Never fished for smallies

[weknowhowtolive]

I'm going to go to our local river this coming week hopefully. Its mostly smallies although there are largemouth too.

So...I've never fished for them before, any tips? Should I just bring smaller worms and spinnerbaits/jigs etc?

[huskybass]

I would bring tubes, super flukes and a #2 or #3 silver Mepps Aglia spinner.  Those three baits shouls serve you well.

[mrmacwvu1]

no need to downsize lures to catch smallmouth

imo they are more aggressive then the bucket mouths and will hit the same size baits

[River Rat 58]

spinners and jigs are good but dont over look a couple of rapalas

[Crestliner2008]

A No. 7 or No. 9 floating Rapala is hard to beat for strikes and heart stopping action on a river! Then, when you've settled down a bit and want catch bigger smallies, try Ika's, hooked backwards and drifted down along eddys and into backwaters. Also stock up on a few small sized spinnerbaits. You'll have your hands full - fer sur!  

[basser89]

A tight grip!  

[rebar]

Don't forget your topwater baits. Try every one you have. Keep an eye out for baitfish so you can match the size if possible. It's surprising how small or how large a bait they will sometime hit. A good "no brainer bait" is a 3 or 4" curly tail grub fished on a jighead and just swim it back in. My favorites are the smoke colors with red or blue glitter if you can find them.         lp