Christmas Smallmouth

When the opportunity comes to get out on the water in December, especially when the wind is completely non-existent, you take it. Instead of opening presents Christmas morning, I hit the water in my Hobie Outback, chasing deep water smallies holding tight to bottom in water temperatures barely above freezing. Drop shots, jigs, jigging spoons, all worked to put quality Nova Scotia Smallies in the boat, with a bonus pickerel and yellow perch to fill out the day. The key to catching fish on this day was covering water, using my electronics to find the fish, then quickly putting baits on top of them and holding that location using the mirage drive as I worked the fish off bottom to hit. Whether I like it or not, winter is coming, but this was one last smallie trip that I was happy to be able to sneak in before the season closes and the ice moves in.