When they weigh six to seven pounds, truly giant smallmouth bass is comparable to a 180-inch buck or gobbler with 1-3/4-inch spurs. Smallies under four pounds are considered great or even outstanding by many people, and so is a fish over five pounds.
I have shared all of my fishing experience in this article named “5 Secrets On How To Catch Smallmouth Bass.”
In a typical year, I took clients out for over six-pound fish and guided them for fish 60 to 90 days per season. I with my fishing partner caught five smallmouth bass weighing 32.69 pounds several years ago. Their average weight for each fish was almost 6.54 pounds.
Here Are 5 Secrets On How To Catch Smallmouth Bass
According to our expert knowledge, the smallmouth bass is divided into two categories: Big & Smallmouths and everything else. Big smallmouths are those that weigh five pounds or more. These fish fight harder, they’re smarter, and they just don’t show up as often. The key to catching more lunkers is learning a few tricks along the way, which we will share with you. Our experts have spent a lot of time pursuing big smallmouth bass. Here are my top five tips on how to catch smallmouth bass.
How To Catch Smallmouth Bass - Search For Moving Water
It is possible to get easy food for the big smallmouths if they are lazier than the smaller ones. A creek mouth is wonderful, as are any narrow parts of the lake that allow food to filter through and water to gather. Therefore, they prefer to hang out at spots where currents currently push food toward them, and they can wait.
Finding the waters that have true trophy fish is the first step to catching huge smallmouths. The major factor that our experts find is that the fish must grow old, and they shouldn’t be subjected to excessive fishing pressure. There’s nothing fun about catching a fish over and over every time, nor is it pleasant to watch a fine-tuned athlete get into an accident. You won’t get as much life out of any fish if you repeatedly stress it.
Smallmouth fisheries can be incredible in big rivers for the same reason. The pressure on smallmouths is spread out in large bodies of water near Door County where I do fish mostly, so they can escape much out of it. In the same way, remote lakes that are not well-known are worth checking out. When fed the right food supply and have good genetics, these fish can live a long time and grow big.”
Big Baits
So the question is, How to catch bigger smallmouth bass? Focus on using bigger baits.
There is a possibility of catching big smallmouth bass on tiny lures, but on average, bigger lures win the battle with the larger fish. In addition to that, the big baits attract big fish. You might have heard this saying before. This is simply a biological factor.
Fish can feed heavily during two times of the year when they are heaviest. Spring and autumn are the most active feeding times for fish when they are preparing for winter. The early spring catch-and-release season in Wisconsin, which allows anglers to pursue bass legally.
The best time to catch them is when they are putting the feed bag on in April. Then they will be feeding on the hay. As they just came off winter, they are gorged on food in preparation for spawning. It’s easier to catch and access many fish if they migrate up shallow. Fishing is best in the spring along a wind-blown shoreline or in a bay where the water is warm and there is no current.”
Use Of Right Presentation
There are four outer wires on the rigs and a central wire that is usually longer than the outer. In addition to tube jigs and swimbaits, he prefers jerk baits for smallmouth bass, as well as jerk baits and tube jigs. Additionally, he uses finesse fishing lures, such as small plastic worms or other plastics, which are strung on mushroom jig heads with light marabou hair jigs.
In addition to presenting multiple baits with an A-rig, which I like as they’re easy to use in spring or fall, many anglers are not familiar with them. During calm and clear conditions, finesse rigs shine. There is nothing better than a hair jig, Ned rig, and tube jig when fishing.”
Besides the conditions, where I do fish mostly also determines what lines I prefer. Whenever I use a spinning rod, he prefers to use Power Pro braided line rated for the 10-pound test, sometimes going up to 15-pound. In addition, he runs 12-pound fluorocarbon when casting jerk baits with a bait caster. Often when fishing for finesse, I will use a fluorocarbon leader of 10 pounds but may drop down to a line of 8 pounds.
Do Not Be Afraid Of Bad Weather
Smallmouths are triggered to feed by the wind. Bass also feed more in areas where the wind blows because, like the water, it moves in areas with moving water. It’s important to be at the right time when the predators are feeding since the wind gets the whole food chain moving.
Get your trolling motor batteries fully charged, grab a jacket, and head to your favorite smallies lake when the winds are up to get some of the best fishing action of the season. Many guys go out during those beautiful, sunny spring days, but they’re very difficult to catch in those conditions
Keep Learning Every Time You Are Out Fishing
No matter how good an angler is catching big smallmouth bass is tough. According to our experts, it’s crucial for fishermen regardless of their skill level to observe and learn while on the water to increase their chances of landing a fish.
The biggest takeaway, regardless of whether you hire a guide or compete in a tournament, is virtually always the lessons you learn. It might be learning a different style of fishing, learning a spot, learning how some anglers fish fast or slow, or even how they find fish.
The angler demonstrates that he learns a lot from each of his customers, regardless of their experience and skill level. In addition to that, A casual angler can get away with that. Keep learning is the key to catching huge smallies that weigh 6 or 7 pounds. Who knows maybe even a new state record smallmouth!
