Anyone have recommendations/tips for smallie fishin in Maine? Will be up at Lake Umbagog (NH/ME border) for a week first week in July. Does anyone have any experience they could share? Never tried to target strictly smallies. I expect water temps to be around low 60's by then, 50-55 now.

i think the smallie spawn is usually around 60, but every smallie i've caught has been on grass with a spoon.

early July should be a good time for them. Pack some flukes, tubes, chartruse spinnerbaits and gold spooks. Light line is a must, most of the water up there is clear. I have never fished that lake, but many around it. They are a different breed up there, might take a little time to figure out and get acustom too. Find rock and grass and you find them. Water temps should be high 60's, low 70's. Good luck and have fun!

thanks for info, will make it a point to switch lines. not too many lakes look like Lewisville green. What about football jigs? Any smallie luck with them?

yes they do, forgot to add those to the list, green pumpkin, watermelon work great. There is a tackle shop called northern bass supply in Northwood NH, give them a call, they should be able to hook you up with more info. It has been a while since I have been up there, just going off of past patterns that worked for me. Oh, also try twin tail grubs. I'm headed up there in August to get my smallie fix. Can't wait, just talkin about it is making me want to leave now...lol. Let me know how you do.

Smallies are finishing up their spawn now. My experience is on more upstate though around Bangor area.

I fish many of the baits, lines and set-ups as I do on Rayburn. July will be a bit tougher as I usually fish there in the fall. Last mid-summer trip I did well in the Belgrade Lakes area swimming 5" Kalins jigs on 1/4oz jigheads in smoke/copper flake. My buddy and I weighed almost 21 lbs but there was only one smallie.



Watermelon skirt with a few red strands and silver Indiana blades:




It can be pretty warm up there too in July!

Here is what I'd fish.

3/8-1/2oz jigs in your fav colors. try swimming them too.

4" bulky tubes ... I have done well on black/ blue tail (Rite Bite), camo colors. I use jigheads and T-rig em.

Swim grubs. Immitate the bait.

Spinnerbaits ... white/minnowscale (universally works everywhere) and bream colors (green orange tint and golden bream). White and purple skirts work too ... immitate the smelts and alewives up there.

Senkos ... watermelon black fleck ... all I ever used there ... 4" but mostly 5".

Rattletraps ... chrome blue back and I've done good with white purple back. 1/2 oz is the size but in July maybe 3/8 oz will work OK ... I always used 1/2oz.


SB8 .. watermelon/red skirt




White/purple rattle trap: right at 5# :





I had the misconception when I moved up there in the late 90's that I would have to downsize and finnese smallies ... not so!

If you want to travel up north a bit (Bangor) I have a friend that would be willing to guide you ... he is also a registered Maine guide.

PM me with any other questions.

I might add on line size I throw 12# Big Game on my moving baits (maybe 15# if a lot of rock or cabbage).

Jigs/tube/plastics - 12-14lb fluoro (I threw Seagar InvisX last time I was there but I like the Berkley 100% now).


I also threw a Sammy 85 in American Shad very successfully when there last.

Swahiely and RayBob, great info, I thank you much. Looking forward to the trip. I get to follow that week up right afterwards with a stay on Cape Cod. Looking forward to schooling Bluefish too. Will post after return, tks again.

Just went to Dunkirk NY last week for smallies, water was 55 to 60 and we caught the hell out of them, 80 to 100 a day. Almost all were 3 to 4.5 lb. Drop shot worked the best but we caught them on DD14's and husky jerk also. I've been to Maine about the same time as your going and will second all that RayBob mentioned, especially the part about not downsizing(as proved by our success on Husky Jerks). Rattle traps @ half oz and topwater baits worked best for us. Those bluefish are lots of fun also. Have a great trip!