Creek Smallmouth fishing 6/30

[jad2t]

As I'm dedicated now to learning the art of creek Smallmouth fishing I'm focusing more on numbers than size and I'm having quite a blast. Last week I did this only using trout magnets (mealworm and bison colors) and caught over 50 fish in about an hour and a half. Tonight fished about an hour and caught around 40 fish, mostly assorted panfish no bigger than 6 inches but I did manage a couple 8" Smallies and a handful of redeye bass about the same size. As I get better at finding the Smallies I'll move into creeks with deeper holes in search of larger ones.

I learned something cool tonight though. This creek is very shallow with those sheets of rock everywhere that you have to watch your step when you walk over them. As I was retrieving the TM it dropped off a "ledge" if you want to call it that and out of that sheet of rock darted a redeye bass who grabbed the magnet and went straight back into his little cave. I had to be careful that he didn't break my 2lb test from rubbing against the edge. I was surprised and as I was walking back found another ledge similar to that with a gap large enough for fish to get in and out. I literally stood right on top of the edge twitching the magnet in about a foot of water and watched redeye after redeye dart out to grab it and run back under that sheet of rock pulling drag. I caught them one after the other. Again, no size to speak of but lots of numbers and I'm having a blast.

With the numbers I'm catching, this would be a fantastic way to get kids into fishing so if anyone is trying to do that, get some trout magnets and wade a small stream, they're all over!

[Alphahawk]

Sounds like you had a blast Jimmy. The good thing about using the UL and 2# test line is you can have a ball catching smaller fish. I like to catch big fish as much as anyone but those days I get into 9 to 12 inch Smallies and catch them in big numbers....just not much better. Pretty fish......love those black perch.



Regards

[creeksmallie]

Nice , You are learning!!!!! I always look for cleaner gravel when looking at rocks and ledges that is usually the entry point. It is so much fun to fish a creek and do exactly what you are doing. You will be very suprised by the size of fish and numbers that come
out from under some of those ledges. The good ones will turn on there side come out fast and dart back in on there side. I love creek ledge fishing!!!! Probaboly will hit a ledge this week since you brought it up.
Mike

[crappiecrazy]

Beautiful colors / iPhone pic?

[MNfisher]

I read an article about creek ledge fishing. Pretty neat stuff! Glad you are having fun Jimmy!

[TomD]

even the shallow creeks that have cracks only inches wide in the bed rook hold some healthy smallies, dont pass them up. They like to lay in the cool cracks as the summer heats up and the water gets shallow.

I taught myself after a lot of reading to tie and drift a fly in the creeks and man it can get crazy. I discovered some tackle busters up under the rooty ledges. Iv'e caught some nice LM to.

Im sure you have some good gripping wading shoes on. Some of those beds get slick as snot and Ive 2 cell phones that prove it.

Creeks are a hoot.

[jad2t]

Well I'm glad to know that what I figured out yesterday wasn't just a fluke and it's an actual creek fishing technique! See that's why you just have to go fishing, you never know what you'll learn! And I don't really have specific wading shoes, just a pair of Crocs and I'm very careful walking across that bedrock. If I continue to do this type of fishing though I'll get a better suited pair of shoes.

There's a creek out towards Antioch, I won't mention the name but I'm sure most of us know it, that I know holds larger smallies and I'm anxious to get out there after them one day. Not sure what parts are wadeable though so I have to do my research. Also, since it flows through Antioch, I need to find some safer areas that I can park to go fishing and not worry that when I get back all my windows are busted out.

[blink]

jimmy, let me know when you plan to try it. i have also been meaning to try it. there are a couple spots to start that i can show ya.

[ditz1]

any old canvas shoes will work. Just get some old carpet and make some cut-outs the size of the shoe bottoms and glue it on with GOOP. Walmart has the goop in the shoe department. It comes in a tube. The bottom will no longer be slick. No special shoes required. :D

[nomad60]

Great job learning that TM. Before you know it, we'll be calling you "Alphahawk Jr." :D

[jimj3561]

I literally stood right on top of the edge twitching the magnet in about a foot of water and watched redeye after redeye dart out to grab it and run back under that sheet of rock pulling drag. I caught them one after the other. Again, no size to speak of but lots of numbers and I'm having a blast.

With the numbers I'm catching, this would be a fantastic way to get kids into fishing so if anyone is trying to do that, get some trout magnets and wade a small stream, they're all over!

I stumbled on the same experience with the TM along the rocky banks at Priest as well as Defeated Creek. I have taken my two boys and you're right, the small ones keep them interested. My 11 yr old even caught a 13" Spotted bass on a TM under float this weekend :)

[fishbait61832]

Great Post!! Love the info!

[TomD]

any old canvas shoes will work. Just get some old carpet and make some cut-outs the size of the shoe bottoms and glue it on with GOOP. Walmart has the goop in the shoe department. It comes in a tube. The bottom will no longer be slick. No special shoes required. :D

1/4 Felt glued on works really well, collects sand and will save your butt and auto carpet is good stuff.

[TomD]

I use the TN Gazetter (sp.) to dial in on any area of interest you can find it at a major book store and I keep it in my back pack and Goggle Earth the potential area looking for fields or open area to park.

Before retiring I worked in Lewburg Tn and lived in Cannon Cty (64 miles one way and I sure dont miss that part of it) and passed over 3-4 really good creeks and I would stop on the way home and fish of an hour and caught some fun fish.

I did some contract work in Mahwah NJ right across from the city and could wade creeks in parks a mile from my suite. On week ends an hour drive east put me on Big Flat Brook Creek 16 miles fly of super browns. A stretch was for fly rod only but spinning gear a plenty.

Point is check out the gazetter. Creeks fishing may be on your way home from work or school.