Smallies in Lakes

[John Sheehan]

Lets discuss the tactics for succeeding with catches of Smallmouths in Lakes.

[John Sheehan]

THE ONE-TWO PUNCH! ,rigged with a topwater search bait( Pop R or Tiny Torpedo) and another rod with a follow up Crankbait , worm or Twister Tail grub when fishing during the day from shore ,is a great plan. .I like to hike around the lake and look for big boulders ,ledges  or other cover. I watch the wind and look for ambush zones where the bait may be blown to . I try to  get the smallies to reveal themselves with the topwater  bait . I don't always hook them but the active fish is spotted and I follow up and usually catch one or two with the follow up bait  before moving on . Of course the ONE-TWO PUNCH is a good strategy in rivers too!

[John Sheehan]

When I 'hike and seek' Smallies, I carry two rods as I mentioned but my lures are packed in boxes I carry in a 'Trout' fishing vest .

[John Sheehan]

A split shotted worm ,the simplest of approaches , has accounted for  good times for me and/or a buddy , fishing  from a boat  for smallmouths. White Perch Rock Bass and Bluegills and anything else that swims are right along side competing also.

[jim cosgrove]

or a big fat leach too john.we dont have many if any leaches in the water here but the fish love em and they are pretty durable.i prefer a khale hook with a worm or leach.less belly hooking and a less hang ups.a night crawler hooked thru the nose with no weight in after ice out is deadly for large and small mouths

[John Sheehan]

Leeches I've never tried but have always heard they are an excellent bait .Gonna have to try them Jim! Thanks for the tip on the Kahle hooks .What size is best do you think?