Thread: Smithville Lake 11/05

I was dock fishing on the 1st. Caught a lot of small fish and had fun. They said that in the early morning people limited out quickly.

Here is the interesting thing. There was one guy who caught a bunch of keepers in only a few minutes off the bank. Most of the other people were struggling to catch keepers. One guy said he had to catch a hundred fish to get 10 keepers fishing the bridges from a boat, or at least that is where I believe he was fishing. I thought the guy catching the keepers had just found the right spot but after he left I had no luck in the same spot. I wish I had paid more attention to what he was using, all I remember is that it was some sort of soft body chartreuse lure maybe 2.5 or 3 inches in length spaced 1.5 feet apart on his line.

lol probably was my friend. he said he caught them down at the corner of the docks yesterday. he was using a black/chartreuse grub..

bank guys kick boat guys tails on T hill as they put the brush in they fish regularly and know exactly where and how to fish it. guys go in right after they do and don't catch many at all. they have the touch and know how to drag their lure right over the brush just right to drop into the bigger crappies mouth.

Originally Posted by TheFishAssassin

lol probably was my friend. he said he caught them down at the corner of the docks yesterday. he was using a black/chartreuse grub..

Ask him if a strange old kook was bothering him.

Your name happen to be Glen?

Originally Posted by wolfhnd

Ask him if a strange old kook was bothering him.

Yes, he said there was a guy talking a lot. haha, I taught him how to fish recently, so he has been out there the past week fishing. You'll probably see him with a red playmate igloo or a 3 gallon bucket.

Originally Posted by crappiebum_kc

Your name happen to be Glen?

negative.

I don't want to be a pesk but if you get a chance could you post a pic of his rig. I'm probably done for the year so I won't see him again. He was a very pleasant chap and nice to talk to. I was just killing time waiting for dusk when the fishing usually picks up. Tell him I'm sorry if I was annoying.

I talked to everyone I could because I really enjoy trying to figure the fish out more than the catching (not that I have). What I found interesting was that people who caught fish didn't seem to know much more than the ones who didn't. When I asked the guy that caught the most fish the depth he was catching them at he didn't SEEM to know. Another guy came in to clean his limit and seemed to think color was the key but I suspect that it wasn't that important because I was using something completely different. Hard to say if people just resent interrogation or were completely honest.

The fish were certainly not as deep as I expected and the best technique for me was similar to what I use during the spawn. I think that has more to do with the dock environment than natural patterns. After nearly 60 years of fishing I have to admit I haven't learned much. I blame my dad who was a sit and drink beer fisherman :-) I never could tell if he actually cared if he caught much of anything.

I will tell you some if not all those slip owners at Smithville are not the most pleasant to chat with. It’s almost a fraternity with them. Find the depth they’re at and you’ll find the fish. Off the bank it’s about a 10 count, don’t be afraid to change it up. Colors are important but it’s the presentation that matters the most. What the guy you’re referring is using is a 2 tandem jig about 12-15” apart. He’s using 2” grubs. Chartreuse is key. Hope that helps.