Winter Smallies
After reading last spring about the monster small mouth bass that can be found in Bullard's Bar reservoir (Northern California) during the winter months, I've had December circled on my calendar to get up there and give it a go. I've never fished for bass in the winter time, so this is going to be a first. Everything I've read about finding winter smallies, particularly at Bullard's Bar, centers around deep water jigging large 4"-6" spoons that imitate the kokanee salmon that are prevalent in this lake. Thought I was going to get up there this weekend, but weather is looking pretty sketchy. I can handle the rain, but wind may be a factor.
I was wondering if anyone had any winter time small mouth stories to share?
I have never fished for smallmouth in the winter. They are curious to me, as Pete reports smallmouth liking different conditions than largemouth. I have found this to be true with spotted bass as well. I'm not sure if smallmouth are active where you are in the winter. Gerald Swindle did a class on ledge fishing (I believe this is the right link), where he's fishing a big spoon. I wonder if the technique he demonstrates would work. https://bassu.tv/bass-fishing-video/gerald-swindles-summer-ledge-fishing-techniques
I would imagine, from what you describe, that finding the bait with your electronics would be the key to success.
Sounds like an awesome trip, Dave. Wish I was going with you. Blade baits and umbrella rigs are key for me when fishing for winter smallies. I crush them on Silver Buddy-style blade baits this time of year. https://bassu.tv/bass-fishing-video/winter-blade-bait-bass-fishing. You may want to scale up the size of the blade to match the large bait they feed on in your area. Here are some other seminars you might find helpful about spoon fishing and wintertime spoon fishing. https://bassu.tv/bass-fishing-video/spoon-jacking-james-watson. https://bassu.tv/bass-fishing-video/locate-catch-winter-bass-on-a-jigging-spoon-brian-latimer
