Going rainbow trout fishing in a small stream on Sunday and I want to get some smallies. I'm only going to take 3 rigs which are a 7'MH casting rod with lo-viz green 12 P-Line CXX, a 6'6M spinning rod with lo-viz green 10 Trilene XL, and an 6' ultralight for trout with some 4 pound mono. I would probably use the 6'6M for smallmouth but is this to heavy? Not really sure what to fish, but I'd probably use a bitsy jig with a paca chunk trailer, small 1/8 spinnerbaits, some stick baits and maybe some curly tail grubs. Any thing else y'all can recommend?

50% of the time I use a 6'6" M spinning rod for stream smallmouth with 8-10lb Pline CX Premium.  The rest of the time it's my 6'10" MH casting rod when I'm using topwater baits.

 

This time of year I'd be using some WTD lures like spooks, sexy dawgs, and sammy's.  Fun stuff right there...

50% of the time I use a 6'6" M spinning rod for stream smallmouth with 8-10lb Pline CX Premium.  The rest of the time it's my 6'10" MH casting rod when I'm using topwater baits.

 

This time of year I'd be using some WTD lures like spooks, sexy dawgs, and sammy's.  Fun stuff right there...

Top water is always fun.

My choices would depend on the stream. How deep is the water? Are there many weeds? How much current will there be? Will you be fishing up stream or down stream? How big is the stream? Lots of over head cover? 

I match my gear to the water I'll be fishing. Without a lot more information, there is no way to tell what will work best.

When I fish for 'Stream' smallies I usually expect numbers but smaller fish. I often use a ML or Lite rod and small baits like a 3" senko, Tiny Torpedo or Wollybooger nymph.

My choices would depend on the stream. How deep is the water? Are there many weeds? How much current will there be? Will you be fishing up stream or down stream? How big is the stream? Lots of over head cover? 

I match my gear to the water I'll be fishing. Without a lot more information, there is no way to tell what will work best.

I don't know that's why I came here for just general recommendations. My dad's taking me and all he told me was it's pretty small and from what I can tell it's a rocky bottom. I'm a bigger fan of smallies than trout though. 

How are jigs in a stream like this?

50% of the time I use a 6'6" M spinning rod for stream smallmouth with 8-10lb Pline CX Premium.  The rest of the time it's my 6'10" MH casting rod when I'm using topwater baits.

 

This time of year I'd be using some WTD lures like spooks, sexy dawgs, and sammy's.  Fun stuff right there...

do you consider flukes a walk the dog lure?

You also did not say if you will be wading, in a canoe or kayak. In small streams, the water is probably very shallow. If it is rocky, and you're using jigs, you will be snagging and re-tying a lot. If you use jigs, use the lightest heads you have. A 7 foot MH rod is overkill. Go light. In small streams, I like senko type baits. I cast upstream with no weight and let the current carry the bait naturally. Braided line that floats, lets you see the twitch when the bass takes the bait.

Top waters are a good choice. Walk the dog baits are one of my favorites but can be tricky to use in current. This time of year fast moving water is essential. The bass need oxygen they will be in the riffles or very near. You may find them in eddies, but not many and those will be small ones.

Small poppers, walk the dog type baits, shallow cranks etc....in smaller streams the bass don't generally have the same amount of food that those in a larger stream would have so they are more apt to hit anything but they are also usually more skittish for the same reasons.

 

I usually take my fly rod on small streams and throw poppers all day long.

do you consider flukes a walk the dog lure?

 

No, soft jerkbait.  But the ones with split tails fished weightless texas rigged can be very effective on smallies...

You also did not say if you will be wading, in a canoe or kayak. In small streams, the water is probably very shallow. If it is rocky, and you're using jigs, you will be snagging and re-tying a lot. If you use jigs, use the lightest heads you have. A 7 foot MH rod is overkill. Go light. In small streams, I like senko type baits. I cast upstream with no weight and let the current carry the bait naturally. Braided line that floats, lets you see the twitch when the bass takes the bait.

Top waters are a good choice. Walk the dog baits are one of my favorites but can be tricky to use in current. This time of year fast moving water is essential. The bass need oxygen they will be in the riffles or very near. You may find them in eddies, but not many and those will be small ones.

Ok. Sorry this is my first time fishing like this. I won't be wading or canoeing and I plan on using the MH for LMB later that day. Thanks for the help though because it never crossed my mind about the oxygen.

No, soft jerkbait.  But the ones with split tails fished weightless texas rigged can be very effective on smallies...

Ok. I fish mine both ways and wasn't sure. It's easily my favorite all around lure.

Ok. Sorry this is my first time fishing like this. I won't be wading or canoeing and I plan on using the MH for LMB later that day. Thanks for the help though because it never crossed my mind about the oxygen.

If you aren't wading or canoeing then what are you going to be doing?

If you aren't wading or canoeing then what are you going to be doing?

I'll be wading in maybe some shin deep water at most. I have Raynaud' s disease so the cold really bothers me. I don't have it severely, but it still makes it hard to move my extremities (mainly fingers) when it happens. I'll primarily be on the bank though.

Gotcha.  I was trying to figure out how you were going to be fishing a small stream without a canoe or wading.

 

Good luck and let us know how you do.

Most recently i've been using 3'' gizit chub tubes and 3'' senkos. Been getting alot luck with these bait's. Tried a super spook for the first time the other day and caught a nice 3lb smallie. What are some other good topwater baits?