Ozarksman

Except in extreme circumstances, if you release those deep caught fish immediately they will be fine. They only begin to have problems when you keep them in your livewell for a while.

Congrats!

Just watch for upper 50 to lower 60 degree water temps

Pretty sure shad couldn't live in there

Bassmaster, FLW

That's a big one

Yep, your best bet for smallmouth is down towards the dam. Unless someone runs way up the river, that's where I hear them coming from. I haven't caught many myself, so I can't be of much help.

Claytor can be awesome in the Spring. I remember reading that one tournament this year that took 19 lbs to get top 5 of 30 or so boats, and it took 22 to win. There were also 5-10 7+ lbers weighed in this spring. Like others said though it is tough pretty much every other time of year. There is grass, but they are trying to kill a lot of it. This time of the year people catch most of their fish on drop shots.

It was tougher than usual this weekend. Great job Carrington, that's quite an accomplishment. How'd you catch em? (just general info of course, not looking for honeyholes)

I would be interested if anyone knows of any open tournaments at Smith Mountain coming on one of the next couple weekends. Thanks.