Wade fishing for smallies question

[Fat-G]

I have a nearby river that I LOVE to wade in and catch smallies. My best combo has been a 5'6" light, 6# test stren and a t-rigged craw. The biggest one I have caught was about 11 inches. Now I love to do this trip, but I really want to catch some better sized ones. I'll try to explain the layout so you can have a better idea of what it's like. Up stream there is a dam, which has some pretty deeper water nearby. There are also some holes with some pretty deep water. In the middle there are some scattered rocks, with an average depth of around 4 feet. I have had some okay success behind the rocks, but never really fished a lot of them thoroughly. Farther downstream there is a big flat were the water is a lot calmer, with some scattered grass beds. then it gets really rocky, an I doubt there are any bigger smallies in the area. I have a lot of confidence in the flat, but since I am wading I feel I am spooking some of the better-sized ones off. Any suggestions on lures/techniques?  

[Captain Rhino]

I usually try using a small jighead (1/8 oz) on a small sized plastic craw. I find that with these stream smallies, they are hard to hook sometimes. Therefore, I like to leave the hook exposed. I drop it right under rocks or bring it over the top of them, letting it drop off of the edge. This has been very successful for these types of "ambush" fish.

As for the idea of spooking fish downstreem, you should definitely cast upstreem or parallel, where the fish won't be disturbed by your walking. A friend of mine said it perfectly, "Waders are not really for fishing IN the water, they are for crossing it or accessing pools that are not reachable without them." What I'm trying to say is, don't get in the water unless you HAVE TO. This will greatly reduce the chances of you spooking the fish.

[SuskyDude]

Waders aren't for fishing in the water? :-?

[roadwarrior]

Waders aren't for fishing in the water? :-?

Internet fishing advice?

Buyer beware.

:

[Captain Rhino]

Waders aren't for fishing in the water? :-?

Of course they are, but they are more for accessing pools than standing in the water simply because you can. Like I said, there is no point in causing a disturbance by walking around in the water, if you don't need to. The stream smallies are very observant, and will definitely get spooked if you make too much noise or kick up too much sediment.

[BassDeaton01]

I'm actually going smallmouth fishing for the first time this weekend. I'm going with my father-in-law and he told me he is wanting to go to a creek near his house to get some hellgrammites to fish with. We're going to the Broad River in SC I believe. I'm not too fond of live bait fishing but he swears that these bad boys produce size when it comes to smallies. They look really weird. They have a pincher for the head   :-X

[Scorpio]

I do alot of wade fishing for smallies.  I have found that having a combo that can make long casts increases my chances of success.  I only use a 7-ft rod and light line (8-lb test or lighter) when I wade so I can get distance on the cast.

[tnbassfisher]

Sounds a lot like where I fish. Try to walk along the bank when you are able to. Especially around the holes where you think there might be fish. Also, try some tubes if you are familiar with fishing them. I have just got into fishing them, and the creek bass seem to love them.

[badog]

A kayak works real well for that type of water!! I throw stinger grubs and small fluorescent green and black spinners!! 60+ fish is not uncommon. in the River i fish ,13 inch smallie is a nice fish and 15 inch is a true hog!!! I use 6 foot rod with 4lb test.

[NewAngler]

sounds like the rappahannock.

[Bob Dole]

sounds like the rappahannock.

Did we have a winner?

[Crestliner2008]

I agree with Scorpio - get a longer rod. A light to medium-light action rod will suffice. Stick with the 6# test line, but try some fluorocarbon instead of mono. This will keep your presentation down, where you need it to be). You need the extra rod length for casting long range (which you need to do when wading) and for fighting the fish.

I wade a fairly large river here abouts (the CT) and have always walked into the water. Have caught smallies 10' away from me, so I don't see where wading is going to adversely affect your fishing?

BTW.....try 4" Senko. Rig it nose hooked with a 1/0, Gammy weedless hook. Dynomite!

[brittlab]

I would think about adding a few panther martin spinners and/or a few rebel tenny craw cranks to your tackle bag. I think the suggestion of a longer rod would help out as well with longer casts.

[Flywatersmallie]

A longer rod (I use generally a 6'6" medium light) and braid. Smallies, generally, are not very line shy and 2lb dia braid will cast a mile. If you feel the need, run a floro leader. The braid will help you avoid lots of breakoffs and feel the fish you are probably missing as well. Get some kalins grubs (any color as long as its smoke) and run them on a 1/16 oz head. You will get bit