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drrick
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03/25/2018 12:20PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
Any tips on finding pre spawn smallmouth bass in the week or maybe two preceding the spawn? Also, is it accurate to say smallmouth bass are harder to catch Early Mornings in the spring? I ask this because several posts have mentioned it might be best to sleep in in the mornings in early spring and fish late afternoons.
 
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QueticoMike
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03/25/2018 12:50PM  
drrick: "Any tips on finding pre spawn smallmouth bass in the week or maybe two preceding the spawn? Also, is it accurate to say smallmouth bass are harder to catch Early Mornings in the spring? I ask this because several posts have mentioned it might be best to sleep in in the mornings in early spring and fish late afternoons."


That's what I do in the fall for the most part. But in the spring I tend to fish from the time I finish breakfast until it is dark out.
 
QueticoMike
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03/25/2018 12:54PM  
When the males began to build their nests it is time to start looking for female smallmouth that are transitioning into the spawning area. They will be cruising the outskirts of these areas in about six to twelve feet of water. They are in the midst of a feeding frenzy packing on the weight as much as possible before the spawn. Try to find these shallow, small gravel spawning areas along with the less pressured sites. Less pressured sites would be reefs you wouldn’t necessarily be able to see from the surface. Either electronics, a contour map (if on the BWCAW side) or blind jigging will help you find these areas. I never said this would be easy; you need to put time into finding the trophies. Also look for unique changes in the lake structure; they will also hold big fish.
During this stage I also rely heavily on the five inch Zulu to produce big smallmouth, but I also go to other big lures. As they say, big baits will catch you big fish, and I am a firm believer in that. Most fisherman love to catch smallmouth on top-water lures and I am no exception. The difference between me and most fishermen is that I like to use something bigger than a Pop-R or Skitter-Pop to entice trophy smallmouth on the surface. My popping\chugging lure of choice is the bullfrog colored Lucky 13.
The Lucky 13 is 3-3/4” long and shaped like a fat cigar with a concave nose. The most productive way to use this bait is by “chugging” it on the surface. Basically you pop the lure with a quick snap of the rod. It is very similar to other “popping” lures, but displays a larger presence. I use a braided line when fishing this lure. The no stretch in the line really makes this lure pop. If you use monofilament line while using this lure it will be tougher to get a good popping\splashing noise out of it due to line stretch.
When smallmouth hit the smaller popping lures, they don’t attack with the same aggressiveness they use on a Lucky 13. One fishing partner exclaimed, “smallmouth want to kill the Lucky 13 when they attack the lure!” Pop-R or Skitter Pop hits aren’t half as volatile.
When using this lure look out for trophy pike. This lure has produced more pike over 40 inches than any other lure I have used in the Boundary Waters or the Quetico.
The best search lure I have found for smallmouth is the 3/8 oz. double willow chartreuse spinner bait. The willow blades thin profile makes them easier to fish through weedy areas and have a lot of flash, imitating baitfish. This lure works best when fishing in windy conditions because the line remains taut creating a better feel for what is taking place. You lose this advantage while fishing soft plastic lures in the wind. This lure is used from pre-spawn until the end of the fishing season.
When your lure reaches the water give it a quick little “pop” to make sure the blades start moving. Typically start with a fast retrieve towards the surface of the lake. If this doesn’t work, experiment with different speeds and let the fish tell you how they want the retrieve.
This lure is used around weeds, fallen timber, mid-lake humps and along shorelines. This is a good lure to use in your quest for a hawg smallie anywhere you would normally search for a smallmouth.
The formula for catching trophy smallmouth is to start looking for them early in the pre-spawn stage. Look for warmer, moving water, areas just outside of spawning locations and unique lake structures that are less pressured by other fishermen. Use five inch soft plastic jerk baits like a Zulu and other large profile baits, such as the Lucky 13 and double willow spinner baits. All of these tactics combined should increase your chances of catching some of these bronze beauties.
 
drrick
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03/25/2018 01:01PM  
Wow, thanks Mike, we need to give you a raise.
 
QueticoMike
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03/25/2018 01:27PM  
drrick: "Wow, thanks Mike, we need to give you a raise."


You are welcome! It is part of my article " The Bronze Trophy ". If you would like to read the full article, send me an email - queticomike@yahoo.com - and request The Bronze Trophy.
 
drrick
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03/25/2018 03:31PM  
Mike, I just finished reading your article Dog Days small mouth in last Summer's Journal. Excellent article makes me want to go twice again this year.
 
Tyler W
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03/26/2018 12:50PM  
You can fish for smallmouth all day long. The only reason to sleep in the morning is because you can.

Smallmouth are not very hard to catch. It isn't usually a matter of "How to catch any", it is more a matter of "how to catch the most/ biggest".

Polarized sunglasses with a copper, amber or yellow tinted lenses are more important than the depth finder, map, or your paddle. They are only slightly less important than a fishing rod and a hook. If the fish are spawn/ pre-spawn look for substrate they can actually spawn on (sand/ gravel, not the classic smallie cobble) on the warmer side of the lake.

I start with a floating stick bait that runs very shallow. A silver belly and natural colored top is ideal. If any structure is obvious, cast as close as possible. Twitch the lure two or three times and then retrieve with a few rips/ pauses. This technique combines the adrenaline of top water fishing with the speed of a stick bait.
It worked well on this 20" Mississippi River smallmouth.

I love fishing poppers, but they are really slow to retrieve if the fish are spread out. I never go larger than than about 2" on a popper because I miss too many strikes.

If structure isn't obvious and you need to cover even more water, I reach for a #5 rattilin rap. They cast a mile and everything eats them (even sunfish).

If heaven forbid, you find some spooky clear water bass that won't bite a crankbait, then you can always bring out the jigs and (gasp) bait.

 
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