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Winter Smallie Talk

85K views 501 replies 61 participants last post by  mn4 
#1 ·
In light of the cooling temperatures, I've been thinking more and more about how limited my fishing opportunities will be in the coming months. But I guess as long as the flows aren't frozen over, I'll probably keep trying to fish the flows. Last year at this time, I just started to read about smallmouth and creek fishing in general. I was pretty much just a pond and lake guy and I figured that waiting until spring would be best as far as taking a crack at the smallies. This year is different though because I have already become pretty familiar with the creeks. I'm determined to make the most out of the cold days that I do decide to go out and try for some smallies. So, what do you local creek guys think about the smallie bite in the winter? What are some of your strategy changes even before you cast your lure? Are you really only looking in deeper holes or are the areas in and around the riffles still a key point of interest? Any key lures specifically (obviously slower, subtle presentations in general)? Also, what are your guys' opinions on slow rolling joshies steadily in the winter? I have just recently gained a lot of confidence in the joshy swimbaits and I want to keep fishing them throughout the winter. Any information or discussion would be awesome, I'm just looking for an interesting thread.



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#109 ·
Midsection of the pool on a tube. Cast perpendicular to the pool and reeled up slack line. Slowly raised rod and dragged tube along cobble. Lowering rod once it got to 11 o'clock, reeled up slack, and repeat. I see why you cast across or down current in the cold. The bites are very light. They don't smash the presentation and bringing lure down current with even a small amount of slack risks missing the bite.
 
#114 ·
Not this time as I was out with my buddy and during the winter I stick to gear more often as it is just easier to fish deep water and reach into the middle of pools from brushy banks. Although I will pull out the float n fly using the long rod occasionally and float some jig flies I tie up. If I get a sink tip line I will start bringing the fly rod out more in the winter, but until then unless I am fishing under an indicator it is just harder to fish that deep water.

I was using green pumpkin as well (only color I also carry haha) and although I got some hits and fish on I was thinking a black and purple would have been nice in the stained water.
 
#117 ·
Fish Bass Fish Perch Trout


Found em today stacked on a seam next to a deep slack pool. Caught over double digits between me and Flannel, only no real size. Biggest pushing 14 inches or so... mostly little fatties though that put up a great fight !
This was new water and on foot- if we had kayaks I think we could have done much better. I theorize the bigger fish were back further in the pool where we couldn't reach from the bank ...

Anyone ever get into large numbers of smaller fish without any hogs mixed in ???
 
#120 ·
View attachment 228675

Found em today stacked on a seam next to a deep slack pool. Caught over double digits between me and Flannel, only no real size. Biggest pushing 14 inches or so... mostly little fatties though that put up a great fight !
This was new water and on foot- if we had kayaks I think we could have done much better. I theorize the bigger fish were back further in the pool where we couldn't reach from the bank ...

Anyone ever get into large numbers of smaller fish without any hogs mixed in ???
Just curious as to what rod that is in the picture??
 
#122 ·
I have the 6'6" version of that rod. I bought my first about 4 years ago and it was great for the first season. The first trip out on year 2, I set the hook on the second smallie of the year and about 6 inches snapped off the end. I was very disappointed because I'm picky about taking care of my gear and I don't fish for smallies a whole lot anymore so I didn't get a lot of use out of it. Took a year off from the st croix rods but bought another one last year to give it another shot before I write them off. It's been good so far and very sensitive with flourocarbon line. Keeping my fingers crossed! Tight lines
 
#124 ·
I've got my $ worth about 5x on that rod I think !

I bet I've had it over 5-6 years though. New ones might not be as good for some reason.

In fact I bought a ST Croix bait caster last year that broke 6 inches down from the tip after only 1/2 a year. Not good at all.

I think I'm gonna switch to GLoomis.
 
#125 ·
Ah yes GLoomis, about 5 years ago my father purchased a GLoomis 9wt fly rod for our annual salmon trip to the Pierre Marquette river in MI. We fish the fly only water near Baldwin. Anyway he makes a few cast the first morning and hooks up with a nice salmon, the fish makes a big hard run and I hear what sounds like a pistol shot!!!! I turn around to see Dad's high dollar rod broken in two places and pieces sliding down the fly line. LMFAO!!! You just never know when sudden catostrophic failure is going to happen. And hundreds of dollars are not a guarantee of invincibility!
 
#131 ·
Fish Bass Fishing Carp Recreation
Got out for a couple of hours today. Hit 3 holes on a local flow. Throwing a dark green tube with purple sparkles, small tube about 1.5 inch long on a 32nd oz jig head. Floro carbon leader on braid. Casting cross current and letting it drop to the bottom, lift and let fall again. Had 2 hits and landed 2 smallmouth. This is a pic of the biggest. A real Football of a fish on Super Bowl Sunday! Good luck and tight lines!
 
#132 ·
View attachment 229168 Got out for a couple of hours today. Hit 3 holes on a local flow. Throwing a dark green tube with purple sparkles, small tube about 1.5 inch long on a 32nd oz jig head. Floro carbon leader on braid. Casting cross current and letting it drop to the bottom, lift and let fall again. Had 2 hits and landed 2 smallmouth. This is a pic of the biggest. A real Football of a fish on Super Bowl Sunday! Good luck and tight lines!
Glad to see you back in the action man!!!! Nice fish!
 
#134 ·
What few LM there are in our (free flowing) Rivers are usually only found in large pools and oxbows. I doubt they need to move far to find a suitable Wintering hole. They probably just stay put.
 
#138 ·
A couple fish from this weekend. Caught in a smaller flow. I have found the fish do no seem to travel quite a much or generally bunch up as much in many smaller flows I fish. I think this is due to the fact that there are a lot of potential holes that fish can winter in.
Fish Fishing Carp Bass Recreation
Fish Fish Carp Bass Common rudd
 
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