Selecting for Specimens
Thursday, 20 June 2024
The first assignment for this challenge is identifying the true trophy bass lakes that have viable populations of smallmouths weighing 5 lbs. or more. Many inland northern waters throughout Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan that are managed for trophy fisheries, and have special management regulations, qualify in this respect.
- Published in Short Stories and Timely Tips, Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouth Fish Finders
Monday, 17 June 2024
Nothing is simpler on the water than slinging a search lure and catching whatever bites. My fish-finding strategy is all about getting paddletails to wiggle, shimmy, and swim lively throughout the entire water column on a medium to steady retrieve.
- Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Short Stories and Timely Tips, Smallmouth Bass
Surface Snacks for the Mayfly Hatch
Monday, 03 June 2024
Calm humid nights preceding warm windless mornings in mid-June cultivate the greatest aquatic food chain reaction feeding phenomenon of the year – the mayfly hatch.
- Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Smallmouth Bass
Reading the River
Saturday, 01 June 2024
A river doesn’t just carry water – It carries life. To smallmouths and all other fish species residing in them, a river’s water level and flow rate will dictate their seasonal migrations, locations, habitats, feeding, and all other variables to the fish-catching formula you could think of!
- Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Smallmouth Bass
Best Z-Man Colors for Northwoods Lakes
Saturday, 01 June 2024
“It’s a crime to not have the PB&J Finesse TRD!” scolded one guide customer. “The Deal in any bait is solid in clear water,” added another. “I may second The Deal, but Green Pumpkin gets bit in every situation. And also, the Motor Oil Diezel Minnow is absolute money,” revealed one more. From Smelt
- Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Gear Reviews, Smallmouth Bass
Attacking Staging Sites
Monday, 20 May 2024
At this time, smallmouths are schooling together and stacked; programmed to undertake structural migrations to where they will stage and set-up in preparation for their spawn which could be any day now.
- Published in Short Stories and Timely Tips, Smallmouth Bass
Shallow Wood and Sand Patterns
Monday, 13 May 2024
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
- Published in Short Stories and Timely Tips, Smallmouth Bass
River Smallmouths Close to Home
Monday, 06 May 2024
Wherever you live in the Midwest, I’m willing to bet a fortune there’s a major river system located a drive away that’s teeming with big smallmouths. If you’re willing to explore and find them, prepare yourself for some life-changing events and newfound fishing addictions.
- Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Smallmouth Bass
Spring Smallmouth Hot Spots
Wednesday, 01 May 2024
Usually by late April, another spring season has arrived – for me, anyways. The cabin gets opened for the year, I pick-up my boat from winter storage, and scramble to make preparations to fish within the next day or two. It’s the most exciting time of the year!
- Published in Bass Fishing Articles, Smallmouth Bass
