Smallwood 7-24-2013

[Big dreams]

Before I begin, I have to go off on my tangent.  This lake use to be good until the township began spraying for weeds every month.  It blows my mind how little grass growth this lake has anymore.  I grew up on this lake and the fishing use to be amazing.  Now the fish are constantly being exposed to the chemicals to kill weeds as well as their homes....

Even though the weeds were torched, the fishing was pretty good (usually it is tough for me to get two or three fish here).  I ended up catching 7 keepers, 3 pike, and lost a musky.  The top five bass probably weighted 8 lbs, so nothing big.  I found these guys on the main lake on lay downs and points.  One was caught on a deep slope.  I used a Bomber square bill (2-4ft) on the lay downs, red and June bug Yum craw pappies on the points, and a brown 3/8 swim jig with a NetBait Paca Chunk in cray fish color.

Most of the fish were in the 2-4 range on lay downs with the one in the picture being in 6-8 feet on a point.

The boat traffic was very little which is why I took Wednesday off work to go.  Was a good time.

[gmetime24]

Nice job on your catch! They seriously treat for weeds once a month in that lake?? That's a little out of control

[Big dreams]

Last year my parents had "No Swimming" signs posted on their trees by the lake three times.  This year they only have done it once so far but the time period was doubled so I would think they used a more powerful chemical.  The lake is extremely muddy right now with less than 1 foot visibility.  Add that to no weed growth and the bass are hanging tight to wood, drops, and docks.

[djkimmel]

I used to get secret calls years ago about that lake because the company they would hire to 'treat' the aquatic plants was notorious for going beyond what their permit allowed, I would assume at the request of the people footing the poison bill. Don't know if that is still the case but I will never understand why people who want a swimming pools kill so many aquatic plants they end up with a mud puddle??

[Big dreams]

DK,
This lake has been torched in the past few years.  I grew up on that lake and it has never been even close to what it is right now.  I had to search real hard to find any vegetation and when I did, they were more brown than green.  As I said, the water was extremely dirty with less than one foot of visibility.  10-20 years ago, the lake had plenty of vegetation and from what I am told, the lake was featured as being one of the best bass lakes in the state.  Not sure if that is true or not but I have been told it was in magazines for how great the lake was.  It is frustrating to see.  Especially when they spray to get more tourism and boat traffic and the boat traffic is at an all time low.  I can only assume due to most of the houses are cabins and fuel prices have gone out of control.  Truly sad.

[korean_bassmaster]

Is this the Smallwood in wooden shoe area? If so I fished it a few years 4+ ago and there used to b weeds like crazy. when ever I fished it I wouldn't catch very many but the ones I did get were  decent 2 1/2-3 1/2 lbers. And lots of pike!

[Big dreams]

Yes, that is the one.  There use to lots of vegetation.  It wasn't unlikely to see multiple 5+ lbers on the lake at weigh in.

[Big dreams]

Went up to Smallwood today with the family.  I found a ball of bluegill that had probably 500 fish in it.  It was right at the shade/sun line under the M61 bridge.  They ranged from surface all the way down to 12 feet.  It is the largest ball of fish I have personally seen.  I didn't see any larger fish under them but I had to throw a few baits down there.  There were so many I could feel my line move from hitting the fish as the lures sank.  I didn't catch anything but it was fun to see that many bluegill in one area.