Strategies For Winter Smallmouth?

[713lefty]

If you are looking for someone to go along in the Meramec, st. louis area, I'd try to open a hole in my schedule and hop in. My smallmouth friends are fair weather only, or at least warm temps.

[Terrierman]

I count on small jigs fished slow in deep water. Small = 1/8 oz heads and tube. I favor orange and brown or pumpkinseed. Something that looks crawdaddyish. Very original, huh?

[713lefty]

I've used small hairjigs, I believe Buds hair jigs from bullseye tackle in O'Fallon Mo. About 1/8oz. I added a felt trailer about 1.5" long. I hunted through a pile of scrap felt and found some crawdad pieces in brown/black. A few years back I caught some rainbows, a brown and a few smallies from the same deep hole from the upper Meramec in the trophy area, hence the single hook and felt.

[joeD]

by the way. did anyone mention your vehicle of choice? hmmm? canoe? kayak? jonboat? it absolutely makes a difference. so does your choice of stream section.

[cullinby9]

normally the fish stack up in they're wintering holes I pretty much throw two lures a small tube and a #5 shad rap suspender both in craw colors

[713lefty]

by the way. did anyone mention your vehicle of choice? hmmm? canoe? kayak? jonboat? it absolutely makes a difference. so does your choice of stream section.

This time of year a jon boat is first just to stay dry. Room for a duffle with extra clothes also. You can also troll back upstream to hit a pool again. A canoe is second. I will wait till summer to try a kayak. Never got close to one.

The Meramec is probably no. 1 choice. It can then be a day trip. The Steeleville to Onondaga area has a lot of holes. Upstream is good but draws more of a trout crowd. They are a nice group, just less people further down. Beaching the canoe (if chosen) would be best and work the hole. Then float to the next. Beaching the boat means one can work a jig better. We will have to call around and see who would rent us a craft. I have fished the Gasconade (awesome) but it is quite a drive. Caught numbers in the Bourbouse but few over 12" long. Not much depth so winter would be a concern. The current is good but close to the trout areas and can be busy. The eleven point is good but also a drive.

I have no problem in the front or back of a boat. I ok with alternating or just hopping in the back. I can steer a canoe from the back ok, not real good but safely.