Mid Fall River Smallies

[LittleRedFisherman]

I ususally don't get much of a chance to ever fish this time of year with my job, but this year I could possibly sneak out to the river a time or two in the next couple weeks.  What do you guys like to chuck at the Bronzebacks this time of year.  With rain i'm getting here, but not a whole lot it looks like north of me on the Current river, I may try to go one day this week.  I'm thinking the standards for me, tubes, finesse rigs etc dragging along the bottom.    If you guys have got on any fall smallies, feel free to post some pics!  As my work will slow down soon, I hope my fishing and posting on here will pick up!   Tight lines!

[drew03cmc]

I wouldn't overlook crankbaits, lipless cranks and even spinnerbaits. Having said that, you can still get on them with flukes and topwater some.

[Mitch f]

Water temps and clarity play a big role. If it's murky, spinnerbaits and crankbaits, or even a well placed jig. Clear water....I would go with jigs, flukes, Ned, Jerk baits, or topwater if the temps are over 55 or so.

[rFisherk]

This is the time of year--when most of the weekend experts are watching football, that I enjoy the rivers most, but I've found I need to change tactics. The water is low and clear and littered with leaves. Anything with open hooks is going to catch a lot of leaves, so one of my favorite fall baits is a Strike King's Mini-Spin. I like it, too, because I can cast it a long way. With the water low and clear, you tend to spook many of the better fish, unless you stay as far back as possible. I suspect, too, that most of the smallmouth have been spooked, hooked and released and otherwise educated by weekend wizards all summer, so they are shyer than normal. Catching a bunch of bass this time of year is more about a stealthy approach than anything.

[MOsmallies]

Beautiful pic Ron

[carptracker]

Wade fished for about 30 minutes late Sunday afternoon on the Meramec.  River is low and clearing but not as clear as it usually is for late October.  The fish seemed to act more like it was September than late October (good bite and aggressive).  Until the water gets cooler a wide array of baits should work well.

Great weekend to be out in the Ozarks.  

[LittleRedFisherman]

This is the time of year--when most of the weekend experts are watching football, that I enjoy the rivers most, but I've found I need to change tactics. The water is low and clear and littered with leaves. Anything with open hooks is going to catch a lot of leaves, so one of my favorite fall baits is a Strike King's Mini-Spin. I like it, too, because I can cast it a long way. With the water low and clear, you tend to spook many of the better fish, unless you stay as far back as possible. I suspect, too, that most of the smallmouth have been spooked, hooked and released and otherwise educated by weekend wizards all summer, so they are shyer than normal. Catching a bunch of bass this time of year is more about a stealthy approach than anything.

Great pic Ron, and good advice!  I know Current river is really low, -3tenths at Doniphan, I love to fish it at 0 in the summer.  Since my initial post, some of this rain moved up there, so a little green in the water would be great!  I might try to sneak off over there tomorrow, we will see!

Mitch, I forgot to mention jerkbaits, that's one of my favorites as well!