Smallmouth fishing in reservoirs

[tkobermann]

Hey guys I am new to the forum.  I've grown up fishing ozark streams in southern Missouri.  Smallmouth bass have become my favorite species to target and I have gotten very good at catching them on ozark streams.  However, I have never really targeted smallmouth on reservoirs.  I am going to Bull Shoals lake the second week of April with my dad and brother in law to target smallmouth.  I am curious if anyone has any advice on catching smallmouth on reservoirs such as when do they spawn, where do they spawn (main lake, arms, shallow coves, next to tributaries, etc.), depth to catch them this time of year, etc.  We only catch and release smallmouth as I have too much respect for these fish and how long it takes them to grow.  We're just looking for the fight of a lifetime with a trophy bronzeback!  Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[Seth]

I hear @Bluff-Bassin knows how catch a few on that pond. Maybe he can give you a few pointers.

[Royal Blue]

I've literally only caught one keeper brown fish out of that pond and a few small ones.  We fish it all the time too.  I have no idea why, but almost everything I catch down there are large mouth and Kentuckies.  Now at Table Rock there are some toad smallies around the dam area.

[snakem]

grubs,ned rig and lizards will get u bit that time of year

[snagged in outlet 3]

Tackle HD Hi Def Craws oughta work too

[Bluff-Bassin]

21 hours ago, Seth said:

 I hear @Bluff-Bassin knows how catch a few on that pond. Maybe he can give you a few pointers.

 

18 hours ago, snagged in outlet 3 said:

Tackle HD Hi Def Craws oughta work too

I catch a few here and there . But there are a few easy deals that should work that time of year. A lot of it depends on the weather that given day. If you want smallies specifically though I would definitely stay on the main lake white river portion. Anywhere from the dam to lead hill is packed with them. On cloudy rainy days I like to throw a jerkbait on bluff ends or a wiggle wart on do nothing gravel points with wind blowing in on them. Any natural colors will work. 

Sunny and calm days  as mentioned are more of drop bait days. With our lake being super clear a high def craw by tackle hd would slay them. Your typical offerings like a tube, drop shot, jig, or Ned will catch them too.  I'd try the same areas as above but look deeper if you want the "trophy". When it's sunny I'll often times catch them as deep as 30ish ft.

 Finally an overlooked pattern for catching a ton of brown fish on bull is swimming a grub.  3/8 jig head and a 4 or 5' Yamamoto single tail in a smoke color. Find the pea gravel points let it drop all the way to the bottom and slow roll it back making sure your always with in a foot or two of the bottom. Also sub in a kietech as desired in lieu of a grub.

 

good luck!

 

 

 

[Ham]

19 hours ago, Royal Blue said:

I've literally only caught one keeper brown fish out of that pond and a few small ones.  We fish it all the time too.  I have no idea why, but almost everything I catch down there are large mouth and Kentuckies.  Now at Table Rock there are some toad smallies around the dam area.

Location, location, location. Go to the lower half of the lake and I bet you all the money in the world that changes. 

[tkobermann]

Thanks for all the advice! So do smallmouth typically spawn on or close to the main lake rather than way up in arms of the lake?

[Royal Blue]

3 hours ago, Ham said:

Location, location, location. Go to the lower half of the lake and I bet you all the money in the world that changes. 

That's probably our biggest issue.  We're fishing K-Dock area most of the time.  That big keeper brownie that I caught over there last month was in Yocum creek.

[Ham]

Any fish can hangout wherever it wants to, but go lower half of lake if looking for them ole brown fish.