Must Have Smallmouth Lures? 2024

Creekcrappie reply :

I am completely new to smallmouth, I have never fished for them in my life. I want to go to Center Hill or Dale Hollow sometime to fish for them. What would be some must have lures for them? I have a spinning rod with 8 lb pline on it, I am guessing I will fish with that mostly.

EvanT123 reply :

You can catch smallies on the same lures you use for large mouth. A few things I never leave home without when targeting smallmouth; tubes, grubs, flukes, senkos, and spinnerbait.

NorcalBassin reply :

Tubes and grubs work pretty much all year long. Get some 1/8 oz and 1/4 oz tube jig heads and darterheads and you're good to go with that spinning set up.

swagkid300 reply :

senko's!!!!! wacky rig em, texas rig em, so many rigs you can try with the senko!!

zewski@live.com reply :

My most productive lure to find smallies is the Rat-L-Trap, they just can't resist it, but remember use it to find fish and then slow down using senkos, tubes...

tholmes reply :

1/8 - 1/4 oz. bucktail jigs.

Tom

RandySBreth reply :

Don't forget 4" and 5" grubs with jig heads from 1/16 up to 5/16 or so.. I like watermelon/red or pumpkin/purple for swimming close to the bottom and pearl or smoke for swimming up high like a shad.

Mainebass1984 reply :

Live Target crawfish brown/orange 6-8ft diver square bill. Most effective smallmouth crankbait I have found.

Dylan L reply :

I use small crankbaits and tubes. A good crankbait color is shad or bluegill and a good tube color is green pumpkin. Also, never leave home without a pack of rage craws!

webertime reply :

Bone with Orange Belly Spook (big one)

Zoom Speed Craw (on jig head or C-Rig)

Lucky Craft Pointer 100SP in Chartruese Shad

Fat Ika or Keitech Salty Core Tube on a 4/0 EWG hook.

AssassinAngling reply :

Any thing with a hula skirt seems to do the trick. Cranks and spinners also produce quite nicely.

bostonsox2904 reply :

Jointed Rapala and Tubes/Senkos for river smallies. Fish soft plastic with the current and the jointed rapala slowly against/diagonally

tytay89 reply :

110 style jerkbaits....

Ratherbfishing reply :

On 10/8/2013 at 7:56 AM, zewski@live.com said:
My most productive lure to find smallies is the Rat-L-Trap, they just can't resist it, but remember use it to find fish and then slow down using senkos, tubes...

Agreed. Rat-L-Traps are excellent search baits. Don't be afraid to go LARGE either. If the fish are cooperative, you may not even need to slow down.

fishguy613 reply :

tubes, grubs, soft craws, crankbait, lipless cranks, yum dingers, spinnerbait,

im going to try shakey head jigs for the first time soon, well see if they like it

29JMP29 reply :

I'd go with anything that you normally finesse fish with. 90% of the time im throwing a shaky head, dropshot, or tube for smallmouth, other 10% is spinnerbaits, cranks, and jigs

Bluebasser86 reply :

Slender Pointer 97MR in gunmetal shad

KVD 1.0 in silver sexy shad

Xcaliber XR50 in ghost

Keitech swing impact in black shad

Super Spook Jr in bone

Zman Zinker in pumpkin/chartreuse

Flippin N Rippin reply :

I have had great success with using Strike King Plastics. Mostly the coffee tubes. With and 1/8 or 1/4 tube jig head. I have caught 1211 bass over the last summer and I can honestly say that 3/4 of them were on Strike King plastics.

5fishlimit reply :

You may get laughed or poked fun at, but don't overlook the color pink for smallies. You can call it bubblegum if I makes you feel more secure in your manhood.

If I know my fishing waters that have smallmouth I always bring tubes, flukes, and worms in pink. I'd bring pink grubs, too, if I could find them.

Crestliner2008 reply :

Over the years I've probably caught more smallies on a 1/8 oz. jig head dressed with a 3" curly tailed grub than everything else in my tackle bag. Lately, the Senko and drop shot has had equal share.

roadwarrior reply :

#1 is the Rage Tail Baby Craw, T-rigged.

If you are fishing in water that is less than 10' deep,

give the Fat Ika a try, weightless.

moguy1973 reply :

Rage Rigged craws, tubes, skirted twin tailed grubs (anything that mimic's crawfish). Weightless flukes, jerk baits. Those have been my best bets...

Tom 513 reply :

Well, I was waiting for what Moguy said, (anything that mimic's a crawfish) or as we call them crawdad, allthough I have read that in the late Fall a smallie will seek forage that suppys more fat content like minnows. I have good luck with plastics, Rage Craws, small tubes in Pumpkin green and Rootbeer color. I plan on trying more jigs this coming year, and also senco worms, but for now my go to smallie lure is a 2 3/4" Pumpkin green tube weighted according to the flow of water that day. Also I would suggest any of Tim Holschag's books, I am reading His newest one right now River Smallmouth fishing, and its killing me not being able to fish (5"of snow now)

Nick reply :

Creek Crappie,

The Center Hill and Dale Hollow smallmouth wuld be somewhat more specialized and somewhat different quarry than a Great Lakes, Missouri Ozarks streams, or New York smallie for several reasons that we need not go into. Fishing these Tennessee impoundments is best mostly at night except in March-April during the spawn and in winter with the floatin fly daylight hours work. These lakes really demand finesse approaches most of the time during the day with lighter lines, smaller lures, and often deeper presentations. I would rate these lakes quite difficult for beginners, so if you live near a stream or creek that has smallies, you will be able to be much more successful in a much shorter amount of time.

These large impoundments will demand that you have a solid boat with good electronics and a decent knowledge of structural elements, food sources, and current that will help position these fish. Only during the spawn can you fish successfully by hugging the banks, so the other 49 weeks of the year, it can get a little daunting for a beginner.

Creek and stream smallies, by their aggressive nature, can be had just about any time by anyone who can cast small lures decently along the banks. Not saying this is always the best way to catch loads of big smallies, but you will have success fishing for them if the water supports a decent population., and you give a solid daylong effort. You often need just a canoe, kayak or just go wading, and these fish are not usually finicky. A few four inch green pumpkin worms, small crayfish cranks, a small white or chartreuse spinnerbait will work nearly 100% of the time fished on 6 or 8 lb. line unless you encounter high muddy water. If that is the case just wait a couple of days for the water to gets back into fishing shape, (clears up a little.)

So if I were you, I would start a serious campaign of gathering info on running water smallies near you for best results and forget the big lakes for now.

Nick reply :

Creek Crappie,

So if I were you, I would start a serious campaign of gathering info on running water smallies near you for best results and forget the big lakes for now.

SENKOSAM reply :

A bass is a bass regardless of mouth size. Same lures in the same sizes.

The Pennsylvania Kid reply :

KVD series 1 square bills.....Rapala Crankin Rap Square bills......Shad Raps......Minnow Scatter Raps......and all other previously listed soft plastics.

SMB101 reply :

Jerkbait, rattle trap, tubes, grubs, spinnerbait, finesse jigs and cranks.

Rapala jointed shad raps, grubs and rebel craws for my local river fishin'

RoLo reply :

Sheer numbers => 'Jig & Curly-Tail Grub' (it began with Mister Twister grubs at Bass Islands, Lake Erie)

Another favorite=> 'Lindy Fuzz-E-Grub' (when nothing else is working, tip it with a live worm segment)

A gentleman in Pennsylvania lands bronze cows using 'Jerkbaits'

Roger

SENKOSAM reply :

My first smallie was caught on a yellow Mr. Twister grub, and that was before a knew that smallmouth bite many different lure designs. I came in first on the first day of a two day tournament, on the Mohawk River in central NY, using a large willow leaf bladed spinnerbait, jig and pork trailer, plastic Sidewinder worm and crankbait. I came home the next day and killed them on a Rebel popper, fishing a shallow local River.

My partner and I killed them on jigs and pork near barges in the Hudson River.

There is no such thing as a smallmouth bait that isn't a largemouth bait.

RoLo reply :

On 1/3/2014 at 9:01 PM, SENKOSAM said:
There is no such thing as a smallmouth bait that isn't a largemouth bait.

A few years back, I remember 'Crestliner' informing me that smallmouth bass were more aggressive than I suspected,

and the accomplishments of Dwight Hottle on Lake Erie echo that same notion. Back in the 60s, Billy Westmoreland

and Charlie Brewer touted finesse deliveries using 4-lb line and 1/16 oz lures. Very recently however, I read an article

stating that smallmouth bass sieze baits as big as largemouth bass of equal weight. That flies in the face of Mother Nature's

master plan, who gave bronzebacks an oral cavity 2/3 the size of mossbacks. Be that as it may, I now buy into the notion

that the difference in bait size between smallmouth & largemouth bass is much closer than I once suspected.

Roger

jkroosz reply :

Keitech shad impact, Strike King 3xd or 5xd, Rapala xrap and xrap shad, Zoom finesse worm, drop shotted.

BassMan_Kyle reply :

For some reason I've found that smallmouth like bright colors when it comes to cranks, spinnerbaits, grubs etc other than jigs. A chartreuse grub or chartreuse crankbait or spinnerbait believe it or not will produce big smallies in crystal clear water no matter the time of year or water temp. Only thing I leave natural when smallmouth fishing is really only jigs. Also hair jigs are a great smallmouth bait in the winter along with the float and fly especially on dale hollow (it's an hour and a half drive from my house) lol

wisconsin heat reply :

4 inch senkos are my favorite. I've never tried these myself, but some friends of mine say they slay river smallies with in-line spinners.

mrmacwvu1 reply :

Since I did not see it I will suggest spoons

SwimJiggin reply :

Try a Mepps Agila spinner. I know it's kinda of a trout bait but if you get the variety pack Mepps sells there are some good colors. Also, Booyah Pond Magic spinnerbaits are good for throwing on spinning gear with 8lb. line. I guess it's kinda how deep your fishing in too. I like to crank ledges with wiggle warts in the summer. So, maybe look at it from a top down approach. Someone mentioned spook in bone and orange belly and I like it. I use the puppy version. Don't get me wrong, I like to fish with Med Hvy gear with 17# fluoro. Lately, all my smallmouths were caught on 12lb line or less.

DavidWH reply :

Quote

I Having fished DHL for the past four years, off and on, my go to baits in the fall are jig (camo, PBJ, green pumpkin) with matching paca trailers; tail spinner; silver buddy; FNF (later in the winter - going tomorrow and will fish mostly) and swimbait. As the water cools (i.e. late November and December) you need to slow it down, I mean painfully slow. I try to fish my jigs where I feel every bump on the bottom paying particular attention to get slightly hung on the rocks. When it pops off that rock, reel down and be prepared to set the hook at the slightest tap. Tailspinner you also need to bounce off the bottom ("slow rolling") with swift pops of the rod, keeping in contact at all times with the bait because they will hit it 90% of the time on the down fall. You can work the silver buddy the same way, but will get hung a bit more.

I agree that DHL is a VERY tough lake to learn and be successful as a beginner. I have walked off the lake skunked with tail between my legs many times. I suggest going with a friend and hiring a guide for you first trip, at least. There are many good ones down there, look on smalljaw website to find some of the best on the lake. Good luck and let us know how you do, if you have not already gone.

Bjreg3 reply :

Tubes, jerk baits, jigs with trailers, senko's and wiggle warts......

ww2farmer reply :

If my life depended on catchng a smallmouth. I would have the following rigged up and ready to go:

4" Senko on a wacky jig

4" finesse worm on shaky head

3.5" Tube

3" gulp leech on a drop shot

cbass12 reply :

Shakyhead with finesse worm and 4 inch swim shad on a darter head. I'll usually have a football jig rigged up also.

crankmaster33 reply :

Try tubes and grubs on jig heads I fish for mostly small mouth And these two baits have gave me the most success and also you can actually fish most small soft plastics I have actually had success on small Texas rigs or even a small drop shot you can try any of these but I try to stay away from crank baits they don't help that much for smallmouth and the last bait that you can use Is a spinner bait! I've been to some places where the biggest smallmouth bite spinnerbaits so try these few things and you'll have most success and don't give up the first few hours it could take a day to figure it out it took me a couple fishing trips.

st041986 reply :

On the river's I fish, it's more about the location you are fishing than the bait as to whether you will catch smallmouth or largemouth. Slower water = more largemouth and swifter water/current breaks = more smallmouth. As for bait's, I rely on a finesse jig, 4" tube and a trick worm/fluke more than anything.

basscatcher8 reply :

On 1/4/2014 at 9:52 AM, RoLo said:

A few years back, I remember 'Crestliner' informing me that smallmouth bass were more aggressive than I suspected,

and the accomplishments of Dwight Hottle on Lake Erie echo that same notion. Back in the 60s, Billy Westmoreland

and Charlie Brewer touted finesse deliveries using 4-lb line and 1/16 oz lures. Very recently however, I read an article

stating that smallmouth bass sieze baits as big as largemouth bass of equal weight. Let's face it, that flies in the face

of Mother Nature's master plan, who gave bronzebacks an 'oral aperture' only 2/3 the size of mossbacks. Be that as it may,

I now buy into the notion that the bait size between smallmouth & largemouth bass is far more similar than I once believed.

Roger

Seems like what they lack in size of mouth they make up for in attitude. I love watching the videos and I havent got to see it yet is when a guy has a smallmouth hooked and other smallmouth are beating the hell outta him trying to get that bait out of his mouth for them to eat LOL

Crestliner2008 reply :

Did not see it mentioned yet, but from ice out until the spawn, you can't beat a blade bait for some really big smallies and lakers.

evilcatfish reply :

I've found that smallies will generally hit anything a largemouth will as long as it matches the forage in that particular body of water

Also, I feel like you can't ever go wrong with a finesse jig, craw or creature bait

Rodney Heupel reply :

I will after reading all the upabove posts I will keep hand poured reapers my secret.

jhoffman reply :

Live hellgramites, if you cant have that they seem to like purple

Jar11591 reply :

My all-time favorite smallmouth lure is the Storm 2.5" Rattlin' Chugbug in Tennessee Shad color, provided of course the conditions are right for topwater. Senkos and Hula grubs always work as well.

jkroosz reply :

Lets add Berkley Chigger Craw.

sullyb reply :

I have never caught a small mouth but I am going to get one this year.I read all these posts and I have all the baits talked about and I am sure to get my first one this year.By the way, my buddy caught a 4lb smallie on a piece of shrimp while he was cat fishing.Some guys have all the luck

mikeeasttn reply :

Do not forget the Silver Buddy or a Rapala Shap Rap in crawdad color.

dag623 reply :

All great recomendations by all for sure. Tube, C-Rig, and dropshot are a few more to consider.

hillbilly318 reply :

Kvd dream shot

Coffee tube

Yamamoto senkos.

Man it seems like you guys down south have it rough with fishin. Or I just have it amazingly good up here in Canada lol

motodmast reply :

remeber smallmouth basically live around rocks, whats around rocks? crawfish. there basically a no.1 food source for SMB, so look for hula grubs, or a drop shot with a 4" roboworm.

how are you gonna be fishing for them? off shore? pitching to docks?

a lot of that has a huge factor into what i will be throwing

tipptruck1 reply :

For me my small mouth baits are as follows. A white spook, A chrome spro aruko shad, a jerk bait, and white or chartreuse spinner baits.

EdsBar reply :

What color tubes would you recommend for deeper water?

OntarioFishingGuy reply :

I like brown and green pumpkin colored tubes with bright flake (silver, purple) for deeper water.

JeziHogg reply :

If I want a quick limit in a tourny ill throw a ds with a twitch tail minnow

masterbass reply :

4" senko

Delaware Valley Tackle reply :

On 1/11/2014 at 11:58 PM, ww2farmer said:

If my life depended on catchng a smallmouth. I would have the following rigged up and ready to go:

4" Senko on a wacky jig

4" finesse worm on shaky head

3.5" Tube

3" gulp leech on a drop shot

I've never messed with the Gulp but wanted to try some. Had the leech in my hand and put it down in favor of some 2" minnows I though might make a good finesse drop shot bait. Also, a woolly booger fly makes a good hellgie imitation.

fish365 reply :

Depends on time of year or if you are shore or boat fishing. late winter to early spring : a trap slow ticked off rocks. spring to early summer: single swimmer over cover. Summer to late fall: night fishing a jig off main lake points and humps. Late fall to early winter: v-wake a bone color long-A along points and shady bluffs. early to late winter: tightlining, float-n-fly, silver buddy and a hair jig

ol'crickety reply :

So many of you suggest 4" Senkos that I'm sorry I own hundreds of 5" and 6" Senkos, but the bass I catch sure like those bigger ones.

Wild Idaho reply :

This year I have been having luck with a Strike King KVD BlueGill Crankbait square bill and Rapalla xrap countdown Clown color.

RighteousFishing WI reply :

GARY YAMANMOTO KREATURE BAIT. SERIOUSLY

BuckMaxx reply :

Spro mcstick 110 to cover water

Chomper twin tail grub

Water melon bitsy tube

Senko wacky on a jighead...idiot rig

Violinguy reply :

Try a Mepps Agila spinner. I know it's kinda of a trout bait but if you get the variety pack Mepps sells there are some good colors.

Saw this a few posts back. Great advice. The larger Mepps kit (the Basser? or something) works great, especially in rivers. And you may get a nice trout for the same price.

Funny story. I was fishing with my dad in Maine at a fishing camp after graduating college. We were on a gigantic lake that was no more than 6 feet deep anywhere, and after about an hour of fishing (with a guide), the only bait that caught any fish was an orange Rapala floating minnow. Not blue, not silver, only orange. About an hour before leaving the first day, I got hung up and lost mine (my dad and I each had one). I caught nothing that hour (tried just about everything I had) while my dad kept reeling in one 3-pounder after another. I grabbed a new Rapala before dinner that night and the next day we caught about 30 fish each with just that one lure.

So here I am 20 years later, and every time I fish for SM, I tie on an orange Rapala. Sometimes it even catches fish! lol

Seriously, my personal favorite would be spinners, tubes, and of course Senkos.

InfamousBG reply :

If I could only name 2 I would say tubes and grubs. They never let me down.

Balshy Fishing reply :

Mr Twister Yellow Twister tails.....game over!

everythingthatswims reply :

For rivers, I like natural colored 4-5" senkos, texas rigged craws, and small jigs with craw trailers. I don't have anywhere to fish for them in still water around here. Just drifting a senko in the current, weightless or texas rigged with a 1/16 or 1/8oz if need be, knocks 'em dead.

iceintheveins reply :

1. 3 or 4 inch curly tail grub on 1/8 to 3/8 ounce heads

2. 1/4 - 1/2 Ounce Lipless Cranks

3. Bomber Model 5A and 6A And Similar Cranks

4. 3" Tube

5. Senko

6. Spinnerbait

7. Popper

8. Zara Spook

9. Suspending Jerkbait, especially X rap #8 and #10 and LC Pointer 78 and 100

Balshy Fishing reply :

It's crazy. I've thrown my cranks and lipless cranks, spinners and topwater but haven't gotten a BITE yet. Yellow twister tail though, I'll catch with it.

WVbassin87 reply :

My best baits for smallest are White Mister Twister grubs and green pumpkin Strike King tubes, both fished on 1/8oz jigheads. If you wanna give top water a try, go buy an Arbogast Jitterbug. Smallies love em.

Brian Brazier reply :

Caught my first Smallie today on a Spro Little John in Old Glory. The water was a little murky, and overcast.

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