SMALLMOUTH BASS
SMALLMOUTH BASS
You can locate Smallmouth just about anywhere on the lake. I've found them in the middle of Lonesome Bay, mid lake on west side and East side of Tin and Raspberry Islands, along the shores, weed bottom, gravel bottom, etc. etc.
They will take an array of offerings. My favorites are a spinnerbait, a jig or tubes. There are times when they will be all over livebait like a hobo on a ham sandwich.
For tubes, I've found that dark greens, watermelon and a medium color brown with red flecks work best for me (all salted). I also have very good luck with the GITZIT Hard Time Minnow tube in firetiger and the green body w/smoke belly. With tubes it seems most times, after the cast, let it sit. I give it 3 quick pumps to move it about 3' and let it sit. I continue this back to the boat. 9 out of 10 times, it will be picked up on the set by a Smallie.
I work jigs pretty much the same unless I'm on an extremely boney spot, then I try to keep it moving across the top of the rock. Lose a lot of rigs but if the bass are on the stone it's tough for them to pass it up. I prefer tipping jigs with a medium to larger minnow or a nightwalker. No big surprise but you'll tag a few Walleye with this set up as well but that's for another page. I prefer a red or white jig head.
Spinnerbaits are good locator lures. I usually run them for smallies in 10' or less of water. I make my own up for the most part and like a Double Colorado blade or a Double Indiana blade in firetiger, brown, black or white w/red.(1/2 to 5/8 oz) In open areas like the outer area of Lonesome Bay or between Congers Island and the channel around Bigge Island, I find the extra vibration in the weed and above the weed tops help the Smallies zero in. With the water clarity improving, this may not be a factor in the future but for now---.
On the last trip, livebait flat out, out produced anything we threw. Medium to large minnows, hooked through the bottom jaw and out through the top of the head on a #6 or #8 baitholder hook with 1 or 2 BB shot about 24" up the line. Along fast drops and along ridge or shoal edges was unbelievable.
We'll get Smallies on cranks and Rapalas and the like but these are my go to rigs.
