If you want to put huge numbers of smallmouth bass in the boat, there are definitely some techniques that you need to learn about. Some baits will definitely put better numbers in the boat, however, the average size will usually be lower if you’re just looking for higher numbers. Choosing the right destination is obviously super important as well.
It is Tough to Beat Live Bait
Whether you are fishing for numbers or size, it is tough to beat live bait. For numbers, use half nightcrawlers, smaller leeches and smaller minnows and you’ll have much better odds for landing lots of smallmouth bass in a single day.
Downsize Your Baits
Smallmouth bass have much smaller mouths than largemouth bass. Therefore, you need to downsize your baits when comparing to the average-sized baits you would be using for largemouth bass.
Swimming a Ringworm May be the Easiest Way to Catch Smallmouth Bass
Swimming Smaller Swimbaits Also Works Great
Smaller, Finesse-Sized Tubes are Awesome
Finesse Worms Catch So Many Smallmouth Bass
It’s Tough to Beat a Curly Tail Grub
Hop a Ringworm
Hard Jerkbaits Have Their Time & Place
When Bass are Aggressive, Lipless Crankbaits are Awesome
Underspins are Awesome for Numbers & Quality Fish Too
Fish Deeper Than Largemouth Bass
Smallmouth bass almost always prefer deeper water than largemouth bass, so if you’re used to fishing in 4 to 8 feet of water for largemouth bass, try fishing 8 to 15 feet. In most clear water lakes, plan on having the most success around drop-offs that drop anywhere from a couple feet deep to 30 plus feet. The 14 to 25 foot range is almost always a good place to start.
Overcast Days are Key for Clear Water
Most of the best smallie lakes will have very clear water. Low light conditions make fishing a lot easier and overcast days can provide some awesome fishing days.
Spring is Tough to Beat
In the spring when bass move into the shallows, you can catch good numbers of smallmouth bass and many larger fish too. Planning a trip in the spring on a great smallmouth bass lake is the easiest way to guarantee you a better chance of having a high numbers day.
Summer is Schooling Time
The summer can be tough on many anglers, but for those of you that figure out how to pattern smallmouth bass on offshore structure, the summer will lead to some awesome days on the water. On good waters, anglers sometimes report 30 to 50 fish days with most of the bass coming from just a few different schools of fish. Find them schooling on deep water structure and you can have some awesome fishing days.
In Late Fall, They School Up Big Time as Well
The fall can be an awesome time to fish for smallmouth bass. As water temperatures fall down below 60 degrees, you can usually find smallmouth bass schooling up on offshore structure. If you are fishing a lake that has some great offshore structure, this is the time of year to fish it because you can have some awesome days on the water. Find the fish and it’s a great time to catch a lot of bass in a hurry.
Smallmouth Bass Love Rocks
Find the rocks and you’ll most likely find plenty of smallmouth bass to target.
Smallmouth Bass Love Crayfish
In those rocks that you’ll be fishing, plan on using some crayfish imitation baits because that is the main reason why smallmouth bass are there. Smallies love eating crayfish in those rocky areas. Tubes are one of the better baits to use for smallmouth bass.
Hop a Crayfish Bait Along the Bottom
Smallmouth Bass Move A Lot – Cover Some Water
Don’t get locked into certain areas that held fish one day, because there’s a good chance the school of smallies moved. Smallmouth bass move a lot. If you don’t know how to bounce from spot to spot until you find them, your odds of catching big numbers of them go way down.
When fishing the rocky shorelines or large flats where smallies can often be found, you’re going to need to cover some water. Try swimming curly tail grubs, ringworms, small swimbaits and other types of swimming worms to cover more water and find active fish. Find a school and you may catch them in bunches.
In Clear Water, Finesse It Up
Smallmouth bass are found in some really clear water lakes. Try using lighter line and consider fluorocarbon line or at least a leader. Using 6 pound fluorocarbon line will help you get a lot more bites. Just match it with a light rod and a spinning reel so you can cast farther and avoid snapping a line on a bigger fish. Let them run if you get a big one. They most likely will once they see the boat.
In Dark Water, Make Some Noise
Smallmouth bass relate to noise really well. Crankbaits that rattle are a great way to catch them in murky water. Rattling jigs are also very productive and topwater can be great at times too.
