05-15-2008, 01:09 AM
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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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.
[signature]