Going up to a very clear rocky lake to fish for Smallmouth. We hired a guide who will have us troll cranks in 20′. We can use his stuff but thats no fun plus we will be fishing without him for most of the trip. What do you guys use that deep?
Dropshots!
1/4 oz black jig head, black 4 inch rubber worm or half a nightcrawler.
That’s not deep. Try a Ned rig with a TRD. A Tube with a 1/4oz worm weight in front of it.
I agree with everyone above but dont discount top waters. Smallies will rise 20+ feet to smash a topwaters bait. Find a piece of structure holding fish, ie a hump, or reef and cast across it. If fishing in bright conditions pay attention to your shadows, they will spook the fish sometimes.
Drop shots if they are near the bottom. If suspended try a white or chartreuse 5 inch Caffeine Shad on an Owner Twistlock Light 3/32 oz hook. Cast out over suspended fish and let it “swim” like a dying bait fish as it sinks to desired level. Then twitch/jerk a few times, let it die/swim some more. Rinse and repeat…
If you’ve ever watched Karl Kalonka or Kim Stricker, they use this technique a lot. Works!!
Football head with a craw trailer can work really good at times. 1/4 – 3/8. Maybe even heavier if they don’t want it moving very fast.
I would also go with a drop shot or NED rig. Something that gets forgotten about is a tube. Tubes catch just as many smallies for me as a drop shot. I have also pulled up quite a few with a Strike King 6 XD crank. Gets down to 18-20 ft depending on line size.
That’s not deep. Try a Ned rig with a TRD. A Tube with a 1/4oz worm weight in front of it.
. X2 exactly
If you have side imaging and can find isolated structure, use a drop shot
If you have large rocky areas to cover consider dragging a tube or football style jig.
Going on Monday! Keep the ideas coming—Thanks
How did you do? What did you use?
Caught plenty in the Fall on DT-10’s and 15’s.
Some small ones and one 20” tub. Kinda slow overall. Mostly trolled deep divers.
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