I guess that's why they call it fishin' and not catchin'....

I went to one of my smallmouth haunts that I have never fished this early or this cold (water temp was right at 45). But, I felt like I had to get out and get out close enough to where it wasn't much of a drive home if things didn't pan out. Yeah, they didn't pan out.

All that said, I did mark a fair amount of bait fish in the area where they were expected to be and one of the little baitballs even had a few smallmouth under it (they didn't give a fuck what I was throwing...)


PXL_20230330_165828544~3.jpg

Visibility was nearly 3'....probably closer to 2.5', but plenty to get interested smallies into eating....

I was all good. I had zero expectations and adds another data point to my early fishing for these critters.

I was also excited to give these Cressi Pro Light fins a go. All I can say is WOW! I can't believe I haven't experimented with these sooner. I mean, I've had (and sold) Force Fins, used the Bucks Bags fins (nearly as good as FF but way lighter & way cheaper). These blew both those out of the water...combined with a dive bootie and I was in business.
PXL_20230330_174215293~2.jpg

Cheers!
 
Click to expand...
I had a buddy tell me about a spot North of here, in a bay after the confluence. From what I hear, in the summer its a great spot. I've been trying to get out there to see if can get into anything given that it's probably more shallow, boggy, therefore warmer than the main river.
 
Good on ya for getting after it already!

Had the urge to hit some side ponds after a couple sunny days last week, then it started snowing again.... Hopefully soon.
 
Getting out is what it’s all about! 👍
Nice to hear about the fins. I’ve always wondered if dive style fins would work for our application.
 
Yard Sale said:
Had the urge to hit some side ponds after a couple sunny days last week, then it started snowing again.... Hopefully soon.
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's just it....I've never gotten after it when it's been this cold. I know that some folks in the Midwest get them when it's mid-40s water temp and I know they're there. It's just a matter of figuring that out for an average fly guy....

Shoot, the last few years of trying to figure out this early season fishery has been fun as hell!
 
Have you tried a float n' fly type rig on the flyrod? That was the go-to winter smallmouth setup back in the 90's when I used to fish for them in the midwest.
 
DerekWhipple said:
Have you tried a float n' fly type rig on the flyrod? That was the go-to winter smallmouth setup back in the 90's when I used to fish for them in the midwest.
Click to expand...
I have not. I've honestly never heard of it....guess a Google search is in my future... :LOL:
 
DerekWhipple said:
Have you tried a float n' fly type rig on the flyrod? That was the go-to winter smallmouth setup back in the 90's when I used to fish for them in the midwest.
Click to expand...
Essentially a balanced leech or minnow under a bobber? That's how this dude caught this awesome smallie...#8 balanced leech under a bobber-

Show me your bass

One for @Irafly from the other day. Almost launched this poor fella over my shoulder before aborting my pickup/backcast
pnwflyfishing.com pnwflyfishing.com
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top