tcain38

I will be fishing a tourney on April 2nd. The water on the lake right now is about 54-56. If the waether stays right the water should be close to 60. The fish are starting to bite better. They are hitting a crank bait and spinnerbait a little right now. What do you guys thing would be the best way to catch fish. The water is not clear and it is a deep lake, and it is also up just a little bit. I know the smallmouth are not far away for spawning. I just really dont know what I should do. Where should I be fishing on the lake this time of year. The last few time I've fish I have caught fish all over I just can't pin point where I should be. I know the largemouth will start to look for nest places during this time also. Just need some help. Thanks.

What kinda spinnerbait. Color?Weight? Fishing it on main lake points? What do you target with it.

In the early spring what do you think the best bait is for smallmouth in water temps from 46 to 55 degree water. Thanks

I like a grub in the spring and a Yum Wooly Bug in the late spring though summer.

What makes you think that there is a right color? I think you'd be better served by thinking less about the color and more about location and presentation. Good luck. Have you ever not been geetin bit and make a color change and start catching fish with the same presentation. Thats what I mean. I want to try and catch them right off the bat not fish for five hours them start to catch them.

Can someone post a link or tell me about color selection. I mean color with water clarity and also colors that should be used whith what sky conditions. I have a hard time with this. Some times when Im on the water I'm thinking, " I bet I dont even have the right color on for these fish no wonder I'm not catching anything." I wonder about this more than anything. Thanks.

I use bass pro shops spring grub. They are just 3" long, they dont make the 4" anymore. I use smoke and smoke purple. I also use bass pro shops unpainted 1/4 oz round jig heads. I throw it on a 7' M sinning rod with 30lbs braid with a 8 lbs mono or fl-carbon leader. I try to keep the boat in about 50 ft. of water and try to hit the bank with my casts. I let it sink and just slow roll it along the bottom. I usually target main lake points and secondary points, fishing both sides and the tip of the point. I use the smoke in clear water in any sky condition but if the skies turn real cloudy and rainy I like to through the smoke purple.

This situation sounds a lot like the lake I fish but there is a lot of fishing pressure. It sounds like you are using the right baits. I also like to throw a Yum Wooly Bug in red shad color. I have caught some on those. One thing that might help would be the moon. My boss catches a lot of smallmouth when the moon is big compared to when its not. You might also try C-riggin your spots before dark also. Those day time and nightime temps are spot on with our lake.

I live in Southeast Kentucky and I fish Laurel River Lake. This is probably the most over looked lake in Kentucky for smallmouth because you have Dale Hollow and Lake Cumberland. I fish the lake a lot and it is full of smallmouth. Tourneys starting Feb. all the way through mid May are won with hudge bags of smallmouth, I talking it takes like 27 and 28 pounds of fish. While spring is the best time to catch the smallmouth you can still catch be fish in the summer. I also work at Grove Marina on Laurel River Lake and my boss and his partener won a night tourney with four smallmouth over 20 inches and a 16 in. spot that was a big as a football. Its an awesome lake to fish.

What in the world are tomato stakes?LOL

Ok guys need some help. I love to bed fish. I fish a few tourneys during the spawn in Kentucky. I catch fish but they are all the average size 2-3 1/2 pounds. This is not enough. How do I catch the bigger females instead of the little males. I find a few bigger males sometimes but I just dont know how to catch those big females that you see swim by every now and then. I would like to know what you guys do. What baits do you use, your approach on the bedding fish, how to catch the big females, where do you look, these types of things. Any info would be great. -Thanks Travis Cain

I dont have much good luck on top water for smallmouth. I like to throw a red shad Yum Wooly Bug Texas rigged with a 1/4 oz. sinker.

What is your favorite bait to use for smallmouth at night.

What are your favorite night fishing baits for smallmouth or largemouth?

I think I read this on here once before but I for got. What is your favorite thing to take with you on the boat to eat while fishing. I usually take a ham sandwich and some chips and a Pepsi. One of my buddies told me a guy he know takes a hole bucket of chicken from KFC when he goes and eats on it all night, just puts it under the console.