Smallmouth at the Gorge

[Quakflak]

I am thinking about going to the Gorge this weekend and with the cooler temperatures, I was wondering if the smallmouth are on the prowl to feed up for winter or if it is even worth the trip?
Any help would be great.
Thanks

Scott
[signature]

[Ryno]

It can be really good fishing this time of year, especially for bigger smallies. I was out on the lake on Tuesday and found the surface temps are in the upper 50s uplake, and still about 60 down in the Canyon, so there should still be some active fish. It's just a matter of missing these fronts which always have wind associated with them. Good luck, Ryno
[signature]

[Quakflak]

Thanks.

I might go for the burbot also while I'm there. Are the burbot catchable this time of the year in the upper part above buckboard or is it the same everywhere?

Scott
[signature]

[wiperhunter2]

There are burbot all over the lake now but most people fish for them between Firehole and Buckboard, Ryno likes the Marsh creek area on the other side of the lake. Just look for them along rocky shore lines in water that is 30 to 60 ft of water, it is usually better fishing for them after dark or late in the afternoon. Have you ever fished for them before, do you know what to use? WH2
[signature]

[Quakflak]

I have one other time during ice fishing but I'm more of a novice than anything. We caught a few but I think it was more by mistake than anything.

I have been reading about how to catch them a little. I believe the goto bait is a glow in the dark tube or grub about 2-3" long tipped with sucker meat. Don't they move up to the shallows the later it gets in the evening and then move back out to deeper water? Does this last all night long or is it just for a few hours when it starts getting darker?

Any tips on jigging (this will get me started and experiment to what they want whether it be fast, slow, time intervals, etc.) or anything else that is pertinent would be greatly appreciated.

Scott
[signature]

[wiperhunter2]

Sounds like you have the right idea on what to use to catch them. I think you are right about them moving shallow after dark, as far as I know they stay in the shallows until it starts getting light again. The end of Dec and the first of Jan they move into water as shallow as a few feet and they start their spawn. Jan is the best time to target the burbot because they seem to be more aggressive then. I always fish with two rods when fishing for burbot, one I dead stick, the other, I lightly jig, lifting the jig 1 to 6 inches, a lot of times they will hit the jig on the fall. There are times when dead sticking is the only way they want it though. The only other thing that could help you, is to bring a light to charge you jig every 15 minutes or so.
By the way, I'm putting on a Burbot Bash the 23rd of Jan, you are welcome to come and learn more about catching these slimy fish[]. WH2
[signature]

[Quakflak]

That would be fun to go to the bash, I wanted to go last year but I just had too many things on my plate at the time. It is too bad about the burbot getting into the Gorge but I believe they are there to stay unfortunatly, I'm not even sure if they can be controlled even with fishermen trying to do their part. Funny thing about ole Ma Nature, she has a way to control things and usually everything else suffers along with it. I hope everything balances out with all the species and they can all coexist with plenty of fish to go around for all?

Thanks for all the information, I hope this trip goes good and I catch plenty of fish, it will most likely be the last one for the year from the boat but it is all good, just getting back up there is enough to relax and recharge my life battery, heaven knows I do need it.

Scott
[signature]