I just do not understand these fingerling SMB that are 3.5" long this time of year. Was it a late spawn? My understanding is SMB only spawn one time a year and that is in the spring. Are they just runts that were spawned this spring and have not grown? I do not think so because they seem to be healthy. I caught 5 tonight just before sunset that all looked like the two pictured below within 5 minutes in the same area. I think they must have been running together. Saw several others chase my bait. I have lots of this size as well as larger YOY.
Also a picture of one of two 13" SMB, likely the size that spawned the small ones. And a 7" RES also caught tonight just before dark.
Edit: The two 13" SMB were caught on a circle hook under a bobber with a live 4" GSH hooked through the back and all the other stuff was caught on the small jig tipped with Gulp Alive bait as pictured in the first picture.
