6 hours ago, The Baron said:

Dropshot for sure.  Or a heavy ned (1/4oz), football jig or Carolina rig (try it with a fluke… you’re welcome🙂).

 

BUT… catching smallies from any deeper than 25ft-ish presents the risk of death from barotrauma.  My understanding is if you release the fish immediately, the risk is lower.  But if you plan to keep them in a livewell, you may need to fizz them.  I’m no expert, but I avoid fishing any deeper than 25ft. just to be safe.

I typically avoid fishing deep but mostly because I suck at it haha

 

livewells are actually illegal here so it’s always a quick release unless she’s picture worthy 

12 hours ago, C.Tucks said:

I typically avoid fishing deep but mostly because I suck at it haha

 

livewells are actually illegal here so it’s always a quick release unless she’s picture worthy 

What? Live wells are illegal? Where is this? 

On 8/1/2025 at 10:00 PM, F14A-B said:

What? Live wells are illegal? Where is this? 

British Columbia. 
Bass are also considered to be the spawn of Satan here by the Government. 

I caught a nice 19” yesterday in 35-50 ft of swift water with a zoom finesse worm 3/16 oz Texas rig. No clue how deep the fish was , I was getting tossed around by yacht waves but he ate it somewhere along the way 

How do you keep them from experiencing barotrauma?

I just put them back in the water and they don’t experience barotrauma to begin with . But I believe if you need to livewell them, fizzing with a needle is the way to save them, just let the gas out of the swim bladder. Never done it myself 

Nice one cous...