[Bterrill]

Looking for Indiana stream smallie info? Check out: Indiana Smallmouth Alliance • Index page

INSA is the Indiana smallmouth conservation group/fishing club with an educational website where you can be put on to some good tips and spots.

I'm somewhat of a Indiana Smallmouth Guru myself. My two largest fish last year are from wildcat creek a 21" and 21.5 (see avatar), both caught on a 4" Sammy 100 topwater stick. I had several 50+ fish days out that way. Inclucing a 67 fish day with 16 going 16"+. I throw big baits and the results would not be typical for most anglers as they often misidentify how many large fish are in creeks.

Of course, they are subject to overharvest, so if you find a good stretch keep it secret and release your smallies quick.

I go large or stay home, throwing dinky baits for Smallmouth in streams is counter productive unless during the cold of winter. 6-10"ers become 12-20"ers when you trhow bigger stuff. Throw a small bait, catch lots of small fish. Throw a larger bait, catch large fish, 4" tubes, buzzbaits 3.5" jerks, chatterbaits, etc. Anyways, check out the site, lots of cool and knowledgable fishermen there to help you out with Indiana techniques and proper gear.

Definately use largemouth gear. Smallmouth have relatively large mouths despite their name.

[Bterrill]

Small baits for smallmouth is one of the biggest myths in fishing.

[smalljaw]

Thank you Bterril!! I do a ton of smallmouth fishing every year, in fact 90% of my fishing time is spent on smallies and like yourself, I go big. I use 3/8oz to 1/2oz spinnerbaits and 4" Rattlin' Rogue jerkbaits along with 5" senkos and 4" to 4.5" tubes, if the bite is really tough or I'm fishing water less than 45 degrees is the only time I downsize. I've hear all too often that you have to fish smaller lures for smallmouth and it couldn't be farther from the truth, you should see the looks I get from some anglers on the river when they see me using a baitcasting reel spooled up with 12# line and throwing a Zara spook, however it's hard to argue the logic of it when a typical 35 to 40 fish day you land 14 fish in the 3lb class along with a 4 or 5 lber to boot!!

[Bterrill]

Originally Posted by smalljaw

Thank you Bterril!! I do a ton of smallmouth fishing every year, in fact 90% of my fishing time is spent on smallies and like yourself, I go big. I use 3/8oz to 1/2oz spinnerbaits and 4" Rattlin' Rogue jerkbaits along with 5" senkos and 4" to 4.5" tubes, if the bite is really tough or I'm fishing water less than 45 degrees is the only time I downsize. I've hear all too often that you have to fish smaller lures for smallmouth and it couldn't be farther from the truth, you should see the looks I get from some anglers on the river when they see me using a baitcasting reel spooled up with 12# line and throwing a Zara spook, however it's hard to argue the logic of it when a typical 35 to 40 fish day you land 14 fish in the 3lb class along with a 4 or 5 lber to boot!!

Just means they catch the little ones, and can be unaware of the monsters. But that's ok if it is harvest fishermen, let them remain in the dark. It can take a Smallie 15 years to get to 4-5 lbs. That fish is a treasure that needs to go back in the water. There are almost always more big fish than one thinks. They may be hidden from the sun under rocks and wood. It's shocking to see them come out of nowhere sometimes.

[HookUp]

Ray Rigby's got a board out there that caters to Indiana small mouth. Google around, I'm sure you'll find it. Carefull, some obnoxious guys on that board, but they all have a big heart once you get to know them.

As for baits, I fish smallies allot and because I'm out of a yak, am a minimalist.

Green (any flavor), White and Pumpkin/Natual soft plastics in grubs, stix baits (Senko's, etc.) or tubes are my staple.

When I'm on a bigger boat I'll add cranks (usually Bandit 200/300) or Jerkbaits (usually LuckyCraft 78 and 100 pointers).

Just finding out the virtue of spinnerbaits. Basic colors - white/chartreuse.

Buzzbaits aren't always the bait the fish want, but when the buzzbait bite is on, no funner way to catch a bass.

Avoid the UL and L tackle - go with M for creeks and MH for the bigger waters. You dont want to loose a smallie of a lifetime because your gear is undergunned.

[outdooradvantage]

I agree with big baits big Bass I use a lot of Rattlin Chug Bug's for Smallie's. Nothing cooler than seeing a Bronzeback jump completley out of the water..........

[IamSpartacus]

Can't give you any advice on Indiana, but I fish almost exclusively in creeks for smallmouths. One of the most effective and overlooked baits I've used for smallmouths is the shallow shad rap. I can't say for sure the size (I think a 6) but the bluegill pattern and perch pattern both work great here. Awesome baits for bouncing along rocky bottoms trying to trigger strikes. Hope it helps!

Mike

[Bterrill]

Originally Posted by HookUp

Ray Rigby's got a board out there that caters to Indiana small mouth. Google around, I'm sure you'll find it. Carefull, some obnoxious guys on that board, but they all have a big heart once you get to know them.

HookUp, he changed it to HoosierBassin.