Hello,

 

I am going to be fishing at Milford Lake in Kansas. The water temperature should be around 46-48 degrees. I have never gone fishing for smallmouth like this and was wondering what kind of baits i should be fishing as well as tactics and everything else? Thanks and all the help is appreciated.

Jerkbaits and tubes are always my smallie go to's

I know nothing about Milford Lake in Kansas, but, you've got to find the areas where the smallmouth will spawn. The temps might be a bit low for a real good bite, but some fish should be moving toward their spawning grounds.  Different lakes could have smallies spawning in 1 foot or 10 feet of water. If you can, find out what the major forage is, then match that in terms of size and color. Pre-spawn smallies on my favorite lake are gorging on minnows that are only 1 to 2 inches long. Lucky Craft Pointer 65's are perfect. If your minnows are larger, the 78's or 100's may work better.  I find mine, just off shallow spawning flats in water around 6 feet deep. Power fish until you find them. Once you locate them and the bite slows, clean up the rest with a 4" senko.

I know nothing about Milford Lake in Kansas, but, you've got to find the areas where the smallmouth will spawn. The temps might be a bit low for a real good bite, but some fish should be moving toward their spawning grounds.  Different lakes could have smallies spawning in 1 foot or 10 feet of water. If you can, find out what the major forage is, then match that in terms of size and color. Pre-spawn smallies on my favorite lake are gorging on minnows that are only 1 to 2 inches long. Lucky Craft Pointer 65's are perfect. If your minnows are larger, the 78's or 100's may work better.  I find mine, just off shallow spawning flats in water around 6 feet deep. Power fish until you find them. Once you locate them and the bite slows, clean up the rest with a 4" senko.

 

x2 

Scott has given you some excellent advice.

Thanks a lot scott and everyone else. I will be sure and post my results tomorrow night when i return. Thanks again and wish me luck.

Small swimbaits:  Money Minnow, Shadalicious. Hollow Belley and Keitech Swing Impact Fat.

 

Fat Ika

 

Rage Tail Baby Craw

 

Wiggle Wart

 

Bandit 200

 

 

 

Jerkbaits and tubes are always my smallie go to's

 

That is what I was going to post, and a jig.

Reaction innavations smallie beaver is also a very good smallmouth bait. You can use them as a trailer, t rig them, i like to drag them on a carolina rig or a football head on offshore structure

Well. I threw everything in the boat at those smallmouth and only came away with 2 white bass on a spoon jig. Water temp was 39-43. It was a cold day of fishing as well. Cloudy all day with a high of about 49. No skunk overall but sure did get skunked by those smallies. Hopefully ill have better luck in a couple more weeks when the water warms a little.

3.5 INCH TUBE

JERKBAIT

ROBO WORM (DROP SHOT)

NORMANS DEEP LITTLE N

 

Look for gravel and rock transition areas with deep water close by.  Points near spawning flats or creek channels near or in a spawing flat are go to locations.  Search with the jerk bait and crankbait and then work it over with a tube and drop shot. A hair jig could also be a sleeper bait. Check out Paul Mueller's videos on You Tube and find the one on a hair jig and you'll get the idea.

 

Good luck.

I know nothing about Milford Lake in Kansas, but, you've got to find the areas where the smallmouth will spawn. The temps might be a bit low for a real good bite, but some fish should be moving toward their spawning grounds.  Different lakes could have smallies spawning in 1 foot or 10 feet of water. If you can, find out what the major forage is, then match that in terms of size and color. Pre-spawn smallies on my favorite lake are gorging on minnows that are only 1 to 2 inches long. Lucky Craft Pointer 65's are perfect. If your minnows are larger, the 78's or 100's may work better.  I find mine, just off shallow spawning flats in water around 6 feet deep. Power fish until you find them. Once you locate them and the bite slows, clean up the rest with a 4" senko.

 

Good info