Hey - I want to do some smallmouth fishing this summer at Ririe. When do ya'll think that the smallmouth will start hitting?
Has anybody used crayfish/crawdad rapalas there? If so, how do they work?
What kind of baits do you guys suggest for fishing there??
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People use all kinds of things at Ririe. You have to remember the water is usually clear and the fish are generally on the small side. So I think drop shotting is the best technique for that lake, but others may disagree.
I use Maniac cutter bugs, Robo worms, and various twister tails in pumpkin, watermellon, motor oil, etc.. all on a drop shot rig.
You can learn a lot by googling drop shot.
Windriver
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Windriver -
Can you drop shot when you are fishing from the bank or do you recommend using a boat when doing it?
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If you're drop shotting I would imagine it to be very difficult from shore most the time given the sharp rocky drop offs into the reservoir. Just too easy to hang up. Not that you couldn't do it, I just would plan on bringing extra gear. If you have a boat, even a pontoon or tube, it would be a great way to approach it. I have seen several people use crankbaits, and that can be done from shore, if you're careful. I personally use a Mr. Twister grub on a 1/8 or 1/4 oz jig head most the time in the colors windriver suggested. I'll cast right up to the shore line (within a foot) and work it back out to the boat about 20-30 feet out, just bouncing and jigging it on the bottom. I'll usually catch them in the evening and morning that way once it warms enough (couple more weeks for consistency). Once again, most of them are small, 10-12" with a few bigger. Largest I have seen is a 3 pounder, but every year I hear of someone's buddy who caught a 4 or 5 pounder and one guy last year claimed to catch 2 that were in the 8# range. However none of them have ever produced any photographic evidence of any of those fish.
If you want someone to take you out and show you the ropes I'll be more than happy to have someone keep me company sometime. Just drop a PM and I'll let you know when I'm available.
Ben
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Belasko explained everything very well. I would go with smaller perch colored crankbaits, and twister tails from shore.
When we are drop shotting we usually find the depth the fish are hanging in and work the drop shot in that contour. That would be difficult from shore.
Like Belasko said, I would give it another couple of weeks to really heat up. They might bite now, but it won't be consitent.
Windriver
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