First Time Smallmouth Fishing

[zildjian]

Hey guys,

I want to go out for the first time to just go for smallmouth. Just wanted to see if you guys could give me any tips on lures and techniques that work anywhere on these guys, as I never fished for them before and never caught one. And knowing my club lakes have massive ones, I'm excited to try it out! I'll upload pics to this thread of the bass I catch on the rigs you guys suggest! Can't wait.

Thanks!

-Zildjian

[moguy1973]

A lot of the same techniques used for largemouths work for smallmouths, so any kind of dying baitfish lures, any kind of crayfish imitators like jigs, and a lot of top water lures work for smallies.

[smalljaw67]

It depends on the water you're fishing, is it clear or stained? Is it weedy, rocky, or a mix of both? Is it deep or fairly shallow? All these things will make a difference in how to pursue them because the biggest difference between largemouth and smallmouth is the habitats they prefer and the temperature range in which they feed more. Typically smallies will get and remain active in much colder water as compared to largemouth but the largemouth will endure in much warmer temps than his brown cousin. Let us in on what kind of water you will be fishing and you will get some good advise on how to target them.

[zildjian]

The water is very clear for the most part, and tons of submerged vegetation. Lots of rocky flats throughout the lake as well.

[flyeaglesfly5186]

Tubes Tubes Tubes Tubes and oh yeah Tubes!

Browns and greens on 1/8oz jig heads. Just play them around structures and across the rocky flats. The bronzebacks will come out of hiding for them.

[zildjian]

Tubes Tubes Tubes Tubes and oh yeah Tubes!

Browns and greens on 1/8oz jig heads. Just play them around structures and across the rocky flats. The bronzebacks will come out of hiding for them.

Hah so tubes huh? Lol what makes them like tubes so much? I fish lots of visual and submerged structure for largemouth. Jigs 90% of the time crankbaits, spinnerbaits, jerkbaits, and flip n pitch any type of creature bait. But not once have I hooked up with a smallmouth... Why is that? I just want to catch ONE! Lol

The only other thing that I havnt fished was out in the middle of the lake or anywhere on open water to target humps. I heard humps are key spots to fish and rig up a Carolina rig. But I Can't seem to find any or I just suck at reading my fish finder/Depth Scaner.

I will try throwing tubes with 1/8oz weight towards structure and see what I can make of it. How do you guys work tubes? Like a jig? Hopping it along the bottom, swimming it, drag it along the bottom? Also why such a light oz weight? Are tubes fished more of a finesse style?

[flyeaglesfly5186]

I tried explaining my techniques for tubes the other day to a friend and the best description I could come up with is random spaz. Yes there is some finesse to the tube especially working rock outcroppings, trees, ledges etc. I like to work around the structures with randomness to the play. Remember crawfish, which the tube imitates, swim very erratically and in short bursts typically. The fish are watching for this behavior. And will either hit on the move or more often than not hit while at rest. On the other hand, I’ve rigged up a tube and skittered it over top the lily pads like a frog at a quick pace and invoke the hits. You can even rig a tube Carolina style and work the bottom. I’ve caught bass, and catfish with tubes on the bottom. I see you’re down in Philly, head up to the Schuylkill if you really want to have fun with the smallies.

[drew4779]

Tubes, spinnerbaits, and jerk baits.

[Crestliner2008]

I never go after smallies without a tube rig, a Senko rig, a popper and a drop shot. Will you be fishing from a boat or from shore?

[zildjian]

Thanks for all the comments guys!

Yes I fish from my boat

[smalljaw67]

Go to the rock flats early or late, depending on water temp, if it is really hot with a surface temp in the mid 80's you will have to fish deep so find areas with rock and weeds together and you'll have a good shot. Tubes are great and probably the number one soft plastic for smallies as their main forage is crawfish unlike largemouth who prefer baitfish. The difference is smallies are more apt to roam rock flats looking for craw while largmouth tend to be more ambush predators.

[zildjian]

I see I see. Good points! Thank you for your post

[flyeaglesfly5186]

Back a few posts to your earlier question which I completely ignored. The reason for the ligther jig is to allow the tube to "crawl" with the current, even lakes have a slight movement to the water. Craws drift slightly with the current and the lighter weight allows for a drift. Also, the lighter weight means that if you want to reel the tube in which works great as well to trigger that active attack. The lighter weight means play is more feasible . You can use 3/16 or even 1/4 heads as well but with the 3.5-4 in tubes the size matches almost perfectly with the jigs hook. 3.5-1/8, 4-3/16, 4.5-1/4. Just jamb that jig down the back end of the tube and run it to the front. The hook should just barely arch out where the skirt begins.

To back smalljaw67 he's 100% right about smallies to buckets. Buckets hit baits that look "fishy", and typically from within hiding. Samllies tend to "search out" their meals, which is typically more "creature" like in appearance. Eg. Craws, Hellgrammites. I've hit smallies while reeling a tube on a quick retrieve only feet from where I'm standing. if they want the meal they'll earn it.