DROP-SHOTTING Smallies

[jesse-c]

I have really been getting into drop-shotting for smallies. Been catching alot of bass on 4" GYCB shad shaped worms and zoom swamp crawlers. Problem is I am having trouble cathing the size fish I catch using tubes or eakins jigs. However I do catch alot more and the occasional 3+. Am I using the wrong bait to catch the big girls? Anyone have any suggestions on other lures I should give a whirl??

[Jig Man]

Have you tried going deeper for bigger fish?

[Crestliner2008]

Have you tried going deeper for bigger fish?

X2 - The larger SM will go deeper, especially when the water gets up to about 70 degrees. They love to chase around balls of bait, such as smelt, perch or whatever is native to the water you are fishing. To find them, you need to use your sonar, find the bait (on viable structures) and then apply your drop shotting technique. Summer time smallmouth fishing is only about one thing: location. It won't matter what you are presenting as much as finding suitable forage on a good structure. Good Luck!

[Madhouse27]

Well said Crestliner. The warmer it gets, the more time you spend looking at your screen. There are few better sights in this world than a ball of baitfish with some bruisers lurking underneath it.  I love July and August!

[JF1]

Have you tried going deeper for bigger fish?

X2 Summer time smallmouth fishing is only about one thing: location. It won't matter what you are presenting as much as finding suitable forage on a good structure. Good Luck!

I agreed with everything you said until this.  A few weeks ago during a tournament on Erie the guy in back of boat couldn't get a smallie to save his life and I had boated 10+.  Both were fishing same spot.  I gave him a few of the goby's I was dropshotting, he started to catch too.  So although location is important, so is the bait!