So, after getting some encouragement on this thread from @HauntedByWaters and @Northern , I put some time into trying to lure smallies out from under docks with poppers on the local lake. I don't know why I had it in my head that smallmouth weren't into poppers. I guess I just assumed they were after crawdads more than anything? Anyway, I just used the basic bright foam popper that all the mail order fly places sell. No idea why, I've got a few badass flies that some forum members have sent me. I guess I just didn't really believe in it and didn't want to beat the nice flies up around docks? The cheap-o poppers are also a bit smaller. So I thought maybe that would fit the smallie game better? Save the dead chickens for the bucketmouths? And yes, I acknowledge that in that thread I link to above I was told:
A. I could catch smallies on poppers in this lake.
B. I didn't need to focus on docks.
C. Smallies would take big flies.
Whatever, I'm an idiot sometimes. Anyway, it's what I went with.
First time out, no dice. Mostly I suspect it was because I went out on the first sunny weekend evening. So even at 8pm, the lake was rocking with jetski/wakeboard traffic. I was also fishing a stretch that was close to the main public park/launch. So that just amplified the effect. I often romanticize the idea of living on a lake and having a relaxing evening watching the water from my lawn. But this was a good reminder that lake life has it's own troubles (troubles I would happily deal with, mind you). NOT relaxing. Anyway, once the water finally calmed down enough to be good for topwater, I completely missed the few strikes I had. @Billy encouraged me to sloooow down on the hookset and really let them get it in there before putting the wood to them.
Headed out for a quick dawn patrol session a few days later (lake is much less chaotic at 5am) and had way better luck. Caught the first one in a quiet corner and then got a nice "That's a big fish, mister!" compliment from a 6 year old in her pajamas who was letting her little dog outside. Kinda awesome. Caught a couple more, nothing giant, just the standard 2-2.5lbs I find in this lake. But a ton of fun on the glass 7wt.
So I'm pretty stoked. I can see how bass on topwater is addicting. The takes are really surprising and aggressive. And I'm stoked to find out that smallies are into it as well if you catch them at the right time of year. Feel free to post any smallmouth popper flies/techniques/suggestions in the comments. I'd love to hear them.
A. I could catch smallies on poppers in this lake.
B. I didn't need to focus on docks.
C. Smallies would take big flies.
Whatever, I'm an idiot sometimes. Anyway, it's what I went with.
First time out, no dice. Mostly I suspect it was because I went out on the first sunny weekend evening. So even at 8pm, the lake was rocking with jetski/wakeboard traffic. I was also fishing a stretch that was close to the main public park/launch. So that just amplified the effect. I often romanticize the idea of living on a lake and having a relaxing evening watching the water from my lawn. But this was a good reminder that lake life has it's own troubles (troubles I would happily deal with, mind you). NOT relaxing. Anyway, once the water finally calmed down enough to be good for topwater, I completely missed the few strikes I had. @Billy encouraged me to sloooow down on the hookset and really let them get it in there before putting the wood to them.
Headed out for a quick dawn patrol session a few days later (lake is much less chaotic at 5am) and had way better luck. Caught the first one in a quiet corner and then got a nice "That's a big fish, mister!" compliment from a 6 year old in her pajamas who was letting her little dog outside. Kinda awesome. Caught a couple more, nothing giant, just the standard 2-2.5lbs I find in this lake. But a ton of fun on the glass 7wt.
So I'm pretty stoked. I can see how bass on topwater is addicting. The takes are really surprising and aggressive. And I'm stoked to find out that smallies are into it as well if you catch them at the right time of year. Feel free to post any smallmouth popper flies/techniques/suggestions in the comments. I'd love to hear them.