Small mouth doldrums - help?

[Leaky33]

I really, really miss my smallie fishing. It's my all time favorite. I'm older then lava now so I need all the help I can get. [frown] I don't have a 50K bass boat, or any boat, and still rely on tubing so another sympathy card. [laugh]
Anyway, 5 or more years ago I used to go to the Pine or to the Big Jord. and catch all the nice smallies I wanted, but in the last several years, I've had a real tough time. I still can't get it out of my mind that the Tigers have greatly reduced the population at the Pine. and I quit going to Jordenelle since I can't take Sparky. What's the deal? Do I go to Jordenelle w/o Sparky (that's hard on both of us) or am I just not fishing the right areas at the Pine where I used to find all I needed?
I haven't gone this year, yet. Been fishing for slimmers with good success and LM with not as good success. Any advice for this old guy what my first move should be?[][]
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[a_bow_nut]

I can feel your pain.

Deer Creek has been fishing the same way for me. Went down on the fourth and again on the eighth. Best average size on the smallmouths has been between 10-12" and boy are they hiding deep.



But I did pick up some nice crappie.



The stupid no dog rule is because the Nelle and Deer Creek are watersheds for Salt Lake drinking water. Nevermind all of the pastures and other nasty places that drain into these waters but no it's the dogs that get run off.

Go figure.
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[panfisher]

I have been doing well for SM at DC also, was wondering where you have been getting the crappies there, if you wouldn't mind sending me a personal message.
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[bassrods]

I feel for you..[pirate] But I have said what would and has happen on this site be for..

Its I told you so...And it has happen..[pirate]

You can't keep the bigger bass and still have a good fishery
Jordanelle only stops the dog from swimming if you are around other people, I take my dog all the time at the Nell..

But you have seen the last of the SM bass over 15" in Jordanelle and other hard fished lakes along the Wasatch front.. Until the laws are changed...Enjoy the great fishing we have had...[crazy] [:/]
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[Gemcityslayer]

[quote Leaky33] I really, really miss my smallie fishing. It's my all time favorite. I'm older then lava now so I need all the help I can get. [frown] I don't have a 50K bass boat, or any boat, and still rely on tubing so another sympathy card. [laugh]
Anyway, 5 or more years ago I used to go to the Pine or to the Big Jord. and catch all the nice smallies I wanted, but in the last several years, I've had a real tough time. I still can't get it out of my mind that the Tigers have greatly reduced the population at the Pine. and I quit going to Jordenelle since I can't take Sparky. What's the deal? Do I go to Jordenelle w/o Sparky (that's hard on both of us) or am I just not fishing the right areas at the Pine where I used to find all I needed?
I haven't gone this year, yet. Been fishing for slimmers with good success and LM with not as good success. Any advice for this old guy what my first move should be?[][][/quote]

Have you ever tried Echo?

Doesn't get a lot of the attention that other smallie lakes do, but there are plenty of nice bass in there.
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[FattyGreens]

Have you ever tried Echo?

Doesn't get a lot of the attention that other smallie lakes do.[/quote]

It might now.

I have a hard time believing that there are a bunch of people going up to the Nell and keeping all the big bass. There may be a small hand full but not enough to make all of the big ones disappear. It seems most bass fisherman, even the eaters, usually throw the big ones back and the trout guys don't want a thing to do with them. Not sure what the real problem is, probably smarter fish, but I don't think it has to do with a limit of one big fish. Maybe it's pressure?
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[gstott]

I used to do pretty well at Rockport when I lived down in the valley. The boats can get pretty annoying there on the weekends, but I usually had pretty consistent success there for smallies and perch. You can always head north too.

As for the bass guys letting the bigger fish go, that's generally true, but there are plenty of fishermen out there that throw out a worm and just keep whatever they catch. Trout, bass, perch, whatever. I do find it a little intriguing that they change the regs and now everyone is complaining about the fishing being poor at Jordanelle and Mantua for good sized bass.
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[ReelMasta]

PM sent
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[RapalaUt]

Starting to feel bad for the bass in dc, they're some sore lipped buggers. I can't believe how hammered they're starting to look with missing eyes, lips, etc. I'm doing my best to sore lip them myself, but holy crap are they looking hammered. Thinking about bending the barbs down on my hooks.

I'd love to find some better quality smallies, but even the dinks are fun to catch.

Thinking a trip to otter creek may be in order...
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[Leaky33]

Thanks for the suggestions folks. []
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