Just wondering if anyone had any suggestions for what to throw at them? I dont fish much in the fall for bass, let alone for smallmouth. Weather will be in the 50's, rain likely. But thanks for the help guys.

I fish live shiners. If you are fishing a river, that's what I recommend.

Artificials: jerkbaits, grubs on a jig head, Hula Grubs, Gitzit (especially baby diaper yellow), hair jig with trailer, 4" lizard (C-rig) and small crankbaits shallow, DD22 deep.

I was at Bull Shoals last weekend. This lake is clear and deep. The Ranger Boat, Bass World Classic was held there, 10/7 & 10/8. The winners (two man team) boated 27 lbs on DD22 off primary points in 18' of water surrounded by very deep water.

I'm below you in Pensylvania, so it can't be much different. Try a tube jig for big smallies. Dark color if the water is stained and green pumpkin if it's more clear. Want to catch more fish go down to a 3" tube. Also try a "do nothing worm on a round jig head like a 3" Case Magic stick, or a senko, or a good one is a Yum Dinger in green pumpkin w/chart tip.

A no brainer is a reble crayfish crank bait, or a repala #7 Husky Jerk.

Most of the time in the fall the smallies are feeding up for winter and will strike most anything.

Want to have some fun? If you get mostly clear water on an overcast day try a topwater floater like a Chug Bug, or a Pop-R.

Good fishing

L.D.

4-5 inch lizard on a C-rig... Killed them last week with this.  What a fight they give!

Bassmaster1  Don't fish a lot but when I do it is usually from shore in the Oak Orchard River never have had any luck there in the fall. I think when the trout and salmon come in the smallmouth go to the lake. Where are you fishing at and let us know what kind of luck you have.

                                   Thanks & Good  Luck!

                                               Sinker 48

I river fish in Northeast part of Indiana.  The smallmouth & walleye are not around like they were back in Aug/Sept.  I am guessing that the salmon & steelhead coming in for their migration have scrared them off.  I don't know where they are now.

So I can use a tube bait for river fishing even if there is current???  Also there are rocks/snags on the bottom & have lost some lures.

inline spinners eg. Mepps, and fat raps. work for me.

Boy I tell you what....The shad minnows are in full tilt.  I looked at the river by La Fountain Saturday(NE Indiana) and it was literally wall to wall minnows. Zillions upon Zillions.  The water was teaming from 100 foot wide shore to shore for who knows how many miles.  I've never seen anything like it.  Any way my favorite honey hole netted out 30 white bass and Largemouth yesterday but not one smallie....Whats up with that?  What are the migration tendencies of largemouth and smallies?  Should I be hitting the resovoir for smallies or what?