#373390 - 08/30/07 06:59 PM
Small River Smallmouth...got a question?
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Anonymous
Anonymous
TnDeer Old Timer
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What are the best baits/lures to use this time of year for smallmouth in the smaller rivers. Will they be in the deeper holes? Floating the Harpeth with the GF this weekend and looking for suggestions. How is the fishing on this river?
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#373415 - 08/30/07 07:14 PM
Re: Small River Smallmouth...got a question?
[Re: ]
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bowriter
Non-Typical
Registered: 08/31/02
Posts: 40337
Loc: Lebanon,TN USA
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No, you are not floating the Harpeth. It is dry. Don't you read the paper? Best bait-catapla worm on a sand crawler rig.
But if you do find water...live crawfish and 12 oz Bud Light.
Best artificial bait- black, 1/8 ounce buzzbait or a Gitzit on a 1/16 head.
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Constipation has ruined many a good day. Not as many as stupidity, though.
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#373649 - 08/30/07 09:00 PM
Re: Small River Smallmouth...got a question?
[Re: bowriter]
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Darkthirty II
6 Point
Registered: 02/28/07
Posts: 534
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We went Sat morning and my buddy was throwing a top water lure with a "walk the dog" type retrieve and he pulled in a 17" smallie. He hit as hard as I have ever seen a freshwater fish hit a top water plug. I was throwing a similar yo-zuri type topwater bait, with the same action, and caught one smallie maybe 10", and we caught several largemouths also. Caught'em right at daybreak. Also had good luck with a live crawfish on a carolina rig.
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#373669 - 08/30/07 09:06 PM
Re: Small River Smallmouth...got a question?
[Re: bowriter]
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CATCHDAWG
10 Point
Registered: 04/02/04
Posts: 3259
Loc: Bradley co. TN
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I'm gonna agree mostly with Bowriter on this one. In the "small" river I smallmouth fish in live crawdaddys are hard to beat with hellgramites being bout as good. You can get both in a small creek with a sein net. For artificials I do well with a frog pattern hula-popper or a pop-r. A mouse immitation on a 9wt fly rod is alot of fun to!!!
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woods n water
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#374005 - 08/30/07 10:49 PM
Re: Small River Smallmouth...got a question?
[Re: CATCHDAWG]
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gil1
12 Point
Registered: 04/06/07
Posts: 6153
Loc: Nashville, TN
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My buddy who lives on the Harpeth said the fish are all dead. He was exaggerating, but I think the river is not doing well.
I love live bait, jigs tipped with Mister Twisters, Slider worms, and white spinner baits.
9-wt. fly rod? You must be tossin' some beeeg baits. I usually use a 5 or 6 on the Harpeth. My streamers are no longer than 2-3 inches. Then again, it is extrememly rare for me to catch anything over 3 lbs. on the fly on the Harpeth. Mostly 1/2 to 1 1/2lbers.
_________________________
"May you live all the days of your life." - Jonathan Swift
I'm a Pope & Young Official Scorer - I'd love to score your critter - no charge.
I conduct professional game camera seminars.
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#375287 - 08/31/07 03:33 PM
Re: Small River Smallmouth...got a question?
[Re: gil1]
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Dog on Point
4 Point
Registered: 04/18/07
Posts: 497
Loc: Leipers Fork
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My buddy who lives on the Harpeth said the fish are all dead. He was exaggerating, but I think the river is not doing well.
I love live bait, jigs tipped with Mister Twisters, Slider worms, and white spinner baits.
9-wt. fly rod? You must be tossin' some beeeg baits. I usually use a 5 or 6 on the Harpeth. My streamers are no longer than 2-3 inches. Then again, it is extrememly rare for me to catch anything over 3 lbs. on the fly on the Harpeth. Mostly 1/2 to 1 1/2lbers.
Gil,
The West Harpeth is about 75 yards across the bottom from our house. Right now I can wade a mile and a half in either direction and not get my calves wet.
It's pitiful.
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"Firstest with the mostest" Gen. N.B. Forrest
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#375469 - 08/31/07 05:57 PM
Re: Small River Smallmouth...got a question?
[Re: Dog on Point]
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gil1
12 Point
Registered: 04/06/07
Posts: 6153
Loc: Nashville, TN
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My buddy who lives on the Harpeth said the fish are all dead. He was exaggerating, but I think the river is not doing well.
I love live bait, jigs tipped with Mister Twisters, Slider worms, and white spinner baits.
9-wt. fly rod? You must be tossin' some beeeg baits. I usually use a 5 or 6 on the Harpeth. My streamers are no longer than 2-3 inches. Then again, it is extrememly rare for me to catch anything over 3 lbs. on the fly on the Harpeth. Mostly 1/2 to 1 1/2lbers. Gil, The West Harpeth is about 75 yards across the bottom from our house. Right now I can wade a mile and a half in either direction and not get my calves wet. It's pitiful.
Ouch! What a beautiful river filled with redeyes and smallies. I can't imagine they could live in those conditions very long. Hope they make it somehow.
_________________________
"May you live all the days of your life." - Jonathan Swift
I'm a Pope & Young Official Scorer - I'd love to score your critter - no charge.
I conduct professional game camera seminars.
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#375633 - 08/31/07 09:02 PM
Re: Small River Smallmouth...got a question?
[Re: gil1]
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CATCHDAWG
10 Point
Registered: 04/02/04
Posts: 3259
Loc: Bradley co. TN
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gil, I'm not talking streamers. I'm talking about the mouse immitations and giant poppers. When casting heavy baits a 5wt don't have the backbone to get any distance or accurracy although it could handle saltwater sized fish, it's just a better fit for heavy lures. I use anywhere from 3 to 5wt for trout.
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woods n water
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#375716 - 08/31/07 09:58 PM
Re: Small River Smallmouth...got a question?
[Re: CATCHDAWG]
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lostsoul
6 Point
Registered: 07/16/07
Posts: 895
Loc: East TN
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All I fish with for smallies is a 5 wt. Accuracy and distance are not a problem and it makes the little guys more fun and the big ones tackle busters. I used to fish with a 6 or 7 but found it to be way to heavy.
No need for big poppers either, size 6 will work just fine.
Here are a couple from the French Broad which ate a size 6 popper fished on a 9' 5wt. Sage SLT, long casts in addition best I can recall 70 feet or so.
With that being said, do what makes you happy and what you like. If it works for you then ride that bull until it bucks you.
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#375738 - 08/31/07 10:11 PM
Re: Small River Smallmouth...got a question?
[Re: lostsoul]
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Rackseeker
10 Point
Registered: 09/26/02
Posts: 4816
Loc: Franklin County
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nice smallies.....
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