Stockton & Smallmouth

[zarraspook]

I need some thoughts / advice for SMALLMOUTH fishing on Stockton..

My son, who lives in Louisiana, read an article about Stockton having 3 of the last 4 state records for smallmouth and wants to come up this spring and give it a try...

I have fished Stockton for 20+ years but for Largemouth ( for fun ) and Crappie ( for the annual Willard Senior Citizen’s fish fry )..

The only thing I know about the Smallmouth fishing is “stay between the islands and the dam” and I am guessing mid to late march for a time frame??

He will only have three days to be on the water and has to be before mid April....

I will get on the water once it gets closer to 50 degrees but, any ideas to lessen my search area would be greatly appreciated !!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks, Zarra

[straw hat]

I have fished for big smallies from late March to mid-April. I used fairly large minnows. My best luck usually comes in the areas with scattered big rocks at the end of bluffs as you approach pea gravel points. If you start getting smaller ones either shift deeper and/or further out on the points. As usual, they will prefer windy points. If you really want to focus on the bigger ones don't hesitate to go as deep as 20 to 25'. The cloudy days before fronts seem to be the best, and besides, they are usually shallower then. I hope you catch a monster, I caught quite a few over 3 pounds but never was able to break 4 1/2. Not complaining though. Good luck.

[zarraspook]

Straw Hat, I was hoping you would "check in" !!!! If I can get him a dozen or so smallies, with a couple in the 3-4lb range, I'm sure he would be thrilled..

He is working the Bass Masters Classic ,on the Red river, right now and will be free after that for about 5-6 weeks... I sure in March that I won't have a problem finding a "windy" point or two...

I wouldn't have thought of going 20-25 foot deep.... Thanks

[Dutch]

Over the years I have caught more smallies on tubes than any other bait. Jig are also very good for me but not as good as tubes. Pumpkin seed and green pumpkin have been the best two colors for them.

[zarraspook]

Dutch, Thanks for the tackle tip... Do you rig them just on a jig-head or carolina or ?? I assume you are imitating a crawdad ??

That was one of my main questions. Crawdad or minnow imitaters ???

[straw hat]

That water can really be clear that time of year around the dam and then if you get a clear calm day they can really back off those points.

[Dutch]

Dutch, Thanks for the tackle tip... Do you rig them just on a jig-head or carolina or ?? I assume you are imitating a crawdad ??

That was one of my main questions. Crawdad or minnow imitaters ???

I rig the tubes 3 ways: 1. jig head insert, 2. Trig with sliding bullet sinker, and 3. Trig with bell sinker inside the tube.

[zarraspook]

THANKS... I would never have tought of Trig with sinker inside !!!!! GREAT

[binman]

I catch the most smallmouth during the summer on Stockton but if you get a date set in stone let me know and I will head down the same day and point a couple spots out for you to try. I would tell you where to go but they are structure spots in the middle of the lake super hard to find just from a message it's way easier just to show them to you.

[zarraspook]

Binman, That would be "above and beyond" any thing I would expect !!!! I would not want to move in on somone's private spots... But, If I can't find some fish before the boy gets here - I will give you a shout ..... THANK YOU !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!