by Britt Stoudenmire
May is a great month to hit the rivers of the southeast in search of smallmouth or muskies. I like top water baits during this period for smallmouth and will reach for a big, loud buzz-bait to search for big fish. Target broken current with a good rocky bottom and make sure to get that buzz-bait moving before it hits the water. If the bait is not turning when it hits the water, it will spook those fish that tend to eat it after one or two turns. A buzz-bait can cover a lot of ground, but the key is sticking with it. I have said over the years; if you put one on, throw it for 30 minutes. If you get a fish to bite, throw it another 30 minutes. This tactic has produced some of our largest smallies of the season and there is nothing more exciting than having a huge smallie wallop a big buzz-bait. Smallmouth like to spawn during the month of May, so make sure to handle them carefully and return them to the water very quickly.
Muskies will become aggressive during the month as they begin to feed heavily after a long spawning period. Use inline spinners and top waters and make sure to burn them. The river will warm into the 60’s and even 70’s during the month, and a lot of food will become available. Fish can and will be picky, and if you slow roll you’re baits you will receive a lot of follows. I like to use high-speed reels like a Shimano Tranx HG, which picks up 42” of line per every turn, to trigger the fish’s narcissistic attitude. A musky is a sucker for a meal he thinks is going to get away from him, and when you put that bait in overdrive, the ferocious strikes will absolutely blow your mind. Make sure to hit the fish extremely hard on the hookset, and always upside your hooks. The speed of the bait and momentum of the fish can make it difficult to get a good hookup with the weak spot being your hooks. Upsizing to the next size can make all the difference.
Britt Stoudenmire, along with his wife Leigh, own and operate New River Outdoor Co. featuring private, waterfront cabin rentals and guided smallmouth and musky trips on the New River in SW Virginia. For more information on their services, contact them at 540-921-7438 or visit their websites at www.walkercreekretreat.comor www.newriveroutdoorco.com.