Most smallmouth die-hards have September and October blocked off on their calendars as the best time to catch giants. Meanwhile, a select few do the same for November until waters freeze over, if the weather and fishery allow. From the world-renown Great Lakes fisheries to the inland waters across the north country, smallmouths are

  As water temperatures gradually cool, the lakes eventually turn over. Smallmouths slide deeper to the point of wintering, and the tackle box closes. As these events simultaneously occur, my boat’s tackle selection lessens each week – and the majority of gear and tackle I’ve carried up to this point will no longer be needed.

  I tied on a red craw squarebill crankbait for my customer fishing at the bow, directing him to cast it parallel with and tight to the bank, and to watch for the shoreline’s rock protrusions displaying on side-imaging.

  It wanders erratically under a multitude of retrieve speeds and cadences. Its polycarbonate or circuit board lips are able to withstand the frequent punctures from digging into the hard, impenetrable lake bottom. Hook points may impressively dull in the process. Colliding into wood, rock, and boulder, its frivolous wobbling and vibration aided by noisy

  The most challenging, rewarding, and steady smallmouth fishing of the season takes place in summer. Depending on your whereabouts, patterns could be habitual or constant from year-to-year. They may revolve around good weather, peak feeding, or other additional factors.