I don’t fish Wheeler much, only fished it maybe 6 times. I want to carry my 10 year old son over to it because he wants to go over there but I want to try and put him on some smallmouth. Don’t want anybody waypoints just give me some tips and what to look for. Thanks

Go further west...

X2

Wheeler does have some big smallies in there though. If you must go to wheeler, id wait til the water temps get above 50 degrees. Smallmouth love rock and bait. They love the shell/mussel bottoms too. And current. In the TN river people do well with swimbaits, crankbaits, jerkbaits, dropshot, ned rig, etc.. live bait is king of course if you'd be into that. If you find some and you know their smallies and you aren't getting them, and you're fishing artificials, downsize your bait. Sometimes wild colors can trigger them to bite with the moving baits. Get berkley powerbait maxscent flatworms to dropshot and ned rig. Smallmouth are very much scent oriented. More than largemouth no doubt.

If you want numbers Wilson and Pickwick is the place to go. I would say getting them on Wheeler would take more experience, if DIY is the plan.

Thanks I was told March is better with water temperature

Go below wheeler dam. I’ve caught s allies on guntersville it’s rare. More luck after wheeler.

Jerk bait Wilson/pickwick

Or the rig

Or hire my boys. They might would work cheaper than you’d think. 😉

Nice fish.

That was in wheeler tho