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Heading out in the bay area of the river on Sunday between the bridges, anyone caught any smallmouth that far down yet? Thanks...

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Did not get a chance over the weekend to go out, but will be on the water at 5pm tonight, wondering if anyone has yet targeted any smallies in the bay areas? Thanks...

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I've targeted smallies with some limited success. They just have not turned on to topwater or subsurface spinner baits yet in the areas that I've caught them in the past. I've hit rock piles and weed beds, only picked up a weak subsurface bite a week ago Saturday. But my brother took a nice one from shore using a tube bait about to 20", released without measuring. I've heard that some guys had success with rubber worms. I have a suspicion that there are lots of bait fish in the river this year and it's slowing down the walleyes and bass, but that's just my thought. I keep expecting it to turn with the warmer weather, but there is nothing consistent with that either.

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Musky Hunter. Slowing down the walleyes? The eyes are going strong. You must be spending too much time chasing bass. You are correct though I have noticed a great hatch of baitfish in several areas I have been fishing. Lots of shiners being pushed to the top. One hint if you see the Birds diving into the water after something that will be a good spot to fish. I dont know what they are called but they are smaller thin winged white birds. Terns?

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Those small white birds are terns. Their favorite food is shiners. Once in a while I have seen the feeding frenzy you describe and used it once to find fish. As for chasing bass, I admit to the behavior but don't feel too guilty about it, variety is the spice of life. There is a 23" smallmouth with my name on it out there. If this darn weather would stabilize maybe I'd be able to go out again. Sometimes I'm a wimp, but fishing in lightning or against a 25 mph lake wind and whitecaps isn't tops on my list of things to do. Look for me out there this weekend.

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Went out after work on Tuesday, hooked into a couple but never landed them. Fished around the usuall areas and a couple of the docks with rocks and sparce weed cover. I was fishing a spot under the high bridge, and managed to get a walleye that was 2.5# on a spinnerbait though, released it back for Northlander to catch. grin.gif

They are a tough one to figure out in the bay area, I may go up river a little bit next time and give it a whirl.

I have caught a few now and then out there, but have never managed to have a record day out there.

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Burner I see you found the Smalleye spot. Keep at it you will get them around there. Also try stump field below bridge.

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Northlander, been there done that, must have been a slow night for them.

Smalleye, that is a good one. grin.gif

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