So next year I am hoping to go after some Smallmouth.  I have never caught one yet and that is part of my New Years Resolution (if that applies).

 

So my question for you Alabama guys or anyone that has fished this area... what are some of the better lakes for fishing them?  I know Guntersville is more about it's Largemouth but I think Pickwick and Wheeler are good for smallies?  Also, how do they differ from largemouth in presentation?  Any tips or articles you might have would be great!

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/146618-pickwick-dam-smallmouth-and-stripes/

 

Pick nice days throughout the winter. This is the VERY best time of year for monsters!

If you are not willing to fish live bait, grubs, craws, jerkbaits, blade baits, soft swimbaits 

and hair jigs are probably your best options.

 

If you want to catch more and better fish, big minnows on a spit shot rig is the ticket. My 

buddy, Speedy Madewell caught the only 10lb smallmouth I have ever seen ten years

ago this coming Saturday. The fish in my avatar were caught the third Saturday in January,

2005. The previous Saturday I caught fifteen, eight over 5 lbs. These are pictures from that 

trip: http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/smallmouth_record.html

 

My observation is that bigger fish are caught below Wheeler Dam and Pickwick Dam.

However, good fish and better numbers come from below Wilson Dam. BEWARE, DO

NOT fish below Wilson by yourself or at all if you are not experienced on this water.

The boulders are VERY dangerous. Fish on the edge and inside the horseshoe and

you will be fine.

 

Winter is hard to get out and my boat needs to hit the shop right now.  For sure I need experience on the water as I have pretty much none lol.  

I am pro artificial but I am not above using livebait either.  Esp if I take the wifey out but it'll have to be warmer for her no doubt.  

 

Those are some awesome articles though!  Wonder if that record will get touched soon.

Wonder if that record will get touched soon.

 

 

 

 

I do not think so. There has not been a verified smallmouth caught over 10lb since Billy Westmoreland's 10lber in 1972. A new world record smallie would have to be 12lb-1oz. I would love to see the record broken but I think David Hayes will sit on his record for a long time coming.

I do not think so. There has not been a verified smallmouth caught over 10lb since Billy Westmoreland's 10lber in 1972. A new world record smallie would have to be 12lb-1oz. I would love to see the record broken but I think David Hayes will sit on his record for a long time coming.

 

 

That is just crazy man!  I'm sure they are down there.  Just a matter of someone getting that lucky bite.

The biggest argument against a new World Record, as Dwight pointed out, is that 10 lb smallmouth are so rare.

In order to get to 12-1 you need some stock that is close!  On the otherhand, these are some positive variables:

Water quality has improved dramatically in the Tennessee River. Baitfish populations are HUGE. Commercial

catfishing has all but disappeared. Most importantly, the vast majority of guys targeting smallmouth are C&R.

 

I will never know whether it was the New World Record, but I had a monster to the boat:  http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/68635-huge-disappointment/