Smallmouth Tackle Quandry 2024
Heron reply :
So they say, let the fish tell you what they want....
Well, I’ve just recently moved to smallmouth country, and I mostly bank fish. I’ve caught about 30 or more smallmouth from shore over the last couple months. My biggest so far being a tad over 16”. Not too shabby for starters.
However, I’m realizing that I have caught ALL of them with my Panfish gear. I have caught exactly ZERO smallmouth, with any of my smallmouth gear.
These fish seem to prefer 2” baits over anything else.
So my qwandry is this - I don’t want to catch them on my panfish gear anymore. I want them on my smallmouth gear, that’s what I got it for.
Can someone help me talk some sense into these fish? Do I need to hold a town meeting with them to discuss the issue?
Thx
Heron reply :
Honestly there have been times where I would be catching them pretty regular on the 2” baits...but then move up to 3” of the exact same bait, the bite would just shut off. Then pick up again when I switch back to the 2”
Bluebasser86 reply :
I TRD is only 2.5" and about impossible for smallmouth to pass up around here, maybe something to try.
J.Vincent reply :
Well if you are fishing big waters like Erie or St Clair....those Smallmouth can regularly be caught on 4 inch jerkbaits, 1/2 oz tandem willow spinnerbaits and 4 inch Sammy Topwaters. I even find the occasional 4 and 5lb smallmouth striking these same baits in the Huron river, but rarely in the Raisin River. So it really depends on the body of water.
jbmaine reply :
Your issue sounds strange. The only thing I can think of is maybe what they are eating is only about 2" this time of year. I would be curious to see if larger baits work later on as their food source grows.
NYWayfarer reply :
Honestly if you are catching Smallmouth with Panfish gear who cares? You are catching!
If you are looking for smaller traditional Smallmouth baits try Strike King Bitsy tubes and Strike King Bitsy Bug mini jigs with a small soft plastic trailer, I like a Yum 2" Grub.
Heron reply :
On 5/9/2018 at 8:52 PM, NYWayfarer said:Honestly if you are catching Smallmouth with Panfish gear who cares? You are catching!
If you are looking for smaller traditional Smallmouth baits try Strike King Bitsy tubes and Strike King Bitsy Bug mini jigs with a small soft plastic trailer, I like a Yum 2" Grub.
I care...
It was cool at first, popping smallmouth on every third cast or so. But, the novelty of catching these fish on such light gear has worn off. So, allow me to explain why I care.
1,) I dont like losing fish - My panfish gear is specifically tailored for Panfish. And though It can also bring in the occasional lunker bass here and there, it was never meant to sustain the onslaught of abuse from frequent 12"-16" Smallmouth. So, my line gets tore up easier, and fish break off semi frequently....I dont like that.
2.) I dont like losing gear - Obviously with fish breaking off, Im losing my heads, plastics, and other baits, and going through my stock at a much faster rate....I dont like that. If I were catching them with my Smallmouth setup, I would have lost no fish, and no baits....mostly. And of course, these tiny 2" baits do not cast as well on Medium spinning gear.
3.) I dont like wasting money - Now that I am living in Smallmouth country, I have invested a fair amout of money in gearing up for smallmouth. However, when the fish in these waters are turning their nose up at all or most of my Grub, tube, dropshot, etc. offerings, that doesnt make me feel too great about my investment...I dont like that. But Im sure once I get this all figured out, it will all come together.
Btw, No Im not looking for smaller baits to use, per say.....instead, I want my fish to eat my larger baits that I purchased, just for them.
Heron reply :
On 5/9/2018 at 3:45 PM, Bluebasser86 said:I TRD is only 2.5" and about impossible for smallmouth to pass up around here, maybe something to try.
Yeah, Ive thrown the TRD, and caught a few.....but to be honest, a 2" black curly tail grub outfished the TRD 7 to 1. Size of fish was caught was unchanged.
I would rather be catching them on my Kalins grubs, Tubes, and Dropshot. No real consistency with that yet.
A-Jay reply :
On 5/9/2018 at 5:15 AM, Heron said:Honestly there have been times where I would be catching them pretty regular on the 2” baits...but then move up to 3” of the exact same bait, the bite would just shut off. Then pick up again when I switch back to the 2”
Change Baits & Relocate.
You're fishing in small fish spots with small fish baits.
Tie on a 3.5 inch green pumpkin tube with a 1/4 or 3/8 oz head and work it around until you get the fish you're looking for.
Good Luck
A-Jay
Bdnoble84 reply :
How often/long do you throw the larger baits before giving up and going back to smaller baits? Bigger baits=less bites/higher quality per bite (i.e.bigger fish). Its something you have to stick with. understand if you are tossing a 4” jerk bait or 3/8 oz swimjig or spinnerbait, theres a chance you may get skunked or only get one fish that day. You are much more likely to catch bigger fish though.
as a side note, i fish with “panfish” type baits quite often. My go tos for light lures like that are a 6’ shimano clarus ml/xf with 15/4 braid and a 7ft uglystick lite med action with 6 or 8lb mono or copoly. Never have felt like i was wearing out my gear, even when dealing with 5 and 6lb northern on occasion. What do you consider panfish gear.
Heron reply :
On 5/10/2018 at 6:29 AM, Bdnoble84 said:How often/long do you throw the larger baits before giving up and going back to smaller baits? Bigger baits=less bites/higher quality per bite (i.e.bigger fish). Its something you have to stick with. understand if you are tossing a 4” jerk bait or 3/8 oz swimjig or spinnerbait, theres a chance you may get skunked or only get one fish that day. You are much more likely to catch bigger fish though.
as a side note, i fish with “panfish” type baits quite often. My go tos for light lures like that are a 6’ shimano clarus ml/xf with 15/4 braid and a 7ft uglystick lite med action with 6 or 8lb mono or copoly. Never have felt like i was wearing out my gear, even when dealing with 5 and 6lb northern on occasion. What do you consider panfish gear.
When I size up, from 2” to 3”. The bite goes dead. It really shouldn’t. Because a fish that is 12” to 16” should have no problem or inhibitions at all about slurping up a 3” bait. So this is not really an issue of bigger baits drawing bigger fish.
Bdnoble84 reply :
How long have you been having this issue? Multiple seasons or just this spring/ colder water period. I think you are right that the bight should not go dead going from 2” to 3” baits. Do you change your technique/pace when switching baits?
Way north bass guy reply :
No reason why you can’t throw the smaller baits on the larger rods, it’s not like it’s against the law to use small baits on larger rigs (at least not where I live). If they’re feeding in small bait right now, give em what they want.
Heron reply :
On 5/10/2018 at 7:47 AM, Way north bass guy said:No reason why you can’t throw the smaller baits on the larger rods, it’s not like it’s against the law to use small baits on larger rigs (at least not where I live). If they’re feeding in small bait right now, give em what they want.
Tiny baits on larger rods don’t cast particularly well.
Way north bass guy reply :
Well, when you’re talking “smallmouth gear”, are you meaning spinning outfits and some lighter casting rods or do you mean 7’6” flipping rods? Cause I can toss a 2” grub/jighead quite a ways with a 7’ spinning rod and 2500 size reel with 6lb flouro or light braid and a leader. Either you adapt to what the fish want to eat at the time, or you keep throwing big baits until they decide to eat larger prey, it’s up to you.
Heron reply :
On 5/10/2018 at 8:18 AM, Way north bass guy said:.....Cause I can toss a 2” grub/jighead quite a ways with a 7’ spinning rod and 2500 size reel with 6lb flouro
That’s nice....and I can toss the same bait quite a ways further, on a 7ft Light rod with 4lb mono.
I like that better
Turkey sandwich reply :
man... I think the fish just very specifically don't like you.
WI_Angler1989 reply :
It's tough to make the fish eat what you buy for them. Sure sounds like, for now at least, they're just keying in on small forage. I love a good tube bite on my Smallie rivers, but for some reason with the long cold winter and near lack of spring, the tube bite has been dead. However, I've been slamming them on Mepps Aglias. It is what it is, despite my best efforts.
Drew03cmc reply :
Upsize to a 3" Hi Def Craw from Tackle HD on a ML or M rod and see what happens.
FryDog62 reply :
I like the idea of throwing a jerk bait on your smallmouth gear. It’s intended to provoke - and you may be successful coaxing smallmouth of a variety of sizes to strike... Could give you more clues anyway - -
PatrickKnight reply :
In the river I fish a small smallie is as different from a large smallie as it is a carp.
They feed differently, live differently, and act very different.
You have to fish for larger fish. I can have a 30 fish day 10-15 inch fish or a 1 fish day 18-20 inch fish based on how and where I fish.
Turkey sandwich reply :
On 5/12/2018 at 6:51 AM, PatrickKnight said:In the river I fish a small smallie is as different from a large smallie as it is a carp.
They feed differently, live differently, and act very different.
You have to fish for larger fish. I can have a 30 fish day 10-15 inch fish or a 1 fish day 18-20 inch fish based on how and where I fish.
There's something to this. I think that this approach changes a bit throughout the year, but generally it's true. In my experience, the more dominant a predator, the more likely that fish is going to control the best feeding positions - the ones that allow them to hold while expending the least energy, in the most comfortable conditions (temperature, light, oxygen, etc).
For example, in the heat of the summer, you'll rarely see large smallmouth in the middle of very fast water. However, find a ledge/large Boulder, etc at the tail end of those riffles, and odds are good you'll find larger smallmouth just 10-20 yards from dozens, of much smaller fish that are forced (due to predatory dominance) into much, less efficient hunting grounds.
Boomstick reply :
There are a lot of times where I will fish larger bait, and get no bites but when I do I will catch large fish. But then I will switch to the same bait in a smaller size, and start catching a bunch of smaller fish.
I think it's a matter of what size fish are in the area you're fishing.
PatrickKnight reply :
On 5/15/2018 at 12:58 PM, Turkey sandwich said:There's something to this. I think that this approach changes a bit throughout the year, but generally it's true. In my experience, the more dominant a predator, the more likely that fish is going to control the best feeding positions - the ones that allow them to hold while expending the least energy, in the most comfortable conditions (temperature, light, oxygen, etc).
For example, in the heat of the summer, you'll rarely see large smallmouth in the middle of very fast water. However, find a ledge/large Boulder, etc at the tail end of those riffles, and odds are good you'll find larger smallmouth just 10-20 yards from dozens, of much smaller fish that are forced (due to predatory dominance) into much, less efficient hunting grounds.
I cant tell you the number of times I have thought to myself there is gonna be a huge smallie on the rock side of this boulder and I manage to perfectly drift a bait to the ambush point and pow its a flat head or channel catfish. I 100% agree with you.
From my experience the only time this doesn't hold true is when it comes to the spawn.
Turkey sandwich reply :
@PatrickKnight. This holds true most of the year. During the spawn, generally larger fish spawn first. During a large hatch or forage migration, you may have a mix of different sized fish feeding on the same prey in close proximity, and during the winter months, you may have a wide variety of fish also stacked up together (especially in rivers).
tcal4404 reply :
move around tossing a jerkbait and see if you can find some bigger fish. Every body of water is different but I've been able to find some healthy ones right up on the bank this spring just covering ground. Frustrating part is they can be in a different part of the lake the very next day with very similar conditions.
Dangerfield reply :
You want a Smallie Killer grab a Megabass Dark Sleeper. 1/2oz will do you justice for smallies but TBH I caught a 4lber on the 1oz versions.
mike33667 reply :
doesn't seem like you really have any questions just want to gripe and be a smart a$$ when members give their advice.
30 smallmouth over the course of a couple months i'd be d**n happy to catch them on anything they will eat.
i have found that if i don't use a rod i don't catch many fish on it, maybe you should try that with your panfish rod.
Rahlow reply :
I used to enjoy walking the banks and catching bass on rooster tails and curly tail grubs on 1/8 oz crappie jigs,,,,
Drew03cmc reply :
On 5/10/2018 at 8:52 AM, Heron said:That’s nice....and I can toss the same bait quite a ways further, on a 7ft Light rod with 4lb mono.
I like that better
If you have options for rods, don't complain. In fact, people have come to this thread and offered sound advice and you have done nothing short of being rude. If you can't or haven't figured them out yet, perhaps it's just not meant to be.
MikeInWyandotte reply :
For throwing lighter lures (1/2oz or lower) I'm automatically using spinning gear. Don't like using baitcasters for lighter lures because it's a pain in the a$$ to deal with backlash and birds nests. I usually reserve my baitcaster for lure weights of 1/2oz and above... typically spooled with 20lb PowerPro and I always have a floro or mono leader tied on via double uniknot. For lighter stuff, I found it really helps to use Seaguar Smackdown Braid, 10lb test. This stuff is as light as dental floss, very limp with ZERO memory, and casts light lures a very long way effortlessly. And since it's 10lb tests you aren't going to get broke off. Again, with my spinning gear, I typically have a floro or mono leader tied on, usually 6-7lb test. Works great, has the versatility to throw weightless wacky worms, swim jigs, tubes, crankbaits, etc etc. Also my go to for drop shot. The key though is the thin braid for your main line, can't emphasize this enough, makes a world of difference.
Bdnoble84 reply :
On 5/29/2018 at 5:11 AM, mike33667 said:doesn't seem like you really have any questions just want to gripe and be a smart a$$ when members give their advice.
30 smallmouth over the course of a couple months i'd be d**n happy to catch them on anything they will eat.
i have found that if i don't use a rod i don't catch many fish on it, maybe you should try that with your panfish rod.
On 5/29/2018 at 2:06 PM, Drew03cmc said:If you have options for rods, don't complain. In fact, people have come to this thread and offered sound advice and you have done nothing short of being rude. If you can't or haven't figured them out yet, perhaps it's just not meant to be.
Glad i’m not the only one who thought this.
Boomstick reply :
Your issue sounds strange at a first glance but you didn't mention your smallmouth gear. You could be fishing frogs, spinnerbaits and cranks, which will get smallies on the right time of the day and year, but often smallies like smaller baits and vertical presentations, which I think might be what's happening here.
Think drop shot, ned rig, shaky head, etc.
Turkey sandwich reply :
On 5/29/2018 at 11:38 PM, MikeInWyandotte said:For throwing lighter lures (1/2oz or lower) I'm automatically using spinning gear. Don't like using baitcasters for lighter lures because it's a pain in the a$$ to deal with backlash and birds nests. I usually reserve my baitcaster for lure weights of 1/2oz and above... typically spooled with 20lb PowerPro and I always have a floro or mono leader tied on via double uniknot. For lighter stuff, I found it really helps to use Seaguar Smackdown Braid, 10lb test. This stuff is as light as dental floss, very limp with ZERO memory, and casts light lures a very long way effortlessly. And since it's 10lb tests you aren't going to get broke off. Again, with my spinning gear, I typically have a floro or mono leader tied on, usually 6-7lb test. Works great, has the versatility to throw weightless wacky worms, swim jigs, tubes, crankbaits, etc etc. Also my go to for drop shot. The key though is the thin braid for your main line, can't emphasize this enough, makes a world of difference.
One suggestion to help with your casting gear, use heavier braid. Braid under 30lb can be difficult to manage on a casting rod and will often sinch down on itself. You'll be amazed how much easier your gear will handle lighter lures with just that small change.
Spankey reply :
On 5/12/2018 at 6:51 AM, PatrickKnight said:In the river I fish a small smallie is as different from a large smallie as it is a carp.
They feed differently, live differently, and act very different.
You have to fish for larger fish. I can have a 30 fish day 10-15 inch fish or a 1 fish day 18-20 inch fish based on how and where I fish.
I hear you brother. I've been there many times over the years. I've seen my home stretch of water change and turn over the years. I believe on the rebound the last few years. I generally go home happy as hell on the solo 20" day. Hard day of fishing but landed a beauty.
rejesterd reply :
"let the fish tell you what they want" is a bad way to think about the process imo, especially if you're looking for bigger fish. They don't act the same way. It sounds like you're mainly focusing on soft plastics rather than larger power baits like jerkbaits, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits. If you go out for a couple days and only throw those types of baits, you'll start to see why the game isn't about "giving the fish what they want".. it's about triggering their natural instincts to bite, even when they aren't currently feeding.
MikeInWyandotte reply :
On 6/12/2018 at 4:39 AM, Turkey sandwich said:One suggestion to help with your casting gear, use heavier braid. Braid under 30lb can be difficult to manage on a casting rod and will often sinch down on itself. You'll be amazed how much easier your gear will handle lighter lures with just that small change.
Yes, I've experienced the sinching down phenomena for lighter braid. But there's a fix to that too, a tip I read from Hank Parker. Tie on a 1/2 oz bell sinker and fling it out there. This would represent a maximum cast distance. Then place a piece of tape over the line that remains in your spool. Problem solved, that's how I can now get away with using 20lb test on all my baitcasters... works great too!
Bdnoble84 reply :
What kind of tape are you using? Masking tape?
Further North reply :
On 5/10/2018 at 5:32 AM, Heron said:Btw, No Im not looking for smaller baits to use, per say.....instead, I want my fish to eat my larger baits that I purchased, just for them.
Sounds like counseling is in order here...but I'm not sure if it should be for the fish, or for you... ????
Pickle_Power reply :
The only opportunity for smallmouth locally for me is in a relatively small river. Fish caught generally range from 10" to 17".
Over the years, I have found that the most effective baits are in the 1-1/2" to 2-1/2" range. In my experience, when I upsize to "normal" sized cranks and plastics, I rarely catch anything, although the average fish caught is bigger.
That said, all of my biggest smallies have still come off of the smaller baits, i.e. #6 xraps, husky jerks, 1-5/8" Bomber Square A's. I believe size of forage is very important here. And I'd rather have a mess of action for smallies than one bigger fish(I differ on that for largemouths).
IMO, a perfect smallmouth rod for these tactics is a ML with fast action. I use a 6'3" Quantum Smoke ML for my river work. The length is great to avoid overhanging trees, and it's strong enough to handle the occasional 20"+ walleye or catfish.
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