Fishing for
smallmouth bass – tips on using live bait and lures
Fishing for smallmouth bass is one of the most exciting freshwater angling
experiences out there. Pound for pound, smallies are just about the
toughest fighters in the lake. The key is using the right live bait
or lures. Fishing techniques for catching smallmouth bass change with the seasons, both
in terms of where the fish are nesting and which live bait and lures
you need to employ for success.
Seasonal fishing
strategies for smallmouth bass
Spring
Fishing during
this time of year is often most productive. Spawning smallmouth bass
are extremely aggressive and voracious eaters. Anglers using either
live bait (minnows in particular) or lures – try crankbaits,
spinners, larger jigs - are likely to attract strikes.
Summer
Fishing when it’s
hot means avoiding the meat of the day. Try for smallmouth bass
during early mornings or evenings, or on overcast days. Switch to
crayfish as live bait (minnows still work too) or bottom-pop a jig
tipped with cut night crawler if you want to use lures.
Fall
Fishing in Autumn
for smallmouth bass is most successful using either live bait –
trolling minnows – or artificial lures – topwater crankbaits.
Smallies tend to school together in preparation for Winter, so this is
often the best season for lots of catches.
Winter
Fishing in Winter
really comes down to how cold the waters you fish get, and their
depth. Most smallmouth bass will go deep, or if it’s sunny and your
region doesn’t get extremely cold, they’ll stay near the surface for
warmth. Use worms in the depths for live bait, and try plastic
minnows as lures nearer the surface.
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