New Plan For 2009-2010 2024
roadwarrior reply :
My focus this season, besides hooking up with the New
World Record ;D ;D, is to spend more time fishing artificials.
This is how I might break it down:
1st hour: Topwater
2nd hour: Jerkbaits
3rd hour: Spinnerbaits
10-2:00 : Jig
2:00- Dark: Minnows if the lures haven't worked
Thoughts?
8-)
Uncle Leo reply :
Bet you get the WR on a jig! Use a Rage Tail Chunk as a trailer. 8-)
retiredbosn reply :
I am a huge fan of the jig with smallies. The smallies here just seem to love them. Good luck
J Francho reply :
That sounds like a plan for big fish. Its a lot of commitment, though. There will be times you'll want to react to whats going on, though stick with the big fish mentality. One situation is when fish are busting the surface, feeding on bait fish in the middle of the day. Gonna be tough to stick with the jig when that is happening. Tie on a HUGE musky-size top water or jerkbait, and see if there's a monster, waiting in the wings.
sodaksker reply :
The last couple of years I have put more emphasis on musky fishing than bass. I have been surprised by the number of big bass I have caught on six to nine inch baits or big double bladed spinnerbaits. I have also been amazed at the number of 1.5 to 2lb bass that will hit these big baits.
roadwarrior reply :
The issues involved in sticking with a plan are complicated by
specific events, like busting bass for example. A quick switch
under those conditions is probably the right move. However,
more generally, we never know if success is the spot, lure, time
or presentation.
Jig fishing can be the worst. An hour without a bite, then BAM!
What if you had quit or changed tactics after 59 minutes? On
the other hand, the bite last weekend was a few minutes into
the first drift. No confidence issues there!
So, I appreciate the insight and will keep my "event" options
open, but still maintain focus on one technique at a time. I
think this is how I want to roll, but would you fish something
else or would you mix it up with more variety 15 or 30 minutes
at a time?
retiredbosn reply :
There were two things missing that struck me as odd, I didn't see your hula grub single tail mentioned 
, or soft plastics at all. Also didn't see crankbaits mentioned either. For me at 2 pm it would be too early to switch to minnows if I were really trying the lures first, looking at your time frame you will be giving the minnows more water time than the mixture of lures in the summer months. I think that some plastics need thrown in and cb's including rattl traps. As far as switching out, I try to give a bait an hour before switching, sometimes I'll start throwing and just feel like it isn't going to work that day, more overcast than I thought to sunny, to windy etc. and will switch pretty quick.
roadwarrior reply :
I fished soft plastics last year a minimum of two hours on
most outings. I caught a lot of spots and largemouth, but
smallmouth were few and the ones I caught were small.
Now, don't get me wrong, soft plastics are my strong suit
and I appreciate the observation. It didn't work out last year,
so I want to try some other things.
Regarding crankbaits, the Rat-L-Trap type lures is an option.
Deep divers are out for the most part, they will all be lost. The
guys I fish will be fishing live bait and I just can't interrupt them
to go after lures: Use it, be prepared to lose it.
p.s.
The GYCB Single Tail Hula Grub was my best producer last year
on the river. This bait has performed significantly better for me
than tubes. Regular grubs are very popular too, but I can't keep
the Kentucky bass off them.
8-)
Fat-G reply :
With all due respect, and there is A LOT of respect to be due, why wouldn't you just fish was just working? I usually do.
roadwarrior reply :
QuoteWith all due respect, and there is A LOT of respect to be due, why wouldn't you just fish was just working? I usually do.
I want to fish artificials and target big fish.
8-)
Dan: reply :
I think focusing more on artificials is a good idea. Chances are you will get more frustrated but it will also be more rewarding.
If you are specifically targeting big fish, why not allot some time for swimbaits?
roadwarrior reply :
I have had some luck with GYCB Swim Senkos,
but have not fished a classic swimbait. I could
be a pioneer, but I don't really think that's the
ticket.
Dan: reply :
Why not fish a real swimbait? When the topwater bite is on I'd be willing to bet that a big smallmouth would be just as willing to hit a big wake bait as it would be to hit a big spook or something.
roadwarrior reply :
I appreciate the suggestion. That might be the answer.
Have you caught some quality smallmouth on a big swimbait?
If so, which one?
8-)
Dan: reply :
QuoteI appreciate the suggestion. That might be the answer.Have you caught some quality smallmouth on a big swimbait?
If so, which one?
8-)
Nope, we don't get real big smallies around me. I've caught a lot of largemouth with a 7" Slammer just this summer and I think with their aggressive nature it would be a great way to catch big smallmouth that are actively feeding on the surface and even some that aren't. The undulating action and noise of a true swimbait can really be a fish magnet. If you're targeting BIG fish then it's worth a try.
Tin reply :
If you want big smallies on a fun pattern and light tackle learn to drop-shot. Look on the graph, see the fish, drop the drop-shot down on its head, feel the weight, then reel up. It is the best way to target big smallies because you can see them. You can look at how long the arch is, proportion it to the depth, but a weight on it, then decide if you want to fish for it. Worst comes to worst you fight a big drum or sheeps head on 6 pound line and a medium-light rod. Good times...
Chris W reply :
RW I have had some luck fishing the 4.5 and 5.5 Strike King swimbaits on Dale Hollow. I have not had a huge fish hit them yet but have had several in the 4.5 to 5.5lb range on them. It will be interesting to see if this fall if I can catch some bigger ones on them when the crankbait bite starts going. Are you fishing Pickwick?
roadwarrior reply :
I rarely fish the lake, I fish the river below the dam.
Occasionally I fish the Wilson tailwaters, technically
Pickwick Reservoir. I'm a river rat!
8-)
SPEEDBEAD. reply :
Kent, look at the 3:16 Hyper Herring. http://www.316lurecompany.com/baits/hh.html
Has smallmouth written all over it.
Volman482 reply :
If ya are going topwater WTD type, you got to try Tail Walker Lures.
They are awesome!!!
the crab reply :
Ever fish with soft plastic jerk baits much? The Case Plastics SSS (salty sinking shad) is a phenomenal big fish bait for smallies. It's very similar to a super fluke but I think it has a little more action. It's my go-to in moving water.
Dan: reply :
QuoteEver fish with soft plastic jerk baits much? The Case Plastics SSS (salty sinking shad) is a phenomenal big fish bait for smallies. It's very similar to a super fluke but I think it has a little more action. It's my go-to in moving water.
It sinks quicker which is great but it is also a lot less durable. I still like them enough to buy them.
Lucky Craft Man reply :
My biggest producers for Smallmouth are Drop Shot, Jerkbait, Shakyhead, Senko, Tubes (or Equivalent), Lipless Crankbaits, and Jigging Spoons. I don't know how these lures would fit in on a river setting (since I fish almost all lakes), but I think your game plan is solid.
RoLo reply :
QuoteMy focus this season, besides hooking up with the NewWorld Record ;D ;D, is to spend more time fishing artificials.
This is how I might break it down:
1st hour: Topwater
2nd hour: Jerkbaits
3rd hour: Spinnerbaits
10-2:00 : Jig
2:00- Dark: Minnows if the lures haven't worked
Thoughts?
8-)
That list looks pretty deadly to me!
I might add "tubes" to that list, and to the jig listed I'd try a "curly-tail grub", "pork rind strip" and "live worm" (oh yah).
As a side note, Billy Westmoreland caught "two" 10-lb smallies on a 1/8oz black hair jig dressed with pork rind strip.
With regard to the next world record though, I'd have to go with "live minnows"
As if you didn't know 8-)
Roger
roadwarrior reply :
The "plan" isn't working out too good. Last Saturday my
partner had twelve in the boat, a couple 4+, and I had
not had a bite until I switched to minnows. Five minutes
into the drift I caught the big fish of the day. We ended
up with 40+, several 4s, 5s and a 6+...all on minnows.
Live bait 40
Artificials -0-
I'm changing up the mix a little, but still plan to spend two
hours at least working lures. It's REALLY hard to do with
the guys I fish with.
:
Dwight Hottle reply :
Kent,
I think you you need to alter your plan. If your boat buddies would fish with deep diving cranks bumping bottom occasionaly & try to free all subsquent snags it would make your life easier. But if they aren't into that you probably need to stick with live bait because it works. Remember this quote? I stole it from your article The Next World Record Smallmouth Bass written in 2005. " A second factor that protects the species is the fact that smallmouth in the Midsouth are VERY difficult to target during spring and summer, the time of year when the majority of "recreational fishermen" are out on the water. On top of that, for whatever reason, artificial lures do not produce many big bronzebacks on this river." Good luck with your quest. We both know your fishing in the right waters.
roadwarrior reply :
I know some guides would take issue with some of that.
"Big" is a subjective term. I know Steve Hacker, for example,
has put his clients on hundreds of 5+ smallies fishing lures.
However, over more than a decade of full-time guiding, his
clients have only boated one 8 and he has none. (Note: This
statement is based on an old interview and may not be 100%
accurate today).
Anyhow, I'm still going to try some other tricks, but for those
that are interested in their best shot at a trophy on the
Tennessee River, big minnows are the ticket.
8-)
Lucky Craft Man reply :
I can't believe a drop shot doesn't work for you in that situation. When the Smallmouth are feeding on minnows (or gobies in my neck of the woods), the drop shot with a minnow (or goby) type imitation usually does great. Also, guys have good success dragging tubes and jigging spoons. All these techniques mimic a minnow or bait fish and present it to the Smallmouth close to the bottom, which is where I assume your boat mates are drifting their minnows. Maybe those river fish are that much more discerning than the lake fish. If that's the case, you need to get up to the great lakes (while the government still allows fishing on the Great Lakes) and get yourself some smallmouth on artificials.
Frog Turds reply :
QuoteLive bait 40
Artificials -0-
:
just curious, was jig pig one of those in the zero for artificials??
roadwarrior reply :
No. I caught a couple two weeks ago using a 3/4 oz football head
and Baby Paca Craw. The the following weekend, -0- with a variety
of hair jigs and a smaller presentation. This weekend I'm going with
a white spinnerbait (lumiflex skirt) and GYCB Hula Grub (301) to start
with.
8-)
bryand82487 reply :
my buddy hooked into a monster with 1/2 oz black and blue jig with a blue berry candy baby paca but unfortunately it broke his line when he came to the top of the water
DEbassman17 reply :
QuoteI appreciate the suggestion. That might be the answer.Have you caught some quality smallmouth on a big swimbait?
If so, which one?
8-)
I would DEFFINENTLEY use the Spro BBZ-1 Shad. Also maybe the 5 inch Sebile Majic Swimmer they are both great baits
Fat-G reply :
QuoteQuoteWith all due respect, and there is A LOT of respect to be due, why wouldn't you just fish was just working? I usually do.I want to fish artificials and target big fish.
8-)
Haha totally understand. Plastics and jigs have been my number one big fish producers.
Mac1 reply :
RW,
Something you might want to give a try is an xrap shad or shad rap. They were amazing this year in Ontario. Both in deep and shallow versions.
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