Specifically targeting Smallies

[Smirak]

I want to specifically target some smallmouth. I live in N Alabama (Huntsville). Live about halfway between Wheeler and Guntersville. Lots of great fishing. However, I want to specifically target some smallies this fall. The Elk River will probably be my first foray into that world. What are some of the things I need to know/learn? As far as lure selection, how does it differ from LMB? What are some of your confidence baits? Are there specific things I should be looking for on my electronics (no FFS)? 
 

My daughter and son-in-law live about 20 mins S of Dale Hollow, which I’m pretty sure there are small ones there 😂😂. I’m a kayak fisherman, so if there are also places that you can recommend in this area it near Dale hollow, I’m all ears.

 

thanks!

[TnRiver46]

Gosh where to start?? 
 

wheeler and Wilson dams are where some monster SMB like to live. Ive never fished elk river but id bet your standard fare of grubs tubes jigs poppers and small cranks would wear them out. I really do well in small waters with marabou jigs and of course plastic worms.  Dale hollow is amazing, lots of deep clear water full of baitfish and bass, if fishes best in winter and there are tons of kayaks . Tims ford might be a good one to look into as well 

 

 

[MIbassyaker]

I feel like @Fishlegs and @TnRiver46 ought to have some good intel for you.

 

As far as differences from LMB, the first thing I'd say is, it is harder to find them, but easier to get them to strike. Lure choice is less important than reading water and evaluating conditions to determine where they most likely are. Smallmouth move a lot and may travel miles to find a preferred spot.  In free-flowing river sections, reading water is a skill all its own, and takes some practice.

 

The second thing is, they compensate for smaller mouths with greater aggressiveness.  So, all else equal, you tend to get more strikes, but fewer hook-ups.  Sticking to baits in the 2-5" range helps a lot.  I have no doubt you could catch a smallie on a 10" worm, but you're more likely to be successful on a 4-5" worm.  They also tend to "slash" at topwaters (trying to stun prey? nobody really knows). So trebled baits, like poppers and walkers are often more useful than frogs and toads. Of course, smallmouth will attack them all, but will they hook up? That's the question.  Buzzbaits should have a trailer hook. Spinnerbaits maybe a trailer hook, but less important, in my experience.

[Jig Man]

When I target smallmouth I basically use three baits; a TRD Ned rigged, an Elaztech worm rigged shaky and a jig specifically a Jewell Pee Wee which I carry in 3 sizes.

[Smirak]

Thanks all. I know this is subjective and depends on conditions, but are there “go-to”s that you use color wise, weight wise, etc?

[Tennessee Boy]

I lived in Huntsville years ago and I agree with @TnRiver46.  My go to spots for fall smallmouth were below Wheeler and Wilson dams when there was good current coming out of the dam.   I’m not sure I would want to do that in a Kayak though.

[DaubsNU1]

When taking Dad to South Dakota to chase SMB's, it's the NED, and mainly the NED.

 

Pumpkin green is our go-do. Have been known to hit hot craw and new money as well. But mainly green pumpkin.

[Smirak]

@Tennessee Boy 

 

You ever hit any of the smaller rivers/tributaries? I fished second creek last week. I find myself venturing out toward wheeler/wilson now more than Guntersville. The grass is a killer for me and my kayak. I’m a paddle guy…

 

Also, I’d probably be just as safe trying to wade with a 40lb anchor tied to me as I would in a kayak at the dam while it’s generating!!

[TnRiver46]

The sequatchie is also a good one for kayak 

 

also I never use a ned or elaztech , I’m just a rebel I guess 😂 

[Tennessee Boy]

1 hour ago, Smirak said:

You ever hit any of the smaller rivers/tributaries? I fished second creek last week.

I was young and single during my Huntsville years so I fished a lot all over north Alabama.   It was always in a bass boat.   I did float down the Flint River once with a buddy in his Bass Raider.   We caught a bunch of fish but I don’t remember if any were smallmouth.  If I was targeting smallmouth in a Kayak I would probably fish streams that are not accessible in a bass boat.  I always look for current when fishing for smallmouth even though I’ve caught plenty while targeting largemouth in lakes.  
 

Wilson lake has always been a favorite.

[Smirak]

Thanks again @Tennessee Boy

 

Follow-up question…what about the Knoxville area? My wife travels there for work quite frequently and since my youngest is a Sr in HS, I sometimes do the bad parent thing and leave him at home alone…😳😳

[Fishlegs]

I catch largemouth, smallmouth, and spots in the TN river using mostly the same lures. Worms, grubs, craws, paddle tails, lipless, underspins, and jigs. The only real difference for me in lure selection when specifically targeting SMB is lure size. I don't usually catch SMB on extremely large lures. The primary differentiator for me is location. I catch more SMB around current, and rocks. I catch more LMB in slower moving water, and grass.

[TnRiver46]

1 hour ago, Smirak said:

Thanks again @Tennessee Boy

 

Follow-up question…what about the Knoxville area? My wife travels there for work quite frequently and since my youngest is a Sr in HS, I sometimes do the bad parent thing and leave him at home alone…😳😳

I live in Knoxville, your possibilities are endless for SMB.  Smallmouth are the most common fish in just about any water here 

[Smirak]

1 hour ago, TnRiver46 said:

I live in Knoxville, your possibilities are endless for SMB.  Smallmouth are the most common fish in just about any water here 

Thanks - will DM you next time I know I’ve got a trip coming up. 

[Tennessee Boy]

2 hours ago, Smirak said:

Follow-up question…what about the Knoxville area?

@TnRiver46 is the resident expert on the Knoxville area.

[TnRiver46]

20 minutes ago, Smirak said:

Thanks - will DM you next time I know I’ve got a trip coming up. 

 

19 minutes ago, Tennessee Boy said:

@TnRiver46 is the resident expert on the Knoxville area.

Sounds like we need to all just jump in the boat and go fishin 

[Smirak]

14 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

 

Sounds like we need to all just jump in the boat and go fishin 

Umm, I’ll buy gas? 😂

[TnRiver46]

@Smirak, no need to buy gas but I do accept donuts! 

[Smirak]

I’m in. You had me at Donut. Where in Knoxville? (I’ve probably tried them all - I like donuts)

[TnRiver46]

Heck I’d probably eat a donut off the ground but richy creme seems to be widely accepted as the best. Duck donuts is also a good one 

[roadwarrior]

Focus on the tailwaters below the dams.

The #1 Bait is BIG shiners.

Plastics include Rage Tail Menace, Structure Bug and Baby Craw.

Another  "must have" is the BPS Tender Tube.

 

[Fishlegs]

On 8/27/2024 at 2:11 PM, TnRiver46 said:

I’d probably eat a donut off the ground

 

🤣

[bowhunter63]

Wacky Worms or Rage structure bug are hard to beat. Plus Hair jigs are great also.