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Spawn Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouth will spawn when the water is about sixty to sixty-five degrees, and they like to do it on gravel flats, clay points, humps, and protected bays. They spawn anywhere from about two to six feet deep here, but most of the time they are too deep to see on their beds. When fishing for bedding [...]
Continue reading...Spring Smallmouth Bass
26. May 2009
When the water temperatures start to reach about 45 degrees, here in the northeast that happens around mid to late March, we start looking for big smallmouth bass. Water temperature is critical this time of year, as just an increase of a few degrees can really turn smallmouth on. In the spring, in Maryland, and especially [...]
Continue reading...Fall Smallmouth Bass
26. May 2009
By October, the lakes and rivers in the north east are about seventy to seventy-five degrees, and the fish are suspending in the deeper water. After there are a few nights where the temperatures start to really drop the water temperatures, the smallmouth bass start to become far more catchable. Long points that run out [...]
Continue reading...Winter Smallmouth Bass
26. May 2009
When the water temperatures are about 52-56 degrees here, usually about mid November, the smallmouth we have caught were always on a point with a fast taper into deeper water. If the smallmouth are in water deeper than fifteen feet, we throw a blade bait or tailspinner, if they are shallower than that, we throw [...]
Continue reading...Smallmouth Bass Are Not Like Largemouth Bass!
26. May 2009
Time and time again over the years, we have listened to many anglers and clients express their frustration at trying to catch smallmouth bass. Most anglers don’t realize that these fish have their own set of behaviors that sets them apart from largemouth bass. The major differences between a smallmouth and a largemouth bass are [...]
Continue reading...A December to Remember: Blade Baits and Reservoir Smallmouth
26. May 2009
Looking back at the past year, I realize that I have learned more since last March than in the previous five years combined. The switch from river to reservoir smallmouth fishing brought an entirely new set of rules, patterns, and techniques. The technique that I learned late in the year, vertical jigging a blade bait, [...]
Continue reading...Smallmouth Bass Lures
26. May 2009
Lures used for Smallmouth bass fishing should be downsized versions of those used for Largemouth Bass, to accomodate their smaller mouths. A variety of crankbaits, spinnerbaits, soft plastics, topwaters, soft baits and jigs can be effective. Sizes ranging from 1/8 oz. - 1/2 oz. are most commonly used. Top Water Baits Tiny Torpedo: 1-7/8″ length, 1/4 oz, [...]
Continue reading...Smallmouth Bass Flies
26. May 2009
Below are some of the best Smallmouth Flies for topwater and sub-surface action. Stonefly Bugger - size 6 Franke Hellgrammite - size 4 Clouser Minnow - size 6 Clouser Deep Minnow - Size 6 Gaines’ Sneaky Pete - size 4 Crayfish - size 8 Popper size 4 - 6 Zonkers size 4 - 6 Bead Head Woolly Bugger size 4-6 Dragonfly size 4-6 Foam Slider [...]
Continue reading...Knots for Fly Fishing
26. May 2009
There is no substitute for learning to tie good knots. If you build your own leaders you have the added flexibility of customizing leaders for different presentations and fishing situations. Nail knot - Used to attach the leader butt to the fly line. If you lightly coat this knot with epoxy, it will last all [...]
Continue reading...Fly Fishing Leaders and Tippet
26. May 2009
The goal for most fly fishers is to provide the fish with a drag-free drift. This means the fly must look like it is not attached to anything (the leader) as it drifts in the current. A leader designed to fall on the water with built in slack will help accomplish this. The George Harvey leader [...]
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Smallmouth Angler Gallery
26. May 2009
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