Do you think river smallmouth are suspended mid column and not on the bottom this time of year?

[Ohioguy25]

I had multiple fish hit my Ned on the retrieve yesterday, as I was reeling it back in to recast they hit it 2 ft from the boat. This made me stop and think about what I was doing, are they almost exclusively up in the water chasing baitfish now?

 

I still caught a decent number on the bottom w the TRD, but I wish I could figure out a consistent reliable fall pattern.  The Ned has become my confidence lure, so I’m having trouble abandoning it when it’s still catching fish. I see everyone catching big fish on topwater, yet I can’t seem to get a sniff.  Paddle tails and spinnerbaits only producing minimally still.  What do you find most success with in the fall?

 

I hear some people say they’re in current, others that they are already making their way to their winter holes. I hate the confusion, I want a decent challenge but this is a lot to unravel.

[TnRiver46]

I usually reach for a curly tail grub when they are chasing like that. Also, have you tried any top waters besides a whopper plopper ? 

[roadwarrior]

(1)  Rage Menace, 3/0 EWG, 3/16 bullet weight.  Cast and let the bait fall. Then

a slow, steady retrieve occasionally ticking the bottom. 

 

(2)  Rage Structure Bug. Same as above.

 

(3)  GYCB Kreature.  Lift the bait and let it fall on slack line. Repeat moving 

the bait a foot or so at a time.

 

(4)  BPS Tender Tube #71. Drag is SLOWLY.

 

(5)  Bandit 200

 

(6)  Red Eye Shad

[TnRiver46]

19 minutes ago, roadwarrior said:

(1)  Rage Menace, 3/0 EWG, 3/16 bullet weight.  Cast and let the bait fall. Then

a slow, steady retrieve occasionally ticking the bottom. 

 

(2)  Rage Structure Bug. Same as above.

 

(3)  GYCB Kreature.  Lift the bait and let it fall on slack line. Repeat moving 

the bait a foot or so at a time.

 

(4)  BPS Tender Tube #71. Drag is SLOWLY.

 

(5)  Bandit 200

 

(6)  Red Eye Shad

That’s an all star cast 

[Scott F]

I think it’s a bit too early to be seeing true fall patterns. What is your water temperature? 

[Deleted account]

Depends on the river, so maybe.

[Ohioguy25]

8 hours ago, Scott F said:

I think it’s a bit too early to be seeing true fall patterns. What is your water temperature? 

I’m honestly not sure, but I believe high 60s.  I thought water temp wasn’t relevant to fall bite and that it was triggered by daylight hours/autumnal equinox?

9 hours ago, roadwarrior said:

(1)  Rage Menace, 3/0 EWG, 3/16 bullet weight.  Cast and let the bait fall. Then

a slow, steady retrieve occasionally ticking the bottom. 

 

(2)  Rage Structure Bug. Same as above.

 

(3)  GYCB Kreature.  Lift the bait and let it fall on slack line. Repeat moving 

the bait a foot or so at a time.

 

(4)  BPS Tender Tube #71. Drag is SLOWLY.

 

(5)  Bandit 200

 

(6)  Red Eye Shad

Interesting, mostly craw patterns. So you don’t buy the whole “strictly minnow imitations” sentiment so many adopt for fall?

9 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

I usually reach for a curly tail grub when they are chasing like that. Also, have you tried any top waters besides a whopper plopper ? 

Yeah I have been throwing a paddle tail.  I just got a Rio Ricos, you think that would be more effective than WP?

[roadwarrior]

The Rage Menace is #1 and it is a "minnow".

[TnRiver46]

7 hours ago, Ohioguy25 said:

I’m honestly not sure, but I believe high 60s.  I thought water temp wasn’t relevant to fall bite and that it was triggered by daylight hours/autumnal equinox?

Interesting, mostly craw patterns. So you don’t buy the whole “strictly minnow imitations” sentiment so many adopt for fall?

Yeah I have been throwing a paddle tail.  I just got a Rio Ricos, you think that would be more effective than WP?

Only one way to find out! I just know a bunch of folks that throw WP a ton, it can be effective to change it up (says me who always throws a worm). Something with a different sound maybe. Also I’ve seen some fairly picky fish in clear water attack a fluke many times 

[Chris Catignani]

18 hours ago, Ohioguy25 said:

...I hear some people say they’re in current, others that they are already making their way to their winter holes. 

Wait...there's a winter hole they all go to?

[flyfisher]

River fish aren't going to sit mid water column unless the current allows them to do it.  This time of year the smallies are more active and they will chase baits.  My last outing dead drifting didn't work at all but if i was moving my flies fast through areas it would elicit follows and strikes.  

[roadwarrior]

1 hour ago, Chris Catignani said:

Wait...there's a winter hole they all go to?

Free beer chaser with their whiskey!

 

https://whiskeybon.com/blog/places-you-can-buy-pappy-van-winkle-online/

[Ohioguy25]

7 hours ago, roadwarrior said:

The Rage Menace is #1 and it is a "minnow".

I thought it was a creature bait?

[TnRiver46]

1 minute ago, Ohioguy25 said:

I thought it was a creature bait?

I treat it like a crawdad. It’s a grub body with two flappers. They eat it!!!

[roadwarrior]

1 minute ago, Ohioguy25 said:

I thought it was a creature bait?

No appendages, just body and tail.   Big O's version of a grub.

[gim]

8 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

it can be effective to change it up

Change it up as in stop throwing that Christmas tree ornament completely.  I'd try a popping style topwater instead, or a buzz bait.

[Ohioguy25]

23 hours ago, gimruis said:

Change it up as in stop throwing that Christmas tree ornament completely.  I'd try a popping style topwater instead, or a buzz bait.

You’re referring to plopper?

[gim]

Just now, Ohioguy25 said:

You’re referring to plopper?

Yes.

[TnRiver46]

25 minutes ago, Ohioguy25 said:

You’re referring to plopper?

They work for a lot of people in a lot of places, @gimruis home waters are not included haha. I’ve also struggled with them but I did catch one and I have had people catch them with the 90 and 75 size out the back of my boat 

[bowhunter63]

Ben  getting them off the top early then digging them of bottom with a Rage bug t rigged . Carolina rigged a baby brush hog. On top Whopper Ploppers and Chug Bug . There still feeding on Craws pretty heavy 

[Ohioguy25]

On 9/28/2022 at 4:24 PM, gimruis said:

Yes.

Would you recommend Rico or Rio Rico?