Smallmouth Bass In The South East?

[-HAWK-]

Hey guys, got a couple questions. Ill be traveling to Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

for 5 days. Then from there ill be staying in Bryson city, North Carolina for 3 days. Then from there ill be in StoneMoutain, Georgia for 3 days. Now my question is, Out of those 3 areas where would I find the best waters to catch me a nice smallmouth Bass? I am from Florida, so i have never caught one. Im not looking for monsters, ill settle for a 12 inch dink. lol. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Also what should I be throwing this time of year for smallmouth? Grubs, Senko, Rattle trap,?? suggestions? Thanks in advance everyone.

[Chris at Tech]

You're not gonna find any smallmouth anywhere near Stone Mtn.

[lazeebum]

Are you taking your boat?

[-HAWK-]

Are you taking your boat?

No, I will be boatless.

[lazeebum]

I think I have read on here about someone catching smallmouth in Pigeon Forge river, I ain't sure. Since you will be boatless try below any dams you might be near.

[-HAWK-]

I think I have read on here about someone catching smallmouth in Pigeon Forge river, I ain't sure. Since you will be boatless try below any dams you might be near.

Thanks for the info, I will check that out for sure.

[lynyrdsky1]

There's alot of small rivers throughout gatlinberg that are full with trout and smallmouth you just got to look for them. Check online there should be a few websites about it.

[basscrusher]

More trout streams than anything else near Gatlinburg...pack accordingly. That's the only one of those places I can speak of with knowledge.

[VolFan]

Fish the Little Pigeon in Sevierville/Gatlinburg. Look for access points near the bridges that cross it. This time of year it's going to be tough. Try finesse jigs with small trailers, trick worms weightless, small gold inline spinners, and/or senkos. Jigs and senkos in the holes, everything else in the riffles. In Bryson City, you can fish Fontana, which is an excellent smallie lake, but I would get a guide or some local advice.

[-HAWK-]

thanks for the input volfan. Btw what do You guys use to catch trout?

[lazeebum]

If you fish for trout, be sure to get a trout license.

[-HAWK-]

If you fish for trout, be sure to get a trout license.

I have already made arrangements in each city that I stay to purchase a fishing permit and trout permit. Thanks for the heads up. Ill be fishing with my young son. I dont need any trouble with the law. lol

[fishinkeebs]

If you are near stone mountain be sure to check the Flint river. It has awesome smallie fishing and some shoal bass. Also look into the ponds at callaway gardens. Good luck!

[VolFan]

I mainly use flies for the trout streams there, but if you're spinning, a 1/32 or 1/16 oz roostertail in grasshopper color is really all you need for either trout or smallies (or really anything else that swims). I sometimes put a shot a foot above to keep it down in current, and it helps with line twist. You can also use small classic rapalas or husky jerks. Little curly tails and/or trout magnets also work, but usually never get past the roostertail.

[Al Wolbach]

When you are in Gatlinburg I suggest you stop at BPS or some fishing outfit. There numerous different regulations about bait and hooks that can be used where. One set for inside the national park, one set for Gatlinburg, a set for for Sevierville and one set for the rest of the state. I know this sounds strange but the different areas allow artifical only, some artifical only but single hook only and some no live bait, including salmon eggs. It can get complicated and you d*** sure don't want a problem in the park, that's federal charges. I'm not sure who enforces the law in the other areas. BTW, most of the streams around Gatlinburg are trout streams. Sevierville may have smallmouth, not sure.

If you are coming by car you will probably come in on I-40 and get off at exit 407. If so BPS is at that exit. I suggest you visit the fishing department and fly shop for info, they should be able to answer your questions and they carry single hook Rooster tails.............................Al

[Brian Parkerson]

On 12/24/2011 at 1:26 PM, fishinkeebs said:

If you are near stone mountain be sure to check the Flint river. It has awesome smallie fishing and some shoal bass. Also look into the ponds at callaway gardens. Good luck!

Shoal Bass is a native bass only found in the  Mid /Upper Ocmulgee and Flint Rivers. If you have never caught, you should definitely add it to your list along with catching smallmouth. Flint is renowned for its trophy Shoal Bass. I'm looking for the best place to catch a Smallmouth somewhere in the South Eastern US as well....I've never caught one either but its at the very top of my fishing bucket list. Shoal Bass are exceptionally strong, powerful fish which thrive in faster current, rocky shoals of the Flint. Hopefully one day soon I can compare them with about a 20 inch Smallmouth! 

Edited May 8, 2020 by Brian Parkerson

[N Florida Mike]

Interesting post @Brian Parkerson, but look at the date of the first post. Hopefully he caught one by now!?