Moving fish!

[NHBull]

This Summer I have found the fish to move a lot more often than previous years. I know they follow the food, but our weather patterns and forage has been consistent with the last few years. Truth be told, since I am avoiding fishing memory, my Summer has been stellar, but

I can't figure out the total lack of fish in historically predictable places. 

Beside food sources, do they move because they can.

 

.....additionally, I have caught more LM in traditional SM areas than any other year.

 

Just looking for insight.

 

Thanks,

Al

[rejesterd]

Same at my lake, basically.  I've caught more largemouth this year in smallmouth areas.  It's been interesting.

 

This year, the big ones seem to be more on deep water (20-25 feet) rock piles and ledges..  Cranking is king lately for larger fish.  Jerkbaits were the most consistent this past weekend though.  

[A-Jay]

9 minutes ago, NHBull said:

.....additionally, I have caught more LM in traditional SM areas than any other year.

 

Just looking for insight.

 

Thanks,

Al

In my experience, smallies are true nomads.  They seem to have no fixed residence but move from place to place.

They can be somewhat predictable seasonally and will often be within a well-defined territory; but on big water, that can be and often is a very large area.

 

 The few times I've see it where green bass take up residence in traditional brown bass areas, at least one (or perhaps more) of three things have happened.  The water levels have dropped, the area has has an increase in weed growth or the area is now the residence or regular feeding area of Larger Prey fish - usually something with big teeth or a big head. (Pike, Musky, & Lake Trout)

A-Jay

  

[jbmaine]

Noticed the same thing. Water temps are a little higher than normal, and I'm seeing weeds in places I don't normally see them at.

[Scarborough817]

I would think one of a couple things are happening if not a combination of the two. I am no expert just trying to put some of that spoonplugging knowledge to work.

 

1) the increased temperature and lack of rain has dropped water levels as well as pushed the thermocline deeper in the water. This is causing the largemouth to go deeper and further off shore to be more comfortable. The breaks the largemouth are relating too happens to be the same that smallies are traditionally on. 

 

2) the increased temperature has increased plant growth thus drawing more baitfish off shore and the largemouth follow, they still relate to structure in the area and find breaks on that structure which happen to be the same ones smallies are traditionally on.