| Finding Smallmouth Bass can be challenging at the | | | | where to cast our offerings. Keep the polarized |
| best of times. But there is one window of | | | | sun glasses on hand because Smallmouth are |
| opportunity that both shore and boat anglers can | | | | notorious for following the bait and if you see |
| take advantage of. | | | | one, guarantied there are more! |
| Early in the season you will find comfortably prime | | | | When it comes to baits, I like to use minnow |
| temperatures for the Smallmouth Bass to dwell. | | | | imitating plastics. If the Bass are not co-operative |
| Temperatures of up to 72 degrees F. will still hold | | | | try down sizing, it can make all the difference in |
| them close to their spawning beds. There is no | | | | the world. Carolina rigged small plastics like a |
| reason for them to move on to deeper haunts | | | | worm, craw or leach can get them. Crank baits |
| with good steady temperatures, especially when | | | | and twitch baits have taken their share of Bass |
| their food source is still abundant. | | | | too. Spinner baits with a grub trailer are excellent |
| Find signs of spawning beds and work the | | | | for early season Smallmouth. |
| adjacent areas thoroughly. They shouldn't be far. | | | | When I see the Smallmouth I become especially |
| Shoreline or flats with boulders and loose gravel | | | | adamant about catching them because I know |
| make a good starting point. Lake shores with | | | | darn well they are there and not just an arch on |
| lumber and weed growth combined with a good | | | | the sonar anymore! Persistence now plays a |
| steady sloping bottom will hold early Smallmouth | | | | major roll in success! |
| as well. Morning water temperatures, especially | | | | We, as Bass anglers, should be opportunists and |
| after a cool night, will keep them close to shore. | | | | take advantage of the great Smallmouth action |
| Basically temperature dictates their every move. | | | | early in the season. Keep temperature in mind |
| Consistent weather plays a major roll in their early | | | | when pursuing them and you will be successful! |
| accessibility for Bass anglers. | | | | Remember to take a picture of your Bass and |
| Post spawn Smallmouth are aggressive! During the | | | | not picture it in your pan! The Bass normally |
| spawn there is no time to eat! So when nature is | | | | caught are the 'mamas' and 'papas' of the lake so |
| done calling, the dinner bell rings! They feast on | | | | lets release them so that we can enjoy fishing |
| virtually anything they can get their mouths | | | | for them in the Summer and Fall months to |
| around so keeping our ears and eyes open for | | | | come! |
| surface blowups is a key factor in pinpointing | | | | |