Smallmouth In Winter

[nquattro0123]

if anybody has cuaght smallmouth in winter give me tips

[roadwarrior]

It really depends on where you live. Here in the Mid South winter is PRIMETIME!

On the Tennessee River we are killin' 'em with shinners fished on a split shot rig.

I have had great luck with The Rig, but now that we are into the pre-spawn, jerkbaits

will take center stage.

[Crestliner2008]

Ya gotta tell us where abouts you are from? What's the water temps like? This time of the year, it's critical to determine what the fish are doing; ice out, pre-spawn, spawn, etc.. Then we can be of more help.

[nquattro0123]

vam dam is a good fisherman!

[NateFollmer]

Too broad a question to answer specifically, but generally, small and slow works best for me in the winter (everything from simply cold water to fishing ice jams in the river). Some of my favorite baits are RageTail baby craws or even Chunks 'nose' hooked on a split shot rig or even put them on an 1/8oz ballhead jig. Tabu Whiptail worms are awesome also, small package and a ton of action, even when just laying around.

[nquattro0123]

thanks 4 all tips i will find them helpful to me

[mrmacwvu1]

read mike iconelie's article on spoons in the article section of this site

great read and I use similar techniques in the winter

[nquattro0123]

can u cast a lure in open water and catch fish cause people say u cant catch fish in open water with lures can you catch fish fish in open water with lures?

[roadwarrior]

Yes, but your odds increase dramatically around structure and/ or cover.

A specific example would be a ridge surrounded by deeper water on at least

one side. Baitfish may be attracted to the area and predators will follow. Also,

even in the absence of baitfish, smallmouth will relate to structure for protection

and potential ambush!

p.s. It's spring now, but my advice applies year-around.

[00 mod]

"nope you cant cause open water doesnt hold fish like covered water does people say these things cause they know what they are talking about and are telling the truth lures dont work either you must only catch fish with live bait on hooks that is the only way to catch fish in open water not covered water esp if you are talking about in the winter time when the water is colder that is when i catch my biggest fish the best time is in the winter in open water with live bait on a hook and then sometimes i can catch them in covered water with lures but that only happens sometimes but i guess it all depends on where you are and what types of water you are fishing"

Jeff