
Originally Posted by
Duayne
I don't see the problem with Cumberland bass this time of year either. We were catching smallies right in with schools of stripers today. Fishing close to areas I usually have no problems with Smallies and Spots and saw smallies/spots working on their own. Fished with my dad and brother a few weeks back and had at least eight 2.5-4+ smallies. Prefished for a friends tourney last year in August and had what would be considered a bag in less than an hour, with a close to five pound kicker. Most on top and the rest were in areas where you'd expect craws and with craw type baits. But the huge issue most have is they either fish on top or off the bottom. If the top water conditions aren't right, you have to fish the layers because Cumberland smallmouth are very bait fish oriented. In those times, you have to fish baits that can fish ANY depth. Think about it.. We were fishing with bait 30-40 ft deep in 35-60 ft of water today catching doubles of stripers and smallies. Quality fish are there and quality fish are feeding. Give em what they want where they want it and you'll probably have a good day.