Looking for some Smallmouth..?

[Top Dog]

I know I might be crazy, but I'm hittin the water this weeked (highs in the low 30's). Mostly I can't wait to use my new Eagle Fish Elite480 which I just got my Navionics premium hotmaps in the mail today. If anyone has any comments on the Premium GPS maps I would love to hear any opinions. Otherwise, I will be doing plenty of slow boating looking for fish and playing with my finder. Specifically, I like'd to run into some good Smallmouth action. I have caught a few smallmouth in random locations between Campbell's Point and Viola on the King. I'll be launching at the Shell Knob bridge and would appreciate any tips for any good smallmouth or even spots/largemouth in the area. Thanks to all!

[SKMO]

I know I might be crazy, but I'm hittin the water this weeked (highs in the low 30's). Mostly I can't wait to use my new Eagle Fish Elite480 which I just got my Navionics premium hotmaps in the mail today. If anyone has any comments on the Premium GPS maps I would love to hear any opinions. Otherwise, I will be doing plenty of slow boating looking for fish and playing with my finder. Specifically, I like'd to run into some good Smallmouth action. I have caught a few smallmouth in random locations between Campbell's Point and Viola on the King. I'll be launching at the Shell Knob bridge and would appreciate any tips for any good smallmouth or even spots/largemouth in the area. Thanks to all!

For Smallmouth I would definitely fish toward Campbell point rather than the other direction, might even consider putting in at Campbell point, the boat ramp is in good shape, actually easier to launch than at normal pool. If you put in at SK check out the ramp before you back in, it's down to one lane and if you don't hit the right spot you might have real problems.

I have a hard time myself catching great numbers of SM this time of year, but do catch some nice ones. I'd probably throw a stickbait on main lake and secondary points as well as 45 degree chunk rock banks. Along with it in same places throw a jig/pig or 1/2 oz Jewell type jig with twin trailer in some shade of brown or green. Fish can be about any depth but sometimes a good strategy is working the shallows looking for more active fish. Sometimes it works, sometimes not. Might catch decent LM same way, especially farther back in the coves. I know this goes against some of the conventional wisdom but you might be surprised how shallow you can find fish.

Otherwise play with your depthfinder and look for balls of shad in the cove mouths, cuts, and around deep trees. Wherever you can find shad is a good place to try. There will often, if not usually, be fish associated with them. Nice spots especially, plus sometimes white bass and an occasional pig SM, however I rarely catch LM this way this time of year. Problem with me this year has getting the things to bite, have not had as much luck doing this as in the past. Can find the shad and the fish and often catch one right off the bat and that’s it. May be a mistake letting them go, I think they swim back and rat me out. If you find nice bunches of shad and are sure you see large fish with them and can't get bit try the same spot in a few hours, they will probably still be there and may have changed their attitude.

You will probably find this action from 30-50' deep, usually more toward the 50. Baits I use include dropshot if it's not too windy, spoon, large grubs, and 4" tubes. Tubes have been probably my best bet this winter, grey, shad or white color and this is one bait I like to soak in a good stinky shad scent. Not sure what the fish think of it but at least my hands smell fishy at the end of the day.

Thats my 2 cents worth. I'm sure there are other opinions. Hopefully Babler will notice your question I think he would have some better ideas, especially on the SM.