Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth are one of my favorite fish to catch. I have only had the opportunity a handful of times, but they are fun-fight like crazy. Plus, they require cleaner, cooler water than largemouth, so if you're into smallmouth you must be in better habitat generally. I strongly suggest trying smallies of you want a fish that, pound for pound, is one of the best fighters in North America.

Baits

The Rebel ultralights (Crickhoppers, Crawdaddys, caterpillars, etc.) are good for smallmouth. Just cast them and make them act like whatever they look like (twitch Crickhoppers, jig Crawdaddys, etc.). Smallish Original Rapalas (#5 or 7) are the bait I've used with the most success (especially in the colors minnow and gold), just cranked at a steady medium pace. I've also caught them on crawlers under floats in slow-moving rivers. Inline spinners are supposed to be good for them. I'm sure that smaller Shad Raps would do a number on them as well.

Small topwaters are good for smallmouth. That's because it seems to me that smallies are more likely to be in rivers and streams than largemouth, which is better topwater water than still lakes.

Where to Fish

As I said, smallies are common in cleaner streams and rivers. Try near structure and in the slackwater below dams. Cast topwaters in the shade under overhanging vegetation. I've had decent success among lilypads with small Rapalas. Weedbeds in clean lakes should hold smallies as well.

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