Smoky Mountain Smallies

[PotatoLake]

Has anyone done any fishing on the Tuckasegee or the Little Tennessee Rivers for Smallmouth? I've read descent things about both. The guides take their clients to the Little Tenn apparently, but I read this quote about the Tuck on the county site dedicated to fishing information.

"The river is home to the biggest smallmouth bass in the Smoky Mountain region, most averaging 16-20 inches with some going upwards of 8 pounds!"

I very dubious of that being reality, but it peaks my interest. So that being said, has anyone done any fishing in this area that could say either of these or even somewhere close that's the best bet? Would you trust where the guides go over a blurb on the tourism site? My brain says trust guides, but a 16-20 average...

 

[TnRiver46]

I’ve always heard about the tuck in reference to trout but 16-20 inch smallies are not uncommon anywhere around here. 8lbers only occur in a place or 3 and I wouldn’t imagine that’s one of them. Then again being connected to the big lake it’s always possible so they can make that claim I suppose. I would expect a lot of aggressive bites from river smallies in summertime but size is typically a wild card. You can usually count on a few shots at a nice fish but sometimes they jump off or break your heart one way or another. 

[PotatoLake]

2 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

I’ve always heard about the tuck in reference to trout but 16-20 inch smallies are not uncommon anywhere around here. 8lbers only occur in a place or 3 and I wouldn’t imagine that’s one of them. Then again being connected to the big lake it’s always possible so they can make that claim I suppose. I would expect a lot of aggressive bites from river smallies in summertime but size is typically a wild card. You can usually count on a few shots at a nice fish but sometimes they jump off or break your heart one way or another. 

Thank you for the reply. I’ve somehow got my family to agree to a day on Fontana, and a river float so I’m grinning ear to ear. I suppose a day of river smallies of any size are better than a day at work. Hey I’d love to just have a couple shots at a hoss. 

[TnRiver46]

I should add, I forgot where you are coming from. An 18” smallmouth around here is typically 2.75 maybe three pounds (with occasional outliers on either side of course). A 20” has a decent chance at touching 4 lbs. Up north those length fish are going to weigh a lot more , I’ve seen an 18” 5 lb smallmouth from somewhere in the Midwest (forgot the location)

[Smells like fish]

TnRiver46 nailed it on size and weight. I live bout 2 hours north of the Smokies and those sizes and lengths are realistic and top sizes for our streams. Over the years 21”-22” fish is as big as I’ve come across and it takes a well fed one at that length to be much over the 4lb mark. 
 

What’s your lure lineup gonna be?

[PotatoLake]

33 minutes ago, Smells like fish said:

TnRiver46 nailed it on size and weight. I live bout 2 hours north of the Smokies and those sizes and lengths are realistic and top sizes for our streams. Over the years 21”-22” fish is as big as I’ve come across and it takes a well fed one at that length to be much over the 4lb mark. 
 

What’s your lure lineup gonna be?

Yeah, I thought for sure 8lb had to by hyperbole by the tourism website. I'd be happy with having some fish consistently tug on my boy's lines, and for me to get a few descent ones. 

I was thinking of throwing Plopper 75s, Paddle tails / grubs on a jighead, tubes. Trying to stay away from anything too snaggy, but I'll also probably have a hula grub on a football head jig in case they won't chase. 

Do you have any suggestions or favorite lures for the area?
 

[Smells like fish]

@TnRiver46 will be the most helpful at the right lures. I lived and died by the jerkbait, year around. Balsa models from 2.5” to 6” and of course the plastic Husky Jerk. But these balsa wonders caught me thousands of Smallies fishing hard during a 10 year period in my life.

[TnRiver46]

I’ve never actually fished the sections of river in question so I’m far from the authority on the subject. Finesse worm Rigged somehow weedless would be excellent about anywhere though

[PotatoLake]

27 minutes ago, Smells like fish said:

@TnRiver46 will be the most helpful at the right lures. I lived and died by the jerkbait, year around. Balsa models from 2.5” to 6” and of course the plastic Husky Jerk. But these balsa wonders caught me thousands of Smallies fishing hard during a 10 year period in my life.

 

22 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

I’ve never actually fish the sections of river in question so I’m far from the authority on the subject. Finesse worm Rigged somehow weedless would be excellent about anywhere though

Awesome, I have a couple of original minnows/husky jerks and such and for sure have a stash of finesse worms. Thanks for the tips gentlemen. Frothing at the mouth to get at em.

[TnRiver46]

When is this fishing going down?

[PotatoLake]

1 minute ago, TnRiver46 said:

When is this fishing going down?

Next week. I hear it's supposed to rain off and on the whole time. 

[TnRiver46]

26 minutes ago, PotatoLake said:

Next week. I hear it's supposed to rain off and on the whole time. 

That should be normal , although a doozy can turn it to chocolate for about a day (the river that is). Fontana stays clear no matter what