smallie question
 

Hey guys I think I found a pretty good smallie hole at a local creek. So far most of the fish have been small though. Also there are more crawdads in this creek than I have ever seen in any creek before in my life. I waded it and everytime you take a step it seemed 10-20 crawdads move. I guess that smallies eat alot of crawdads, is it good to fish live ones? I know some people just pull the meat out and use it. Any realistic lookin lures?

RE: smallie question
 

I Always had great luck using live crawdads when i had them- the s mouth & other fish went crazy from them.

RE: smallie question
 

The only problem I have run into using live crayfish is that they'll often crawl under rocks/other cover, and then if the water's too deep, you're hooped.

RE: smallie question
 

If you crush their claws and leave them to dangle they release extra scent that will drive them nuts. Also I don't know if you have them in your area but if you can find helgrammites I suggest giving them a try. Best place to look is under large rocks in ripple areas. If found then smallmouth eat them like candy.

RE: smallie question
 

use a crawdad jig or clown rapala

RE: smallie question
 

i second the idea of helgrammites my buddy and i use them exculsively fishing on the river for smallies. They eat em like candy and you can catch like 10fish on 1 helgrammite. We use a minnow net and waders and kick rocks up catch em in the minnow net.

RE: smallie question
 

A local fly shop guide near me designed his own helgrammite fly a few years ago and let me tell you I have caught more 3-5lb creek and river smallmouth on it than any other lure (A pearl colored fluke comes in a close second)

RE: smallie question
 

gary yamamoto kreature would work perfect for you

RE: smallie question
 

WhenI would fish for SM in the rivers back home in WV my two favorite lures were a zoom fluke and a rebel crawdad. They kill both lures. And as others have mentioned hellgramites were my live bait of choice. I know in WV you could buy hellgramites at local baitstores around the SM rivers. You might want to check into that.

RE: smallie question
 

use the whole thing