Flaming Gorge Bass?

[fishwisperer]

Wondering if anyone has any suggestions for small mouth at the gorge this time of the year? What depth to fish? I would appreciate any suggestions.
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[kok_head]

It's hard to say with the weather the way it's been. Best luck would to look for the rock piles and bounce brown colored curly tail jigs of the bottom to the shallows. Just watch your temp on your sonar and fint the warmest water you can find. This time of year can be hit or miss.
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[line_dangler]

It will be worse than hit and miss until the water temperature reaches 50 degrees and above. You may find some slow action for good sized ones if you find a good holding spot and drop shot for them. You may also put on a crayfish or very slowly twitch tubes on rocks or the bottom.

You may be surprised to hear that smallmouth at the Gorge can go down as deep as 60-70 feet at the Gorge. To catch them now and in winter, you really have to pay close attention to your technique. It is definitely possible, but it takes time.

In my experience, I have found the biggest problem during this time is locating them. I know of one place that holds good numbers. It is the Carter Creek area, close to the Dam. They hold up deep there, 40-60 feet, right next to the cliffs and steep deep points. I have caught a few there in cool water.

If you just wait untile the water is 51-53 degrees, you may find the best action for large ones at the Gorge. They feed real heavily then and are easier to catch than in summer (the big ones). I try to plan trips around the end of October, when the water is at this temperature. Also, for this time, the end of May and through June will have these tempertures.

Maybe I went beyond suggestions for this time of year, but it may come in handy.
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[fishwisperer]

Thanks for the great info. I am heading up there today and will post a report when I get back on Monday!
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[rincon_madness]

fishwisp,
I have enjoyed reading your past posts, esp, the ones on flaming gorge. I am taking the scouts(yeah, lucky me) to the gorge wed - sat. I went by myself last Friday and Sat. I did ok, 2 large trout, and lots and lots of dink smallmouth. I fished Carter. Do you have any pointers on locating bigger fish? I was using senko watermelon green/ w/ flek Texas rigged. One guy there said a crawdad type curly tail would work good too. Just wondering so I can show the boys a good time. Thanks for your posts, and any advance advise.

regards

rich in riverton.
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[fisherWOMAN01]

My in laws were up there about a week ago. They were camping at the lucerne campground and fished that area. They caught a good number of smallies using worms and lures. They weren't very deep. They fished from shore.
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