Top 5 Baits To Catch BIG Smallmouth Bass!

Which baits catch the BIGGEST fish? That's what we all really want to know! When it comes to smallmouth (as well as spotted bass and largemouth) there are a handful of baits that really stand out from the rest. We've narrowed it down through countless hours on the water to a few key baits that can be fished in unique ways when you really want to catch a big one. 

During the prespawn you want to cover water quickly. Smallmouth school together, leaving huge parts of the lake virtually barren. The baits we use not only catch big bass, they help you find them quickly. After that the baits begin to fit niches. Swimbaits cover a ton of water, jerkbaits draw a core feed response, and the tube can elicit a strike from the wariest clear water bass. 

Below you'll find links to all the baits, rods, and equipment Matt discussed in the video. We've included his favorite colors, hooks, etc... to really help you dial in your gear. All the links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

A-Rig... 

-Hog Farmer Tactical Bladed Flex Rig: https://bit.ly/38xd1es

-Hog Farmer Tactical Non-Bladed Flex Rig: https://bit.ly/3vhpSez

Tube Baits... 

-Netbait STH Tube: https://bit.ly/3aU0oeU

Colors- Dark Melon Gold Purple, Juvenile Goby, Ten Point

-Big Bite Tour Tube: http://bit.ly/32e23VR

Colors- Green Pumpkin Blue, Green Pumpkin Purple Copper

-Savage Gear 3D Goby Tube: https://bit.ly/33QGXzy

Colors- Brown Purple Copper, Goby, Light Pumpkin

Tube Heads... 

-Blade Runner Inhaler Jighead: https://bit.ly/2NX7nYr

2.5" Tube- 1/8 oz with 1/0

Standard Tubes- 1/8 - 1/4  oz with 2/0

Hair Jigs... 

-Andy's Custom Maribou: https://bit.ly/3uYqDsw

-Outkast Feider Fly: http://bit.ly/2G7TBwj

Sizes: 3/32 - 1/8 oz

Color: Black

Swimbaits... 

Bait- Megabass Dark Sleeper: http://bit.ly/2TyR1GT

Colors- Wakasagi, Donko, Haze

Sizes- 3" 1/2 oz and 3" 3/4 oz

Bait- Keitech Fat Swing Impact (3.8"): http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Colors- Smallmouth Magic, Green Pumpkin Fire, Electric Bluegill

Head- Tactical Finesse (3/8 oz): http://bit.ly/2Pqrq3n

Bait- Keitech 4" Easy Shiner: http://bit.ly/2bxJK6H

Colors- Crystal Shad, Dark Sculpin, Electric Bluegill

Head- Dirty Jigs Guppy Head 1/8 oz: http://bit.ly/2nyUJRS

Jerkbaits... 

-Megabass Vision 110: http://bit.ly/2j31TKb

Colors- Matte Skeleton Shad, Matte Pro Blue, Matte Shad

-Megabass Vision 110 Jr: http://bit.ly/2OeAFBf

Colors- GP Pro Blue 2, Elegy Bone, Ito Clear Laker

Matt's Hair Jig Combo... 

Rod- Megabass P5 Spinning (Baby Plugging): https://bit.ly/31Pt839

Reel- Shimano Vanford 1000: https://bit.ly/2PDlKlB

Alternate Reel- Shimano Twin Power FD 1000: https://bit.ly/3df3hX5

Line- Sunline 5 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Tube Jig Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis NRX+ 872S JWR (Pre-Order Available): https://bit.ly/3y0Ss5m

Reel- Shimano Twin Power 2500 FD: https://bit.ly/3df3hX5

Line- Sunline SX1 Braid 12 lb: http://bit.ly/2tn8EzQ

Leader- Sunline Fluorocarbon 7 lb: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Keitech/Dark Sleeper Rods... 

High End- Megabass P5 Dark Sleeper: https://bit.ly/30GcHqb

Mid Range- Shimano Expride 6'10" Medium: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Budget- Shimano SLX 6'10" Medium: http://bit.ly/2L3wppO

Keitech/Dark Sleeper Reels... 

High End- Shimano Aldebaran MGL (HG): http://bit.ly/2uQ4oH8

Mid Range- Shimano Curado 70 MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/3jdrMqa

Budget- Shimano SLX 70 MGL (HG): https://bit.ly/3gIUCgJ

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

How To Catch Bigger Smallmouth (And Largemouth) - Everything You Need To Know - Finesse Bass Fishing

Smallmouth are amazing! They're aggressive, even in cold water. They're willing to migrate huge distances for food. When you set the hook they give you a ride that is unrivaled by the other bass. There is little wonder why so many anglers love Smallmouth bass fishing. Targeting these predators requires a finesse touch and some unique gear that is often overlooked for the other bass species.  

While you can catch a smallmouth on virtually anything, the fish tend to favor clearer water and a true finesse touch will increase your odds dramatically. In today's video Tim dives into his favorite finesse tactics and equipment for consistently targeting these bronze backs. 

Below is a breakdown of the gear he discussed in order of appearance. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item. 

Finesse Keitech Swimbaits... 

-Keitech Fat Swing Impact 4.3 and 3.8: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Colors: Chartreuse Blue, Crystal Shad, Goby, Smallmouth Magic

-Tactical Finesse Swimbait Head 3/8 oz: http://bit.ly/2Pqrq3n

-2.8 keitech Fat Swing Impact: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

Colors: Electric Shad, Pro Blue Red Pearl, Tennessee Shad

-Dirty Jigs 1/8 oz Guppy Head 1/0: http://bit.ly/2nyUJRS

Finesse Swimbaits…

-Megabass 3" Spark Shad: http://bit.ly/2XcLZk4

Colors: Purple Haze, Real, Silver Shad

-Megabass 1/16 oz Okashira Head: http://bit.ly/2EpluSA

-Megabass Dark Sleeper 2.4" and 3": http://bit.ly/2TyR1GT

Colors: Donko, Haze, Hanahaze Wakasagi

Spy Baits... 

-Duo Realis Spin Bait 80: http://bit.ly/2oeVG1m

Colors: Ghost SX Shad, BK Ayu, Ghost Minnow

-Duo Realis Spin Bait 90: http://bit.ly/2nhw56N

Colors: Ghost Minnow, Purple Reign AM, Shiner AM

Hair Jigs... 

-Outkast Tackle Feider Fly 3/32 (Black): http://bit.ly/2G7TBwj

Dropshot Worms...

-Big Bite Baits Smallie Smasher: http://bit.ly/2ZpCOCY

Colors: Chick Magnet, Green Pump Purp, Smoke Purp Flake

-Strike King Half Shell: http://bit.ly/2iR9awm

Colors: Morning Dawn, Magic, TW Green Pumpkin

Dropshot Rigging... 

Light Wire Hook- Owner Mosquito Light (Size 1, 2): http://bit.ly/2zQVKx3

Medium Wire Hook- Trokar Dropshot (Size 1, 2): http://bit.ly/2ahxJOr

Tungsten Tie-On Weight- Swagger Tear Drop (3/16): http://bit.ly/37AVcrx

Tungsten Dropshot Weight- Swagger Tear Drop (3/16): http://bit.ly/2V2B63h

Tubes... 

-Dry Creek Tournament Tube 3.5": http://bit.ly/2cJwI6r

Colors: Old Ugly, Mocha Copper Pepper, Crazy Eddie

-Big Bite Tour Tube 3.5": http://bit.ly/32e23VR

Colors: Tilapia, Green Pumpkin Purple Copper Flk

Tube Heads... 

-Bite me 60 degree Flat Eye Head (3/16): http://bit.ly/2diyVXK

-Provider Tackle 90 degree (3/16): http://bit.ly/2OAvYRv

Z Man Ned Rig Baits... 

-Z Man Finesse TRD: http://bit.ly/2hs4RtR

Colors: Green Pumpkin Goby, Canada Craw, Mud Bug

-Z Man TRD BugZ: http://bit.ly/2oiavEE

Colors: Green Pumpkin, Mud Bug, Hot Snakes

-Z Man TRD TicklerZ: http://bit.ly/2mGyDAC

Colors: Green Pumpkin Goby, Canada Craw, Mud Bug

Other Ned Rig Worms... 

-Xzone Ned Zone stick Bait 3": http://bit.ly/2mRiYhF

Colors: 309, Green Pump Purple, Minnow Magic

-Roboworm Ned Worm 3": http://bit.ly/2j9F0Xy

Colors: Desert Craw, TW Black Blue Pumpkin

-Missile Baits Ned Bomb: http://bit.ly/2XCOGwd

Colors: Super Bug, Bluetonium Green Pumpkin Core

Ned Heads... 

Tungsten- Swagger Flanders Head 1/6 oz: http://bit.ly/2KcIB6M

Lead- Z Man Ned LockZ HD Head: http://bit.ly/2kIgRYK

Stick Baits... 

-5" Yamamoto Senko: http://bit.ly/2axAmNS

Colors: Baby Bass, Crushed Goby, Electric Worm

-5" Yum Dinger: http://bit.ly/2J8nMrF

Colors: Elders Magic, Green Pumpkin, Ozark Smoke

Stick Bait Rigging... 

-G7 O-Rings 7MM: http://bit.ly/2PWEkUs

-G7 O Ring Tool: http://bit.ly/2PRMNrG

-Owner Jungle Wacky Weedless Hook: https://bit.ly/2VKZl9U

-Gamakatsu Finesse Wide Gap Hook: http://bit.ly/2aKGmHM

Tim's Favorite Keitech Combo... 

Rod- G Loomis GLX 853C JWR: http://bit.ly/2gqziwT

Reel- Shimano Chronarch MGL HG: http://bit.ly/2n8DghB

Line- Sunline Sniper 12 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Tim's Favorite Ultra-Finesse Combo... 

Rod- Shimano Conquest 902S SJR: http://bit.ly/2BiGUNi

Reel- Shimano Exsence 3000: http://bit.ly/2iMtscV

Line- Sunline SX1 Braid 10 lb: http://bit.ly/2tn8EzQ

Leader- Sunline Sniper 6 lb Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Tim's Feider Combo... 

Rod- Daiwa Tatula Elite AGS 7'6" ML: http://bit.ly/2QHupT9

Reel- Shimano Stradic CI4+ 2500: http://bit.ly/2gu84t7

Line- Sunline 6 lb Sniper Fluorocarbon: http://bit.ly/2p7fxju

Summer Ledge Fishing - Crankbaits, Underspins, and Hair Jigs

Today we're on Pickwick Lake looking for Summer bass on offshore ledges and breaks. This time of year the bass stack up on the edges around current and can be caught on a variety of power fishing techniques. We found an aggressive school in 20-25 feet of water and had a great time figuring out which baits they would eat.

The fish we located today were in a giant school. They gathered in the confluence if two river arms and were feeding aggressively on shad and other baitfish that came down the current. We used a 3-part method to catch these fish. We started out with a deep crankbait to fire up the school then switched to a hair jig and a heavy underspin to keep the fish's interest once the initial flurry was over.

Ledge fishing is an awesome way to catch a bunch of bass in a hurry. Its also an amazing opportunity to catch BIG bass in the middle of Summer. If your local lake has current in the Summer, you have fish that back out to the outside structures, ledges, and breaks. This fishing style will work on your lake and you might be amazed how big of bass you can catch in the heat of the day.

Below is a breakdown of the baits and equipment we used to catch the fish in today's video. We also included a few color recommendations to make it easier for you to apply the techniques to your local lakes.

The baits...

-6th Sense Cloud 9 C20: http://bit.ly/2BQ4uDs

(Wild Shad, Platinum Citrus, Sexified Chartreuse Shad, Shad Fantasy)

-Strike King 6XD: http://bit.ly/2ery44M

(Sexy Shad, Turtle Shad, Chartreuse Sexy Shad, Sexy Blue Back Herring, Powder Blue)

-Picasso Hair Jig 1 oz: http://bit.ly/2FeJkAb

(Bling Shad, White)

-Blade Runner 1 oz SpinTrix Underspin: http://bit.ly/29UVegz

(Anchovy, Black Shad, Grey Shad, Pearl)

-Keitech 4.8 Fat Swing Impact Swimbait: http://bit.ly/2ab7s8v

(Pro Blue Red Pearl, Ghost Rainbow, Electric Shad, Gizzard Shad)

Upgraded Crankbait Hardware...

-Hooks- Gamakatsu EWG Size 2: http://bit.ly/2cZrsbY

-Split Rings- Owner Hyperwire Size 4: http://bit.ly/2v8ArBX

Crankbait Combo...

Rod- Zodias 7'6" MH Glass: http://bit.ly/2cgmMAe

Reel- Curado 200K: http://bit.ly/2tHewEh

Line- 15 lb Sunline Assassin: http://bit.ly/2h4LNjm

Jig Combo...

Rod- Expride 7'7" Heavy: http://bit.ly/2nTq9FL

Reel- Curado 150 DC HG: http://bit.ly/2yHtsp4

Line- 50 lb Power Pro Maxcuatro: http://bit.ly/2clBRiQ

Leader- 20 lb Maxima Ultragreen: http://bit.ly/2ae97J9

Electronics...

-Humminbird Solix 15 G2: http://bit.ly/2Hazsej

-Map Card- Lakemaster Plus Digital: http://bit.ly/2Dk5Erc