Start-up musts for smallmouth fishing

[birdy]

No pics this time, had the kids in tow and was not even thinking of fishing, worried they were going to kill themselves in the rapids. That and the fish had given a good fight I wanted to release him quickly. Will be redoing the trip once school starts in a kayak with a friend. Pic will follow then. As for the skyline, one is right around the corner from the house. usually make it at home. could send you a can if your dying for it......

[Teal101]

I am lucky enough to have 2 great smallmouth fisheries within a 1/2 hour of my house, the first being the maumee river that feeds lake erie and then lake erie lol! I use a lot of rebel craws (color depends on the day) and zoom flukes, dt-4 rapalas, 3 1/2'' and 4'' tubes, 1/8oz and 1/16oz jig heads with gulp minnow grubs! Those are my go to baits,

What DT-4 colors do you recommend?

I've been catching smallies on hot mustard, baby bass, golden shiner, and craw patterns.

[Sfritr]

Thanks for the offer.  

my parents still live in Blue Ash.  My wife and I get "care Packages" once in a while.   Good luck fishing

[MALTESE FALCON]

I haven't fished a river in a long time, but when I did fish for smallies in the Indian River, Mepps spinners were the ticket. Zoom Trick, or Finesse Worms, T-rigged with just enough weight to hit bottom were killer also. Cast up stream, and let the current bring them back.

Crawdad crankbaits are also good producers.

Falcon

[CWeb Canada]

Hard baits: Lucky Craft Pointer 100, Rapala X-Rap (XR8), Zara Spook

and/or LC Sammy.

I was going to visit the Bait Monkey here in the next while, what sizes and colour patterns do you recommend. The lake that I will be fishing is clear and rocky.

Thanks in advance.

CWeb

[roadwarrior]

The (100) and (XR8) are sizes. I suggest the Pointer in Baby Bass,

Pearl for the X-Rap. Spook = Frog pattern; Aurora Black (blue) for

the Sammy.

8-)

[CWeb Canada]

I can also highly recommend Rebel Crawfish. I don't know if I have ever used them without having luck.

tnbassfisher, or others;

How do you work your Rebel Craw crankbaits? I know they have a wait in the lip to keep them on end like a real Craw so I'm curious.

Thanks.

CWeb