| Smallmouth bass are probably my favorite fish to | | | | deeper. Depending on the lake you are fishing, |
| catch. Many anglers argue that these fish are the | | | | you might end up fishing anywhere from 12 to 50 |
| strongest fresh water fish pound for pound. I | | | | feet of water. On Lake Geneva in Wisconsin, we |
| think I would have to agree with that statement, | | | | routinely fish 30 to 50 feet of water in the |
| especially if you are fishing in a river. These fish | | | | summer and most fish will be in the 20 to 25 foot |
| are so strong and they put up some amazing | | | | range. Try to resemble the bait fish that are in |
| fights. Watching them jump can be very exciting, | | | | the lake. Lures that resemble small perch will work |
| however, this is the time that they spit out your | | | | well because smallmouth bass will school up and |
| lure, swim away and laugh at you. I can not | | | | feed heavily on perch in deeper water. Give them |
| prove that they actually laugh, but if I were them, | | | | something that they are looking for and you |
| I would be laughing. Experienced anglers know | | | | should do well. To consistently find fish in deeper |
| how to fight these fish to keep them from | | | | water, you will need to use your electronics and |
| jumping, but sometimes, they will get in the air on | | | | gps if you have it. |
| the best anglers and after a couple of head | | | | There will be some fish hanging out in the shallows |
| shakes, the fishermen will get his bait back with a | | | | as well. Fish the docks and other types of cover |
| sick feeling in his or her stomach. Let's go ahead | | | | if you are fishing shallower. You won't find too |
| and take a deeper look into smallmouth bass. | | | | many smallmouths cruising the shallows in the |
| These fish provide anglers with some exciting | | | | heat of the summer. They will be positioned on |
| action and it starts earlier in the year than | | | | cover. Once the sun comes up, fish the shady |
| largemouths. Many fishermen start having success | | | | side of docks and you will catch a few. |
| catching smallmouths when water temperatures | | | | If you are fishing rivers, you can still find many |
| are still in the 40s. Fish will be deeper, but they | | | | fish shallow during the summer. Rivers stay cooler |
| are still catchable. As the water warms in the | | | | and I have been able to catch fish in only a few |
| spring, fish will move into the shallows to spawn. | | | | feet of water on 90 degree days. Deeper pools |
| Deep, clear water lakes usually provide a good | | | | will usually hold more fish and bigger fish though. |
| habitat for these fish and during the spring, you | | | | In the fall, have some fun fishing shallow and |
| can see them all over the shallows spawning in | | | | deep. They will be scattered throughout the |
| the clear water. Some states prohibit fishing for | | | | different depths. A good way to fish during this |
| smallmouth during this time of year, but if you are | | | | time is to start shallow, then move deep. On |
| allowed to fish for them, you can have a blast. | | | | lakes that have some good dropoffs, try to |
| Jigs work well during this time of year, but you | | | | position the boat so one fishermen can cast |
| can also catch them on soft plastics, crankbaits, | | | | shallow and the other anglers can work the |
| spinnerbaits and a variety of other lures. Live | | | | deeper water. This will help you figure out where |
| worms, minnows and leeches also work well. | | | | the best bite is for that specific day. |
| Catch and release is recommended during the | | | | For more information, take a look at our |
| spawn. | | | | smallmouth bass fishing page. |
| Once summer arrives, smallmouth will move | | | | |