DT-10 question

[MVBASSER]

I plan to head to green lake near spicer and was wondering if a DT-10 wouldnt be too big for the smallmouth

[Central Bassman]

I dont think it will be to big for them at all. I would also try some X-Raps and some shad raps.

[RK]

Hiya -

It certainly won't be too big. Frankly I think people go TOO small for smallies a lot of the time - especially during the summer.

As the other poster mentioned though, you might want to bring some other crankbait styles with you too. Especially in clearer lakes, I've done a lot better on crankbaits that are a little more subtle than the fat "alphabet plugs" that work so well for largemouths.

For typical deep diving crankbaits, RS Shad Raps and regular Shad Raps are both good. The new Berkley Flicker Shads are very good - a little harder wobble than a Shad Rap, plus it rattles, which smallies seem to like. Generally speaking - I like slimmer, less hard wobbling cranks for smallies. In darker water, in rivers, or if the fish are REALLY cranked up, you can get them on a fat bait, but at least for me, day in and day out a more subtle bait works better in lakes.

As the other poster also mentioned, jerkbaits like an X-rap or Husky Jerk can really clobber smallies sometimes. During mid-summer, a #14 Perch Husky Jerk is always on one rod (back to the size discussion - a #14 HJ is a pretty good-sized bait but it's a great smallie bait.) Some other good ones are Suspending Rogues, Strike King Wild Shiners, and Lucky Craft Pointers (have to take out a second mortgage to stock up on those things though ) When I have my kids in my boat and they're taking a snack break or just goofing off rather than fishing, I will often stick a rod in a rod holder with a #14 HJ trailing 100' behind the boat as I move along a spot. Amazing how often that thing gets tattooed, even if it's only 6' down over 18-20 feet of water. If you need to work deeper, Deep Diving Husky Jerks are very good. Bet the new deep X-raps and Minnow Raps are too, but I haven't tried them yet.

Only problem with jerkbaits is they're pretty popular, so fish see an awful lot of them on lakes where the smallies get a lot of pressure. On lakes like that, swimming plastics can be more effective.

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[SluggoMaster]

I guess my secret is out on the HJ-14's. They really put the hurt on smallies when the X-raps don't work.

[RK]

Sorry Sluggo. Too helpful for my own good

As long as everyone keeps quiet about 5" grubs, we'll be ok...

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[MVBASSER]

hey thanks for the help i will be sure to post about the trip. i will be sure to try an x-rap also. thanks for the advice