A big, beautiful, bronze beauty!  It’s every angler’s dream to land one!  A bronze smallmouth bass, that is. 

There is something very special about large smallmouth.  No one can dispute that pound for pound smallies fight better than largemouth, not only pulling harder but also going airborne more frequently.  While beauty may be considered subjective, most fishermen would agree the deep brassy tones of brown bass are darn prettier than a washed-out greenback.   

Furthermore, due to food and habitat preferences that may push lake-bound bronzebacks to deeper offshore waters, locating and catching quality smallmouth can be difficult during certain times of the year.  Taking all of this taken into account, a big smallmouth is an exceptional catch for any angler. 

So what do you need to know in order to land your Personal Best (PB)?  Start with understanding the lifestyle of smallmouth, then follow the advice on tactics from smallmouth fishing experts.  Jeff Snyder of Ohio and Jim Duckworth of Tennessee have years of guiding experience for brown bass in addition to an impressive number of trophy-size smallmouth to their credit.  Their expertise has been acquired by devoting time on the water during the prime window of opportunity, unfettered by tournament constraints that can interfere with serious smallmouth fishing. 

Bronzeback Lifestyle  

A fish of small creeks, big rivers, natural lakes and impoundments, smallmouth are definitely more finicky about their surroundings than largemouth.  They have a hankering for good-quality, moderately clear water, preferably with some current.  However, smallmouth are adaptable to still-water lakes if other environmental factors are suitable. 

For smallmouth to survive in a water body, there must be good gravel substrate at appropriate spawning depths (based on water clarity), plus water temperature must annually reach the mid-60s for successful reproduction to occur.   

Through the year, smallmouth opt for harder bottom sites compared to largemouth.  While smallies may be found relating to vegetation at times, there will always be gravel or rock rubble nearby.  Smallmouth also exhibit a strong tendency to suspend off structure and follow pelagic baitfish, particularly in the summer. 

In fisheries terminology, smallmouth are referred to as a coolwater species, meaning they cannot withstand as high water temperatures as their warmwater cousin the largemouth.  Summer temperatures above 75 degrees will stress smallmouth and sustained temperatures in the 80s are intolerable.  Bronze bass will either seek oxygenated currents or deeper, cooler depths – as long as forage is present – in order to mitigate the uncomfortable circumstances.  They may reduce foraging activity if high temperatures persist. 

Timetable for a Personal Best 

Experienced smallmouth anglers know the odds of taking a PB are significantly greater in water temperatures below 60 degrees.  In cooler temperatures, the largest bronzebacks in a lake are most likely relatively shallow.  Relatively shallow is emphasized because the working theory among smallmouth anglers states big smallmouth never are truly shallow – even for the spawn.  In clear water lakes, big bronze bass may bed in 10 to 20 feet of water. 

When targeting big bass, the experts point to a correlation between smallies and water temperature: the colder the water, the bigger the smallmouth.  That’s true up to a point.  However, at water temperatures below 40 degrees, catch rates drop significantly with angler endurance and luck playing greater roles. 

Regardless of the precise lower temperature range, it is apparent the best bet for a huge smallmouth occurs between late autumn through spring.  Although a late fall or early winter feeding period can be a frenzied affair with the potential of quality fish, it is the early spring period that sees female smallmouth supporting the heaviest weight due to egg development. 

“The perfect time to catch the biggest smallmouth of your life is in the early spring,” states Snyder, the smallmouth expert on the 2003 Citgo Bassmaster University tour.  “Typically that translates to late February in the smallmouth’s southernmost range of northern Alabama, March in Tennessee, April in Pennsylvania, and into May through New England, southern Canada, and the upper Mid-West.  These fish are on the move, migrating from wintering grounds to spawning areas.  As water temperatures creep upward, smallmouth continue to feed right up to spawn time.” 

“In the South I would suggest starting as early as the later half of February and continue fishing until the bass go on beds,” explains Duckworth, a former professional diver-turned-fishing guide who travels multiple states in search of the best fishing.  “As things wind down in the south, northern smallmouth activity is peaking.  At this time of the year, smallmouth bass will have an increase of body weight by as much as 15% due to egg development.  That means an 7 pound bass could weigh 8 pounds in the prespawn.”  

That begs the question, what is a big smallmouth?  Certainly a subjective call, but Duckworth and Snyder suggest a four-pound smallie is a realistic goal for any angler.  The hardcore angler will likely be shooting for a six-pound-plus fish – an obtainable objective in the spring on the better waters in the smallmouth belt.  Meanwhile, the fanatic smallmouth addict may be seeking that elusive 8-pounder – a once in a lifetime fish that few will capture. 

“When I’m talking about a four or six-pound goal for an angler, I’m not inferring these great specimens should be taken home and mounted,” stresses Snyder.  “I encourage anglers to carry a scale, check the weight of the fish in the net, snap a picture and then let it go.  Trophy smallmouth are simply too valuable to be harvested!”  

Vertical vs. Horizontal 

Duckworth and Snyder separate spring tactics into two periods with water temperature as a guideline.  Temperature in the low 50s is the dividing line with regard to fish location as smallmouth move from more vertical drops to more horizontal bottoms.  But the transition is rarely an abrupt change.  At some lakes you can find smallmouth on both types of structures almost until the spawn. 

With water temperature in the mid-40s on southern waters, Duckworth will be fishing bluff banks or points with a fairly steep slope.  By the time water temperatures reach the mid-50s, smallies will be moving onto flatter areas in coves and creek arms.  Although in clear water lakes like Dale Hollow, bass may still be relatively deep in 50-degree temps but they shift to less steep banks.  

Snyder identifies similar patterns on northern waters: “On Lake Erie and other natural lakes I normally expect the early bite to pick up around 45 to 48 degrees.  The fish are still on vertical structures where they are able to change depth from shallow to deep with minimal movement.   It does not matter if it’s bluff wall in Lake Cumberland or a steep-side of a reef on Lake Erie, during the cold water period smallmouth bass do not want to expend energy to feed.  Adjusting depth on steep banks to intercept bait is easier on them than swimming across flats.  Not until the water temperature climbs well into the 50s will the majority of smallmouth begin moving onto more gradual slopes or flats and eventually to spawning sites.”  

A “Live” Presentation 

Snyder kicks off presentation tactics with a live bait debate: “First, I apologize to all the lure companies out there.  But if we are talking about the best crack at a huge smallmouth in cold water, live bait is the way to go.  Many times it can be frustrating for the novice angler to get bites on artificial lures in cold water.  Live bait definitely gives you the edge for trophy-size fish; however, the incidence of deep hooking injuries to bass is high with live bait and the likelihood of smaller fish also increases.” 

Desiring baitfish not less than four-inches in length, Snyder chooses either a big Great Lakes emerald shiner or pit shiner (a.k.a. golden shiner or Arkansas shiner).  The bait is fished at depths to 30 feet on a traditional slip-sinker rig: egg sinker on main line, followed by a swivel and a two-foot leader terminating in a #4 Octopus live bait hook.   Spinning gear with 8 or 10-pound test is suggested.  With this rig it is possible to wind drift if breeze is gentle (most popular on Great Lakes), slowly troll with electric motor, cast and slowly retrieve, or simply still-fish. 

Also acknowledging that live bait is the shortest path to a big smallmouth during the cold water, Duckworth prefers a “creek minnow” (creek chub) trapped from local streams.  He utilizes a free-line rig consisting of a size #1 hook and large split shot on spinning tackle with six-pound test.   

Duckworth casts the chub against a bluff, strips off enough line to get it down 15 to 30 feet (depending on baitfish observed on the depthfinder), and places the rod in a holder.  Then he moves slowly along the bank on the trolling motor while fishing a second rod with a hair jig, jigging spoon, or Silver Buddy blade bait.  The live bait trails behind.  A popular option exercised by other guides is the use of a slip float to suspend the live bait at the precise depth of baitfish schools.

When fishing with live bait Duckworth insures the live release of big smallmouth by using a Daiichi Bleeding Bait Circle Hook.  The bent-in point design coupled with a proper hookset translates to greater than 95% of bass being pinned in the corner of the mouth.   

“Circle hooks are useful as a catch-and-release tool only if you train yourself not to snap or yank on rod to set the hook,” stresses Duckworth.  “Instead, the angler must engage the reel, allow the moving fish to tighten the line, and then simply raise the rod and reel.  In that way the hook becomes set in the corner of the jaw rather than in the throat.” 

Hard Metal 

“For chilly water smallmouth on deep water rock piles, steep breaks on points or along near-vertical banks, it’s really had to beat a jigging spoon or blade bait,” states Snyder.  “The proof is in the record, so to speak.  The Ohio State Record smallmouth of 9-1/2 pounds was taken on a Rattlin’ Snakie Spoon from a Lake Erie rock pile in April.  With these compact hard metal baits you can get to the bottom quickly and keep the lure in the fish zone even in a good chop.” 

When fishing vertically – hovering over the structure and fishing straight down – Snyder favors a Hopkins Shorty jigging spoon while Duckworth employs a Rattle Snakie Spoon.  Snyder fishes the spoon with a quick rod snap that causes it to jump perhaps six to ten inches and then flutter back like an injured baitfish.  Duckworth lowers a rattle spoon to the desired depth and simply shakes his rod tip.   

However, for casting and moving a lure horizontally along the bottom, that’s when blade baits are brought in to play.  Snyder chooses either a ¾-ounce Silver Buddy or a ½-ounce Cicada.  Duckworth selects the ½-ounce Silver Buddy.  Each different size blade has its own vibration that the respective angler believes is critical in triggering strikes.   

A blade bait is fished with a somewhat more gentle pull and pause – snapping a blade will result in the tail hook tangling the line.  Lift the rod tip until you feel the blade vibrate, then let it fall back.  The secret with both of these baits in cold water is not to fish too aggressively.  Snyder refers to the proper presentation as “burping” the lure.   

Blade baits are not solely for deep water.  These experts’ stress a blade is an effective presentation even as water temperature climbs through the 50s and smallies begin moving onto the flats.  

Suspending Baits  

When weather circumstances put smallmouth within 10 to 12 feet of the surface on bluff banks or as smallmouth begin moving onto more horizontal structures, that’s the time suspending baits come into play. 

“Even as water temperatures climb into the 50s, smallmouth are not inclined to run down baitfish”, explains Duckworth.  “However, chilled bass are a sucker for an apparently stunned prey simply hanging in the water column.  The trick is to get the lure down to a depth that smallmouth are holding or that they are willing to move up to take prey.  Next, get the smallmouth’s attention by moving the bait with a small sweep, and then deadstick the lure to draw the strike.  The lure must remain almost motionless – neither rising or sinking noticeably – for as long as you can stand it.” 

Suspending lure choice varies widely on lakes around the country.  Spoonbill minnows that reach the 8 to 10-foot depth are employed along bluff banks in the early part of the spring.  As fish move shallower, smaller-lipped suspending minnows are called into action, as well as certain crankbaits.  It’s important to acquire true suspending baits.  Or create your own by adding weight – either with sick-on lead foil to the body or moldable lead to the hooks. 

As smallmouth begin to move shallower, Snyder goes to a Reef Runner Rip Stick suspending jerkbait.  Duckworth however, favors a suspending crankbait. 

“When water temperature climbs to 54 or 55 degrees, I’ll be throwing a Bandit Series #300 weighted with Storm Suspend Dots so the bait hangs in the water when I stop the retrieve,” details Duckworth.  “I’ll cast and crank it down to its maximum depth, then pause.  Next, using my rod tip, I’ll pull the Bandit about three feet, stop it and pause.  Continue the pull, stop and pause all the way to the boat.  This technique will take bass until they actually move to beds.” 

In Closing 

Smallmouth experts emphasis the key to catching a big smallmouth is getting started early in the spring.  Power fishing the shallows with speedy retrieves may net average-size smallmouth, but for the really big ones you need to fish slower and deeper than the average bass angler does.
 

Past Articles

EAST MEETS WEST ON LAKE ERIE
TACKLING RIVER SMALLMOUTH IN THE FALL
INDIGENOUS BAIT
SUPER SHALLOW SUMMER
CREATURES OF THE NIGHT
CRANKY SMALLMOUTH
TINY TORPEDO
LAKE ERIE “BEST” FOR SMALLMOUTH BASS
HOW TO CATCH THE BIGGEST SMALLMOUTH OF YOUR LIFE
IN QUEST OF CENTER HILL SMALLMOUTH
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