Dwight Hottle

Looks like north GA or AL. https://www.google.com/search?q=smallmouth+bass+geographic+range&rlz=1C2CAFA_enUS657US657&biw=1067&bih=517&tbm=isch&imgil=NmD-4DHTvtRGhM%253A%253B_evRyLEWK563qM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fbioweb.uwlax.edu%25252Fbio203%25252F2010%25252Fhetke_dust%25252Fhabitat.htm&source=iu&pf=m&fir=NmD-4DHTvtRGhM%253A%252C_evRyLEWK563qM%252C_&dpr=1.5&usg=__WygxeaeV1VIi6kI0PPPU-NQwpuQ%3D&ved=0ahUKEwjX1s7VjeHKAhUBqR4KHaD8AdUQyjcINA&ei=SNa0VteSHoHSeqD5h6gN#imgrc=NmD-4DHTvtRGhM%3A&usg=__WygxeaeV1VIi6kI0PPPU-NQwpuQ%3D

Here you go.

That second picture is a real healthy looking smallie.

You have got two choices. Either keep trying by thinking outside the box regarding your lure selection/presentation or try some live bait.

My best day for size was 5 largemouth between 43-44lbs down at lake Baccarac in Mexico with my buddy Jeff. All fish were caught deep in 20-25 fow working different baits up a rock slope.

Sixto is the man. Glad you had a good trip.

Jerkbaits Crankbaits Hair jigs Blade baits Spoons

X2

Ima bone Flit 120.

If you want to fish Stickmarsh/farm 13 call Hugh Crumpler. He is the best guide for that area. No rentals available like George G said.

Rapala husky jerk dd has put more 6 lb smallmouth in my boat than an other jerkbait. I love my LC's & smithwicks too.

Kipex compound hook cutter.

Smithwick rogue. Gold/black back with orange belly. Killer bait.

This

A wine for a whine.

C22 nice outing.

With that beard you should be throwing swimbaits, right Wayne. Nice fish.

Only if I owned her.

There was a 2lb-14oz smallie caught. It is surprising they didn't try deeper water.

I have the calais dc & the met dc & conquest dc and the same reels without dc to compare . The calais dc is top of the line for dc reels. It's only drawback is overall size & weight if that matters to you. The new antare dc is based on the same platform as the calais but will become the new top line standard I'm sure. As mention by others the dc reels are just plan fun to use and to hear the dc whine. They do make casting into the wind very doable. The other dc reel I have is the escence dc. This is the best bang for your bet you buy in a shimano dc. This the reel I would recommend to you. It's around $250 jdm price. I personally like it ever bit as much as the met dc but at a lower price.

The most callenging thing is trying to break the existing state record for PA smallmouth bass. The most fun part is getting a new PB.

Nobody trolls for perch that I know about. Perch are usually schooled up on or near bottom from 30-65 fow. People look for the massive schools then set up over them fishing vertically with live bait or small jigs or spoons. When perch are scattered from recent storms or post spawn I sometimes catch them on jerkbaits while drifting.

I picked up a new ES76 MLXF to use with hair jigs for smallies. I was also surprised by the lightness of the blank & the overall quality finish for a production rod. I only got to use it once before the end of season. St Croix really improved the elite line with this new update.

Two 8.5lbers. One on a SK 10XD crankbait & one on a LC SKT Mag 105 crankbait.

Wow that is a bummer. Good luck going forward.