Best Time Of Year For Nice Smallies

[jay bird]

Already getting Cabin fever and of course having to put in for time off at work. What would be the best time of year to try to get into some nice smallies. Will probably be fishing up by the Dam (Big Cedar area). I live in Cassville, but that is way to close to work to make for 3-4 days good fishing. Work has a great way of getting into the way of fishing. I have fished Table Rock a lot, but more towards Big M/Eagle Rock. I have caught some nice smallies in this area, but was not targeting them. Just looking for a general time of year and rational for why that would be a good time to fish for them. Thanks in Advance Jason

[Don House]

Already getting Cabin fever and of course having to put in for time off at work. What would be the best time of year to try to get into some nice smallies. Will probably be fishing up by the Dam (Big Cedar area). I live in Cassville, but that is way to close to work to make for 3-4 days good fishing. Work has a great way of getting into the way of fishing. I have fished Table Rock a lot, but more towards Big M/Eagle Rock. I have caught some nice smallies in this area, but was not targeting them. Just looking for a general time of year and rational for why that would be a good time to fish for them. Thanks in Advance Jason

Jason, Althought this year it really did not matter they were just eating alot all the time and with all of the flooded water they never stopped. But really the best time for some good smallies is right around End of May and June. We get a great swimming grub bite around the DAM area and that will get you into some good small mouths for sure, one of my favorite times of the year during that time frame.

Good Fishing

Don

[jay bird]

Thanks Don, I am glad I asked becuase I was thinking that the end of April and Start of May would be the best. What kind of structure do I look for, on that type of bite?

PS Did you see the new humminbird 798 for this year. They must of really listened to the custumer becuase that was my major complaint of having to keep trading SD cards so I could mark fish and still use my GPS software when running down the lake.

[Ealy]

Don't be afraid to come March, April, and May. Swim a grub, spinnerbait or throw a crankbait if it's windy, split shot rig, c-rig and football jig otherwise. Good topwater action in April and May also. Look for the flat gravel banks.

[Don House]

Thanks Don, I am glad I asked becuase I was thinking that the end of April and Start of May would be the best. What kind of structure do I look for, on that type of bite?

PS Did you see the new humminbird 798 for this year. They must of really listened to the custumer becuase that was my major complaint of having to keep trading SD cards so I could mark fish and still use my GPS software when running down the lake.

Jay Bird, for that really good Grub Bite in May and June we are fishing all of the flat long pea gravel main lake points around the DAM area. Slow rolling these baits back and allow them to scrub the bottom back to the boat in is the trick.

Yes, I have seen the new 798 C2SI unit, pretty dang nice for the money, and yes adding two SI slots really helped. Besides that the other big thing was the high res screen, really nice for sure..

When you get close to coming down here keep checking in on this site, there is alot of good information posted by alot of us on a week to week basis, that will keep you informed!!

Good Fishing

Don House

[jay bird]

Thanks Don, that is just the information I was looking for. Do you think Hummin bird would take a year old 797 and 20$ for the new 798.

[Don House]

Thanks Don, that is just the information I was looking for. Do you think Hummin bird would take a year old 797 and 20$ for the new 798.

JayBird, that would be nice.. I thinking of upgrading my 997 to the 1197, but they won't take it in on trade and I'm on there pro staff, just have to sell it out right and get 1500.00 for it then add another 600-700 dollars for the new 1197.. Ouch!!

Good Fishing

Don