I've always heard that Winter is the best time to hit Wilson/Pickwick for smallmouth. I have some questions:


1. What's the best time of year for this?
2. Which is the best lake for it?
3. What are the baits and techniques to make it work?
4. Are there any other goings on that time of year for the women folk to do (festivals, events, or sights)?

I have a boat with good electronics on it although I don't know how to use them! I'd love to spend the weekend in Florence with the wife, but I'm not set on that. Any advice appreciated.

Both lakes have the potential for big smallmouth. Now through early spring should be good in the tailraces. Wilson is deeper and probably safer below the dam than Pickwick. Your best bet for catching fish will be to drift live shad in the current or current edges. If you prefer artificial lures, go with Alabama rigs, crankbaits, single swimbaits with 1/2 ounce head or larger depending on current. You will want to keep your baits barely touching bottom to get bit. You will lose some lures and hooks. Good luck.

Good advice above from 1 More.

Honestly, if you want to learn what's up, I'd suggest hooking up with someone on here and going to see the drifts, seams, get info about which turbines run what flows, rocks, etc. Or possibly booking a trip with a guide with the explicit request of learning (and catching some).

Steve Hacker and Brian Barton are two good ones, IMO.

The nastiest iciest-snowiest-sleetingist day is when you should go. Big ones on Pickwick, probably in February.

You have any contact info for these guys?

Steve Hacker is the best smallmouth fisherman ever born on this planet. I don't have a current cell number for him, but his email is smouth@hiwaay.net
Website is www.smallmouth.com

I�d go to Wilson make sure they are pushing water out of wheeler dam throw a 5xd and what 1 more cast said. Don�t forget about a spoon too but with a spoon you will catch everything. Just be prepared to loose a lot of baits. I�m no expert by any means but if you want any more info shoot me a pm

Don't forget Tims Ford, my favorite smallie lake within driving distance. Best kept secret really.

My biggest smallie has actually came off wheeler

Mine too. Flipping friggin bushes way upriver in muddy water in the spring


Oh, yeah the OP needs to go with Hacker

Pickwick will have more for the wife to do. Depending on where you put in on Wilson. Honestly you can fish both from Florence. Uncle has been catching them on pickwick throwing spoons. You can go to Perkins tackle and get a ton of info. They are great guys and won't steer you wrong. A-rig with fat alberts and spoons in the tail race and horse shoe would be my start.

Be sure to have some chartreuse on the A-Rig

The guys at Perkins are A1 if you stay in Florence it�s about 20 min to wheeler dam both dams are pretty sketchy if you never been below them

I fish both quite regularly starting in Feb. or even the end of Jan if we have warmer weather. I could be sweet talked in to letting you tag along on a trip or two and show you around

No smallies in Tims Ford. I'd go elsewhere. LOL