Smallmouth Spawn

[RobbyZ5001]

I need some tips. The lake I mainly fish has both SM and LM populations. I sort of figured out where the LM are, but I would like to target the SM. What are some common features SM look for in prespawn/spawn. Water temp last weekend was 45. I heard they spawn in 50-55. Any tips regarding spring SM would be great. Thanks.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

I know this sounds pretty basic, but I think it will pertain to what you are looking for.

Just remember that smallmouth orient with stucture more than cover, including during the spawn.

Let me put a big IMO at the end so no one gets uppity   ;D

[roadwarrior]

Just remember that smallmouth orient with stucture more than cover...

Not just during the spawn, but all of the time. They also prefer

current if that's an option.

8-)

[RobbyZ5001]

I am all for basics. What structure in your opinion do they prefer? I fished the structure I catch SM off of in the summer, and I didn't do well (3 trips). I caught fish every trip, but I tried to specifically target SM since they spawn in colder water then LM. I did manage to catch one SM (16in.) on a point that had small rock substrate dropping into deep water.  Do they prefer humps, steep rock drops, tapering points? Do they spawn in the same substrate as LM, and use the same staging strategy as LM? Will they be in deeper water or shallower water then LM on the same lake?

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Taking water clarity into account, I would say your smallmouth are going to spawn deeper than a LM.

Stick to rock as your main focus, ideally. As you know, PA is not an ideal state for anything bass fishing.

They will stack up on points and the first drop-off area, but I would concentrate where that first drop is near considerably deeper water than if I was targeting LM. I would say that smallmouth will tend to suspend near the drop, as opposed to relating directly to the bottom contour.

I dont have any experience with B-ville (I assume this is where you are looking), so I dont know any specifics.

[Crestliner2008]

Smallmouth bass won't really start to get interested in spawning until the water temps are consistently over 55 degrees. The will search out pebble rock or crushed rock preferably and will continue to spawn, sporatically, well into June. However, these late spawners will be found a lot deeper than their earlier spawning brethren. The In'Fisherman staff has verified smallmouth spawn as late as July - but in 25' of water!

Best part of smallmouth fishing is that you can find some fish at various stages of their cycles throughout this spring period. Some will be spawning, some will be done and have gone deep, some are pre-spawn still. Depends a lot on water clarity and temperature and the food source.

Right now I'd be focusing on shallower rocky points & humps ranging from about 8' down to 25'. Use your sonar. Find the bait (relating to structure) and you'll find the fish. Try hard jerkbaits, tubes and jigs. Good Luck!

[Tin]

Flats/humps in 8-15' with soft gravel or a beach sand like bottom composition is the first thing I look for.

Second would be shallow flats 5-10' with a soft bottom with rocks mixed in about the size of softballs or so. Don't ask me why, but bigger smallies always seem to have rocks like this in their beds..

3rd, run around the shallows <5' with the trolling motor on high around docks and such that have that same softer bottom and note where you see them spook from. Then go back 5 minutes later and make casts. (The ultimate way to search for bedding fish and not waste time imo).