Summer Time Smallmouth Fishing

While various fish species capture the attention of anglers, one particular catch stands out for its unparalleled thrill and fight: the smallmouth bass. Join us as we dive into the world of smallmouth bass fishing during the summer, unraveling the techniques, tips, and rewards.

The smallmouth bass is a freshwater fish known for its aggressive nature and remarkable fighting abilities. It has a streamlined body with a bronze or brown coloration, often marked by vertical dark bars along its sides. Smallmouth bass prefer clear, rocky habitats such as rivers, lakes, and reservoirs.

To maximize your chances of success, selecting appropriate gear is crucial. You should try opt for a medium to heavy-action spinning rod or baitcasting rod. Pair it with a durable reel capable of handling the strength of these feisty fighters. Line strength of 8 to 12-pound test is generally suitable.

During the summer, smallmouth bass tend to gravitate towards cooler and deeper areas of water bodies to escape the rising temperatures. Look for rocky shorelines, submerged ledges, drop-offs, and structure-rich areas like fallen trees or underwater boulders. They also prefer areas with a moderate current flow, such as river bends or inflowing streams, which provide a steady supply of food.

How to catch smallmouth:

There are a variety of options you can choose from while fishing for smallmouth. The first would be poppers, buzzbaits, or surface walkers to entice smallmouth. We recommend using those during early mornings or late evenings when the fish are most active and closer to the surface of the water with low-light conditions.

If you are fishing during the day, it is likely that the smallmouth are going to retreat to deeper structure. In that case, we recommend using crankbaits or spinnerbaits instead. Aim for lighter, brighter colors to imitate baitfish or crawfish. We have had great success using our hidden weight products provides as they provide a smaller bait profile allowing you to use a heavier weight spinnerbait while keeping a small enough profile for the smallmouth to feed.

The last option is to use soft plastics. Soft plastics are slower moving which can be helpful through submerged vegetation to mimic natural movement and trigger strikes. We have had success pairing soft plastics with our shakyhead jigs and ned rigs, particularly for more finicky smallmouth.

Finding a good structure will be your greatest strength with smallmouth. These predators can be selective and may require multiple lure changes or adjustments in presentation to entice a bite. Stay focused, observe the water conditions, and adapt your tactics accordingly.

As always, we promote conservation and responsible fishing. Respect local fishing regulations and be mindful of the environment, leaving no trace of your presence. If you happen to see some trash where you are fishing, try to catch that to get it out of the water!

Smallmouth are super fun to catch and we highly recommend you give it a try this summer!

Until then, let's FISH! 🎣

Pictured: Brian Wagner (aka dad) with a smallmouth in Michigan