Preytorien Posted August 25, 2015 Posted August 25, 2015 Last year, I found a gorgeous section of our local river with some deep pockets, yet still clear enough and shallow enough that from an overhead bridge I could see fish in there. This is a very good smallmouth river and I figured I had just found the motherlode of smallmouth pockets. I threw everything in my tacklebox at those guys, with no bites. Now, this past week, I see those guys in there again. Stacked like cords of wood, all facing upstream, sitting there motionless. Well yesterday the water level got low enough that I could wade out to the very spots they were holding, I figured I could be quiet enough to at least get close to see how big they were. I was able to get surprisingly close before a few scurried away....and.... What a surprise....they're NOT smallmouth!!! They're carp!! Which is why I had so much trouble/lack of success catching one with conventional smallmouth tackle. The bridge I could see the fish from was a good 30-40ft off the ground, and since I catch so many good smallmouth in this river, I just assumed they were staging in that pocket since fall is approaching. So, that makes me feel a lot better. These fish had me stumped. I couldn't get a bite, it had me questioning the very reasons I even pick up a rod/reel. Ha....not really. 3 Quote
Super User Dwight Hottle Posted August 25, 2015 Super User Posted August 25, 2015 Glad you found out before you wore yourself out trying to catch them. Quote
Super User Choporoz Posted August 25, 2015 Super User Posted August 25, 2015 I'd bet that a LOT of folks on here have chased carp splashes or shadows at one time or another....many may not even know it. I've done it more times than I am willing to admit. 1 Quote
Daniel My Brother Posted August 25, 2015 Posted August 25, 2015 If I can actually see the fish, I just assume it's not a Smallmouth. They are so well camouflaged in my local rivers that the only time I can actually spot them is during the spawn. Carp, suckers, catfish, and even trout stick out like sore thumbs, but those smallies just blend right in. Quote
Super User scaleface Posted September 4, 2015 Super User Posted September 4, 2015 The old rug pull . Hate it . Quote
Super User flyfisher Posted September 4, 2015 Super User Posted September 4, 2015 catch a few of those carp and you may stop chasing smallies for a little while Quote
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