Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

Best lures by season

Pre-spawn

Jerkbait — twitched with long pauses, natural shad· Bassmaster smallmouth pre-spawn guide

Spawn

Ned Rig — dead-sticked on gravel, green pumpkin· In-Fisherman smallmouth spawn guide

Post-spawn

Drop Shot — finesse over rock, natural· Bassmaster smallmouth post-spawn guide

Summer

Topwater — walked over deep rock at dawn, bone· In-Fisherman summer smallmouth topwater

Fall

Crankbait — cranked over rock, crawfish· In-Fisherman fall smallmouth patterns

Winter

Jig — dragged slowly (hair or football jig), brown/green· In-Fisherman cold-water smallmouth patterns

Gear up

Where to put together a smallmouth bass setup.

Tackle & lures: Tackle Warehouse · Bass Pro Shops — Serious-angler tackle selection
Rods & reels: Abu Garcia (Pure Fishing) · Bass Pro Shops

Best smallmouth bass lures by month

jan feb mar apr may jun jul aug sep oct nov dec

Waters stocked with Smallmouth Bass