Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth bass are a lean, bronze-colored bass known for jumping and pulling hard once hooked. They favor cooler, clearer water than largemouth, so anglers find them in rocky lakes, deep clear reservoirs, and rivers with current. Their diet leans heavily on crayfish and baitfish, which is why round, natural-looking lures work so well on them. Because smallmouth relate to rock, gravel, and current breaks, anglers often fish moving baits that mimic fleeing baitfish or crayfish. Small jerkbaits and compact swimbaits get used a lot for smallmouth, along with jigs bounced along rocky bottom. In rivers, smallmouth will sit behind current breaks and ambush prey, so anglers cast upstream and let the bait drift naturally into the strike zone. A practical tip is to slow down in cold water. Smallmouth metabolism drops fast when the water cools, so a slower retrieve with more pauses usually draws more strikes than a fast, steady one.

• Prefers rock, gravel, and clear water over heavy vegetation
• Feeds mainly on crayfish and baitfish
• Known for strong runs and aerial jumps when hooked