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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 425
Campfire Member
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OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 425 |
What are your faves.....and colors too?
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 35,293
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 35,293 |
spinner baits. love me some spinner baits cause pike will smack em hard too.
Something clever here.
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 6,064
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 6,064 |
Off the top of my head, I'd say...
1) Jig (mostly natural colors, though I do like some wild ones)
2) 4" slider style worm on a spider slider leadhead (color not terribly important, but can never go wrong w/ black)
3) Rat-L-Trap (chrome w/ blue or black, white or bone, strawberry red)
4) Rapala countdown minnow or similar (a neutral weighted Lil Ripstick is awesome)
5) Spinnerbait (though I much prefer items 1-4)
That said, if the jig is even remotely working I'll stick with it, unless trying to cover water quickly.
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 46,745
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 46,745 |
Night crawlers
one of about 1000 kinds of spinner baits
Rapala's
Mepps spinners
jig n plastic
Camp is where you make it.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 18,453
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 18,453 |
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,001
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,001 |
We always had great luck using a three-hook crawler harness at our place in Ontario. (red beads, three spinners). I've never had any luck with any artificials up there, and I've thrown everything imaginable at them. I have good luck cutting two of the hooks off the same type of harness and using a minnow or crayfish instead of worm. The lake we're on is a great smallmouth producer; catching them in the 5+ pound range is quite normal.
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Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 28,605
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 28,605 |
We always had great luck using a three-hook crawler harness at our place in Ontario. (red beads, three spinners). I've never had any luck with any artificials up there, and I've thrown everything imaginable at them. I have good luck cutting two of the hooks off the same type of harness and using a minnow or crayfish instead of worm. The lake we're on is a great smallmouth producer; catching them in the 5+ pound range is quite normal. we caught a bunch of them on our leech rigs set up for trolling for walleye last year......
A serious student of the "Armchair Safari" always looking for Africa/Asia hunting books
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 39,237 Likes: 37
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 39,237 Likes: 37 |
jigs Smallish rapalas Rat l traps Will be tossing flies at them this year. Smally shop
Me
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,860
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,860 |
I'll go a little diferent early...Orange Flo Rooster tail spinner with a gold blade///
Otherwise, 4 inch worms, pop'Rs...stick baits...
********
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,598 Likes: 9
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 12,598 Likes: 9 |
Rapalas if the bite is aggressive.
Powerbait pumpkinseed craw on a slip sinker rig is the bite is on the bottom.
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,306 Likes: 2
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,306 Likes: 2 |
Dat one...I like it a little more brownish, but I think its what I like, and not so much the fish... Ingwe
"...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 6,162
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 6,162 |
Rattlin' Rogue jerkbait... fished in a specific style.
If you're fixin' to put a hole in something, make it a hole to remember.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 18,453
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 18,453 |
I've caught smallies where ever they swim on those.
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 20,268 Likes: 19
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 20,268 Likes: 19 |
Dat one...I like it a little more brownish, but I think its what I like, and not so much the fish... Ingwe You sure do have an interesting sense of humor. This pictured is my absolute fav, including the color. Next in line would be: Crawdad Crankbait Wally Diver White Spinnerbait Shad Rapp
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 18,453
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 18,453 |
Good to have a little variety as well. Threw in a "Turd Tube" for ingwe. That's actually what the company (Wacky Worm) calls it.
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,306 Likes: 2
Campfire Oracle
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Campfire Oracle
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 78,306 Likes: 2 |
Threw in a "Turd Tube" for ingwe. ingwe
"...the left considers you vermin, and they'll kill you given the chance..." Bristoe
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,065
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,065 |
What do you guys use when they are on beds?
something simple to use that is...:)
Defend the Constitution
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,001
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 6,001 |
What do you guys use when they are on beds?
something simple to use that is...:) Since the smallies don't touch artificials where we go in Ontario, I'll use a small jig with a live crayfish hooked through the tail, right on the bottom. A slow bounce and retrieve is all it takes to entice them off the beds. I sometimes go out at sunrise just to do a little scouting to see where they are; it's usually so calm and the water is so clear you can see them in up to 30' of water. They won't bite in the calm, but go home and have a little breakfast after the scouting trip and try them as soon as the breeze picks up and it's almost always a success. When they're sitting on the drop-offs and around the huge boulders in the lake, I'll use the crawler harnesses with live bait, minnow or worm.
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,065
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 6,065 |
I don't know much about smallmouth and the top five suggestions are of interest. I lived on a good smallmouth river when I was a kid but majored in trouts. Fished smallmouth with a crawler on a 3-way mid-summer.
I've fished Lake Michigan shoreline(rocks)at the first of June and they hit spinners but have never tried live bait there. Last year we didn't do well... Do you think your live bait setups would outperform the spinners?
Defend the Constitution
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Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 642
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 642 |
Spent my summers on Rainy Lake and it is a great Smallmouth water my favs are, 1. Jighead and grub combo both single and double tail, pearl, chartreuse, yellow or purple, Powergrubs work well, better than Gulp in my experience 2. Old Rapala Fat Rap in Crawdad or gold with black back, hard to find now so a Craw colored Wiggle Wart works well 3. An inline spinner in 3/8 to 1/2 ounce with a single hook and twister tail gold color is my first choice 4. Spinnerbaits with single or double willowleaf blades, I like to fish smallies fast and the other blades rise up to quick, I have the best luck with gold blades and a chartreuse and white skirt 5 when I have to fish slow cause of conditions I will use a hulagrub in watermelon/pumpkin pepper color on enough jig weight to feel bottom these work for me pretty much where I fish Smallies, there are times a modified Carolina rig or dropshot will work better than the 5 methods I described but more so on very clear water
Last edited by Dakotakid; 04/19/10.
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 10,843
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 10,843 |
There are only two for me in Southern Missouri's Current River Storm Wiggle Wart crankbait in green or brown craw Then 3" green or brown tube 1/2 oz jig head
Maker of the Frankenstud Sling Keeper
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 18,453
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 18,453 |
Nice smallie......Have you ever tried using tubes rigged with Gitzit type jig heads? They make the tube dart when they fall giving em a little more action.
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Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,309
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,309 |
fat ika mimmic minnow spinner bait xrap 3:16 baby wake
not in that order all the time
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 35,900
Campfire 'Bwana
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Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 35,900 |
Kitek Jig Shad Rap Gitzit 1/2 oz football with 5" Yamamoto Hula Grub(BB or green pumpkin) Chartreuse Spinner bait Carolina rig pumpkin lizard w/ chartreuse tail Gold 3/4 oz Silver Buddy(water temps in the 40's) Yea, yea, I know it says 5 baits but I couldn't leave any out....
The 280 Remington is overbore.
The 7 Rem Mag is over bore.
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Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 700
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 700 |
1. Grub. Usually a Zoom Fat Albert in Watermelon or Smokey Rainbow 2. Jigs. I have thrown hair, rubber and silicone with every head config and color you care to try, they all have their place. 3. Flukes, I like Ark Shiner and Baby Bass color. 4. Crankbaits, in shad and crawdad patterns 5. Float-n-fly. Works great when the water is cold and the fish suspend.
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,427
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,427 |
For Maine rivers: 1). 2"-3" white curly grub tail with 1/16 or 1/8 oz leadhead jig 2). Spinners: Mepps Rooster Tail: 1/8 - 1/6 oz, (depending on current). colors (body/blade): white/silver, black with copper flecks/silver, medium brown with copper flecks/silver or gold, yellow/silver. Panther Martin: yellow body/silver blade 1/8" oz 3). 3"-4" Rapalas, black/gold, black/silver), floating or "countdown", depending on water. 4) 1/8 oz silver spoons ( ie: Little Cleo, Hopkins Lure, Sidewinder ), plain treble hooks, but sometimes white bucktail. 5) White floating/diving crankbait ~3" long, with rattle. Fish on top with twitch, or ~ 3-4 feet deep on intermittant retrieve. Bonus: #6 (couldn't stop at 5): Johnson Weedless spoon, 1/8 oz, silver. Great for working the bottom of rivers , and not getting snagged. Flyfishing: Brown/white lefty deceivers Mudler Minnows (classic brown, or all white ) Hellgramite pattern gray or black Leech pattern (black or purple) Good smallie reading: http://www.bronzeback.com/
"Behavior accepted is behavior repeated."
"Strive to be underestimated."
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 174
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 174 |
For Montana smallies
1. tube jig either watermelon or pumpkin seed 2. grub on a plain lead head jig any color works as long as its smoke/pepper 3. bandit 100 crank baby bass and brown craw-fish orange belly 4. 3" or 4" cigar bait on a light jig watermelon or creme 5. good old jig and pig subtle browns greens with a strand or two of chartreuse and a 4" cigar bait as a trailer, preferably watermelon
3-7-77
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,006
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,006 |
For So. Colorado smallies:
1. Shad color crankbaits 2. Crawdad color crankbaits 3. Chartreuse spinnerbaits 4. Rapala stickbaits 5. Fly rod, Dahlberg Diver patterns
I'd rather be a free man in my grave, than living as a puppet or a slave....
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,918
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,918 |
crayfish colored crankbait or blue and black laminate senkos
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Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 13
New Member
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New Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 13 |
For Northern and Central Illinois streams and rivers. 1st- River2Sea Standin' Yabbie, it's a pre-rigged soft craw 2nd- 4" twister grubs (power bait)black, yellow, white, on Mr Twister Wtd. keeper hooks or equivelant 3rd- Rebel Crawdad Crankbaits 4th-5" senko style worms (I like the Berkley Fat Sinkworm) 5th- big, white, squeeky buzzbaits!(this is a new addition to my "go to" arsenal this year, wish I had used 'em earlier for river smallies, cause they really work
works for me
Why do I always get too close to the fire and melt my boots?
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,309
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,309 |
Buzzbait Rootbeer Gitzet tube with 1/8oz.weight inside. Lucky Craft 3" Pointer 78 1/4oz Eakin's style Finesse jig 1/8 oz. Shakey Head
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 13,860
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 13,860 |
Buzzbait
Rapala brokeback, the biggest they'll hit.
Rapala Husky Jerk/X-rap
Swimbait
Berkley 4in worm (or Dinger)
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Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,731
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,731 |
Boy this post has been up here a long time. I guess I'll share, since I'll be able to stand on the water here another 3 months.
1. White Rooster Tail, dressed hook and silver blade. #1's and #2's.
2. Panther Martin Yellow with red dots and gold blade. Same #1's and #2's.
3. Rapala 2" original or countdown in Gold Minnow.
4. Culprit 6" electric grape or June bug curly tail worm on a 2/0 Eagle Claw 45 Automatic hook and maybe 1/8oz. bullet weight.
5. Powerbait 4" or 5" salamanders (power lizards I think) in electric grape or June bug. Same hooks and weight as above.
"I didn't get the sophisticated gene in this family. I started the sophisticated gene in this family." Willie Robertson
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