The most active smallmouths will attract to lake regions that are warming. The shallows with ideal bottom substrate and exposure to sun warm rapidly. They could be up to 10 degrees warmer than anywhere else on the lake. Smallmouths can gather and loiter around in depths as shallow as 1 foot to as deep as 10 feet if that’s its edge. On some lakes, it’s common to encounter several dozen inactive large smallmouths sun-bathing in the extreme shallows, tucked up against wood for warmth and protection. As sunlight hits specific pieces of structure and reflects off certain bottom types, the surrounding area will bake and warm rapidly. I generally reference these areas as “microwaves”. Every lake I fish for smallmouths is full of these unique spots and they are nothing more than natural heat conductors that can only be found on your own. Sand pockets, isolated beaches, and shorelines with exposure to southern skies conduct heat. Smallmouth using these locations will proceed to lie on bottom, absorbing every ray. Additionally, laydowns and shoreline wood will attract fish as well. It’s remarkable to observe how smallmouths congregate and pin themselves to barre