Smallmouth Bass Fishing Guide

YouTube video — The Ultimate Smallmouth Bass Fishing Bait Guide!

Smallmouth Bass are a popular target for anglers because they’re aggressive fighters and fun to catch. Known for their powerful jumps and strong runs, smallmouth bass put up a good fight, which makes them exciting for all skill levels. They’re usually found in clear, cool freshwater lakes and rivers, often around rocks, gravel, or structures like fallen trees where they can hide and ambush smaller fish.

To catch Smallmouth Bass, try using jigs, crankbaits, or soft plastic lures that look like crawfish or small baitfish. They’re most active in the early morning and late evening, especially in warmer months. When you hook a smallmouth, be ready for it to dive and make sudden pulls—they’re strong and determined! Smallmouth bass fishing is not only thrilling but also a great way to enjoy nature. They’re usually catch-and-release fish, but the experience alone is well worth the trip.

Smallmouth Bass Fishing Facts

Location

Lakes
Ponds
Rivers
Streams

Habitats

Rocky and Gravel Areas – Areas with rocks, gravel, and boulders, which provide cover and attract prey like crayfish.
Vegetation-Free Zones – Preferring open areas with some cover (rocks and logs)
Cooler Waters – Prefers cooler water temperatures, usually between 60-75°F.
Deep Pools in Rivers – In rivers, they often inhabit deeper pools and eddies where they can ambush prey.
Near Drop-Offs and Ledges – Areas with sudden depth changes are ideal, as they provide both protection and access to prey.
Shaded or Sheltered Areas – Smallmouth bass often stay near shaded spots or areas with submerged trees, logs, or ledges..

Diet

Crayfish
Minnows
Insects
Worms
Small Fish
Amphibians
Leeches
Zooplankton
Smaller Bass or Fish Fry

Activity

Active During Dawn and Dusk – Smallmouth bass are most active and feed heavily during low-light periods like early morning and evening.
Seasonal Movements – Smallmouth bass change locations with the seasons, moving deeper in winter and shallower in spring for spawning.
Territorial Behavior – Particularly during spawning, Smallmouth bass become highly territorial and aggressive, protecting their nests from intruders.
Slow in Cold Temperatures – Smallmouth bass slow down their activity in colder water, becoming less active and feeding infrequently in winter.
Increased Activity in Warmer Months – As water temperatures rise, smallmouth bass become more active and seek out prey more frequently.

Smallmouth Fishing Techniques

Cast & Retrieve
Fishing

Cast & Retrieve Tips

Use a Steady Retrieve with Pauses – Cast out and retrieve with a steady, medium speed, adding occasional pauses to mimic an injured fish, which can entice smallmouth bass to strike.
Experiment with the “Yo-Yo” Technique – Lift the rod tip to make the lure rise, then let it fall back down as you reel in. This works well with jigs and mimics a fleeing crayfish or baitfish.
Cast Parallel to the Shoreline – This technique works well in rivers or along rocky lake shores, where smallmouth bass often patrol for food close to the banks
Add Jerks or Twitches – With soft plastics or jerkbaits, adding slight jerks or twitches to your retrieve can make the lure look like an injured fish, attracting more strikes.