Its Smallmouth Time! If you live in the North, its go time for big smallmouth! We love chasing big bronze backs and get pretty fanatical about our tackle. Come along for a deep dive into our favorite baits for consistently catching jumbo smallies throughout Spring.
Smallmouth can be found all over the country but the Great Lakes region is the Mecca of big smallmouth. This entire region is about to fire up so today we’re shedding some light on our key baits for fishing in the North. From swimbaits, to topwater, to finesse, these are the baits we rely on to catch the big ones.
Below you’ll find links to all the baits discussed in the video. We’ve included our favorite sizes, colors, and weights for each application. We’ve also included some of our favorite high-end smallmouth gear and a great budget combo as well. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.
SWIMBAITS…
Bait- Keitech 4.3″ Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v
Color: Chartreuse Electric Blue
Head- Tactical Finesse Head (3/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2Pqrq3n
-Megabass Dark Sleeper (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2TyR1GT
Colors: Wakasagi, Haze
Bait- Megabass 3″ Spark Shad: http://bit.ly/2XcLZk4
Colors: Albino, Real, Purple Haze
Head- Megabass Okashira Screw head (1/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2EpluSA
CRANKBAITS…
-R2S Tactical DD 75: http://bit.ly/37dclbX
Colors: Ghost Minnow, Glass Minnow, Green Pumpkin Craw
-Megabass Deep X 300: http://bit.ly/2sSQHpt
Colors: See Thru Chart, Elegy Bone, Sexy Ayu
-Spro Rock Crawler: http://bit.ly/2BLmsVN
Colors: Goby, Phantom Brown, Phantom Green
TOPWATER…
-Lucky Craft Gunfish 95: https://bit.ly/3MUktST
Colors: Chrome, Bone Shad
-Evergreen Shower Blows 105: http://bit.ly/2zIkqUH
Colors: Bone, Full Metal, Skeleton Chartreuse
-Reaction Innovations Vixen: http://bit.ly/2rp11nr
Colors: Bone, Lime Ice
-Whopper Plopper 90: http://bit.ly/2bsPbQV
Colors: Loon, Monkey Butt, Bone
DROPSHOT RIGGING…
Hook- Owner Mosquito Light (Size 1): http://bit.ly/2zQVKx3
Weight- Swagger Tungsten “Tie On” Dropshot: http://bit.ly/2YAoMuv
DROPSHOT BAITS…
-Big Bite Baits Smallie Smasher: http://bit.ly/2ZpCOCY
Colors: Green Pump orange black blu flk, Chick Magnet
-STH Finesse Crush: https://bit.ly/3s5BcIn
Colors: Smokin Joe, Magic Chart, Bang
-Berkley Flat Worm: https://bit.ly/3lAAorL
Colors: Black, Natural Shad, Smoke Black Purple
TUBES…
-Big Bite Baits Tour Tube: http://bit.ly/32e23VR
Colors: Green Pump Purp Cop Flk, Green Pump Orange
-STH Finesse Tube 2.5: https://bit.ly/3aU0oeU
Colors: Juvenile Goby, Ten Point, Dark melon Purple
TUBE HEADS…
-Bite Me Tackle Big Dude Goby (1/2 oz): http://bit.ly/2CV3o7S
-Blade Runner Inhaler Head (1/8 oz): https://bit.ly/2NX7nYr
-Dirty Jigs Guppy Head (1/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2nyUJRS
HAIR JIGS…
-Oukast Tackle Feider Fly: http://bit.ly/2G7TBwj
Colors: Black
NED WORMS…
-Roboworm 3″ Ned Worm: http://bit.ly/2j9F0Xy
Colors: TW Black Blue Pumpkin, Desert Craw
-XZone Ned Zone: http://bit.ly/2mRiYhF
Colors: 309, Big Limit
-Zman Finesse TRD: http://bit.ly/2hs4RtR
Colors: Green Pumpkin Goby, Canada Craw, Goby Bryant
JIG…
-Keitech Finesse Football (3.8 oz): http://bit.ly/2FDQ3o1
Color: Green Pumpkin Blue, Green Pumpkin Black
Trailer- Zman TRD BugZ: http://bit.ly/2oiavEE
Color: Green Pumpkin
DARK SLEEPER COMBO…
Rod- Megabass P5 “Dark Sleeper”: https://bit.ly/30GcHqb
Reel- Shimano Aldebaran MGL 50 (HG): http://bit.ly/2uQ4oH8
Line- Sunline 12 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm
DROPSHOT COMBO…
Rod- G Loomis NRX+ 822S DSR: https://bit.ly/2RB0oJP
Reel- Shimano Exsence A 3000: https://bit.ly/2iMtscV
Line- Power Pro Super Slick V2 (10 lb): https://bit.ly/3vSwa6Z
Leader- Sunline Super FC (6 lb): http://bit.ly/2p7fxju
CRANKBAIT COMBO…
Rod- G Loomis IMX Pro 906 CBR: http://bit.ly/2og0BmK
Reel- Shimano Shimano Bantam MGL HG: https://bit.ly/2H44yjG
Line- 12 lb Sunline FC: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm
BUDGET FINESSE COMBO…
Rod- Shimano Intenza 7′ Medium Light: http://bit.ly/2s7kaQn
Reel- Shimano NASCI 2500: http://bit.ly/2g278cC
Line- Sunline Super FC 7 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju
WANT TACTICALBASSIN GEAR??
We have a variety of apparel items and custom lure designs available! Everything from hats, to hoodies, to crankbaits! Its all available direct through Tackle Warehouse with fast shipping. See it here…
TacticalBassin Apparel and Lure Designs: http://bit.ly/38YpPIz
If you plan to do any shopping, using our links before doing your shopping at Tackle Warehouse is the single greatest way to support us! You won’t be able to even see a difference but they’ll know you’re one of us!
#Smallmouth #bassfishing #finesse
Empire pole??
Nothing, I mean nothing beats smallmouth fishing
Hey Tim, I hear you talk about the Deep-X 300 alot but never the Deep-X 100 and 200's. Do you ever use those? I've had good luck with them doing the exact same thing as the D-X 300, just downsized and slightly more shallow.
Yes Sir, Bull Shoals has that clear water smallmouth deal up close to the dam and man that's too much fun!
Love that Dark Sleeper as well. My 11 yr old daughter caught a 7 1/2 lb Cutthroat last year on one in a small Arkansas creek. (guess she would have been 10 at the time) I couldn't have been more proud. She kept getting hung up and frustrated, so I tied that on cause it's pretty rock proof and looks pretty spot on like a sculpin which is what these big Browns, Cutthroat and Brooks eat here in the Red, White and Norfork rivers.
I use the chart/blue swimbait but I like the Big Bite Baits version! Great video. Here in PA, I looove chasing these big mean smallies on the Allegheny river!
You know what it is??…it’s the fight the smallmouth gives, pound for pound a smaller fights way harder than a largemouth…IMO of course
great vid! Was thinking maybe you and Matt could each do your top 5 old reliable baits. Baits that stand the test of time and baits that aren't changed out year after year. thanks!
I agree with all of those! My favorite for drop shot are dark blue midnight robo worms, never fails
Good info! Thanks! I do believe the black jig was marabou feathers and not hair.
My pb smallmouth was 9.6 pounds
Tim you should try the Great Lakes Fineness drop minnow, I've been trying the iridescent color and have been wrecking them
When his number one tip isn't "have enough money to buy a boat and truck" then you know you are off to a bad start. Most of us are bank fisherman because we are poor and the tackle that is recommended is only viable from a boat.
I’m from Louisiana and have only fished for smallmouth 5 days on Broken Bow lake in Oklahoma which isn’t technically a small mouth fishery. I have fell in love with them. They’re so much better than largies and spots
Just had to come back and comment, always fished for smallmouth with keitech swim baits, using the blue/chartreuse for a few weeks now it’s officially my new favorite! And the dark sleeper is a game changer for sure, I’ve already worn a few out since this video came out! Def would love to see more smallmouth specific videos!
smallies are an addiction. they fight so hard and hit hard too
No A-rig ? Going to sturgeon day middle of June . Great videos!!
Smallmouth for me too! Like a freight train at the end of your line.
Your wife picture is that real???
Go fish Champlain. You'll find both largemouth and smallies there
I USE A LUCKY CRAFT CHARTRUCE AND BLUE CLEAR SQUAREBILL THAT JUST KNOCKS EM DEAD, IVE DOUBLED UP TWO FISH ONE ON EACH HOOK WITH IT THEY LOVE THE CHARTRUCE AND BLUE COMBO FOR SURE!!!!!!
Great video, great advice, great recommendations. Another fantastic video. I would love to see a summer version of this as well!
I had a 40 fish day in the UP last spring with a hair jig. The Smallies absolutely were crushing it. 60 degree surface temps.
Come up to Lake St Clair! I am fortunate to live 45 minutes away in Michigan!
There is no video description it used to say more but no it is gone.
I'm not gonna lie Tim, I was really getting into the story about exploring the Great Lakes lol
I live right by Lake St Clair and I AM TELLING YOU….. Zman finesse TRD PBnJ (add a rattle) to 1/4 oz chart/black ned head is what i tie on may-august 80%+ of the time if you have the means 1/4 oz tungsten skirted ned head. Chart head in spring when spawning fish have brighter colors. I work at cabelas i tell people if they dont catch a fish on a pbnj ned righ ill give em 20$ nobody came back for their money yet!! Last 2 times i went fishing i caught 17 fish and 40+ all on that lure
2.8 keitech got left behind 😢
Great video Brother. I am always learning something new and all your tips definitely help, with me being up the road from you all at Fort Knox Army Base in Kentucky
what's up guys if you ever get the chance I suggest fishing the Maumee river for the small mouth run absolutely amazing fishing would guide you guys for free if u needed but I would definitely fish it eather way it runs off lake Erie and is amazing
Isn’t the Vixen discontinued?
Tim, I'm looking for a new DSR. I'm trying to decide between the new expride or a whipsnake? Unless you have another suggestion in that price range…
Can you go over your favorite river smallmouth baits please!!!
Great Video ..always enjoy all of them..On your northern trip you guys should definitely stop in Central PA and fish lake Raystown,there are huge smallies in this lake ….It can be challenging for sure but can also be an awesome fishery as well.
Playing pool in Vegas for a national tournament and still watching TB. Priorities 😄 🤣
What time would u recommend for Cumberland lake or dale hallow to be at their best. We met at the waffle house in dayton last year, u tried to help me get in contact with ur boat trailer guy. Thanks again
I think they Are spawning in Lake Michigan now.I haven’t caught one since April.
Thanks for this!!!
pound for pound the greatest fish on the planet.
I've noticed you guys don't talk much about spybaits. Do you guys not do well with them?
Great video Tim. Thanks man. ✌🏻🎣
I found the smallies in the CA Delta. While not big in size, it’s big in numbers and the ferocity is epic!
One type, among several types of bass…But #1 in my heart !!!
Awwghh….
I LOVE THEM SO MUCH…🤤
Small mouth are mean as a bream on steroids and fight with a real attitude. Nothing better.
So I’m gonna get back into bass fishing this summer. My parents live on a northern MN reservoir full of smallmouth. Pretty dirty/ stained water tho. I already have a 6’9” Med Light spinning rod, and a 7’ MH Mod casting rod. (Walleye rods that are gonna do double duty lol) if you could add 1 rod and reel what would it be?
Come on up to WV and hit the New river.
Great topic, absolutely my favorite fish to chase and this is the best time of year to chase them.
head up to mille lacs in Minnesota, some of the funnest smallie fishing around!