Lure Recommendations For Smallies

[gotmuddy]

while we are on the subject, does anyone know of a crankbait that has a good molting crawfish look? last weekend when we floated the north fork I saw a crawfish that had just molted and it was a peculiar color.

[eric1978]

while we are on the subject, does anyone know of a crankbait that has a good molting crawfish look? last weekend when we floated the north fork I saw a crawfish that had just molted and it was a peculiar color.

Detailed finishes on crankbaits are over-rated. Get one that has a similiar color to the 'dads, or like Al says, match the bottom of the stream, and call it good enough. I'm done buying $20 crankbaits because I think they're pretty...the fish don't care.

[Paola Cat]

Teeny craws .... deep and shallow. Slider worms 4" salt-n-pepper (fish them on a jig head or texas rigged). You should be good to go.

[zipstick]

Tom,

The winter time bite for smallies is quite good if done correctly. The maribou jig and tube can be good while most anglers probably favor a hair jig in the 1/16-1/8 oz. when the water temps dip into the lower 40's. I noticed that you live in the St. Louis area as I do, and I have probably done more smallie winter fishing and catching than most sane folks can inagine. Bait selection is very important for winter time success, but it is just one piece of the puzzle. Water clarity, depth, structure and temperatures all play a prominent role in locating and catching big smallies. I've taught quite a few guys how catch them all through the year, but winter time is my favorite time to be out in our streams. Shoot me a private message if you are interested in fishing with me. Thanks.

[Wayne SW/MO]

My best smallie lures are 3/16 oz jigs in brown and green and a couple of Sammie's for the top. Tubes work well, but are hard on the fish. Beyond that plastic, lures with slow wobbles, and spinner baits are worth trying. In the fall jerkbaits do well.

[flytyer57]

while we are on the subject, does anyone know of a crankbait that has a good molting crawfish look? last weekend when we floated the north fork I saw a crawfish that had just molted and it was a peculiar color.

You'd be better off painting one yourself than trying to find one.

Of course, if you tied your own flies, you could match it pretty good with the availability of all the different colours available.

[Wayne SW/MO]

gotmuddy use a jig. I dress my jigs with the shell highlights of crawdads and they work. You don't have to match anything exactly, just give an impression.