Improve your Smallmouth Bass Catching Skills with these Tips

From quiet lakes to the big St. Lawrence River, Ontario and Quebec are awesome places for smallmouth bass fishing. If you want to get better at catching more and bigger smallmouth, these tips we’ve compiled can help you do well this season.

Where to Catch Smallmouth Bass

You can find smallmouth bass in different spots, like shallow areas near the shore or deeper places in the lake, even up to 30 feet down. Things like points, sandy parts, rocky reefs, and islands are good places to look for them. 

Also, flat areas from shallow to deep water with stuff like plants, rocks, and sand patches can have smallmouth bass.

Some rivers in Ontario and Quebec are also great for smallmouth bass fishing. You can find them near things that slow down the water, like dams or rocks.

No matter where you fish, there needs to be enough food for smallmouth bass. They like to eat things like fish and crayfish. So if a place seems good but you’re not catching fish, it might be because there isn’t enough food there.

Best Fishing Techniques for Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth bass fishing can be fun because there are different ways to catch them. Here are three simple yet effective tips to help you catch more and bigger smallmouth:

Use Fast Lures for Active Fish

You can catch smallmouth bass when they’re feeling energetic by using lures that move quickly. Things like spinnerbaits, crankbaits, and topwater can make them want to chase and bite. 

This can also help you catch many fish from one spot because smallmouth bass often swim together.

Try Lures Near the Bottom

Smallmouth bass like to eat things on the lakebed, so using lures that stay low or close to the bottom is good. Jigs with plastic bait that looks like crayfish or other small animals work well. 

You can also use soft plastic baits on a Carolina rig or swimbait. These can tempt smallmouth bass that are hanging out near the bottom.

Use Small Baits for Tricky Fish

Sometimes, smallmouth bass can be picky, so using small, natural-looking baits can help. A drop-shot rig with soft plastic bait like the ones from Berkley or Z-Man is a good choice. 

Another option is the Ned rig, which is a small bait on a special hook. You can also try using a small swimbait or a small jerkbait. These can trick even the shyest smallmouth into biting.