Catch more
smallmouth bass with these seasonal tips
Smallmouth bass
get the short end of the stick in many anglers’ minds when compared to
their largemouth cousins, but I think that doesn’t do justice to smallies. Having fished for both smallmouth and largemouth bass many
times, all I can say is that, pound for pound, smallmouth get the edge
in terms of fight and fun. Heresy, I know! If you haven’t pursued
smallmouth (either ever or lately), you seriously don’t know what
you’re missing. Here are some tried-and-true seasonal fishing tips to
help you enjoy your new favorite sport fish.
One of the first
things to know about smallmouth is that they prefer clear water,
unlike largemouth bass, which usually feel more comfortable in murky
conditions. So, visual presentation of your lures is incredibly
important when going after smallies. The best overall smallmouth
fishing tip I can think of is just that – carefully choose and present
your offering if you want to maximize your chances of landing a
sizeable smallie. This applies regardless of season.
Early Spring is
arguably the best time of year (in North America) to catch a lot of smallmouths. Water temp in the 55-65 F range is the target, as
smallmouth are most active in that environment (same as other bass).
Try spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and medium jigs for the most success.
The key is to first discover and then try to mimic the color of the
bass’s prey fish. In many locations, this means silver, brown, and
green shades of minnows and shad. You’ll want a fairly loud,
attention-grabbing presentation as well to really stoke the smallmouths up.
During the
Summer, smallmouth strikes are less frequent, but if you concentrate
on the cooler times – early morning and dusk – the right technique can
be productive. A good bass tip is to try fishing a bright spoon by
casting beyond any spot where you see the fish breaking the surface
and retrieving it quickly. Let it skip across the surface, then when
it gets to the point you judge to be directly over the smallmouth
school, stop it and let it sink down. Smallmouth, like other bass
species, often take prey from underneath.
In the Fall, as
the water cools down again and smallmouth become active, use colorful
crankbaits and present at medium depth, where the bass tend to
congregate in schools as they prepare for Winter. If you get lucky and
hit a big school, get ready for a lot of fish!
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