Catch Rate For Smallmouth

[ozark trout fisher]

I don't think anyone will say that fly fishing is the most efficient method of smallie fishing...but for me it sure is the most fun. I use the fly rod a lot on smaller floatable streams and wadeable creeks, not so much on the big rivers. I do just fine with a 5 weight and woolly buggers during the day, poppers and hopper patterns in the mornings and evenings. The fish numbers are probably 50% of what I can get with conventional tackle, but on the right kind of water that's a sacrifice worth making IMO. Hooking a nice smallie on a fly rod is about as much fun as one can have on an Ozark stream.

[Nolan_Whaley]

Definitely catch more and bigger bass on conventional gear. But, there is just something fun about catching fish on a fly rod. I'd say the low water right now is perfect time to get out and try some flies tho. It's just hard to get the action and fall on fly gear that you can on other tackle.

[stlfisher]

Since I now live within 20 minutes of smallie water I have had the opportunity to experiment this week. I dusted of my baitcaster and fish the same areas this week I have been fishing with the fly rod. Not surprisingly I did much much better than with the fly rod on all day trip. I caught 15 fish or so in a couple hours of fishing with many more missed strikes. I did catch my PB smallie and then topped it a few minutes later. The second fish was a very healhy fish in the 2.5-3lb range. Totally caught me off guard when it started stripping drag in the current. I would have swore it was much much bigger the way these guys fight. Unreal the strength these fish have.

Most importantly I learned where these fish are and in fact there are plenty of fish and some very nice ones as well. Long casts are essential. I am sure I will split time between the fly rod and the baitcaster.

The only place I have struggled to catch fish is in the deep holes....I have bumped a bunch of stuff on the bottom (TR worms, craws, senko's etc) but no dice. I know there a bigger fish there...saw a guy last week catch a largemouth that was 4+. Most of my fish have come on Fluke like baits.

And on a better note my fiance is at her mom's printing our wedding invitations. She just called and they are having computer problems. She won't be home until later tonight. Looks like i am gonna go fishing after work. Technology breakdowns do have some advantages.

[Crooked Creek Angler]

Not a fly fisherman in any sense although I have caught a few fish on one, but for comparison I can say that while float fishing with my long time fishing partner with spinning tackle we set the bar for catch rate for a really good trip, (in terms of numbers), at 10 fish per hour. We typically cover the water fairly quickly and stay in the canoe. Our personal best was a short float on Crooked Creek when we caught 69 fish in three hours.

[Mitch f]

Since I now live within 20 minutes of smallie water I have had the opportunity to experiment this week. I dusted of my baitcaster and fish the same areas this week I have been fishing with the fly rod. Not surprisingly I did much much better than with the fly rod on all day trip. I caught 15 fish or so in a couple hours of fishing with many more missed strikes. I did catch my PB smallie and then topped it a few minutes later. The second fish was a very healhy fish in the 2.5-3lb range. Totally caught me off guard when it started stripping drag in the current. I would have swore it was much much bigger the way these guys fight. Unreal the strength these fish have.

Most importantly I learned where these fish are and in fact there are plenty of fish and some very nice ones as well. Long casts are essential. I am sure I will split time between the fly rod and the baitcaster.

The only place I have struggled to catch fish is in the deep holes....I have bumped a bunch of stuff on the bottom (TR worms, craws, senko's etc) but no dice. I know there a bigger fish there...saw a guy last week catch a largemouth that was 4+. Most of my fish have come on Fluke like baits.

And on a better note my fiance is at her mom's printing our wedding invitations. She just called and they are having computer problems. She won't be home until later tonight. Looks like i am gonna go fishing after work. Technology breakdowns do have some advantages.

My advice FWIW, let her know your passion for fishing right now.....this way she won't freak out when you want to go so often.

[Al Agnew]

There's a reason you struggle in the deep holes...the fish that are lying in the deep holes are usually inactive fish that are difficult to get to take anything. When the fish are hungry, they move to somewhat shallower water because there's more food there. On a typical summer day, I won't bother fishing stuff on the bottom in deep water. I might cover it quickly with something faster, just to catch the odd active fish, but I figure the optimum spots, no matter what kind of lures you are fishing, will be shallower and have some current.