I've almost never fish for small mount bass. We plan on going down a river either in 2 weeks or somtime this summer. What kinds

[hunterkid94]

I've almost never fish for small mount bass. We plan on going down a river either in 2 weeks or somtime this summer. What kinds of lures do I need for smallies(include plastics/ cranks) and how do I fish them

[buckhunter]

It depends on where the fish are. You should have a lure for all depths of water that can be presented at different speeds. The lipless crankbait in the March issue looks killer.

[Cgull]

tube baits, crawfish imitations, look for ambush points (eddies) behind boulders, logs (laydowns). Google how Kevin Vandam fishes for smallmouth bass, he can offer lots of ideas on catching smallmouth

[rudyglove27]

Crayfish are a favorite food for smallmouth bass, and where these little buggers are prevalent, crayfish can make up 2/3 of the bass's diet. Crayfish imitations come in many varieties from crank baits to soft plastics. Some of the most effective crayfish imitations are made by Berkley. The Berkley Chigger Craw is a very effective smallmouth bass lure. Berkley's Gulp and Power products are as effective as live bait in many fishing situations!!!

[joelr271]

I used to live on the Mississippi in central MN, and i would fish smallies EVERY day. It is one of the best stretches of any river for smallmouth. There were only two different lures that I used, and they worked great. Either a Rapala Original Floater, or a Mepps.

[jamesti]

football jig with a craw trailer. fish it around rocks.

[Far Rider]

I've had good luck with crawdad patterned Bomber Model A's and Storm Wiggle Warts and with the Rebel Crawdad. Texas rigged soft plastic crawdads have also worked for me.


Fish around structure such as downed trees and boulder piles, and wherever you can find slightly swifter water. If you're in a canoe, take a short piece of chain (2 feet or so), tie it on one end of a rope, tie the other end of the rope to the rear of your canoe, and let the chain drag the bottom as you fish and float along. The drag chain will keep your canoe headed straight and will help slow you down in swifter water so you'll have time to cast and retrieve.

[007]

Nothing beats minnows, crayfish, and helgrammites, while wading in warm weather. Wish I were going with you.

[Skeeb]

007 got it right! I love using "helgies" and crawfish. And a good lure to pick up is a Rebel Crawfish crankbait. It works well for smallies and even catches a walleye or two every so often.