Sweetwater

[abkeenan]

Yes there are some good Jaw's up the White and also up the James, but for the most part they prefer open big gravel flats on the White River chain on all the White River lakes. Not unusual to catch big Jaw's schooling and chasing in very deep water and also not uncommon to catch them suspended over the humps and channel swings, on any of our White River impoundments.

Here the best Jaw water is for sure Campbell Point to the 86 bridge just in front of Long Creek. KC to the dam is the top producer, but any of this big open water holds more than quality smallmouth.

That being said my biggest came from a pocket across from Rock Creek about 15 yrs. ago, during the spawn. 6.3 pounds. There are some areas up the White and up the James that I expect when fishing to catch jaws on and usually do. Just usually not the numbers or size of the ones in the big clear water.

Smallmouth bass here on this lake are very opportune feeders, I believe more so than K's or LM. The jaw will just about eat anything. Of course they love Daddy's, but they are also bug eaters. I have seen big Jaws chasing Gizzard Shad that if they were a trout I would be proud to catch. These fish are really site feeders, and for more than the most part not ambush feeders. They see and run down what they want to eat. They may hold in cover at times but this is as much for shade and protection as anything. When they feed, they hunt. Main lake clear water provides the best chance for this type of predator, where the visibility is at its best.

Good Luck

And there you have it ladies and gentleman. Summed up nicely and I never really thought about that last bit about the way smallies "hunt" in which clearer water lends itself to being more visual predation thus better for smallies on the move feeding. Learn something new every day.

[Champ188]

That's as fine a characterization of TR's smallmouth fishery as you'll ever read. Best of all, it comes from a guy who knows these fish not only by "book learning" but from chasing them 300-plus days a year.

It also brings up something that I try to live by but don't always succeed, and that is this ... There's a big difference in learning about fishing and learning about fish. The more you know about the fish themselves and their habits, the less emphasis you'll place on the latest lures, etc.

[abkeenan]

That's as fine a characterization of TR's smallmouth fishery as you'll ever read. Best of all, it comes from a guy who knows these fish not only by "book learning" but from chasing them 300-plus days a year.

It also brings up something that I try to live by but don't always succeed, and that is this ... There's a big difference in learning about fishing and learning about fish. The more you know about the fish themselves and their habits, the less emphasis you'll place on the latest lures, etc.

Coming from the guy that wants to load up on ordinary cranks at $7 a pop from GYCB....... Just kiddin' Champ. Giving you a hard time.

[Champ188]

LOL, abk. Fire away. Good-natured ribbing ALWAYS appreciated and usually returned in full.