Jig fishing for Smallmouth

[bassguytom]

I am fishing a new lake that has predominantly smallmouth. I love jig fishing but have really only done it for largemouth. If I downsize my jig would this be a good technique for smallmouth or should I just go with a dropshot or something else? Any recommendations? Thanks. 

[PourMyOwn]

I always have a hula grub on a football jig on my deck when I'm fishing for smallmouth.  I use it primarily in 12'+ in rocks-usually a 1/2 or 5/8 oz. 

 

I also always have a tube, finesse squarebill, and a 3XD crank. 

[TnRiver46]

Smallies love LM jigs 

[PaulVE64]

Probably dont need to downsize.

[bowhunter63]

Bitsy Bug jig baby Rage Craw trailer. One heck of a combo 

[drakesndrum]

They love jigs!  I usually have a 1/8oz or 3/16oz football in plain black tied on when I go to the rivers.  Baby Rage Craw trailer.

[MickD]

I have found that sparsely tied smaller jigs with trailers like Z man trick shotz really work well for smallies.  Fish like Neds.  As usual, green with green trailer and blue/black with similar trailer. 

[flyfisher]

My experience with smallies is river based but I don't downsize at all for smallies when I jig fish or anything else really unless it is a super small river.  

[Blue Raider Bob]

17 hours ago, Bassguytom said:

I am fishing a new lake that has predominantly smallmouth. I love jig fishing but have really only done it for largemouth. If I downsize my jig would this be a good technique for smallmouth or should I just go with a dropshot or something else? Any recommendations? Thanks. 

I also enjoy jig fishing. I use either a 1/16 or a 1/8 with a 3" or smaller plastic. Exposed hook unless there is a lot of submerged timber, then textaposed. I do well with Zman TicklerZ but everyone has an opinion about what works best for them. Smallies seem to eat anything that resembles food.

[pdxfisher]

Wobbleheads (with a football head) and a creature bait are a good choice in the rocks out here in the PNW. I don't throw a normal jig as much but it seems to work when I do. 

[Jleebesaw]

I use the same jigs as I use for LM. A smallmouths mouth isn't really that small. You don't need to downsize. They can and do take most baits that LM will take. U less you're using some really big jigs, it won't be a problem.

[The Baron]

A 3/8oz. football jig with an appropriately scaled craw trailer is killer.  Or a swing head football jig in similar weight with a craw or small beaver bait is good.  In my head, I think the swing head helps a bit with keeping those acrobatic ones on, as they might get a bit less leverage to throw the hook but I have nothing to prove that theory.  Colors are simple - straight green pumpkin or brown and can throw in some orange or chartreuse.  Smallies up here seem to respond well to a splash of brighter color.  Around chunk rock, I like a jig with a light wire weed guard to help stop from rolling into tight spots and getting snagged.

 

[Bdnoble84]

Smallies eat em. I have a lot of success on a hair jig with a worm trailer. River fishing especially i will tip it with a piece of live crawler or a leach if the bite is tough. Skirted jigs work also.

[PaulVE64]

Those smallies are mean and packed with fight. I had a 12" smallie hit a 5" magnum rage bug. 

[PaulVE64]

On 6/5/2023 at 7:59 PM, Bassguytom said:

I am fishing a new lake that has predominantly smallmouth. I love jig fishing but have really only done it for largemouth. If I downsize my jig would this be a good technique for smallmouth or should I just go with a dropshot or something else? Any recommendations? Thanks. 

Oh,

What kind of conditions are you facing?

Depths, water clarity, bottom structure, vegatation?

Smallies prefer clearer water than LMB with lots of oxygen.

[Dye99]

I fish primarily for smallmouth up here in North Idaho. And I can tell you yes, they LOVE jigs!

Lately Ive been using the Keitech 1/4 ounce jigs with a big TRD trailer to great effect.

 

And if they slow down, then go to a tube, similar action but different profile.

[waymont]

I fish deep very clear lakes, getting smallies down to 25’. 1/4oz bitsy flip and a small chunk or a Jewel baits finesse jig in 5/16 size for the deepest water. 

[Creek Chub 1]

Check missle bait micro jigs. I use them with the 2” net bait craw. The skirts aren’t super durable but you get two jigs for about $7 and they produce 

[Boomstick]

I’ve gotten a number of decent smallies using the standard 3/8 or 1/2oz football and arky head jigs I normally use for largemouth. You can downsize but it’s not required. I would think of downsizing like you would when fishing largemouth - the finesse jig will usually get more bites and in the case of smallies you may get some smaller fish you wouldn’t get on the full size jigs.

 

I usually do use a chunk trailer - smallies love craws.

 

 

I definitely would also suggest bringing out a drop shot and a tube as well.

[MGF]

In the river one of my favorite "high" water patterns is a 3/8 or 1/2 oz arky head skipped up under overhanging trees. All the way onto the bank is good and even better if I can drag it over a log in the water near the bank.

 

I catch more fish when the water is low but the trees are out of the water and little reason to skip so the casting just isn't as much fun.