Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth Bass

(Micropterus dolomieu)
Other names: Bronzeback, smallie, smallmouth, brown bass, bronze bass

The smallmouth bass is native to the eastern portion of the United States from Manitoba to Oklahoma, Alabama to Quebec. Populations can now be found in virtually every state and several other countries. The second largest member of the sunfish family Centrarchidae, the smallmouth bass is smaller only than its cousin, the largemouth bass.

The most distinguishable difference between smallmouth bass and largemouth bass is, naturally, the size of their mouths. The upper jaw bone of a smallmouth extends to the middle of the eye while that of a largemouth extends to the back of the eye or beyond. Smallmouth can also by distinguished their clearly connected dorsal fins and by their color, which is generally more brown than green and lacks the large black diamonds of a largemouth. Generally, there are bars radiating from red or orange eyes and a distinctive orange band at the base of the tail – especially in young smallmouth.

While some may exist in ponds like largemouth, smallmouth bass are generally found in larger lakes or in flowing creeks and rivers. In rivers and streams, smallmouth relate to current more than any other factor. Active fish will be in the current or hiding behind current breaks where they can ambush their prey. Inactive fish in the winter time will move into deep or shallow water that is out of the current as the water temperatures fall. In lakes and reservoirs, they prefer rocky ledges or rock piles that are rich with crawfish and other forage. Smallmouth will also locate on hard sandy or gravel bottoms throughout the year. Ditches, creek channels and old roadbeds in large lakes are also good areas to find hungry bass.

Smallmouth spawn in two to six feet of water on hard sandy or gravel bottoms. If there are grass beds or other cover nearby, it is normal to find dozens of beds in fairly close proximity in smallmouth-rich waters.

Though only growing to about half the size of largemouth, smallies are widely considered a much stronger fish, pound for pound, that put up an excellent battle.

Like largemouth, most people prefer to target smallmouth bass with artificial lures. Spinnerbaits in the early spring can be good and crankbaits imitating local baitfish populations are deadly in the fall, but the best smallmouth approach for most of the year is a jig. A chartreuse/glow X-Change Jig with a crawfish colored Fuzz-E-Grub has caught more bass than anyone can count. Roundhead jigs can also be used with YUM Dingers or Walleye Grubs. Stand-up or shaky head jigs are often used in deep or dirty water for smallmouth.

The other common tactic for big smallmouth is with a tube. E-Z TUBE Weights make any hook a jighead, and whether it is worked fast or slow, in deep water or shallow, a 3" YUM tube in any shade of green or brown will catch a lot of fish. Drop-shotting is also useful and can be done with a tube or other soft plastic; however, fishing with a weight below the hook is illegal in some states so be sure to check local regulations. Pro Series slips floats used in conjunction with a jig, tube or other soft plastic are perfect for post-spawn smallmouth that suspend along drop-offs in 20+ feet of water.