Smallmouth bass aren’t exactly like largemouth, but they share some commonalities. You may even happen to snag a smallmouth while you were looking for a largemouth. We’re going to let you in on some of the top smallmouth bass fishing tips to help you target them.
Zara Spook (great-lakes.org)
Upgrade your Baits
Just because they’re smallmouth bass, doesn’t mean they don’t have a big appetite. That means you should be using big baits to catch them. The largest of the smallmouth bass can easily swallow a 5” Zara spook, or 7” plastic lizard. It’s likely that the same lures you use for largemouth bass can be applied to smallmouth. Bigger baits, bigger fish!
(wikipedia)
Rise and Shine
Smallmouth bass come to feed in the shallows in the early morning, especially during warm months. If you want big bass, you’re going to have to get up early. They’re also fairly aggressive at this time, so your chances of hooking one are higher. Topwater lures like jerkbaits, buzzbaits, prop baits, and poppers do well at this time.
Think Lazy
Big smallmouth bass are pretty lazy. That means they will be hanging out in areas where the current will push food towards them. Find an area like a narrow area of a lake. Big rivers will have many of these areas as the water is almost constantly moving.
Find the Ridges
Many smallmouth bass go deep to eat baitfish. It’s a good idea to check for deep areas with ridges. This is especially true when the atmospheric pressure changes. These changes can cause the fish discomfort, so they travel deeper to avoid this feeling. Check for the day’s pressure readings to see where you should be looking.
These are some of our favorite smallmouth bass fishing tips. They’re not secrets, so be sure to share them with your friends and fishing buddies. If you plan to head out for some smallmouth bass fishing, be sure to grab a Waterproof Chart. Our fishing charts will help you locate the best areas for fish. We go locally and get information from those in the area to see where the best spots are located. We have maps for major areas like Lake St. Clair, Lake Erie, and more.