What am I doin wrong?

[Mobydick]

One of my favorite smallmouth areas has not been producing lately. About 2 months ago I caught 37 smallies in one trip. I fished it only once scince then, and that trip was good. The last two trips in the area just down right sucked! A few days ago I had 14, yesterday 5. I looked back in my log, and these are the two worst days i've ever had in the area. I am using 3 and 3 1/2 inch tubes ( Zoom Small Zoom Tube), natural colored crankbaits ( Bomber Model A) , small creature baits (*** Baby ***), and senkos. The area is about a 3/4 mile stretch of crick, averaging about 20 yards wide. Most of it runs between 2 and 3.5 feet, there are 2 deep holes, one is about 14 feet deep, the other is about 9. The deeper hole contains ledges and boulders, the other deep hole is mostly laydowns. the holes only take up a small area, the rest of the water is rocks, some small, some big, ridges, laydowns along the bank, overhanging trees, and weeds. I know the fish are there, i've caught them before. I cant seem to find them now. I have tried everything. If anyone has any advice or suggestions, please post them. Sorry for the long post .

                                                          Thanks,

                                                              Ian

[Dan:]

The first thing I was gonna say was maybe the fish have moved from where they were now that it's hot outside and the water has probably warmed quite a bit but the area you described sounds like it would be a good summer location for smallies. I hope you figure it out. Maybe try switching up baits. Try a shakey head, I murder the smallies with a football shaped shakey head with finesse worms in the summer.

[MichBassMan]

If recent rains have raised the river, try fishing tight to the banks. River smallies oftentimes use undercuts along the banks in high water.

Keep trying, good luck.

[Mobydick]

Thanks guys! The water is actually low, about the normal summer pool. I have wanted to try the shakey head lately, but...................just didn't. I'm gonna try it. I dont know if they moved or not, but i think i'll just have to try different approaches. Thanks guys!

[mrmacwvu1]

i know that i do not fish the same water on most of the creeks and rivers that i fish in the summer as i do in the spring fall and winter

changes up look for the most oxygenated water such as where springs and creeks feed into this creek and deeper holes

[Jig Man]

I am going through the same thing.  I think the shad have moved and the fish have gone with the food bar.  I am going to be looking for schools of shad with stuff suspended under them.