Went fishing at a local lake in Idaho(cj strike).  Here are the details:

- Water temp 40-41f

- Outside air temp 42-52f overcast

- Barometer 3000

 

Found every small mouth in the lake around the rockpiles in 30-40ft of water with football heads and a baby brush hog.  Tried spinnerbaits, deep cranks, double fluke and drop shot.  I fished the bedding coves and out to the 40' depths, no luck.  Had tons of bait fish on the DF, but couldn't get the big fish to bite.  Is it just to cold?

 

Did my homework and read up on LMB patterns before I went, but no luck.

Caught every smallmouth? I don't know why your looking for anything else.

Slight exaggeration   Caught 20 today.  I need to learn to catch LMB, because I am horrible at it.  We do 4 fish at our local tourneys and 2lb smallies don't win many tourneys

I see the Snake river runs through your lake....cold river and full of smallies.

Are you fishing the Bruneau basin area?

Think drop shot and nail weight worms until the water warms up into the low 50's. hard baits like traps and Pointers may work then.

I would get Roboworms in 4 1/2", 5" and 6" in oxblood/ red flake and work deep structure with the drop shot and nail weights on 6lb FC. Nail weight; cut off 1/4" of the worm nose, insert 3/32 oz nail weight, Waky hook the worm around the weight about 3/4" back from the nose with Owner size 1/0 weedless wacky hook.

Works like Senko only better in cold water.

Tom

PS, R2Sea make tungsten nails and EagleClaw cheaper lead nails.

Here ya go

Look at the "e" in CJ Strike on the map.  That is where I fish the most.

Is the Bruneau pool considered a different lake?

Another vertical cold water lure is the Rapala Ice jig "Jigging Rap" and works very well in deep water. The #7 (2.75") model in silver blue should be good. Let the ice jig fall straight down or cast and let in swing down to the depth of the fish, then make controlled up and down rod lifts about 6" to 12" , the jig swims around in a circle staying in front of the fish. This small compact lure catches some big bass!

Tom

Wish i had that problem around here lol.

WRB,

Same lake.  Bruneau arm is great in hot weather due to shallow areas with lots of vegetation.  I will check out those lures.