07-26-2003, 03:18 AM
Smallmouth bass: The best way to find smallies is to fish hard-bottomed lakes or rivers with boulders, rocks or sandbars. Cattails are good hiding spots, too.
Three rigs work. A favorite way to catch these fish is to use a quarter-ounce jig and spinner. Another is to cast a small crayfish or minnow-type plug, and the third is to cast or troll a lip-hooked spottail minnow.
Wind drifting and casting ahead to boulders or rocks are fun, but use polarized sunglasses to locate the rocky cover. Fish the dark sides of boulders during midday. Wading and casting to rocky areas also produce in lakes and streams.
This fish often goes to depths of 15 or 20 feet in midsummer. Cast or troll deep-diving crankbaits to probe the depths along drop-offs or deep-water points.
Slow trolling with lip-hooked minnows is productive, but let the fish take the bait before setting the hook.
Smallmouth bass hit hard, jump high and come in only after a hard fight, and they have fire in their eyes when landed. There is no quit in their makeup.
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Three rigs work. A favorite way to catch these fish is to use a quarter-ounce jig and spinner. Another is to cast a small crayfish or minnow-type plug, and the third is to cast or troll a lip-hooked spottail minnow.
Wind drifting and casting ahead to boulders or rocks are fun, but use polarized sunglasses to locate the rocky cover. Fish the dark sides of boulders during midday. Wading and casting to rocky areas also produce in lakes and streams.
This fish often goes to depths of 15 or 20 feet in midsummer. Cast or troll deep-diving crankbaits to probe the depths along drop-offs or deep-water points.
Slow trolling with lip-hooked minnows is productive, but let the fish take the bait before setting the hook.
Smallmouth bass hit hard, jump high and come in only after a hard fight, and they have fire in their eyes when landed. There is no quit in their makeup.
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