Is it to COLD FOR SMALLMOUTH?

[FlyLie]

To all of my smallmouth fishing friends out on Dale Hollow this week (and I know who a few of you are), MAN, I HOPE YOU ARE ON THE FISH and SAFE . Sure has been a little on the cold side here/their the last few days.

But, been looking at the weather forecast and Thursday looks good to me, if the forecast holds, overcast skies, snow and temperatures of ~20 degrees in the am. Man, that sounds like a HEAT WAVE and I'm thinking it may be a good day go toss the old bobber around on Lake Cumberland . Amazing how the old brain can distort your logical thinking when you reach 65 years of age, but then, what the hay...go fish !

Now, just to cover my bases, I reserve the right to change my mind, but if ......what was I saying?.....don't remember....?????? on yes..GO FISH !
Looking forward to reading your reports.

[parker]

I would say you will still catch them until around 40 degrees water temp. Anything colder is very hit and miss in my opinion even though I would try any temp if its a good day.

[know1]

It's probably not too cold for the smallmouth themselves...heck, they're basking in a 47 degree hot tub!

It is a mite cold to actually be fishing for them, though!

[Owskiwoski]

spent the last 3 days on dale and it is miserable. caught 1 Friday 10 Saturday and 3 today. will give a full report when i get back.

[rickhise]

spent the last 3 days on dale and it is miserable. caught 1 Friday 10 Saturday and 3 today. will give a full report when i get back.

I think you had to be there, to understand any of what U did. Way to go!

[dcbasser]

fished laurel this past thursday. water temp 44 and caught to smallies that were keepers on the fly. only fished about three hours and had 5 or 6 six pull downs.

[voeller101]

What kind of places do you fish at Laurel this time of year? Not asking for any specifics, just points, bluffs, etc . . .
Are you fishing a FNF? I've fished it a bit at Cumberland with mixed success. I have been wanting to try it at Laurel since it's only a 15 minute drive. I hear that a lot of guys at Laurel are just throwing the flies on regular spinning reels and just letting it fall down on points and walls.

[Trick Daddy]

Caught 5 today on the fly in the afternoon in Indian Creek. All short fish, 4 spots and 1 smallie. Air temps in the twenties, Partly cloudy/mostly sunny

Jeff

[dcbasser]

mostly focused on the windblown side of points. thats where the fished seemed to be focused thursday.

[FlyLie]

I think you had to be there, to understand any of what U did. Way to go!

Rick, have enjoyed reading all you post for the past several weeks. Some GREAT fish you have posted. Are you still fishing, or has this COLD WEATER killed off the bait? Keep thinking about giving you a shout about fishing together, but then, never did.....to busy with the FNF. Let me know if you are still fishing and I'll see if I can make it down from LC to DH....your boat or mine, long 45 minute drive....

[Dakota Kid]

Never to cold for smallmouth. The crappier the weather, the better the fishing in my experience.

[FlyLie]

Kygorski and I went out on Lake Cumberland this morning from 6:45 am till 12:00 noon fishing FNF. Thought it would be a great day, air temp 26, water 46, 100% cloud cover and intermitten light snow. Light to moderate wind out of the SW - SE. Boated 2 fish, 1 18 inch at 7:30 and 1 17 inch at 10:10 . Both fish off main creek points.

Had problem with trolling motor (dead battery) and called it quites.