roadwarrior

All right, you know I mostly fish the Tennessee River, so here's my take: If it's muddy stay home. Sorry man, I apparantly don't know how to catch fish in muddy water. I've tried, it doesn't work for me. If it's just high, I have lots of experience there. Now I saw the post recommending you fish closer to the bank because the fish are up there feeding. Well, that's never been my experience. I fish deeper, 5-15 feet out from where the river bank usually is. Yep, out in the middle! I find smallmouth relating to the same structure in high water as they were in the normal, stable water. I don't fish for largemouth on the river, maybe they are shallow, I don't know. Baits/ lures? What ever you have had success with. I don't think high water effects lure selection, but then, I fish live shinners on the river for smallmouth, so what do I know?

I've caught lots of smallmouth on C-rigged plastic lizards. My guides at Bull Shoals prefer the 4" version on a split shot rig, but what do they know? I fish the Yamaota 6" laminated lizards with 1/4 oz weight.

I have a plan for fishing this little jewel, but I would really like to hear how you would approach this for the first time. Saturday is my fist chance to get on the water. I'll have a follow-up post on Monday. Thanks for you input.

I picture a secluded cove with overhanging trees and heavy cover on a gin clear lake. A big fat sow that feed earllier that morning is suspended in six feet of water in a relaxed mode, without a care in the world. All of a sudden, a giant Spook just about smacks her in the head. Well, that's when a silent approach might have been a little better option. If you're fishing on the Tennessee River, crank up that stereo, leave the motor running and if someone wants to jump in and cool off, go right ahead. The river itself must create quite a bit of background noise. The commercial barge traffic is loud and continuous and all those recreational yachts and party boats are a constant distraction. Big fish chasing little fish, jumping all around. A lure making a splash on the river goes without notice.

If you're after smallmouth, Smallmouth Bass by In-Fisherman is the most informative and complete fishing book I have ever read. It's well written, entertaining and an easy read. They devote a little bit too much ink to northern lake fishing, but most of the information is applicable to all waters.

Excellent post Chris. Quite isn't usually my approach, but I'm here to learn something and become a better fisherman. Thanks.

For the most part I fish for smallmouth on the Tennessee River with live shinners, but I travel to Bull Shoals several times a year and fish artificials. Although I generally target smallmouth, we catch plenty of largemouth, Kentucky and white bass on the same lures. These include suspending jerkbaits, Gitzits, lizards (4 & 6") and topwater (Spooks & Sammys). Late afternoon and evening my target usually switches to walley and striper and I only fish jerkbaits. Still, we catch everything else and on my last trip I caught a 5+ lb smallie on a Lucky Craft Pointer 128. The Pointer 128 is a large lure. So my point is, big smallmouth will hit a large bait. If your lake/river generally holds smaller fish, maybe you need to downsize. I never downsize.

My first boat was a Bayliner Fish-N-Ski. My kids were about 10 & 5 and just being out on the water was a treat. The boat was adequate for almost anything we wanted to do. For boating with small kids it's fine mostly because you and your wife have a seat and the kids get to ride in front. Kids don't complain about comfort, they're just happy to be there. On the other hand, if you expect this rig to be a great fishing boat, you will be very disappointed. These boats can be fished, but don't expect too much. You don't get the features you might want on a dedicated boat.

My wife shops, I fish. She spends all the money, I fish. As long as I can fish, we have no issues. I'll get tired of fishing before she tires of shopping. She's going to be shopping for a long time. And no, dear, I don't want to go shopping.

When bass are in a feeding frenzy and the menu is all minnows, I think you need to stick with lures that are VERY similar which is why my #1 choice would be the Slug-Go. Another productive option is the Lucky Craft Pointer, maybe the 78 size in chartruese shad. And how 'bout a Rapala? Also, the Torpedo. I only catch small fish on this lure, but I always catch fish. I know it doesn't have much in common with a minnow, but if they're on a feeding binge, I'm sure some will smack it.

Slug-Go (fluke), weightless & weedless.

"George, Don't eat that!" Fish barely have a brain, they don't need one, but I think they do become more wary as they grow older. Every now and then a new lure is invented that is magical for a while. Fish had never seen a Rapala for example and it looked just like the minnnows they were chasing everyday. Now, I know Rapalas are still effective, but not like they were when they were first introduced. Maybe they do "learn" something over time.

Much depends on the lure. There is nothing subtle about a Spook. I like a big splash with big lures to get the attention of big bass, "Here I am and I'm in your face. What are you going to do about it?" That approach works sometimes. For a stealthy approach, I don't think you can beat a Slug-Go, there's just nothing quite like a fluke. Another old timer I want to work more this year is a Jitterbug. I think you can have it both ways with this lure, big splash or silent entry, take your choice.

Give your favorite topwater lures a workout this time of year. Some of those big girls hanging around the stumps are going to be very aggressive. Even if the water is deeper than you generally fish with topwater lures, give them a try. I bet you'll be pleasantly surprised. The Zara Spook and Lucky Craft Sammy are very effective for large sows. If you just want to catch a lot of smaller fish, tie on a Torpedo which is almost guaranteed to catch bass.

I just talked with the developer, the fellow who had the pond built. The dam was built on a tributary creek approximately 1 1/2 miles from where it empties into Pickwick Lake. The main creek drains several hundred acres of lowlands (swamp) and a secondary creek forms another arm that originally drained adjacent hills, predominately runoff, not year around flow. During periods of heavy rain the tributary arms appear to back up over several hundred acreas and should provide a significant source of nutrients, specifically crawdads, frogs, worms and an assortment of bugs. Although there are times, during periods of heavy percipitation, when the pond will experience significant flows, the pond is designed with an overflow system that maintains a relatively constant level. The pond is 27 feet at its deepest point and approximately 15-20 feet at the dam. The channels in the arms are 3-5 feet deep near their entry points and 5 to 15 yards wide to the dam. The steepness of the banks is indicative of the underwater structure and fall very quickly on the main body of water. A third arm near the road is shallow and formed from the flooding, not from another tributary. At the point that defines the shallow arm is a 19 foot drop. 15-20 yards out, which might seem to be the middle of the pond, is a 12 foot hump that was once a hill between the two creeks. Seems like a lot of structure on such a small body of water. Most of the shoreline is heavily wooded, providing abundant underwater cover. Both tributary arms have scattered trees and in mid to late summer, grass, moss and other vegetation. How's all that sound?

I don't fish 5" Senkos anymore, but when I did I used 4/0 & 5/0 Gamakatsu Offset Round Bend hooks instead of EWG. Maybe 3/0 EWG would be a better choice. The real question is, "What's going on here?" Well, you are being bit by bluegill or little bitty bass. Bass that are or think they are big enough to eat a 5" Senko like the feel and taste and won't let it go as you describe. So, don't worry about it, you are not really missing much of a fish. One more suggestion, if you want to catch bigger fish: Try the 6" Senko. Even though it's only an inch longer, it is considerably larger.

Raul, 10 lb bass are rare around here. I hope to post some pictures soon...But even a state record here would not compare to the fish you have an opportunity to catch. BTW, did I compliment you on those big bass pics? Those big fat bellies are impressive.

I found a new pond. Fourteen years old, nine acres, professionally stocked and built with structure designed to promote a balanced bass haven. The pond was built as the focal point for a private residential getaway community, located near Pickwick Lake but isolated from any established community. The developement died because of unusually difficult access. There are only three occupied homes and to my knowledge only one fisherman among them. The property is posted and with very little access, has not been fished. Well, that's about to change! I received permission to fish the pond, but the banks are steep and heavily wooded (and probably full of snakes and poison ivy). So, I'll be taking a small boat, actually a two man kayak down soon and plan to fish this little spot extensively this summer. I think there is the potential for great fishing and maybe some monster bass. I can hardly wait to give it a shot.

mullman, Hiring a guide is the best investment you can make to advance your fishing skills. I fish with guides several times a year and always on new, big water. Most of a big lake is not productive, but it all looks good! I think bass are fairly easy to catch if you can find them and that's where a guide shines. He can help you with lure selection and technique, but most importantly he can put you on fish. As far as a bias towards the south, well I live in Tennessee and haven't really noticed that, but there is a bias towards largemouth vs. smallmouth. Maybe that's why there seems to be a regional slant. Still, there are quite a few smallmouth fishermen on this site and everything we talk about will work in Minnesota and Wisconsin. At least everything will work when your water's not frozen!

For large crankbaits, jerkbaits and topwater I use the same rod (Lamiglas SR705R), the same reel (CTE200GT) and the same line. I want a line that I can get the maximum casting distance from, is strong, invisible and thin. That's 8lb Yo-Zuri Hybrid. For spinnerbaits and lipless cranks I have a fast retrieve Calais on a St. Croix rod and the same line. For lighter lures in all these categories, I'm going with spinning gear, Fenwick Techna AV70MM saddled with a Shimano Sustain and 6 lb Hybrid. I'm flexible, it's not always 4 & 6 lb test, but it's always Yo-Zuri.

Spinning: 1 Stella 2500FB 1 Sustain 2500 2 Stradic (2500 & 1000) 1 Symetre 500 Baitcasting: 1 Calais 2 CTE200GT 1 Calcutta 300 1 Calcutta 400 Reels that are not Shimano -0-

Excellent article, thanks J.T. If anyone missed this week's feature, go back to the home page and check it out! Question: Do you think color is important for deep running crankbaits?

tie1on, I didn't say your post was ridiculous, I said the statement "that you can't catch big bass on spinnerbaits or cranks" was ridiculous. YES, YOU CAN! I know you can, lots of guys have caught their biggest bass on reaction baits. The point I was trying to get at was that soft plastics and jigs catch a HIGHER PERCENTAGE of big bass and are usually fished slow. Lots of big bass and probably the next world record, are caught on live bait, too.

f_a_w, Still too heavy. I am a firm believer in lighter line. First of all, the fish can't see thinner line as well (they can't see mine at all). Secondly, you will be able to cast further. And perhaps most importantly, lighter line allows more action from the lure, especially soft plastics.

Great fish and nice pics! I am pretty sure all BIG bass are female. As I recall, males rarely exceed 5 lbs. Now it's your turn to catch a bigun. I have never seen a bass with yellow eyes, that's interesting. Check with the DOW (DNR), I'm sure someone there will have the answer and maybe you will share it with us.