Cold fronts and high winds push St. Clair smallmouth deep

What anglers are reporting There have not been many boats out recently as the November gales roll through. The last solid reports from late October had smallmouth feeding heavily on baitfish schools, but recent high winds have kept most anglers off the main lake. This week's outlook Expect water temperatures to be hovering around 50 degrees and dropping fast with incoming cold fronts. The smallmouth should be grouped up tight on hard structure and current breaks near the St. Clair River delta. The cooling water pushes the remaining baitfish deeper, and the bass will follow them to wintering areas. The biggest challenge this week will be finding a window where the wind allows you to fish effectively. Where to start Look for isolated hard spots, gravel flats, and shipping channel edges in 12 to 20 feet of water. The current areas near the St. Clair River delta islands and the Clinton River mouth are prime locations right now. Use your electronics to scan for bait balls and roaming packs of smallmouth before dropping a line. If the main lake is too rough, check the canals and marinas for largemouth holding near remaining green weeds or docks. Bait box - Blade baits (silver or gold, 1/2 to 3/4 ounce) for vertical jigging - 3- to 4-inch swimbaits on heavy jigheads to mimic emerald shiners - Goby-colored tubes dragged slowly on the bottom - Drop-shot rigs with minnow profile plastics - Heavy football jigs for probing hard bottom This weekend A strong cold front pushes through on Friday, dropping daytime highs into the low 40s with stiff northwest winds blowing 18 to 19 mph through Saturday. The pre-front feeding window will likely peak on Wednesday and Thursday, though Thursday brings rain and a heavy north wind. By Saturday, post-front bluebird conditions will tighten the bite, forcing bass close to cover and slowing them down. If you can safely get out, focus on slow, bottom-bouncing presentations in deeper water. Safety is the priority on this shallow lake when the wind howls, so stay close to the ramps.