SmallieFever Posted February 25, 2009 Posted February 25, 2009 Hey guys, I'm looking for opinions on the best way to target smallies suspended in 100ft of water at between 30' and 60'. Most of the deeper running crankbaits are only at around 18ft, and I'm thinking it may be hard to get a spinnerbait that deep. Maybe swimming a tube or grub could work? I know that they could come UP for these offerings that aren't getting that deep, but this is assuming that they aren't that aggressive. Thanks for the help Quote
SmallieFever Posted February 26, 2009 Author Posted February 26, 2009 Perhaps a lipless crankbait would be the best option? Quote
Super User roadwarrior Posted February 26, 2009 Super User Posted February 26, 2009 Spoons and 3/4 or 1 oz Ledgebuster Single Willow Blade Spinnerbait, jigged. Maybe a small profile hair jig with a discrete trailer. Another would be a 3 1/2" tube with an inserted jig head twirling down through them. 8-) Quote
Super User Paul Roberts Posted February 26, 2009 Super User Posted February 26, 2009 Again, the long-lined white/pearl plastic worms on a jighead as the Lindners tout for pelagic smallies is an interesting and seemingly fitting option, although I've never tried it. Bladebaits might work well. They sink faster than stones and that vibration is just too much for smallies. I've used them in shallower water and they really catch active smallies fast. Quote
Super User Dan: Posted February 26, 2009 Super User Posted February 26, 2009 small spinnerbaits and small swimbaits. At 30-60 ft?!?! Spoons or plastics and a lot of patience while they sink. Quote
SPAZ Posted February 26, 2009 Posted February 26, 2009 small spinnerbaits and small swimbaits. At 30-60 ft?!?! Spoons or plastics and a lot of patience while they sink. SOB lures has the mini mes which is a small profile spinnerbait but weighs in 1 1/4oz for deeper water presentation. Quote
Blade-Runner Posted February 27, 2009 Posted February 27, 2009 Spoons. The Ledgebuster is a great spinnerbait that I cannot find anymore. Roadwarrior is the first individual I've heard mention that bait in years. It's a great deep water alternative to a crankbait, and it can really get down there if you have patience and the right tackle to support it. Although it looks "clunky" - particularly for clear water lakes, I've caught nice bass in relatively deep, clear water on a 1.5 oz. Ledgebuster in the past. I don't think I've caught one quite 60' deep, but I'm sure it can be done. It's nice when you can feel the blade thumping...then the stop/strike/cover-on-structure-bump, etc... Quote
Blade-Runner Posted February 27, 2009 Posted February 27, 2009 Also try a Striper-jig bucktail, etc. One of those 3/4-1.5 oz. feather jigs w/ curly tail could work. Quote
Md Posted February 27, 2009 Posted February 27, 2009 This is how Kota won at Erie last year with fish in a similar situation (http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/tournaments/elite/news/story?id=3517801). I Quote
alarcher Posted February 27, 2009 Posted February 27, 2009 Try a Dropshot at that depth that's what I use for that deep. It works in cold weather (work it slowly) and any other time you know they are that deep. Also don't forget to properly take care of their air bladder if your pulling them up that far. Good luck D.S.ing is an awesome technique for deep smallies Quote
Super User Tin Posted February 27, 2009 Super User Posted February 27, 2009 This is how Kota won at Erie last year with fish in a similar situation (http://sports.espn.go.com/outdoors/tournaments/elite/news/story?id=3517801). I And it is much easier to do then you think, put it any where near them and they eat it..... 8-) I like to count it down and see my line on the electronics. Quote
Super User Crestliner2008 Posted February 27, 2009 Super User Posted February 27, 2009 I do this rather regularly with very decent results. I use a slip bobber with a wacky rigged Senko. Dyn-O-mite! Quote
SmallieFever Posted March 1, 2009 Author Posted March 1, 2009 Thanks everyone for all the help I don't think I even own any spoons or bladebaits besides an old daredevil or two..guess I better stock up. The dropshotting and senko/float methods are quite appealing as well. SPAZ- I checked out the SOB baits...I was quite impressed with the spinnerbaits and ended up ordering a few Mini Me's, two of which were 3/4oz single willows, the other was 3/8 black/red with colorado thumper for gettin after em at night. Quote
SudoomFisher Posted March 3, 2009 Posted March 3, 2009 When dropshotting without letting the weight hit the bottom in a situation like this, is their any recommended leader length or just the average 18" to keep it away from the bait? And I'm guessing vertical dropshotting is a must to for this situation? Quote
MJEFF Posted March 23, 2009 Posted March 23, 2009 Lots of great advice on this one, Little Georges , or 4.5 plastic swim baits on 1/2 bullet heads. Drop shotting or using big grubs, perhaps going old school and using a sinking rapala style bait, vertical spoon jigging. Anything to get it down in front of there faces. Quote
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