weather this could take several weeks. My guess is that you hit them with the guide on the way in or way out. In the spring and fall you will catch more fish in the depths you are fishing. Smallmouth are cool water fish and go deep in the summer. This is when dropshot rigs and football head jigs shine. In the north the majority of the big smallmouth go between 30'-70' deep. I could go on and on but I won't bore you. If I were you I would get some shad colored stick baits that dive to different depths and put some of them out while trolling. The length of your line behind the boat will determine the actual depth they dive to. You can still have some live bait out at the same time for stripers. In the long run it will be cheaper than live bait with just as much or more success. Again I have not fished for smallmouth in the south only spots and largemouth and there are differences but this may help. Good luck. [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Forums
Chatting and General Stuff
Fishing
Trolling
Top