Question About Big Smb Targeting

[adam lancia]

So I've been following the thread in the General Discussion subforum about targeting big bass and I'd like to know how to go about this with SMB since that's all there is in the lakes here in Nova Scotia.I live in Nova Scotia and we only have SMB, no LMB. I would say the largest ones being caught regularly are in the 3-4 Lb range. I am only not starting to diversify and figure out what's working for me and what isn't. As much as the locals are helpful, most of it is the same as what you have said about the blind squirrel. Lots of senko's being thrown and the occasional big (for around here) bass being caught. Typically, I will use 4 spinning rods for various soft plastics: wacky and texas rigged senko's, texas rigged super flukes, and then either a tube jig or a shaky head. I also have smaller top water lures (poppers etc) but just recently picked up a Zara Spook. I also throw spinnerbaits. My questions is, where do I start with swimbaits? Should I try to match the kind of bait fish that are in the various lakes, or go with the coours and patterns of the senko's and flukes that usually catch fish? How big is too big a bait to throw when the bass aren't California/Texas huge? I want to maximize my time fishing these because I don't get out on a boat too often. I don't have my own boat, just a kayak. I usually tag along with a friend of mine when he goes out for a few hours after work. I realize that lure selection and tactics are going to be different based on my location, I'm really just looking for some general guidelines and principles to get started. If there are any good articles worth reading or videos worth watching, links would be greatly appreciated! Thanks for being so helpful guys!

[Dwight Hottle]

I like to target big smallies with jerkbaits. They will hit a pointer 128 which weighs an ounce and measures 5.5" long. If you want to try soft swimbaits 4-5" baits will work.  This link will help you with jerkbaits.

 

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/108594-jerkbait-help-advice/

[Crestliner2008]

Wish I could use jerkbaits more productively in summer. But for best effect, you have to keep the erratic action going. For the younger fellows this is no problem. But my arthritis won't allow constant jerking, without paying dearly for it afterwards. Spring is fine, where you let them lay between jerks for a time, but summertime jerkbait fishing is out for me.

 

That being said, the drop shot more than makes us for my inability to do that. You should give either technique a decent try.

[Skinsfan1]

Don't be afraid to try swim baits that you would typically throw for Largemouth I like the Spro BBZ and Decoy Hydra for smallmouth as with any larger bait you will not get the numbers but typically you will catch big ones. I typically stay under the 6" range in length.  Neither one of these baits require any special rods or reels although they may be heavy for a spinning outfit so a bait casting setup most likely will be needed the heaviest of the two baits is the Decoy probably around 1oz. I use both of these baits in specific areas that I have found big smallies in and they are very effective I caught two citations in one day about a week ago not sure on the weight but one was 21" and the other 21 1/2". You can check both of these baits out at Tackle Warehouse Good Luck

[Andy Fishes]

I'm not huge on swim baits for SM but if your worried some of them are to big start small and work your way up. I'm sure color is going to depend on a lot of variables such as time of year, water clarity and etc. Most the swim baits I do buy are of natural forage colors such as shad, perch, bluegill and such so if I do throw them I throw when they're actively feeding on those items. I'd say 4 inches would be a good starting point but they do sell some the size of big crappie minnows and obviously much larger. Besides swimbaits if all your throwing is plastics I would seriously consider crankbaits smallies love em'.

[Driftb]

I have seen a lot of nice fish on 4-41/2" tubes. The tubes seem to catch a bigger average size than a soft 4" swimbait or Senko in summer.  Although I've never done it, I see good results on 6 and 7" senkos for bigger bass.   You don't need to match the hatch, you need to find the colors that work.  Chartreuse works here sometimes, but I'll be damned if I can figure out what hatch it matches. Hard Jerkbaits are great spring and fall, but I usually don't  waste my time with them until water temps have dropped significantly  lower than they were in summer.  The soft jerkbaits are pretty good in summer though, and seem to appeal to bigger fish, at least when you can find them shallow.  Although I have not caught my absolute pbs on them, jerkbaits also consistently bring in big fish, so if they are looking up and conditions are right, Spooks,  Sammies, and other walk the dog type lures will be my choice.

[adam lancia]

Is a Zara Spook too large a lure to target ~3Lb SMB...?

[webertime]

Carolina Rig. Big (smart) fish inherently do the most for least. Most calories taken in for least calories expended. I can verify and swear that big smallies will crush a super spook, 4.8" Keitech, or big pointer. However dragging a little craw across a hard bottom is like an M&M dish on your coffee table. They're going to be eaten even if you are not hungry.