How To Catch A Small Mouth Bass

[nebraskalargemouthhunter]

I just found out last week, my favorite lake has smallmouth bass in, not a lot but big ones. now I never have caught a smallmouth bass and trying to find out if they act the same as a large mouth? do they both spawn at the same time or in the same type of spawn beds. or what they like to bite on this time of they year. Nebraska spawn is the start of may for largemouth bass but when is it small mouth bass time?

[wademaster1]

Smallies will hit most anything a largemouth will.....I'm not sure about the spawn as far as smallies go though....I've only caught them in rivers.....

[Felix77]

My favorite baits for smallmouth are

 

1 - Tube

2 - Wacky Senko

3 - Shakey Head with a Trick Worm on them

4 - Spinnerbait

[motodmast]

smallmouth are different than largmouth, 

 

smallmouth perfer rocks and sandy flats they will also be all over docks

 

try finding  a point that has structure on it with rocks or sand bottom, if you can find the transition line from sand to rock fish it, smallies will be on that, if  your fishing deep water, use a carolina rig or a football head rig with a hula grub, beaver, or lizard

[nebraskalargemouthhunter]

oh thank you guys for the help, I know spots like that, just never fished them. I will get back to you and see if that worked.

[Crestliner2008]

Smallies start spawning sooner than largemouths. In some cases, their spawn extends over a longer period of time than largemouths. What is the water temp in the lake you are fishing? Is the lake a dish-pan type or is there a lot of bottom structures, such as humps, points and channels? Do you have a sonar? If so, you do, use it to scout some of these structures....those with bait on them will most likely attract bass - of either species. Don't go looking for bass....just bait. The bass will not be far behind. Location is 90% of the battle.

[MarkH024]

Once you start hooking smallies you'll be addicted. They're so fun to catch.  What others have mentioned so far should get you on some smallie bites.  Also, a lure of choice is a lipless crank for me.  

[nebraskalargemouthhunter]

well I know the bottom of this lake very well. there is looks of lots of points that go sand to rock. we have a many deep channels that run throw the rock areas. my bass hot spots are just where a big tree has fallen in to a deep channel. manly this year all I have been using is jigs. I did catch a small pike on a crank bait but that was at a different lake in nebraska

[Downeaster2010]

I have found that smallmouth generally move into shallow coves prior to largemouth.  Early spring small coves heat up

quicker do to sun penetration.  most will be in the very back of the cove, and if there is a small brook there they could

be up in it.  They will start making beds once the water temp reaches 65 degrees.  Most smallies will be the 1 to 2 lb

class.  They will generally enter the cove on the warmest water side, which could be 5 degrees difference than the

other.  When the fish enter coves in the spring they are not looking for shade, as much as they are warmer water.

Small lures, and non aggressive baits can put them in the boat.  Large, or noisy lures will spook the whole group.

Within a few days of entering the cove from the warm side, cove temps will rise and they will filter out to the entire

cove.  Largemouth will follow, but it will be the bucks, and not the large females.  Large females will stage just a short

distance out in a little deeper water, until the bucks come calling.

[stratosjoe]

Good post from a lot of guys . I again dance to a different drummer . I wait until night time make sure the boat has NO clutter to trip on. I use 17 lb test on a baitcaster,  I use depending on depth 1/4---3/4 oz Black with red or purple spinnerbait with very large thumper blades. Now I know guys are gonna say same tactic for Largeheads and that is true but big smallmouth can't take that bait near  where they call home. The purpose of this is, wherever you catch a smallmouth at night (when they are usually more agressive) they have given away the area to fish in the daytime.  Different baits are used during the day but at least you will no where to target them. Good Luck