Basic Smallmouth Bass Fishing Tips

• The smallmout is as different from the largemouth in its habitat and feeding as the Walleye is from the Northern Pike.

• The smallmouth bass is more apt to be found in "Walleye water". It inhabits bars, reefs, drop offs, points and does well in rivers and streams.

• Although smallmouth will occasionally hit a surface lure it is primarily a bottom feeder.

• Jigs baited with live bait, spinner lures, buzzer baits, artificial worms and small plugs are excellent.

• Smallmouths will take minnows but are more tempted by night crawlers and leeches worked along a reef or bar.

• Bobber fishing can be effective if you know the depth so that the bait is kept fairly close to the bottom.
• Smallmouths like a rocky bottom-preferrably stones about the size of an egg.

• In early June, during and just after spawning, bass fishing can be fantastic in shallow water (3' to 4'). Try bars or bays with gravel bottoms or very small stones.