Smallie tackle advice for Lake Cellio???

[pitchnboy]

it's me again the 14 year old, casey.

i'm trying to get into smallmouth fishn and i already no some great set ups but i was woundering if anyone else knew of some other great set ups??
I NEED IT BAD!!!

FLIPP-N-PITHCN MASTER

[McKenzie]

While I've never fished the lake in question, when I fish for smallies I am usually pitching a soft body jig (grub or shad) or an in-line spinner. I've caught them on other lures, but the in-line spinners & smaller jigs are killer. I usually fish light or ultra light rods, in 6-7 feet with 4lb line. For heavier use, I go up to a medium action rod with 8lb line, and I'll toss small crankbaits, spinnerbaits, or plastic worms with just enough weight to get the worm to the fishes level without killing the action.

If the bass are near the surface, or in shallow water, I fly fish for them.

I probably don't catch as many big bass as the guys using heavier gear - but small fish on ultra light rods are pretty fun. To each his own, and good luck with your pursuits.

BTW - once you've experienced bass on a flyrod, other forms of fishing just aren't quite as fun :grin:

[ExBassGuide]

I got my 6lbs 4oz small mouth with 6 pound test.

[Hunt'nFish]

Casey,
I really like plastics for SM; Senkos to flooded willows/reeds, lizards & tubes carolina style on the deeper feeding flats, and those Storm rattle'n craws on jig. I also like to fish the plastic craws texas style w/ brass'n glass on the shallow rock flats.
And lets not forget the Black Roostertail or the cranks in and around the weedbeds.
In the spring I've found a rattle-trap, frenzy or Strike-King "diamond shad" tossed to the shallows can also produce pre-spawn fish.

Right now, I'd probably go deep and fish 20-30ft water drop shotting feniese worms or wacky rigged 3" Senkos. I'd also try tubes and craws down deep. As the sun starts to shine more and more I'd move shallower, especially when the water nears 50-55 degree.
Good luck,
Hunt'nFish

[shalom]

Mike
I sent you a pm .

[Hunt'nFish]

Bert,
No PM received.
But YES!, lets go scrounge up a fish...any fish.....soon!
Weather looks awesome. I can't stand it any longer.....gotta...go...catch...a...fish!
Hunt'nFish

[shelikeschrome]

Hey Casey,
Thanks for the offer for advice on bass fishing! Where is Lake Cellio and where are you from?
I'm looking forward to getting into bass fishing.
These guys are great. You'll have a lot of fun here on IFISH.

[McKenzie]

I think he means "Lake Celilo" - the reservior on the Columbia behind Bonneville Dam (or is it The Dalles Dam?) -- named after Celilo Falls.

[pitchnboy]

Lake Celilo is a reservior, it is between the dalles dam and the John day dam.

PITCHN MASTER CASEY!

[Wreckless]

Casey, What Hunt'nfish said plus:

I like "gitzit" style tubes in natural cawdad colors or minnow colors and I don't like light line. I fish spinning gear with 8#, 6# Maxima MINIMUM and casting gear has 12# Min., Most the time my crank baits are fished on 15# Big Game. You never know when you're going to hook a nice Walleye (my wife released a nice hen that was a bit over 27" last spring). Another favorite lure is the 1/4oz. Luhr Jensen Hot Lips Spring, Summer & Fall!!! I like natural colors but fire tiger works to.

Good luck, if ya see my "N.W. Bass boat" (18' flatbottomed sled w/bowmount) up that direction say hi!! :wave:

[pitchnboy]

i have only fished Lake Celilo 1 time before and did quit well just fishing weedbeds off the bank with 3'' brown grubs. what is considered natural colors at Lake Celilo??? i no a couple things for sure just woundering about some other things. i fished a 6'6'' graphite spinning rod with a Qunatum spinning reel and 14lb test fluorocarbon line Berkley Vanish.

PITCHN MASTER CASEY!

[BuKuBass]

According to one study that I've read, the most common prey for smallies in the Columbia are sculpins. A bait that mimics these well are Case Plastic's Madtoms. (http://www.caseplastics.com/Products/MadToms.htm)

[Wild bill show]

Don't over look a 1/6 ounce brown roostertail. Cheaper than crankbaits too.
WBS