[rockbass]

I got some nice sized rockbass and a few smallies tonight for flattie bait. I've heard how good smallmouth can be for flats, but I have never tried them myself. I am assuming I would do my best using them on the Tusc River where I got them. I am wondering if anyone has used them on the Tusc and how you did with them.

I'm also curious how anyone may have done with them in lakes. The Tusc does hold some big flatties up into the 40's at least........but they are few and far between. Would I be better off using these big baits in the lakes? Any info/opinion's are welcomed!

 

[Andrewdouv]

I'm curious to see what people say to this... theres a bass lake right near my house thats overpopulated with smallmouth bass :dance:

 

[Joey6500]

I like usin smallies for bait in rivers but I can never keep them alive in lakes. I catch and use spotted bass in the muskingum. Spots are prolly my fave bait

 

[rockbass]

I like usin smallies for bait in rivers but I can never keep them alive in lakes. I catch and use spotted bass in the muskingum. Spots are prolly my fave bait

A couple of my local flattie lakes have pretty good pops of smallies, so I would assume they would work just as good as any other live bait in those lakes. I just have never heard anyone talk about using them.

I checked on them again a few hours ago and so far they are doing ok in my bait tank. I'll be using at least one of them on the river tonight. Hoping I can answer my own questions about them tonight....haha

 

[rcbbracing]

Ive heard great things about using smallmouth! I personally never have used em myself. ive used largemouth and loved their stamina so i assume a smallie would be just as good or better especially sence theres prolly an abundance of em in the tuskie. Ide try hitting up smoothkip25 personally...i know hes a big fan of using smallies and has had some great luck with em too...see what hes got to say or maybe he will chime in here soon!

 

[rcbbracing]

I'll be using at least one of them on the river tonight. Hoping I can answer my own questions about them tonight....haha

So rocky lets hear it...howd it work out?!?

 

[rockbass]

I ended up using a smallie at Will's Creek. No takers though. I did see some guys that were using 2 lb largemouth. They didn't get any takers while I was there either

 

[Netmanjack]

Bass are my favorite bait. You hook up a smallie and they go frantic when a flat is near, they make a bluegill look like their standing still! lol Keep in mind that they dont do well in warm warter, then nothing else does either...

 

[rockbass]

Bass are my favorite bait. You hook up a smallie and they go frantic when a flat is near, they make a bluegill look like their standing still! lol Keep in mind that they dont do well in warm warter, then nothing else does either...

That is what I've heard about them. I tried a smallie again on the Ohio Sunday night......nothing again. Gills were getting bit though

 

[tightline_69]

You may want to check your state game laws. In most states game fish are not allowed to be used as bait. Healthy fine if you get caught. Bass are considered a game fish.

 

[rockbass]

You may want to check your state game laws. In most states game fish are not allowed to be used as bait. Healthy fine if you get caught. Bass are considered a game fish.

Thanks for the concern! I don't know the exact wording, but I'm sure anything legally caught of legal size is allowed.

 

[flathunter]

Anything you catch in ohio of legal size is legal to use as bait.

My personal best flathead came off the head of a smallmouth that I cut up...It weighed 55-lbs.