Lake James HELP!!

[clemsondds]

Ok, been here at the lake for the past 3 days. First two mornings I have caught 4 largemouth on the Linville side.  I'm really trying to catch my first smallmouth.  Can I get your help and advice?  I started this morning before sunup on the catawba side dam. Fished the rocks for 2 hours or so, determined to get a smb.  Fished a ned rig, dropshot, jerkbait, keitch smimbait and a football jig...nothing! Went in a few coves over by the ramp and also worked a drop shot near the Lake James Marina...nothing again...not even a bite.  Water temp was 62.  I didn't see any beds in the area.  I think that's pretty much the only rock in the lake other than riprap on bulkheads of ppl's property.  Would love some tips this time of year for catching smallmouth on Lake James.  Appreciate the help! 

[TnRiver46]

No clue about that lake but smallies love tubes 

[clemsondds]

Thanks. Will Zman TRD Tubez work?  Ha because that's all I have in the tubes department.  Also, can you recommend any other spots other than rock to find them?  I'm fishing a lake that is mostly clay/mud and very little rock. So trying to figure out where they might be spawning. I've looked at earth pro and found a year where the water was way down...still no rock...so trying to figure out where they might be.  I know they are here...seen someone catch them a few weeks ago on a ned rig...I fished the same spot this morning with same rig and got nothing. Might have been the temp too...air temp was 33 degrees. Tomorrow morning should be in the 50's so I might try the dam again. Thanks again

[TnRiver46]

11 hours ago, clemsondds said:

Thanks. Will Zman TRD Tubez work?  Ha because that's all I have in the tubes department.  Also, can you recommend any other spots other than rock to find them?  I'm fishing a lake that is mostly clay/mud and very little rock. So trying to figure out where they might be spawning. I've looked at earth pro and found a year where the water was way down...still no rock...so trying to figure out where they might be.  I know they are here...seen someone catch them a few weeks ago on a ned rig...I fished the same spot this morning with same rig and got nothing. Might have been the temp too...air temp was 33 degrees. Tomorrow morning should be in the 50's so I might try the dam again. Thanks again

I dont think the brand of your tube is the important part, if you get it near the fish they will eat it. I catch smallmouth all the time in brushpiles as well as milfoil and even clay banks that look like nothing. Rock is good but not necessary. A drop off or cliff is a good place to look 

[VolFan]

If it were me Id go up the Catawba arm near Big Island and Bear Creek, or even just the other side of the canal. I havent been there in a few years though. There were some good rocky arras SE og Big Island though and just to the west of the canal on the S side.

[clemsondds]

Thanks everyone! So stayed on the linville side and before sunrise, caught my first smb! 2.55lbs off of the dam.  About 1 ft from the bank with a mb popmax. I later caught another smb (2.2lbs) on the linville side with a jerkbait.  It was really heavy winds this week (nonstop white caps) and the temps were pretty cold...so I think all of that along with flooding water caused the bite to be off a little. But was still fun! Lake James is tough and you have definitely got to be on your game.Thanks again for taking the time offer your advice!