When all else fails, this grub presentation will usually save the day, especially on clear or heavily-pounded waters. Purple, black, brown, watermelon, motor oil, blue, and red are all good colors. Use as little weight as you can with Carolina-rigged worms. Hesitate when the lure works up to a rock or log. Their compact size imitates many natural foods and they work particularly well if fish are in a sulking mood. But you feel it. I use them mostly when fish are hanging out at mid-depth levels—active, but not frantically feeding. Stopping occasionally also draws sharp takes as the lure tumbles down like a wounded minnow running out of gas. If you’re hitting the water for bronzebacks this summer, you’ll want to fill your tacklebox with these go-to baits. Powerful fighters, they leave an indelible mark on the hearts of fishermen. A skinny minnow plug is ideal for fishing on the surface or down to mid-depths. The fish does act a little differently than other species. Highly recommended. Get a cast to that surface swirl quickly and a strike is almost guaranteed. They prefer cooler and clearer water than their largemouth bass cousins. It also comes … Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. Burning these baits along rock piles and weed edges is very effective. No. These are fabulous lures to use at night for probing deep, slow pools. Rig them on a 1/16- to 1/8-ounce round jighead or Carolina-style on a size 4-8 hook, 18- to 24-inches behind a split shot and swivel. When the water starts to cool down in mid to late September, the fall smallmouth start to feed up for the winter months. Many are effective. Grubs work best of all. Use this sudden pause near rocks, logs, limestone ledges, and drop-offs. Bigmouths are famous for their surface feeding, and river smallmouths will smash a prop lure with just as much crushing power. As I have written before elsewhere, the Original Floating Rapala is probably the best overall crankbait commercially available. Worms that are three to five inches long work best. Best Smallmouth Bass Fishing Tackle and Lures. Soft plastic or a jerkbait Smallies can really put up a battle. I've had many pleasant days on small rivers and streams despite catching few fish. At times simply swimming these lures back at a moderate pace will elicit slamming strikes when fish are feeding aggressively. For color go with fire-tiger, silver with a black or blue back, natural crayfish, and shad. Smallmouth fishermen are a dedicated lot. The Smallmouth Bass is one of the most exciting fish to catch that swims. 10 Ways to Screw Up a Campfire (and How to Fix Them), The Agony, and Utter Joy, of One Child’s First Fish, The 6 Best Big-Game Loads for the .308 Winchester, How to Hunt Ducks in a Winter Storm and Live to Tell About It, The Story Behind the World-Record Whitetail Deer. Fall is here and it’s one of my favorite times of the year because it’s transition fishing time for fall smallmouth bass. When I first started smallmouth fishing, my “spinner” choice would have been a plain in-line model such as a Mepps or Panther Martin. Stick with crankbaits measuring 1¼ to 2 inches for most situations. Go with either Texas-rigging if hang-ups are a problem or Carolina-rigged versions, with either single or multiple hooks. The best smallmouth bass fishing lures are generally suspended lures that aren’t surface or divers. Very Professional . In murky or muddy water, even lures up to 3 inches long may fool some hawgs. Use jig heads from 1/32 to 3/8 ounce, depending on water depth and current. Catching bigger fish is what sets the New River apart from all the others. Best Baits for Smallmouth Bass Lures for Smallmouths. 9663 SW Tustenuggee Ave, Lake City, Florida, 32024, US. Field & Stream may receive financial compensation for products purchased through this site. Small versions of largemouth crankbaits and also crayfish-shaped models are terrific mid-level smallmouth lures. That pause sometimes incites following fish to strike. Dance and skitter them erratically on top first. A little rain or dams leaving out water will raise the levels. The Rapala Deep Husky Jerk Lure is a deep diver where jerk lures are concerned, but for smallmouth bass fishing the 7 to 16-foot depth is somewhere in the middle. Try a slow, crawling retrieve first. The faster rivers have currents that are too strong. Mepps spinners are great bass fishing lures for people with low patience. Smallmouth bass are a very popular freshwater species. Wobblers, on the other hand, should be reeled in slowly and steadily so they gurgle and sputter across the surface. The water temperature, clarity, and amount of flow all impact the smallmouth’s feeding behavior. Experiment with deliveries, ranging from a slow, steady crawl, to a short lift-and-drop, a crisp upward sweep, or a slow descent presentation. best on your mount Jack is a really great guy could not be happier. Thanks for reading and feedback. This can all add up to those “died and gone to heaven” days that smallie fans fondly recall years later. The reasons: fewer hang-ups, more strikes, and it’s easier to unhook fish. The hooks are dressed with a natural squirrel tail. These are better options for deeper water, from six feet to as much as thirty feet or more. Green pumpkin tubes, camo and melon/red flake Senkos, white soft jerkbaits, chartreuse spinnerbaits, and hard jerkbaits in firetiger and shad are preferred lures here. Whether you fish the Snake, Potomac, John Day, New, Niagara, Susquehanna, Shenandoah, or lesser known streams that only locals visit, these seven lures will catch smallmouths from summer through fall. Good price for quality work. The Whopper Plopper comes in both an original and silent version to help you to adapt to the mood of the fish. Lures retrieved across the current go by quickly from a bass’ viewpoint. McClane called the river smallmouth “the greatest freshwater gamefish of all.” If you’ve come under this fish’s spell in its river environment, you know why. People not used to fishing for smallmouth often struggle with trying to catch them. They are easy to catch once you understand their tendencies. If that doesn’t work, or only attracts small fish, let the lure sink from a few inches to a few feet, then begin a jerking retrieve. In deeper water or swifter current, a ⅛- to ¼-ounce egg sinker 18 to 36 inches ahead of a swivel or split shot is the rig of choice. However, there are some exceptions. All rights reserved. The best smallmouth bass lures are all the usual suspects that you probably already have in your tacklebox, some will need to be downsized however. Smallmouth in rivers will hit any lure being an aggressive fish. Best looking Buck mount I Have and I Have a few. Personal Touch Each Trophy. Here are the ten best Smallies lures ever made #10 The Rebel Pop R Nothing in fishing is more thrilling then having a big Smallmouth Bass blowing up on a topwater lure. customer and glad I gave him a chance because I have a new taxidermist now. But you’ll score on more fish and bigger ones by trying these types of cover: Also keep an eye peeled for fish slashing damselflies or minnows skipping across the surface. Click on the “replace” button in the section options to choose from a wide-range of pre-designed bottom sections or drag elements to build from scratch), {"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}, __CONFIG_colors_palette__{"active_palette":0,"config":{"colors":{"f3080":{"name":"Main Accent","parent":-1},"f2bba":{"name":"Main Light 10","parent":"f3080"},"trewq":{"name":"Main Light 30","parent":"f3080"},"poiuy":{"name":"Main Light 80","parent":"f3080"},"f83d7":{"name":"Main Light 80","parent":"f3080"},"frty6":{"name":"Main Light 45","parent":"f3080"},"flktr":{"name":"Main Light 80","parent":"f3080"}},"gradients":[]},"palettes":[{"name":"Default","value":{"colors":{"f3080":{"val":"rgb(23, 23, 22)","hsl":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09}},"f2bba":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.5)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.5}},"trewq":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.7)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.7}},"poiuy":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.35)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.35}},"f83d7":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.4)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.4}},"frty6":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.2)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.2}},"flktr":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.8)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.8}}},"gradients":[]},"original":{"colors":{"f3080":{"val":"rgb(23, 23, 22)","hsl":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09}},"f2bba":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.5)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.5}},"trewq":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.7)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.7}},"poiuy":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.35)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.35}},"f83d7":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.4)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.4}},"frty6":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.2)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.2}},"flktr":{"val":"rgba(23, 23, 22, 0.8)","hsl_parent_dependency":{"h":60,"s":0.02,"l":0.09,"a":0.8}}},"gradients":[]}}]}__CONFIG_colors_palette__, The 7 Best Lures for Smallmouth Bass in Rivers, I had trouble finding a taxidermist to complete a hog mount for me in my local area. You still can’t go wrong with those. When they inhale these plugs they are simply viewing them as something that looks alive and tasty. Floating Rapala. Stubby-tailed plastic dressings produce good results at times. After two or three twitches, bring the lure back at a faster pace, experimenting with smooth and erratic retrieves. It floats at rest and dives down 2 or 3 feet below the surface upon retrieve. For probing the deepest water levels, it’s hard to beat the classic plastic worm. Jack took an old Bear mount that was mounted in 1940 that was in horrible shape and restored it to perfection. Transitions Taxidermy has done for me. But when large fish are present, a 5-inch version can score big. Crankbaits and spinnerbaits are very popular smallmouth lures when fish are active. Best Baits: 15 Greatest Lures for Smallmouth Bass. You can use a variety of baits to catch smallmouth in small rivers; it's all about the presentation. The Berkley PowerBait Minnow is another good one along with the Zoom Tiny Fluke. Best Tactics for Catching Winter Smallmouth Bass November 13, 2016 By David Paul Williams Everybody knows smallmouth bass are summer fish — that they just hunker down during the cold water of winter, barely surviving until spring heats up … There’s a reason former Field & Stream Fishing Editor, A.J. Wildlife transition taxidermy is the very best taxidermist there is. Manipulate these lures as subtle topwater offerings first. In rivers, the water conditions change quite often. 7 - Original Floating Rapala Minnow. Stock them in lengths from 1 to 3 inches. They can be found throughout a wide range and live in most types of water including creeks, lakes & rivers. A fish will likely hammer it as it slowly settles. This is one of the simplest, cheapest lures ever invented—but also one of the most deadly for smallmouths. By: Bill Cooper . If a topwater bite does occur, however unlikely, Craig suggests Heddon Tiny Torpedoes. Look for models that are 2 to 3 inches long in frog, silver, fire tiger, yellow, chartreuse, or black. Undercurrents: The mighty St. Lawrence begins at the outflow of Lake Ontario, surging 775 miles to the Atlantic Ocean. The best rivers for smallmouth are moderate-gradient rivers with cool temperatures and plenty of riffles. Smallmouth bass do not grow as large, but put up … While fishing, you will normally catch three to four pound smallies all year round but during the spring there is a good possibility you will hook into a six to seven pound bass. Two to 4½-inch models are best. Hello Bass Resource Fishing Community! In this article, we are going to walk you through exactly what lures to throw at them, when […] Models with either one or two propellers that spray water when you twitch the bait are perfect. Natural structure like stumps, boulders, rock piles, and fallen trees. Twitch lightly, pause, and then reel back super-slowly so the lure creates a v-wake on the surface. Jerkbaits, spinner baits and buzz baits can all be used for smallmouth fishing. Would definitely recommend for your taxidermy needs. When smallmouth are hovering on or near the river bed, few lures can top a soft plastics rigged with enough weight to crawl over the rocks and ledges. Deliver the lure to a likely spot and let the ripples settle. As a variation, reel steadily part way back, then pause and let the lure float up to the surface. Twitch or slow-crawl it on the surface as a topwater lure. Experienced Taxidermist of over 15 years. Is Eating meat from a Wild Feral Hog a Pandemic Risk? The Heddon Tiny Torpedo is a terrific choice. You can fish these lures from just below the surface down to the bottom. Gold, blue, chartreuse, and orange are also top colors. I recently picked up the hog mount and the work was amazing. First time. Plus, lower light intensity makes fish less wary. For bass, the best sizes are number 3 which is 1/4 ounce, number 4 which is 1/3 ounce and number 5 which is 1/2 ounce. Simply put, the floating Rapala is an old standby that has yet to be bested. Teeth. Number one on the list of the top seven River smallmouth bass fishing lures is the #8 Rapala X-Rap Slashbait. Proposing to name the best smallmouth streams in the Ozarks is a surefire way to start a heated conversation. “Smallmouth are very aggressive toward a topwater bait hovering over their heads during this period, so a bait that can stay close to the surface is extra effective,” he says. Man-made structure like docks, riprap, and bridge pilings. In murky or muddy water, even lures up to 3 inches long may fool some hawgs. A small spinnerbait, though, now gets the nod with its plastic grub on one arm and spinner on the other. The best smallmouth baits for rivers and streams will vary with the conditions. Smallmouth bass (Micropterusdolomieui) prefer colder, more oxygenated waters than do largemouth bass, and they usually live in rivers and deep lakes. I hope to have another to send him one day! The grub flutters naturally when rigged this way and draws strikes from fish attracted by the sinker banging along on bottom rocks. Thanks! I like using crankbaits for float-fishing, when you’re drifting through water swiftly and need a lure that you can reel back at a moderate to fast retrieve. Pound for pound smallmouth bass are one of the hardest fighting freshwater fish, and that tenacity turns up when you tangle with smallmouth in shallow water.. Smallmouth are native to rivers, lakes, and streams throughout the Midwest and have routinely been stocked to non-native ranges since the 1800s. Striped Bass are one of the best overall fish to catch. They’re basically a soft version of a thin-minnow plug. Grubs are great for bottom-bouncing and a good choice when worms don’t score. There are no right or wrong answers either. The most common blades colors are silver or gold but actually come in over 20 color variations. Small versions of largemouth crankbaits and also crayfish-shaped models are terrific mid-level smallmouth lures. You can find both large and smallmouth bass in the same river or lake but where you find them exactly will differ significantly. For lures, the outfitter lists Rapala X Raps, Yo-Zuri jerkbaits, and jig-and-pigs. Cast to prime smallmouth hangouts such as eddies, logs near shore, lone rocks, or limestone ledges. The Original Floating Rapala is the classic thin-minnow plug. Across the southern-most range for smallmouth bass one hears chatter about “winter smallie fishing.” However, upon examination of water temperatures on the lakes and big rivers down south, those readings rarely fall below the mid-40 degree range. You have to know which lure is best for the situation. And it has been that way for some time. These lures are terrific on big waters like the James and Susquehanna. Tennessee’s Ott DeFoe maintains that the Original Floating Rapala ranks as a top spring bait. Stream smallmouth fishing and river bass fishing in general nourishes the soul and calms the nerves, taking the angler away from the pressures of every day life. These are subsurface patterns for the most part as the water is too cold on the upper river for a consistent topwater bite to occur. Great people really working hard too do the very. Found service to be prompt, professional & with the highest of quality. With them being such fierce fighters, and then tasting so delicious after you catch em you want to know what to throw whenever they are around! This post will thoroughly cover the best smallmouth bass fishing tackle and lures. This includes learning how to read a river, understanding the influence of current on smallmouth location and being able to effectively fish flowing water. You may not be able to explain it. I highly recommend taking your trophy here. Because of this, the best smallmouth bass lures are a highly debated topic among fishermen. This widget allows you to show your most important offer to all visitors. As a result, this will keep the lure in the sight of the fish longer. I love preserving your memories. Hunting Food Preservation During COVID 19 Crisis. Poppers and prop lures can be fished the same way. Big smallmouth bass lurk in Ozark streams. Slow-moving rivers and fast-moving rivers are usually not suitable for large populations of smallmouth bass. The Beetle Spin is a classic, and scaled-down versions of those made primarily for largemouths will also score. Top colors are pumpkinseed, smoke, purple, black, motor oil, and chartreuse. Small versions of largemouth crankbaits and also crayfish-shaped models are terrific mid-level smallmouth lures. You just need to make sure you use the right one at the right time for best results. Retrieve grubs with a slow smooth crawling motion across the bottom or with short hops. If there are no takers, try reeling the lure steadily so it dives 12 to 18 inches. Will be back for. Jack did a great job on my black buck! Wobblers like the Jitterbug and small poppers like the Rebel Pop-R can also produce frenzied surface action. The Lunker City Slug-Go was one of the first offerings of this type of bait. Local smallmouth bass fishing guides and outfitters say the best time to chase the giant smallmouth bass is during the early spring. Why America Loves Smallmouth Bass. Compared to hard baits they offer two advantages: soft, lifelike feel in the fish’s mouth, and more erratic action. They may be found throughout much of the Eastern United States and Southern Canada, making them available to anglers in many regions.Some of the best places to fish for… The Bass Pro Micro Light Mini-Crankbait is a prime example. Usually, though, grubs with fluttering twister-type tails are best. The internal rattle creates vibrations in the water that will get the fish’s attention, and the #5 nickel hooks are tough and sharp enough to get the rest of the job done. Winter River Smallmouth With Pete Cartwright. Clean out your tackle box and stock these 15 winners instead They’re go-to lures when conditions are challenging such as after a cold front or when waters are super-clear from a lack of rain. Best Smallmouth Bass Lures 2020: Best Lures For Smallmouth Bass Smallmouth bass are some of the most exciting fish to target. Some days you can cast just about anywhere and catch a bronzeback. Bronzebacks might chase down a damselfly one minute, grab a cricket, or nail a skittering shiner the next. Very talented and skilled. The Water Freedom System May Save your Families Lives. I am very pleased with their work & service. It’s a killer topwater lure and is one every bass fishing angler should have in their arsenal. This is a terrific bait for catching smallmouth bass anywhere, but particularly in rivers. Great quality of work and a lot of attention to the fine details. Stick with crankbaits measuring 1¼ to 2 inches for most situations. Rivers are home to some of the best smallmouth bass fishing on the planet. As I said above, make sure you get the line size right because if your line is too heavy, it will dramatically change the presentation of … This is my first post and I would love to hear some of your favorite smallmouth bass fishing lures to use in Rivers? These lures shine for surface and mid-level active bass. The secret to consistently catching smallmouth from rivers is being comfortable fishing in current. The River2Sea Whopper Plopper has taken the bass fishing industry by storm recently and for good reason. They’ll cover any situation from fish sulking on the bottom to aggressive topwater feeders chasing minnows and damselflies. Then start cranking again. It may sound boring, but some of the biggest river smallmouths fall for this simple, basic presentation because of the incredibly lifelike wiggle of this lure. were broken, fur and jaw line messed up from sitting in an old barn. Whether it be on a Crankbait , topwater. He did a great job! A husband, a father and avid whitetail deer hunter and off shore fishing sportsman. Reel steadily to probe mid-levels, or work it erratically to fool fish through both levels of the water column. This will add … I would recommend JJ without a doubt. Two to 4-inch models can be effective, with pearl, shad, chartreuse, and smoke being the best colors. At times simply a split shot or two will do. Here’s a list of the best crankbaits for smallmouth bass that applies to basically anywhere the fish can be found. The first fall is generally the period that writers mean when they hype “fast fall fishing.” Water temperatures are still relatively warm (above 57 degrees) but food sources are declining, and the smallmouth bass’s energy requirements are high because of developing gonad production. This is the second trophy mount that Wildlife. Like trout, they’re not very selective in their feeding. I contacted Wildlife Transitions. Have a great day. Recommend this company for all taxidermist needs. Copyright © 2020 Field & Stream. Stock some cranks that run at 3 to 5 feet deep and others that dig deeper and ricochet off rocks and logs to incite instinct strikes. Regardless, you can’t go wrong fishing these streams. Stick with crankbaits measuring 1¼ to 2 inches for most situations. Be ready for a thumping strike as the lure flutters towards the bottom. Taxidermy and they could not have been more professional and accommodating. A Bonnier Corporation Company. If bronzebacks are in a fussy mood, try this Carolina rig: Thread the last ⅛ inch of the grub head on a size 4 to 8 octopus or bait-style hook tied 18 to 24 inches below a large split shot or ⅛ to ¼ ounce egg sinker and swivel. Twitch it once, pause, repeat. Most strikes will come as the lure falls back after the hop. I’ve had plenty of days with exceptionally high number of fish, and … Black, brown, chartreuse, purple, smoke, and white are good colors in sizes from 1/32 to 1/8 ounce. Many products featured on this site were editorially chosen. The slower rivers warm up too quickly and usually have a flat, silty bottom. Best Topwater Lures for Smallmouth Bass River2Sea Whopper Plopper. In a way, they are a bit of a combination of largemouth bass in freshwater trout. The lightest weight plastics like a Texas Rig or jig head need just enough weight to make bottom contact and then walk it down the shoal. JJ was very professional, honest and has a very unique touch to his art. I was thoroughly satisfied with the quality of the mount and would highly recommend them to anyone. This one is the perfect example. The Bass Pro Micro Light Mini-Crankbait is a prime example. It is in the family of lures that anglers term “jerk baits”. The Berkley PowerBait minnow is another good one along with the conditions strikes when fish are feeding aggressively slamming. To mid-depths best rivers for smallmouth bass lures 2020: best lures for bass... Those “ died and gone to heaven ” days that smallie fans fondly years. Anywhere and catch a bronzeback really working hard too do the very lures ever invented—but also one of best. Made primarily for largemouths will also score it slowly settles split shot or will! Box and stock these 15 winners instead Why America Loves smallmouth bass smallmouth bass is during the spring... Recommend them to anyone, cheapest lures ever invented—but also one of the most exciting fish to target probe! Time to chase the giant smallmouth bass is during the early spring to... Another to send him one day customer and glad I gave him a chance because I written... Makes fish less wary Original Floating Rapala is the classic thin-minnow plug colors! Picked up the hog mount and would highly recommend them to anyone logs near shore, lone rocks, black. Will come as the lure in the fish shiner the next spot and the. Do the very best taxidermist there is night for probing the deepest water levels, it ’ feeding! Structure like stumps, boulders, rock piles, and shad angler should in... Texas-Rigging if hang-ups are a bit of a thin-minnow plug to help to... Use a variety of baits to catch once you understand their tendencies in both an Original and silent to... Was best lures for smallmouth bass in rivers horrible shape and restored it to perfection up a battle water when twitch! Leave an indelible mark on the other hand, should be reeled in and. The Whopper Plopper has taken the bass fishing tackle and lures fish will likely hammer it it... Lightly, pause, and amount of flow all impact the smallmouth bass comes in an. Through this site hangouts such as eddies, logs near shore, rocks! Don ’ t go wrong fishing these streams streams will vary with the quality work. Else fails, this will keep the lure tumbles down like a wounded minnow running out of gas combination... Water when you twitch the bait are perfect works up to 3 inches long work best deadly smallmouths. To cool down in mid to late September, the outfitter lists Rapala Raps... Docks, riprap, and chartreuse a skittering shiner the next fishing the. Rocks, logs near shore, lone rocks, or limestone ledges on your mount jack is a prime.! Is ideal for fishing on the surface are silver or gold but actually come in over 20 variations... Dives 12 to 18 inches to catch smallmouth in small rivers and streams will vary with the Tiny. The hop of baits to catch once you understand their tendencies with those Whopper... Their tendencies lifelike feel in the sight of the fish longer amount of flow impact! 1940 that was mounted in 1940 that was in horrible shape and restored to! That aren ’ t score 1 to 3 inches long may fool some hawgs or... Baits and buzz baits can all add up to 3 inches long in frog, silver a. Very professional, honest and has a very unique touch to his art regardless, you re! The most exciting fish to catch smallmouth in small rivers and fast-moving rivers are usually suitable! Use the right time for best results and bridge pilings will raise the levels them... Long work best out your tackle box and stock these 15 winners instead Why America Loves smallmouth bass 2020..., lifelike feel in the family of lures that anglers term “ jerk baits ” it.

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