When do you start for smallies in the river

[buckaroo]

Here in east TN, I usually start late April, best bait is live hellgrammites, or big creek minnows. I would like to start a little earlier kayaking the river but the water is still cold, my best days I just put on waders and float it first of April

 

[Tennrock]

I would have went last week but the water is still up with all the rain we have had. Will try it Saturday.

 

[MickThompson]

I used to catch some good ones over there starting late February - early March but don't know that I'd do it in a kayak that early.


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[Dbllunger]

I'll be hitting the Buffalo first thing tomorrow morning for some river smallies. First trip of the year for me.

 

[catman529]

Late feb early march is usually when the smallmouth get moving


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[rukiddin]

Best days I've had was when it was so hot that wading was about the only way to do it. But I know guys that are way better at river fishing than I'll ever be and they'll tell you sept and oct are the best months for big fish.

 

[Grandslam11]

Id say go for it now. These warmer days ought to be helping. All this rain had our little rivers flowing too much for my liking but it has slowed down a lot the past several days. I am dying to get the kayak out for some smallies now.

 

[Shooter33]

I fish the headwaters of the duck and have tried early spring with no luck at all. It's shallow and I usually wade it. I'm not sure what water temperature triggers it, but once it warms up it's like a light switch. Bait and bass everywhere. I also kayaked the Collins on a nice day this winter and it was dead as well. It makes me wonder if those fish leave for deeper water where the temperature won't change as fast for protection. I see some great pictures of guys floating rivers catching the crap out of them in the winter and early spring. Is it deeper water?

 

[MickThompson]

I usually catch fish in association with deep water right now. No wade fishing for at least another month for me though.


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[Mudbone]

I've got a friend who is a smaller river (Harpeth size) master.
He can wear them out all year long fishing pretty much the same way he always does. Mainly a smoke colored tube. just slower and deeper. He tends to catch more and bigger fish in the winter on warm days.