When to use Jigs, Cranks, Spinnerbaits and plastics?

[WRangler506]

I mostly fish for smallmouth in MI and Ontario, but some LM mixed in also. Can anyone give me some basic guidelines on time of year, temps, weather, etc. For using:

 

Spinnerbaits

Bottom contact jigs or swim jigs

Crankbaits

Worms, senkos, tubes, dropshot

 

I really dont know when I should be focused more on each of these, or if some are used a higher % of the time. I feel like im using some of them in the wroing conditions.

Thanks!

[FCPhil]

I’m by no means an expert but weightless senko style worms are good year around and in all conditions. When the visibility is reduced (morning, wind, rain, muddy water, etc) I prefer faster moving baits though. 

[Choporoz]

https://www.bassresource.com/how-to-fish/

[WRB]

^^^^Lots of info the above posted article.

the problem with so much information regarding "bass" fishing is centered around largemouth bass located in reserviors that doesn't apply to smallmouth and largemouth bass located in northern Canadian Shield natural lakes.

Watch the MLF events held in Maine and Michigan lakes, very informative as to lure selection for both species of bass.

Tom

[A-Jay]

1 hour ago, WRangler506 said:

I mostly fish for smallmouth in MI and Ontario, but some LM mixed in also. Can anyone give me some basic guidelines on time of year, temps, weather, etc. For using:

 

Spinnerbaits

Bottom contact jigs or swim jigs

Crankbaits

Worms, senkos, tubes, dropshot

 

I really dont know when I should be focused more on each of these, or if some are used a higher % of the time. I feel like im using some of them in the wroing conditions.

Thanks!

How about this ?  ..

A-Jay

 

[scaleface]

I select lures based on the cover or structure   I am fishing . Each lure has certain properties that work in certain situations . In thick  woody ,brush weedless lures like jigs and Texas rigs excel . Spinnerbaits come through it well too. Long  rocky banks crankbaits  are a popular choice. Most of the time there  are several different lures that will work and all one can do is try to make good selections .  

[the reel ess]

2 hours ago, WRangler506 said:

I mostly fish for smallmouth in MI and Ontario, but some LM mixed in also. Can anyone give me some basic guidelines on time of year, temps, weather, etc. For using:

 

Spinnerbaits

Bottom contact jigs or swim jigs

Crankbaits

Worms, senkos, tubes, dropshot

 

I really dont know when I should be focused more on each of these, or if some are used a higher % of the time. I feel like im using some of them in the wroing conditions.

Thanks!

Take at least 4 (sometimes I take as many as 7) combos and try them all every trip.

In general, read up and watch videos for the type baits to use in each season, then try a few. You can't fish everything you own in one trip. If you did, you'd never gain confidence with any.

[WRangler506]

3 hours ago, Choporoz said:

https://www.bassresource.com/how-to-fish/

This is amazing. Some of the material im well familair with. Others like bait selections, this is exactly what i was looking for. Thanks!!!

Cant wait to watch the videos posted above also.

3 hours ago, WRB said:

^^^^Lots of info the above posted article.

the problem with so much information regarding "bass" fishing is centered around largemouth bass located in reserviors that doesn't apply to smallmouth and largemouth bass located in northern Canadian Shield natural lakes.

Watch the MLF events held in Maine and Michigan lakes, very informative as to lure selection for both species of bass.

Tom

Do you have any examples of notable differences to be aware of when fishing for northern smallmouth?

[WRB]

I have about 15 years experience fishing Lake of the Woods region Ontario Canada when visiting my inlaws. What I learned about northern smallmouths was matching the size of the prey they were eating was more important then colors and locating groups was keys to success. Northern LMB in that region rarely moved away from cover, staying mostly near the inside weed breaks. Darker colors worked better for LMB.

Watching MLF the majority of smallmouth are caught on 3 presentations; jerk baits during bright sunny days, chatter baits cloudy days and drop shot every day.

Tom