Do creek/river smallmouth require extended periods of water temps above 50 before they will feed aggressively or do they start as soon as the water temps reach a certain level?

[Ohioguy25]

Sorry I know I’ve posted about this before but trying to decide if I should go today or tomorrow, being injured it is a bit of a production. Last couple times I have gone have been just “ok” compared to when it was warmer. I’m in Ohio and overnight low last night was 43, water temp was 51/52 yesterday but dipped down to 48/49 and has stayed there but it will be back in the low 50s today with air temps in the upper 70s today and tomorrow.  Tonight and tomorrow low is 56, so I’m guessing water temp will stay in 50s for at least a day or two until it gets cold again.

 

Just wondering if it’s possibly worth waiting to go tomorrow when the water temperature has stabilized and been consistently over 50 for 24 hours and if this will make the fish more likely to be feeding than going today when water temp will only have been above 50 for an hour by the time I start fishing. Again I only ask because of how physically difficult getting on the water is for me and so I’m trying to optimize my time out there. Thanks!

[Drew03cmc]

The fishing will definitely slow down, but don't let that dissuade you from going out to try to catch some of these fall giants that are prevalent across the country. You won't find them in the same waters they were in during the summer, they will be closer to their wintering holes. When you find a spot that is holding fish, slow down and fish it thoroughly.

[Ohioguy25]

4 hours ago, Drew03cmc said:

The fishing will definitely slow down, but don't let that dissuade you from going out to try to catch some of these fall giants that are prevalent across the country. You won't find them in the same waters they were in during the summer, they will be closer to their wintering holes. When you find a spot that is holding fish, slow down and fish it thoroughly.

How do you find their wintering holes?

[moguy1973]

5 hours ago, Ohioguy25 said:

How do you find their wintering holes?

I don't know about Ohio but our smallmouth in Missouri typically leave the creeks and head to the bigger rivers (and return to the creeks in the spring).  The wintering holes are usually deeper slow moving river pockets with plenty of cover for the fish to have current breaks to rest in.  Usually, as Drew said, if you find one fish in a river in the winter here, there will be several others hanging out with them in the same hole.

[Drew03cmc]

On 11/23/2020 at 2:07 AM, Ohioguy25 said:

How do you find their wintering holes?

Like Jim said, if you can find a deeper, nearly slack water hole, often against a bluff or steeper bank with wood or rock cover, there should be fish. You can paddle through several great looking spots and catch nothing, then hit a shallow flat above or below the hole and it will be loaded with fish, especially on sunny afternoons. Late summer, early fall low water is the time to scout for them.

 

I found a wintering pool on an Ozark river that is absolutely perfect. It is 8 to 12 feet deep on river right, tons of wood, laydowns, boulders, etc. On river left, it is a shallow, gravel bank from 2 feet deep tapering down to the channel on the opposing bank. In October, I saw a legit 22" smallie under a log at the head of the pool and several big spots up to (guessing) 18" in the wood in about 8 feet of water. When I looked at this pool, it has wood perpendicular to the current and laying with the current. If I went down there tomorrow, I'd toss a jig or HD Craw in the wood and fish a flat sided crankbait along the edges of the wood.

[Sphynx]

I think your best indicator of a wintering area will be getting bit, but once you do, be extra thorough in the area, I don't know what constitutes finesse fishing in the world of live bait, but it's the sort of situation where ned rigs, drop shots, mojo rigs, finesse jigs etc thrive...might even get a jerkbait or crankbait to work, but I usually have best success with the spinning gear in cold water, perhaps isn't the worlds most fun way to get them for folks who enjoy power fishing techniques, but it is undeniably effective.