Lake fishing smallies in spring

[Mikeyslikz]

Going to be a majority of my fishing on lake wallenpaupack in PA for spring smallies and was wondering if I should stockpile on lucky crafts jerkbait and staysee's and some others as a good weapon to have . Any advice from anyone in that area or any advice at all would be greatly appreciated ! Thanks in advance everyone 

[J Francho]

First, keep a topwater on hand, and a senko rod ready.  Get a few suspending baits you like.  Staysee and DD Pointers have a limited use window, though they are killer when they are chasing baits from the depths (they usually will chase them).  Always drop senkos at missed bites.  If they're really aggressive, just throw a walking popper (Popmax) or a spook type (Sammy, or other), and sit back and enjoy the show.  That lake is beautiful, btw.

[Turkey sandwich]

Same suggestions, though, as they move up to spawn, tubes can be killer.  I grew up about an hour from Wallenpaupack and somehow never fished it.  It also has a really solid largemouth population and is known for stripers.  You might some fun "oops!" fish, too. 

[Mikeyslikz]

Thanks for the tips ! Went out and scouted the area and caught a total of 8 fish around docks and inside coves . They all hit a kietech fat impact with a white and red jig head 1/4 ounce 

[Turkey sandwich]

We did very well on the Susquehanna last weekend throwing jigs/craw trailers.  What was the water temp like? What was the mix Largemouth/Smallmouth?

[Mikeyslikz]

1 largemouth and 7 smallies. A lot of missed strikes probably just nipping the tail of the kietech. I think water temp was 53 . A guide up there said he killed it on the 2-3/4 size I was using the 4.5 I think. This week I will try the smaller ones . I havnt been to the susky yet . Don't have a boat set up for it . 

[Turkey sandwich]

Nice!  And the size makes sense since it's so early in the season.  The Susky is not the place I'd want to take a fiberglass boat and even a Jonboat with a standard prop outboard requires some care.  But it can be really worth it.  If you have the cash to pick up a kayak, they're great for the river.