Creek Fishing for Smallmouth

[largemouth76]

I've got a smallmouth trip planned for May in a creek known for catching good smallies, but I've never fished for them before.

I'm planning to use crawfish imitation baits such as jigs and small crankbaits, but as to what else I have no clue.

Have you guys got any ideas on good baits/colors for catching smallies? Any input would be much appreciated.

Thanks a lot,

Kevin

[zman]

I do this type of fishing a lot in the summer, and my opinion is that you really need to start with flukes/senkos first - and then if that doesn't work move to jigs. I know a lot of people who when they think smallmouth they automaticly think crawfish, which is good, but I think that minnow imitators are more visible in the water and allow you to get more casts in and more smallmouth assuming the fish are active.

[danrw84]

Good point WTL. Â*I hardly use crawfish baits when fishing in my creek. Â*If you are able to use live shiners or minnows, that would be your best bet. Â*But, if your using lures, anything that imitates a minnow is a good choice. Â*Where will you be fishing? Â*

Remember to cast up stream and let your bait come back to you. Â*The fish will be facing up stream waiting to pounce on the prey that comes by. Â*Look for things that break the water, rocks, timber, corners etc. Â*The fish will sit behind these things and wait. Â*Again, cast in front of the these objects, let the current carry your bait to them and hold on. Â*The big boys will hold in the deeper pools.

[FatBass]

This is right up my alley as I love to go creek smallie fishing. I rely on a couple of baits...
1-2.75" Tube in Roadkill
2-3" or 4" handpoured Stickbait that I make for myself. Deadly rigged wacky style
3-a small 3" Slug go, yes believe it or not these things still work well.

[randerson52]

ahh, i love smallie fishing in creeks, use smaller lb test lines, i like 4-6 lb test, use strike king mini king spinnerbaits, use the bitsy jigs and use a rapla original floating minnow. And, you can never match the power of a plastic worm or a nightcrawler

[macgyver]

http://www.riversmallies.com great site for any info on river smallie fishing.

Lizards

[gallenl]

Case plastics make a bait called "jack's worm",it was name after his buddy that died . I met him at Gander moutian in Fredricksburg Virginia and after talking with him for 45 minutes he gave me a couple of packs of jack's worms . The next day i tried them and this is the smallie bait for me. Try them.



flippin4it

Thanks for the help guys. I really appreciate it.

Kevin