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I was just wondering if anybody ever fished small streams or creeks for the smallies. I have had great success with a rapala jointed minnow but haven't found anything else that will do the job.
Any suggestions?

XJX,

There are a lot of small plugs, plastic baits, spinners, ect. The key to catching fish is matching the hatch. Mr. Twister has a lot of baits that are great for streams. Ther are too many companies that make spinners (Mepps, Panther Martin, CP Swingers, ect.). Rebel makes a crawfish plug that is excellent in rivers. Hope I helped you out a little.

Mark was right on about bait size, keep it minimal. I have used Rooster Tail spinners, Road Runners and small brown jigs with great success. I like maribou or hair jigs best. Stream smallmouth also love small topwater baits. A tiny Hula Popper or any small prop bait will work. Storms Chug Bug is a great bait, use a light color bait and keep it poppin and spittin. Good luck, Johnnie

I fished smaller streams through much of my youth here in central PA.
The most important aspect of small stream fishing is stealth. There are different things an angler must do so as not to alarm the bass to his or her presence. Here I will list a few.
1. Tread lightly, dont make to much noise when approaching the area and stay downstream when possible to keep out of the basses line of site.
2. Try and blend in to your surroundings, wear clothing that matches the available folage.
3. Use as light tackle you feel comfortable with. A light to med light rod will handle much of what you will encounter while fishing small streams. 4 -6 pound trilene XL would be my first choice when targeting stream smallouth, followed by 4 - 6 pound Vanish when faced with spooky bass.
4. Smaller lures of even live bait is best. Try and match the forage you see while wading. Small shiners, redfin minnows and crawfish make up much off the smallmouths diet in small streams. Small jerkbaits, crankbaits and spinnerbaits will match these food items well, but day in and day out tube baits, grubs or even 3 - 4" Senko type baits are my first choice. Drift these baits into likely holding areas as natural as possible. However DO NOT overlook insects. Fly fishing may be a great choice, but if you have no interest in fly fishing small hair jigs, and topwater baits such as poppers may take smallmouth when they are keyed in on insect hatches.

I hope these tips help. Just remember to stalk your pray, dont rush into the water and make a ton of commotion! Watch a Heron someday and you will see the best way to approach small waters.

Good luck, and remember to release your catch. Small streams are a valuable and sensitive environment.

XJX-This type of fishing is my absolute favorite. I've caught tons of big fish, zipped across some great waters in super fast bass boats but wading on a tiny smallmouth creek is fishing at its best.
I recommend the following baits:
3" Slug Gos, 1/8oz beetle spins, 1/10 oz Rebel Teeny Wee craw, 1/16oz tube heads with a 3" Gitzit and 3 and 3 inch Senkos. I fish with a small 5ft spinning rod and usually a Tica SB500 Spinning reel. 4lb test.