they typically don ’ t play in tournaments because they run so much smaller . Unless someone needs to fill out their limit , they shouldn ’ t be a factor .”
Crow agreed , saying that smallmouth run bigger and are much easier to pattern this time of year with the cooling water . He also expects them to be a major factor .
“ The fishing got good again for smallmouth before largemouth , and there are some monsters in the lake ,” Crow said . “ It ’ s not a St . Lawrence River population-wise , but it has some really good ones . On the Tennessee River , you don ’ t catch smallmouth very often in the summer , and then they group up and get more aggressive in the fall . I could see this event won with all smallmouth , all largemouth or a mixed bag .”
tactics and predictions
As the water cools each fall , the fishing heats up throughout the southeast , and Crow says November should offer excellent fishing on not only Wheeler but the entire chain .
“ Early November is usually a really good time to be fishing Wheeler , and it ’ s a great month for topwaters ,” shared Crow . “ You can fish walking baits like pencil poppers , plopping topwaters and a buzzbait , which should all be good . If you can get around any grass , you can still catch some on a frog , too .” The caveat to the topwater bite could be the weather , which can be unpredictable during the fall . “ It ’ s hard to get three days in a row on Wheeler in the fall without some wind ,” Crow said . “ If you get any wind from the east or the west , it gets awful with the current flowing against it . Three-footers will kill any topwater bite and muddy the Flats .”
Aside from topwaters , Crow said a host of moving baits could be effective .
“ ChatterBaits , spinnerbaits , maybe even a little cranking should do pretty well ,” he said . “ You shouldn ’ t have to drag something to catch fish , even though you can always catch some there on a shaky head . It shouldn ’ t be a finesse deal unless someone strictly uses it with LiveScope .”
Speaking of forward-facing sonar , Crow considers it the wildcard that could change everything he mentioned above . The technology was a major factor in the two most recent editions of the Toyota Series Championship , and he believes it could be the difference-maker once again .
“ There hasn ’ t been a big fall tournament here with that technology around , and I think it ’ s going to be a player ,” Crow said . “ I ’ m going to practice and try to find out a way to catch them that way in case it ’ s the way to win . This event could be won with LiveScope or someone throwing a topwater on the Flats if they can find the right school .”
Regardless of the winning pattern , Crow expects plenty of fish to cross the stage and said there is potential for many limits with some quality bags mixed in .
“ This is a time of year when almost everyone catches a limit , and there ’ s potential for some big bags ,” he said . “ You ’ ll see some 20-pound bags , for sure . With good weather , somewhere in the high 50s should win over three days .”
70 MAJORLEAGUEFISHING . COM | OCTOBER-NOVEMBER 2024