Florida Bass Fishing Forum
Smallmouth, Largemouth, We're All About Bass!

How do I catch smallmouth bass?

We have a lake and we can't seem to catch any fish. Minnows are jumping out of the water and we haven't had any luck catching fish. What lures are best to catch smallmouth bass and what techniques. Thanks.

Public Comments

1. Here is a list of time-proven Smallie lures:

1. 4" Senko (or Senko-type) Worm rigged Wacky-style

2. 4" Tube rigged Texas-style (possible colors- Green Pumpkin, Crawfish, Black)

3. 1/4 OZ Inline Spinner with gold blades and orange body.

4. 1/4 OZ Beetle Spin with gold blades

5. 4" Curly-tailed Grub on a 1/8-1/4 OZ Jighead

6. Rapala, Husky Jerk Minnow, HJ10 size

7. 4" Spider Grub on a weedless 1/4 OZ Jighead

(If you can't catch them on one of these then something is wrong!)

Realize- "Generally", Smallmouth feed predominately on crawdads & baitfish. Think about that when you go to purchase lures.

Here is an interesting article on S-Bass- http://www.bassresource.com/fish_biology/smallmouth_part3.html

Hope this helps ya?

2. tube jigs, crankbaits (preferably redish or brownish) crawfish imitations, plastics, skitter walks and skitter pops are a few good calls. good crankbaits are countdowns, husky jerks, shad raps (jointed ones too!) hope this helps!

3. I don't mean to sound like an asshole, but perhaps you should stick to what your user name suggests? "Hotshot Golfer"?

Anyway, Now that summer is upon us, and waters are warming up, smallmouths are going to be heading deep during the middle of the day. Deep into the cooler depths. 15 to 20 feet on average, maybe even 25 to 30 feet deep. Should that be the case, you want jigs. And tube baits. Crappie jigs worked on the float-'n-fly rig should nail suspended smallmouths.

4. Use a live crayfish/crawdad. Break off one of his arms, then hook him through the tail. The breaking of the arm sends out a panic signal that's detected by the fish, Hooking him through the tail gives a natural presentation. I usually use an egg sinker on my rig, because the egg sinker doesn't weigh down your line. Leave a little slack in your line and when it starts to go out, set your hook and get ready to have some fun!