Re: Small mouth
2017/10/30 06:49:46
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Glad you at least got out. My opinion, you were a bit too shallow. I motor out to the 20-25 FOW mark and watch the sonar for the rough bottom (rock ledges). They like to hang out on the crust that runs around the entire perimeter of the lake. If you work towards NE from shades, you can work all the way out to 40 FOW and still be on the cliffs.
Years ago we would get them right up against the shore in the 5-10 FOW, but every year they seem to be getting a bit deeper and deeper. The water has been pretty clear, and the bait balls don't seem to in shallow. I also think the Gobys have something to do with it (opinion). However, they always seem to be on the rocks.
I have only been out targeting smallies a couple times this year (usually when a stiff south winds keeps us from getting out deep). Some good days, some bad. It has been real tough to locate them. We actually got a few this year trolling out in the 60 FOW range for walleye , which I have never had happen.