smallmouths in Washington

[bassmaster85]

I am new to bass fishing in Western Washington.  I here there are some good smallmouth fishing.  I'm from the Southeast originally.  Don't know if the techniques around here are any  different than i'm used too.  Any advice would be awesome.  Thanks.

[islandbass]

Lake Sawyer is closer to you than either Lakes Washington or Union.  There is also Lake Tapps.

Are you a member of any of the local forums?

[Teal101]

Join up on Washingtonlakes.com

They have a good forum with lots of info on the west side smallie.  Drop shotting seems to be the thing on Lake Washington.

I fish the east side at Moses Lake, The Columbia, Potholes, and the small chain lakes in the region.  My #1 technique is a dt-4 in hot mustard bouncing rocks on the bottom like a crayfish.

[iceintheveins]

Lake Washington is good for smallies, as is the Lower Yakima River, and of course the Columbia.

[ProCrafter]

Some friends and I just had a Fish-in on American Lake and had 5 Smallies from 3.2-4.7 LBs on Crankbaits and Footballhead Jigs also as stated Prior, Lake Wa., Lake Sammamish have very nice Smallmouth fishing.

[bassmaster85]

Thanks for all the useful info fellas.  Haven't been bass fishing here for long so hopefully I can make it out soon and check out some of the lakes you all mentioned. The water is much colder here than what I grew up bass fishing in down in the southern states so I will have to try new techniques i'm sure.

[islandbass]

You and me both, bud. Our weather has not been cooperative lately, especially for someone like me who is shorebound.

I'm spoiling to get into some smallies and have been since November. 

[Teal101]

You and me both, bud. Our weather has not been cooperative lately, especially for someone like me who is shorebound.

I'm spoiling to get into some smallies and have been since November.

I hear ya on the weather.  It's snowing in Wenatchee right now :

[Glenn]

Ya what happened with the weather?  NOW winter decides to show up?

[flippin and pitchin]

If you don't like the weather, wait 15 minutes, it will change.  You might consider Riffe which is a reservoir near Morton.  It's just now full enough to launch at both ends.  Water yesterday was 45 degrees.  The wind was out of the east and the snow on the surrounding hills made for a cool day on the skin and the fishing.  Six on and four in the boat, three were Kokanee, nice ones. ;D  They like jerkbaits.  The smallies should be moving up any time now.  Go on a saturday or sunday and you get to watch the hang gliders as a bonus.  BTW, welcome !!

[Glenn]

As for techniques - don't get too concerned about "being different" for the NW. Throw what you know, and you might be surprised. A smallie doesn't know where it lives. You only need to adjust for water clarity and water temp; so that may mean smaller diameter line and more natural colored baits than you're used to. The spawn usually happens in May-June, so adjust your seasonal approach accordingly.

That's about it!

[lefthandreel]

Like some of the other guys mentioned, the Potholes region of Central/Eastern area washington can be amazing.... THere are a coupla big reservoirs (Scooteney, Banks lake) but dont forget about some of the small lakes. Because of the terrain, they hid pretty darn good in the gullies ... Best thing i found to do was to use Google Earth and scan over areas closest to me ... I found a lot of lakes i woudlnt have thought were there...

P.s. cant go wrong with the columbia if you get the chance..  just about anywhere.... 

[Matt B]

For those of you familiar with the Eastern side of the state, any tips on fishing the Columbia/Snake? I'm in the Tri-Cities and just recently got my boat. I know nothing of fishing the rivers, aside from a spot or two that I've bank fished from.

I've been out on Potholes reservoir a few times, but would like to get into some fish closer to home.

[lefthandreel]

For those of you familiar with the Eastern side of the state, any tips on fishing the Columbia/Snake? I'm in the Tri-Cities and just recently got my boat. I know nothing of fishing the rivers, aside from a spot or two that I've bank fished from.

I've been out on Potholes reservoir a few times, but would like to get into some fish closer to home.

Hey matt B.... I live in the tricities as well..... i dont have a boat but I've been out with some buddies who know the area pretty well.... If you are familiar with Howard amon park (Richland) ...  thats a great starting point... you can fish a about 2 miles up stream up and down that bank.... i catch a lot of fish there in the summer including a coupla 3-4 lbrs...

if you go downstream from howard amon park, all the way down to anthonys... theres great fishing all along that bank...

Then right past 1-82 bridge ( right below anthonys just continue down the bank)  You will see Batemane Island, and the Yakima River delta. All in there, there is great fishing.... Not only bass but cats as well if you like fishing from those 

As for baits.... Summertime, Tubes are great for producing fish... Topwater in the morning and evening... soft plastics especially senkos wacky rigged produce fish.... focus on green/brown/watermelon based colors though for hard baits, different colored cranks are awesome. Topwaters: i've mainly used brokeback floating rapalas and poppers...

I hope this helps man!

tight lines...

lefthandreel  8-)

[Matt B]

Thanks for the tips! I definitely will start prowling that shoreline north of Howard Amon. I've fished from shore around that big concrete structure next to the Leslie Groves boat launch before, but never up or downstream from there.

This weekend, however, it's off to Potholes for a few days. Last weekend I picked up a 19" smallie along the dam on my ultralight gear. What a ride!