Here's my problem.  I fish Muskegon Lake in Michigan and it dumps into Lake Michigan through a channel.  Well right now the alewives are in so thick you could almost walk on them.  What kind of bait can I throw that the smallmouth bass are going to notice over a million alewives?  I was thinking of a rattle trap or an X-rap but I'm just not sure.  Any ideas would be great.

1/4 oz black back chrome rattle trap or some type of diving crank in chrome/black back.

Predatory animals, presumably including fish, often capture a prey animal that is different from others in the group. Perhaps because it's slower, has drifted away from the main group, appears injured, or whatever. I'd consider using something that's not even close in appearance to an alewife, on the theory that it's more likely to be noticed by the bass and, hopefully, zeroed in on. Chartreuse may not be a bad color choice, as smallies like chartreuse, even though they'll hit all colors.

That 's the best reply I 've heard the entire day Marty, WTG !

This maybe a stupid question, but I'm from the South.  What are alewives?

This maybe a stupid question, but I'm from the South. What are alewives?

I was thinking the same thing.

Alwifes ( Alosa pseudoharengus ) are small herrings form the family Culpeiade, we can compare them in southern waters to shiners.

Alwifes ( Alosa pseudoharengus ) are small herrings form the family Culpeiade, we can compare them in southern waters to shiners.

Hmph! You call THAT an Alewife? Here's MY favorite ALE WIFE!

http://members.shaw.ca/lolaland/shelley1.jpg

FlyRod..Hic!

Where can I meet one like that Ale Wife ?  

Where can I meet one like that Ale Wife ?  

Come on by the house and she'll pour one for you...BUT ONLY WHEN I'M THERE TOO!

FR

You're gonna laugh but get a 1/2 0z bucktail jig(wht) and put a 3" shad body on it.

Thanks for all the great ideas guys.  I went yesterday to prefish and they were bad.  I still managed to land a few nice smallies though.  I used a smoke colored yamamoto grud on a jighead.  LBH was right on the money!  Thanks again everyone, I can always count on good info here!

I had an Alewife once that regressed to a Teawife. Thank God that she latched on to a sucker and has broken off! Poor knots I guess.