Smallmouth through the ice

[wawaseebass]

Has anyone ever caught any smallmouth through the ice? I would love to try and catch some I think it would be a blast. Any stories or tips/tricks would be greatly appreciated.

[Loudmouth879]

cousin caught this jigging they seem to be suspended about 5-10 feet off the bottom in deep water he was afraid it was going to break the line had like 2lb test on

[fishinfiend]

I would think a jigging rap over a hard bottom would be a great place to start. I have never caught one through the ice either.

[percheye09]

Smallmouth bass will usually congrigate to the same deep hole late in the fall early winter, and catching them is easy but also harmfull to the population due to the depth and numbers all in the same spot, I have heard of anglers decimateing a lakes small mouth in one winter. So if you can't resist at least have some knowledge of how deep is too deep and how many is too many for the fishes sake!!!!

[wax_worm]

They tend to hang out in deeper water in the winter and if you find one you usually find the mother load.  If catching them in deep water (over 25ft) you have to be careful if you plan on releasing them as the rapid rise to the surface and pressure change will cause their air bladder to swell.  I have never looked for them in the winter as I don't eat bass, but have caught them on occassion while perch fishing the flats on wawasee.

[blueultra2]

I'll just wait to catch those in the spring! 

[sodbuster101]

They were hitting perch color jiggen raps at maxi last weekend. Caught a couple at morse on bucket tailed 1/4 spoons at morse. Spoon all year long. The best lure ever made!!!!

[Curt]

I was fishing Lake St. Clair a few years ago for perch and landed a giant smallmouth.  Didn't have scales, but have caught smaller one's I know that weighed 5# this fish was 6# or better.  It was my wallhanger, unfortunetly bass season was not it, so it went back down the hole.  Caught it on a #2 sweedish pimple with a perch eye.  I just stared at it for a minute thinking this would look good on the wall.  I caught 5 that day on the same bait.