Smallmouth Fishing Tips For Spring Bass Fishing!

Рет қаралды 61,423

Күн бұрын

Its Smallmouth Time! If you live in the North, its go time for big smallmouth! We love chasing big bronze backs and get pretty fanatical about our tackle. Come along for a deep dive into our favorite baits for consistently catching jumbo smallies throughout Spring.
Smallmouth can be found all over the country but the Great Lakes region is the Mecca of big smallmouth. This entire region is about to fire up so today we're shedding some light on our key baits for fishing in the North. From swimbaits, to topwater, to finesse, these are the baits we rely on to catch the big ones.
Below you'll find links to all the baits discussed in the video. We've included our favorite sizes, colors, and weights for each application. We've also included some of our favorite high-end smallmouth gear and a great budget combo as well. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.
SWIMBAITS...
Bait- Keitech 4.3" Fat Swing Impact: bit.ly/2ab7s8v
Color: Chartreuse Electric Blue
Head- Tactical Finesse Head (3/8 oz): bit.ly/2Pqrq3n
-Megabass Dark Sleeper (1/2 oz): bit.ly/2TyR1GT
Colors: Wakasagi, Haze
Bait- Megabass 3" Spark Shad: bit.ly/2XcLZk4
Colors: Albino, Real, Purple Haze
Head- Megabass Okashira Screw head (1/8 oz): bit.ly/2EpluSA
CRANKBAITS...
-R2S Tactical DD 75: bit.ly/37dclbX
Colors: Ghost Minnow, Glass Minnow, Green Pumpkin Craw
-Megabass Deep X 300: bit.ly/2sSQHpt
Colors: See Thru Chart, Elegy Bone, Sexy Ayu
-Spro Rock Crawler: bit.ly/2BLmsVN
Colors: Goby, Phantom Brown, Phantom Green
TOPWATER...
-Lucky Craft Gunfish 95: bit.ly/3MUktST
Colors: Chrome, Bone Shad
-Evergreen Shower Blows 105: bit.ly/2zIkqUH
Colors: Bone, Full Metal, Skeleton Chartreuse
-Reaction Innovations Vixen: bit.ly/2rp11nr
Colors: Bone, Lime Ice
-Whopper Plopper 90: bit.ly/2bsPbQV
Colors: Loon, Monkey Butt, Bone
DROPSHOT RIGGING...
Hook- Owner Mosquito Light (Size 1): bit.ly/2zQVKx3
Weight- Swagger Tungsten "Tie On" Dropshot: bit.ly/2YAoMuv
DROPSHOT BAITS...
-Big Bite Baits Smallie Smasher: bit.ly/2ZpCOCY
Colors: Green Pump orange black blu flk, Chick Magnet
-STH Finesse Crush: bit.ly/3s5BcIn
Colors: Smokin Joe, Magic Chart, Bang
-Berkley Flat Worm: bit.ly/3lAAorL
Colors: Black, Natural Shad, Smoke Black Purple
TUBES...
-Big Bite Baits Tour Tube: bit.ly/32e23VR
Colors: Green Pump Purp Cop Flk, Green Pump Orange
-STH Finesse Tube 2.5: bit.ly/3aU0oeU
Colors: Juvenile Goby, Ten Point, Dark melon Purple
TUBE HEADS...
-Bite Me Tackle Big Dude Goby (1/2 oz): bit.ly/2CV3o7S
-Blade Runner Inhaler Head (1/8 oz): bit.ly/2NX7nYr
-Dirty Jigs Guppy Head (1/8 oz): bit.ly/2nyUJRS
HAIR JIGS...
-Oukast Tackle Feider Fly: bit.ly/2G7TBwj
Colors: Black
NED WORMS...
-Roboworm 3" Ned Worm: bit.ly/2j9F0Xy
Colors: TW Black Blue Pumpkin, Desert Craw
-XZone Ned Zone: bit.ly/2mRiYhF
Colors: 309, Big Limit
-Zman Finesse TRD: bit.ly/2hs4RtR
Colors: Green Pumpkin Goby, Canada Craw, Goby Bryant
JIG...
-Keitech Finesse Football (3.8 oz): bit.ly/2FDQ3o1
Color: Green Pumpkin Blue, Green Pumpkin Black
Trailer- Zman TRD BugZ: bit.ly/2oiavEE
Color: Green Pumpkin
DARK SLEEPER COMBO...
Rod- Megabass P5 "Dark Sleeper": bit.ly/30GcHqb
Reel- Shimano Aldebaran MGL 50 (HG): bit.ly/2uQ4oH8
Line- Sunline 12 lb Fluorocarbon: bit.ly/2h4LNjm
DROPSHOT COMBO...
Rod- G Loomis NRX+ 822S DSR: bit.ly/2RB0oJP
Reel- Shimano Exsence A 3000: bit.ly/2iMtscV
Line- Power Pro Super Slick V2 (10 lb): bit.ly/3vSwa6Z
Leader- Sunline Super FC (6 lb): bit.ly/2p7fxju
CRANKBAIT COMBO...
Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 906 CBR: bit.ly/2og0BmK
Reel- Shimano Shimano Bantam MGL HG: bit.ly/2H44yjG
Line- 12 lb Sunline FC: bit.ly/2h4LNjm
BUDGET FINESSE COMBO...
Rod- Shimano Intenza 7' Medium Light: bit.ly/2s7kaQn
Reel- Shimano NASCI 2500: bit.ly/2g278cC
Line- Sunline Super FC 7 lb: bit.ly/2p7fxju
WANT TACTICALBASSIN GEAR??
We have a variety of apparel items and custom lure designs available! Everything from hats, to hoodies, to crankbaits! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here...
TacticalBassin Apparel and Lure Designs: bit.ly/38YpPIz
If you plan to do any shopping, using our links before doing your shopping at Tackle Warehouse is the single greatest way to support us! You won't be able to even see a difference but they'll know you're one of us!
#Smallmouth #bassfishing #finesse

Пікірлер: 146

@NamathCB 2 жыл бұрын

They're at the top of your list because they're STRONGER, MEANER, HIGHER JUMPERS AND JUST PLAIN FUNNER. HAHA

@bassbullytv5775 2 жыл бұрын

Right!! Just like there on top of mine! Whopper plopper and Jerkbait been working for me..

@paynekaufmann403 2 жыл бұрын

Very true, 14 inch smallmouth gets me going just as much as a 3+ pound largie

@MattBarzz 2 жыл бұрын

I like the hit and fight of smallmouth more but enjoy fishing largemouth habitat more

@jimhuibregtse 2 жыл бұрын

The difference between a 5 pound smallie and a 5 pound largie is night and day. Largemouth just drag to the boat like a log. Smallmouth take you for the ride of your life. If your heart isn’t pumping a mile a minute after landing a huge smallie you’re probably dead.

@NamathCB 2 жыл бұрын

Jim, EXACTLY!

@jessegamez4216 2 жыл бұрын

Fished smallies in the Manitowoc River and mouth into Lake Michigan all my life. Love it!

@irod7 2 жыл бұрын

Smallmouth hold a special place in my heart ❤️

@jesusnunez6096 2 жыл бұрын

Just caught a 22 pound bag of smallies with a good friend of mine after work. It was a after work trip and we only fished for a hour and a half! One 6.4 and four 4lb’s.

@NamathCB 2 жыл бұрын

My favorite guy talking about my favorite fish. You're the man!

@overpar2988 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you! It's hard to get a good up north fishing video. Gets me so excited for Northern Michigan smallies soon. You guys are the best keep it up!

@jasoncaywood4532 2 жыл бұрын

My only channel to learn about different lures and options to go to in different situations. Thanks for all yall do. From Virginia to you

@nawinchester 2 жыл бұрын

Great topic, absolutely my favorite fish to chase and this is the best time of year to chase them.

@chrisdufour9934 2 жыл бұрын

For the west coast we have Lake Mohave, Cloumbia River, Trinity, and Dworshak. Love smallies!

@DevonHumpert 2 жыл бұрын

I had a 40 fish day in the UP last spring with a hair jig. The Smallies absolutely were crushing it. 60 degree surface temps.

@triple6dude672 2 жыл бұрын

Just had to come back and comment, always fished for smallmouth with keitech swim baits, using the blue/chartreuse for a few weeks now it’s officially my new favorite! And the dark sleeper is a game changer for sure, I’ve already worn a few out since this video came out! Def would love to see more smallmouth specific videos!

@factsoffishing 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome stuff as always boys 👊🏻

@mathieudufour5099 2 жыл бұрын

Smallmouth in greatlakes are so big!

@lucasphillips4585 Жыл бұрын

I agree with all of those! My favorite for drop shot are dark blue midnight robo worms, never fails

@rafabonati7757 2 жыл бұрын

The water temperature at Lake Champlain is a brisk 48 degrees, but the largemouth AND smallmouth were cruising the shallows in the bays, with some setting up potential beds with pairs. I caught a nice smallmouth on a wacky worm, and saw a giant (8 pounder) swim right past my spot. I led her a worm, but she wasn’t interested.

@ellukeaduke 2 жыл бұрын

Caught 18 smallmouth yesterday on Thompson Lake, ME from the bank and kayak. All caught on a Mepps spinner in either gold or silver #2 or #3 sized. Will be trying some of these tricks as the fish get smarter. THanks!

@williamgould7807 2 жыл бұрын

Mepps spinners are old school but still catch a ton of fish. Kind of the forgotten lure for many people

@ellukeaduke 2 жыл бұрын

@@williamgould7807 one thing I've found interesting is that over the past couple weeks Ive been on this bite, I've tried just about every other major brand of spinner (rooster tail, panther, vibrax, Joe's flies) and none have produced nearly as well as the mepps

@brianneff7165 2 жыл бұрын

Great Video ..always enjoy all of them..On your northern trip you guys should definitely stop in Central PA and fish lake Raystown,there are huge smallies in this lake ....It can be challenging for sure but can also be an awesome fishery as well.

@doughopson2243 2 жыл бұрын

One type, among several types of bass...But #1 in my heart !!!

@notillegal6771 2 жыл бұрын

Got a 4.4 and 4.7 smallmouth at candlewood 2 weeks ago! And a 3.4 largemouth all on the vision 110jr

@brianlee9074 2 жыл бұрын

Great video Tim. Thanks man. ✌🏻🎣

@stephenzeppenfeldt221 3 ай бұрын

Great video as always

@beavisbrowne3497 2 жыл бұрын

Fabulous video 👍

@oldeschoolbob1022 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you, Tim. One of the few downsides of living in Florida is our lack of smallmouths. They are an incredible gamefish, though; I need to re-acquaint myself with them soon. Thanks again to you and Matt for all of your amazing videos. Have a great weekend!

@sakfpv8444 2 жыл бұрын

I agree, I used to live in New York and fished alot of mountain reservoirs for nice smallness, moved to Florida 8 yes ago and damn I miss them. So much so that I just changed to a complete inshore saltwater angler. I will say, redfish and black drum fight like a diesel truck. Sheephead are a ton of fun on light tackle too, specially in the 18-22" range.

@oldeschoolbob1022 2 жыл бұрын

@@sakfpv8444 Snook, cobia, spotted seatrout, tarpon, etc. Huge opportunities with inshore saltwater. Chasing snook and trout with light spinning tackle can be an absolute blast. Don't forget about our largemouth, though; we have a lot of small ponds that hold some very big fish. Great option for windy days. Have fun and tight lines!

@alexwilliams8131 2 жыл бұрын

Pound for pound I think the most fun fish to catch on the planet! I’ve never been up north for them but since you guys are in Tennessee now don’t forget about the southern smallies. Cherokee lake and Dale Hollow aren’t far from you guys and has sone of the best smallmouth populations in the state! Can’t beat the spark shad/screw head combo! Thanks for another great video guys

@Z3Inc 2 жыл бұрын

Have you ever caught a Peacock Bass?

@alexwilliams8131 2 жыл бұрын

@@Z3Inc I have not! Always have wanted to since the first time I saw them as a kid on Roland Martin lol it’s on my bucket list

@Z3Inc 2 жыл бұрын

@@alexwilliams8131 You might change your answer after catching one. A 1lb Peacock fights like a 3lb smallie minus the arial tactics. They are pure power and never give up. They are savages. Smallies are fun too though.

@anthonyrose2708 2 жыл бұрын

I've been waiting for a video like this!

@robertdtimmerman6507 2 жыл бұрын

Catching a Smallmouth is still on my bucket list. Just not too many of them here in Louisville. Got the gear though so I will be ready if the opportunity presents itself.

@fishingfanatic1100 Жыл бұрын

I use the chart/blue swimbait but I like the Big Bite Baits version! Great video. Here in PA, I looove chasing these big mean smallies on the Allegheny river!

@TheTownDrunk 2 жыл бұрын

Just snagged some of those TW color roboworms. That’s a perfect color for smallmouth around here in Maryland! Thanks!

@ctsnider88 2 жыл бұрын

Great information !

@danielmiller6255 2 жыл бұрын

Ummmm Tim, we def need a video on your wife’s world record

@Army_Outdoors_88N 2 жыл бұрын

Great video Brother. I am always learning something new and all your tips definitely help, with me being up the road from you all at Fort Knox Army Base in Kentucky

@markwoodley658 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for this!!!

@mikek3638 Жыл бұрын

great vid! Was thinking maybe you and Matt could each do your top 5 old reliable baits. Baits that stand the test of time and baits that aren't changed out year after year. thanks!

@LowBrowFishing 2 жыл бұрын

The good old' chattertube has been doing work for me right now. We don't have any smallies here in the deep south, but replace the skirt on a chatterbait with a tube, and those largemouth eat it up!

@daniellucier2290 2 күн бұрын

I haven't caught any on mine , I was wondering if you fish it slow fast ? Or pop it like a jig ?? I'm a beginner to using one.

@golfishuntim 2 жыл бұрын

Lake St Clair! Hit us up if you are planning on making a trip! Tight lines!

@williamgould7807 2 жыл бұрын

Great job Tim. You held up a jerkbait at the beginning of the video and forgot to talk about it. One of the best search baits out there for Smalley's in Clearwater

@Tbowie13 Жыл бұрын

Yes Sir, Bull Shoals has that clear water smallmouth deal up close to the dam and man that's too much fun! Love that Dark Sleeper as well. My 11 yr old daughter caught a 7 1/2 lb Cutthroat last year on one in a small Arkansas creek. (guess she would have been 10 at the time) I couldn't have been more proud. She kept getting hung up and frustrated, so I tied that on cause it's pretty rock proof and looks pretty spot on like a sculpin which is what these big Browns, Cutthroat and Brooks eat here in the Red, White and Norfork rivers.

@DHW448 2 жыл бұрын

Jeez guys.. Can it get any better for you??? New babies and fishing for biggins. I am so jealous 😩. I'm newer to lake fishing and can't wait to catch a small mouth bass. I live in Louisiana and want to head north and fish. Until I can, please keep taking me fishing with yall.

@fishingofsrilanka 2 жыл бұрын

Good job 👌

@tngreenevfl2022 2 жыл бұрын

I got some Matt Allen swim bait heads in the 3/4 oz for deep fishing very nice

@JimJohnsonCRS Жыл бұрын

Good info! Thanks! I do believe the black jig was marabou feathers and not hair.

@jerrythao8038 2 жыл бұрын

Been waiting for this one for too long bros...yals 2 is a freak of a fisherman...nicly DONE...

@tryptaman4315 2 жыл бұрын

I’m from Louisiana and have only fished for smallmouth 5 days on Broken Bow lake in Oklahoma which isn’t technically a small mouth fishery. I have fell in love with them. They’re so much better than largies and spots

@iiChucklesx16x 2 жыл бұрын

head up to mille lacs in Minnesota, some of the funnest smallie fishing around!

@alexpeppercorn4577 2 жыл бұрын

Come up to MN, Mille lacs, Vermillion, and Rainy are all great

@NeilGraham.I.M.F 2 жыл бұрын

Love smallmouth! Take em over largemouth anyday. But up here in pa i have that choice. Lotta good river smallies right local

@topwaterwes2339 2 жыл бұрын

Fishing opener tomorrow in Mn!!

@bayouburner281 2 жыл бұрын

That 7lber was massive😮

@czykrepublic4323 2 жыл бұрын

Tim, you guys should come up and fish Mille Lacs!

@justincrawford1325 2 жыл бұрын

pound for pound the greatest fish on the planet.

@johnch.o3556 2 жыл бұрын

Great video, great advice, great recommendations. Another fantastic video. I would love to see a summer version of this as well!

@BigBen7959 2 жыл бұрын

Tim you should try the Great Lakes Fineness drop minnow, I've been trying the iridescent color and have been wrecking them

@williamradecki450 2 жыл бұрын

No A-rig ? Going to sturgeon day middle of June . Great videos!!

@markwoodley658 2 жыл бұрын

Smallmouth for me too! Like a freight train at the end of your line.

@kballhog 2 жыл бұрын

Come up to Lake St Clair! I am fortunate to live 45 minutes away in Michigan!

@rogerhall5532 2 жыл бұрын

what's up guys if you ever get the chance I suggest fishing the Maumee river for the small mouth run absolutely amazing fishing would guide you guys for free if u needed but I would definitely fish it eather way it runs off lake Erie and is amazing

@paynekaufmann403 2 жыл бұрын

Hoping to get my 3lb smallmouth this year

@bassinbilliards6279 2 жыл бұрын

Playing pool in Vegas for a national tournament and still watching TB. Priorities 😄 🤣

@jbagelfishing2907 2 жыл бұрын

So interesting, I got some sexy shad 4.8 inch rage swimmers that are basically same color as that chart blue, had NEVER caught a fish on a paddle tail after years of trying until I used that color last night.

@travissmithfishing 2 жыл бұрын

You guys should have been chasing them on lake Cumberland since March! Your not that far now and you can have some amazing days.

@johnrogers4270 2 жыл бұрын

I'm not gonna lie Tim, I was really getting into the story about exploring the Great Lakes lol

@NeilGraham.I.M.F Жыл бұрын

Nothing, I mean nothing beats smallmouth fishing

@jo13pete 2 жыл бұрын

So I’m gonna get back into bass fishing this summer. My parents live on a northern MN reservoir full of smallmouth. Pretty dirty/ stained water tho. I already have a 6’9” Med Light spinning rod, and a 7’ MH Mod casting rod. (Walleye rods that are gonna do double duty lol) if you could add 1 rod and reel what would it be?

@rolanddelapp9628 2 жыл бұрын

Awwghh.... I LOVE THEM SO MUCH...🤤

@arthuerta5682 2 жыл бұрын

Tim, I'm looking for a new DSR. I'm trying to decide between the new expride or a whipsnake? Unless you have another suggestion in that price range...

@baso0311 2 жыл бұрын

smallies are an addiction. they fight so hard and hit hard too

@jessejameswood1065 2 жыл бұрын

how do we book charters with you guys. i want to plan a trip to the states to go bass fishing . you catch an 8 lbs bass in norther ontario thats a massive fish. but i want to chase southern giants you guys are the best of the best

@Tbowie13 Жыл бұрын

Hey Tim, I hear you talk about the Deep-X 300 alot but never the Deep-X 100 and 200's. Do you ever use those? I've had good luck with them doing the exact same thing as the D-X 300, just downsized and slightly more shallow.

@jamesh7469 2 жыл бұрын

Just quit my job and I’ve got 2 straight weeks to fish at the spot at 0:42 :)

@richardsousa2625 2 жыл бұрын

Oh well good morning 🥇

@idontstunt2613 2 жыл бұрын

Do yall fizz or air out the blatter in small yall catch in deep water

@romaloboda2280 2 жыл бұрын

It can be because you are using BFS and light tackle when fishing smallmouth bass, that's the reason you like it more in recent years. Thanks.

@txg1275 2 жыл бұрын

Tim waving a daiwa reel at the camera like it's no big deal! You guys should do some discussions on the merits and different applications for reel brands other than Shimano. I'm as big a Shimano fanboy as they come but those daiwa fans can't all be wrong.

@lexm0 2 жыл бұрын

I use Daiwa and Shimano. To keep it simple, I like flipping and pitching on Daiwa reels because of the T-Wing, and if I'm making long casts covering water, Shimano does beat Daiwa for distance

@shawncoleman2280 2 жыл бұрын

Come on up to WV and hit the New river.

@richeaton7436 2 жыл бұрын

Try finessing the Nikko Hellgrammite

@hookedupoutdoors2315 2 жыл бұрын

Can you go over your favorite river smallmouth baits please!!!

@nills2gills811 2 жыл бұрын

I live right by Lake St Clair and I AM TELLING YOU….. Zman finesse TRD PBnJ (add a rattle) to 1/4 oz chart/black ned head is what i tie on may-august 80%+ of the time if you have the means 1/4 oz tungsten skirted ned head. Chart head in spring when spawning fish have brighter colors. I work at cabelas i tell people if they dont catch a fish on a pbnj ned righ ill give em 20$ nobody came back for their money yet!! Last 2 times i went fishing i caught 17 fish and 40+ all on that lure

@gsloat2424 2 жыл бұрын

I USE A LUCKY CRAFT CHARTRUCE AND BLUE CLEAR SQUAREBILL THAT JUST KNOCKS EM DEAD, IVE DOUBLED UP TWO FISH ONE ON EACH HOOK WITH IT THEY LOVE THE CHARTRUCE AND BLUE COMBO FOR SURE!!!!!!

@gslang3489 2 жыл бұрын

I really wish Smallmouth lived in my state

@tagg946 2 жыл бұрын

Being from Indiana, creek stomping for smallies and spots is by far my favorite way to fish, my pops and I absolutely tear them up with 4 inch power ring worms and 2.8” swim baits. They also love 4” zoom lizards

@johnrogers4270 2 жыл бұрын

hey im in KY and grew up in MO chasin smallies. its an addiction ill never kick lol i burn em up on small walking topwater baits too

@tagg946 2 жыл бұрын

@@johnrogers4270 for what ever reason they never hit reaction, especially topwater, where im fishing. just small creeks and rivers outside of indianapolis. i always see people getting clobbered on poppers and spooks on YT, but it just never works with them around my water, im almost always forced to go finesse. Not even finesse jigs get em to bite, only tubes trigger that crawdad feeding around here.

@doublec1758 2 жыл бұрын

Get on the road early to hit the water and what do you know…Tim comes through before the sun comes up!

@Apostle_Fishing 2 жыл бұрын

I think they Are spawning in Lake Michigan now.I haven’t caught one since April.

@jacobcolello 2 жыл бұрын

Get on the river smallmouth on the Susquehanna!!!

@FishingBrandon 2 жыл бұрын

Isn’t the Vixen discontinued?

@walterfisher9795 2 жыл бұрын

You guys need to hit Kentucky Lake for 6 plus smallies. Also fish the Detroit River and one of my top three, Lake Erie. Keep up your fishing videos and be safe. I love your video's and information on fishing and boat electronics. 🙋‍♂️

@Joseph-ow8vq 2 жыл бұрын

Kentucky Lake is a sleeper smallmouth has really exploded over the last several years.

@440-fishermandrock8 2 жыл бұрын

River smallies here in Ohio are a lot of fun

@yzzml1 Жыл бұрын

My pb smallmouth was 9.6 pounds

@casualmemesurfer2754 2 жыл бұрын

I've noticed you guys don't talk much about spybaits. Do you guys not do well with them?

@LarsonFishing 11 ай бұрын

Empire pole??

@kevincampbell9930 2 жыл бұрын

how do you fish a tube bait or hair jig weedless?

@mikeantes9597 2 жыл бұрын

Tube bait Texas rig it hair jig is usually a open hook

@jamiebyrd7348 2 жыл бұрын

What time would u recommend for Cumberland lake or dale hallow to be at their best. We met at the waffle house in dayton last year, u tried to help me get in contact with ur boat trailer guy. Thanks again

@onfootbassin 2 жыл бұрын

I live in NJ and I recently took a trip to NC to finally catch my first spotted bass. Anybody who says spots pull harder than smallmouth has to be smoking some crazy drugs.