Westside Smallmouth Tactics

[rl206]

Hey guys, so I am originally from Eastern Wa. and having trouble finding smallmouth on the westside of the mountains.
I have noticed that tactics for catching them and even locating them is different on the westside than the eastside. I have recently tried Sawyer with one on a 1/2 oz. jig and pig but lost it trying right at the float tube, and have hit Lake washington twice in the summer and once in winter with no luck other than the ONE at sawyer.
I understand that dropshotting is popular but cant catch anything on it.
I was wondering if you guys could help me with info on lures and depths or or underwater structure to fish to catch them
thank you for any input

[Anonymous]

I don't know, I fish the same on both sides of the mountains and catch good smallies and good largies. Crankbaits, 1/8 oz jig heads with grubs, spinnerbaits, topwater.

This morning on Sawyer I caught a couple largies and a couple smallies on crankbaits.

[flyfisher31]

try using smaller sized jigs and more spinners

[rl206]

thanks, i guess ill just have to keep at it. now are smallmouth spawning at this time of the year as well? or just largemouth?

[Anonymous]

Both, on and off until the end of June. And some will spawn in Aug. also. They have July off due to the 4th of July holiday and Union rules. :-)

[Dustin07]

LOL

[Amx]

[fishingmachine]

i can get u on the smaller lakes and show u how to worl the smallies over pretty good

[kzoo]

I like sniper bolts fishing with 1/8 th ounce to 3/16th ounce weights. I typically fish deep water docks or fishing weed line from 17 to 21 ft.

[rl206]

So I guess ill take the month of july off as well lol,
But when drop shotting i notice every one uses 3/16,
Is there a reason for this?
I always felt like using heavier to stay on the ground, maybe 1/4,
maybe thats why im not catching them?


And Fishingmachine, im down! You seem to have no problem catching

[Dustin07]

I always felt like using heavier to stay on the ground, maybe 1/4,
maybe thats why im not catching them?

i doubt it, although it may require that you cast a heavier line, which could be a little more visible to the fish. I think at the end of the day if you are casting as often as the guys who catch a lot, you'll catch as many. I think there are just less fish in general over here. good fish, but less fish. IMO.

[kzoo]

So I guess ill take the month of july off as well lol,
But when drop shotting i notice every one uses 3/16,
Is there a reason for this?
I always felt like using heavier to stay on the ground, maybe 1/4,
maybe thats why im not catching them?

[kzoo]

So I guess ill take the month of july off as well lol,
But when drop shotting i notice every one uses 3/16,
Is there a reason for this?
I always felt like using heavier to stay on the ground, maybe 1/4,
maybe thats why im not catching them?

I know a lot of guys like to use 1/8, it really depends how deep your fishing. You dont' want to go to heavy that the fish will be able to detect the weight when biting and you want it heavy enough to get to the bottom at a reasonable time. You also want a weight that drops at a good pace, you get a lot of bites before it hits the bottom. I personally like 1/8 for 15' and less and 3/16 for 15' to 35' .

As far as not getting any bites from using a 1/4 oz to 3/16 oz, I doubt that's preventing bites, Your right about having your weight on the bottom, that' very important when dropshotting. it's probably where your fishing at. Try moving around different depths.

[rl206]

I see, that makes sense.
Ill just keep practicing

[y2says]

I rarely use anything, but 1/4 oz quick drop weight. Once in awhile, I'll go down to 3/16th. I like using a 1/4 oz because here you can be casting to 10ft of water or 35ft and I don't want to change weights all the time. I comes down to confidence and the condition. Work the weed edge or docks in the 20ft range in the summer and you'll be able to find them.