Here’s a little smallmouth info from scuba diving around the Islands, from right near shore to some of the wrecks in deeper water. I’ve seen nice size smallmouth in 6 foot of water right up along the shoreline in the rocks, middle of a calm sunny day in late July. I’ve also seen them in the deeper water hanging around structure such as boulders and wrecks during the same conditions. Usually I’d be cruising along at one depth, looking for anchors and whatever else while watching for fish. I’d see a stray smally or two, then I’d get to a place and there would be a group of them. Swim past that area and it goes back to singles here and there. So if you catch one, chances are there are others there or very close by.

Here are three areas to hit that most people ignore. After about 7pm the lake boat traffic drops of to almost nill. Fish the rocky reef area south of South Bass in the straight between SB and Catawba (see a chart). Too many boats during the morning and afternoon so it doesn’t get much fishing pressure. Also along the south shore of Kelleys within 200 yards of shore, 10-15 foot depths, from Downtown west. Be careful as there are old cribs and other bottom structure (including an old boat boiler) in there, but there are smallies in there. Next for deeper water in traditional August walleye waters try a few miles east of the airport. There is a big boulder field out there with car size boulders, 25-30 feet deep. Find that area and fish around the boulders. Not marked on charts. Again, I almost always found smallmouth in groups so if you catch one, fish that area hard before you move on.