theres a large body of water thats not too far from home where the smallies rule. Gin clear and deep. fish are being caught anywhere from 25 to 80' deep right now on many different techniques.. dragging tubes, drop shotting, jerkbaits. all on finesse gear. Its a large body of water but this time of year the fish congregate in areas that are heavily pressured. its not uncommon to be fishing rod length away from other boats. what kind of tactics do you like to use on these smallies in this type of situation? large fish are being caught also.. 7lb smallies are not uncommon.

As far as I'm concerned there is no 7# fish in the world that I would fish for in that crowded of an area, I'd look for new water.

I've fished Boca Grande, it's a nightmare and I wouldn't do it again.

As far as I'm concerned there is no 7# fish in the world that I would fish for in that crowded of an area, I'd look for new water.I've fished Boca Grande, it's a nightmare and I wouldn't do it again.

Agreed! Unless this lake is a 100 acre pond there are bound to be other areas that hold fish. Take the time to locate some of these other non-pressured spots using your electronics.

If you do catch them 80' deep, I hope you fizz them before releasing them.

No need to fizz, unless you take them on a livewell ride.

Probably a dumb question but I never heard the term to "fizz" them before release?

- Tate

Very common practice for grouper and snappers, in those fish the bladder sticks out of their mouth, we call it venting. No need it they are intended to be dinner.

Its not always that crowded but it is pressured.. other areas are difficult for exploring, this is a bay the main lake gets very rough at times.

heres a the coordinates of the lake, if you punch it in to acme mapper N 44.40043 W 79.43665.. the bay is k3mp3nfe3lt

Float-n-fly with a small hair jig, especially if they're as pressured as you say.

I've used the float and fly since the early 90s, and never had any luck calling fish from deep with it. It's almost always a tool for current, or wind blown points in water up to about 8' deep. Good tool for finicky fish, but probably the last thing I'd try in deep water - UNLESS the were suspended, which usually happens near a point or shallow structure anyway.

I've used the float and fly since the early 90s, and never had any luck calling fish from deep with it. It's almost always a tool for current, or wind blown points in water up to about 8' deep. Good tool for finicky fish, but probably the last thing I'd try in deep water - UNLESS the were suspended, which usually happens near a point or shallow structure anyway.

In my experience when smallmouth are deep like he says they are they are schooled up and suspending...I've had tremendous success using float-n-fly in cold winter months on deep fish. I rarely use it when they're shallower. I've had better success on suspending jerkbaits, dropshots, and weightless senkos...but to each his own that's what makes fishing great.

Everyone has a go to tactic in any given situation and it's often different than someone else's. I think this also leads to why one person thinks a lake stinks and another kills it every time out.

theres a large body of water thats not too far from home where the smallies rule. Gin clear and deep. fish are being caught anywhere from 25 to 80' deep right now on many different techniques.. dragging tubes, drop shotting, jerkbaits. all on finesse gear. Its a large body of water but this time of year the fish congregate in areas that are heavily pressured. its not uncommon to be fishing rod length away from other boats. what kind of tactics do you like to use on these smallies in this type of situation? large fish are being caught also.. 7lb smallies are not uncommon.

there is no lake in the world besides erie where 7 lb smallies are not uncommon. your scale must be broke

there is no lake in the world besides erie where 7 lb smallies are not uncommon. your scale must be broke

Even in Erie, 7 pounders are not common.

Even in Erie, 7 pounders are not common.

They are more common than you think. We are just not catching them.

there is no lake in the world besides erie where 7 lb smallies are not uncommon. your scale must be broke

You've never been to Lake Simcoe, and I'll bet my hat that's where he's talking about.

If so, drag tubes or spoon em up!

PM me for more info if you are talking about Simmy,

I'd try something along the lines of a mop jig... Not too many people fish 'em for smallies and you can bet that a 7lb.+ smallie would demolish one.

You've never been to Lake Simcoe, and I'll bet my hat that's where he's talking about.

If so, drag tubes or spoon em up!

PM me for more info if you are talking about Simmy,

yes i have actually.. and 25lbs usually wins one day tourneys there.. sometimes up to 30... that still does not mean 7lbers are common... if you are saying 1 fish out of 150 fish is common then yes your right but its not like your going to falcon lake in texas you still can't expect to catch a 7 everytime

yes i have actually.. and 25lbs usually wins one day tourneys there.. sometimes up to 30... that still does not mean 7lbers are common... if you are saying 1 fish out of 150 fish is common then yes your right but its not like your going to falcon lake in texas you still can't expect to catch a 7 everytime

i cant argue with your reasoning. Youre right in a sense. They may not be "common" but i will land about a dozen sevens per season. I wouldnt call them uncommon

i cant argue with your reasoning. Youre right in a sense. They may not be "common" but i will land about a dozen sevens per season. I wouldnt call them uncommon

I would like to see some pictures of your dozen smallies over 7lbs caught in a single season. I fish erie and have had seasons where I have caught a dozen smallies over six pounds with maybe a single seven thrown in for good measure. I know lake simcoe is peaking right now & is an outstanding fisherie but lake erie is a great fisherie too. I know Canada has a lot of forest fires but the smoke trail drifting south is getting pretty heavy.

I would like to see some pictures of your dozen smallies over 7lbs caught in a single season. I fish erie and have had seasons where I have caught a dozen smallies over six pounds with maybe a single seven thrown in for good measure. I know lake simcoe is peaking right now & is an outstanding fisherie but lake erie is a great fisherie too. I know Canada has a lot of forest fires but the smoke trail drifting south is getting pretty heavy.

As for sheer numbers of quality smallies, I wouldnt put any lake over Erie or St. Clair. I would however, put Simcoe over both of them for numbers of BIG fish.

Fish on left is 7-0, right is 5.5

My fiancees first 7

Not a good pic, but this was a 7-2

Left was a 6-11

Not quite 7, but close, tank for mid-summer

I'll try and scrape up some more pics.

That right there is a LOT of brown fish! Beautiful

i cant argue with your reasoning. Youre right in a sense. They may not be "common" but i will land about a dozen sevens per season. I wouldnt call them uncommon

i'm not disputing that simcoe has 7lbs i know it does.. i'm just saying common to me would mean every 3 or 4 trips you catch one.. anyways.... do you live near simcoe?? if so i'm jealous i have only 2 lakes within 4 hours of me that are worth their salt for smallmouth and your not even allowed putting a boat in one of them