Smallmouth are not picky feeders. They’ll go for insects, bait fish and crustaceans. Crayfish or crawfish (as they’re called in the southern United States), are their top prey and will always land a good sized bass if they’re the
right size
.
What colors do smallmouth bass like?
Their vision is strongest in the areas of medium-red to green It fails rapidly moving into the blues and purples, as it does towards the far reds. If our picture of bass color vision is accurate, then color is meaningful to bass in some cases but not others.
Will smallmouth hit
topwater lures
?
Let’s get one thing straight right off the bat, smallmouth bass can be caught on big topwater plugs In fact, big topwater lures are often the most effective way to catch bigger smallies.
Are spinnerbaits good for smallmouth bass?
While a spinnerbait is a handy tool for largemouth, VanDam agrees that it can be just as effective when looking for smallmouth.
What is the
best smallmouth bait
?
- Blade Baits. Fishing blade baits for smallmouth is an excellent cold water technique, but can also be very effective during the warmer months too
- Small Soft Plastics
- Jigs
- Jerkbaits
- Crankbaits and Spinnerbaits
- Topwater Lures.
Are smallmouth bass bottom feeders?
They are known to follow behind
northern hog suckers
. A bottom feeder , the hog sucker grubs among stones, often dislodging small crayfish, insect nymphs, and other prey. Positioned just downstream of the sucker, the smallmouth eats any prey that is swept by.
What is the
best time
to catch smallmouth bass?
Smallmouth fishing is generally better in the early spring than largemouth fishing might be, since smallmouths tend to be more active in cold water. Begin looking for them when the water temperature is in the mid-40s. Fish the first deep water associated with a large gravel or mud flat.
What colors can bass not see?
Outside of red and green, many dark colors appear quite similar to bass, which are unable to make highly selective decisions based on those dark colors like blue and black. Likewise, bass cannot readily distinguish between very bright colors, like chartreuse and white.
What size lures for smallmouth bass?
The 4 inch size Senko is the best choice for most anglers fishing for smallmouth bass. It is available in the 5 inch size for anglers targeting larger fish. Natural colors are very productive, with green pumpkin being an excellent choice in just about every fishing condition or situation.
What time of year is best for topwater bass fishing?
Topwater fishing is one of the best ways to catch bass during late fall, early spring, and late spring when they are in their spawning areas. Topwater baits will often entice a reaction strike from the bass during this time, creating some of the most memorable fishing moments.
When should I use top water bait?
Early morning, when the light is low , is a traditional time to fish a topwater lure. Fish them around shallow cover where bass have moved to feed. Work your favorite lure around bushes, logs, stumps, rocks, and brush in the water. Late Afternoon/Dusk.
How do you catch smallmouth bass in September?
The most dependable way to catch early fall bass is to work those rocky bottoms with small jigs Go with light spinning gear and small, subtle jigs from 1/8- to 3/8-ounce. Stick with dull colors like black, brown or smoke, either with or without metal flakes. Similarly, go with black, brown or grey jig heads.
What bugs eat smallmouth?
Insects. Smallmouth bass will often take advantage of the additional food during insect season, eating bugs such as cicadas, beetles and other insects that happen to end up in or near the water.
Where do smallmouth spawn in lakes?
Spawning smallmouth bass will bed on any hard structure – dock posts, rock, gravel, logs, tires, brush piles, but they are especially privy to grave and rock. They will spawn in depths between 1-20 feet deep In gin-clear waters like the Great Lakes, it is possible to see 20 feet down on calm, sunny days.
What bass eats most?
Young bass consume zooplankton, tiny minnows, insects, and tadpoles. Larger bass start to focus more on fish and crayfish Large bass consume a very meat-rich diet of bluegills, shiners, suckers, yellow perch, shad, frogs, crayfish, ducklings, snakes, and mice. Many adults will even eat other bass they encounter.
What temperature do smallmouth bass start biting?
Although the smallmouth bass is considered to be a warm water fish, its ideal temperature range is lower than that of the largemouth bass. Smallmouth tend to favor waters between 67 to 71 degrees. When water temperatures dip below 50 degrees , feeding slows and the fish aren’t eager to bite.
Does green pumpkin work in dirty water?
In dirty water, it would show up darker, but they can still tell the difference between the green and the black So, the green pumpkin color provides contrast, and it looks natural.” Sexton also notes that green pumpkin holds up well in a respectable range of scenarios.
What color plastic worm is best for bass?
Black worms can be a versatile option for bass. This color can be ideal for all types of water, whether it’s clear or dirty. However, black plastic worms may work best if the water is a little murky or if during cloudy weather.
Citations
https://shopkarls.com/blog/smallmouth-bass-fishing-tips-tricks/
https://majorleaguefishing.com/tips/jvds-three-key-baits-for-northern-smallmouth/