Tips for Catching Trophy Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass

Over and over again over the years, I have heard many anglers and customers express their frustration in trying to catch smallmouth bass. Most anglers don’t realize that these fish have their own set of behaviors that distinguish them from largemouth bass. The main differences between a smallmouth bass and a largemouth bass are as follows:

If you fish smallmouth here in the Northeast, especially on the Susquehanna River in Maryland, you’ll find that smallmouth bass don’t stick as hard for cover. This is even more evident in some of our stagnant water tanks. Smallmouth is much more related to sudden or rapid depth change than what they cover. When fishing for largemouth, we are all taught to fish for brush piles and thick brush beds, but smallmouth bass are more likely to be caught on a rocky ledge that drops rapidly from about six to twelve feet.

When fishing the reservoirs here, like the Conowingo, or rivers like the Susquehanna, smallmouths are sometimes caught in shallow water, but are rarely more than 10 to 20 yards from deep water. The Rapala DT series has been taking good small talk in these areas.

Wherever we go we see most bass anglers panning the shoreline, and since this can work for bass most of the time, if it’s a big bass you’re after, turn around and cast out into the open sea on instead of hitting the shore.

Unlike largemouths, largemouths are often grouped together by size. I found that if we were catching smaller fish, in the eleven to fourteen inch range, we rarely caught a big one in the same area. On the other hand, when we did catch a smallmouth that was over four or five pounds, there were often several that size and even larger swimming alongside them. Large bass are solitary, usually found alone in the best structure, while larger bass often congregate.

There are several things that tell you that smallmouth bass are much better suited to strong currents than largemouth bass. On the one hand, their pointed noses and the sharp angle of their fins are indicators that they are better adapted to the current. They often hide behind a rock or stump and run off to feed. Largemouths can adapt somewhat to the current, but are much more comfortable in calm water.

Locating and then catching the big smallmouth is a real challenge. That’s why it’s so fun. Hopefully by reading through some of these methods you will have gained a better understanding of where these trophy fish are going and what they are looking for and of course hopefully this will give you the fish of a lifetime. Remember, get out early and late in the year and brave the elements, hit these prime areas with the baits we describe, and remember above all, go for a completely different fish! “These are NOT loudmouths!”

There are thousands of small ponds, lakes, and rivers that contain “Huge Bass” from Maine to Florida. Over the past 10 years of keeping records and having caught and released over 600 bass from 5 to 10lbs, from small waters on the East Coast, and one over 10lbs from Delaware, these are the tactics I have found that produce consistent trophies. every year.

Even in small bodies of water (less than 1000 acres), there will only be a small portion of the water that will contain the larger bass. The most important features to look for are areas where more than two or three different types of vegetation congregate in the same area. Now, not all of these areas will have big fish. The biggest fish in the lake will always be in the best coverage and location. This will be where the various grasses combine near a stream channel in or near the beds and flats, adjacent to deep water cover.

Generally, this deep water access will also contain other cover, which is not visible without the use and understanding of good electronics, and a good understanding of what you are looking at. Sometimes the features at the bottom will be subtle, but they will be the “hot spot” of the area. Small depressions, with rocks or boulders along the drop, if they have a current break, will be prime spots for Trophy Bass. When there is no real cover, such as rocks or trees, sometimes depth alone can provide adequate cover against light penetration and produce good results.

In small bodies of water, such as in Delaware and Maryland, largemouth bass are generally found in the same or very close to the same locations throughout the year. This does not guarantee a trophy in any way. It is rare to catch the biggest fish in the lake by conventional means. Many large bass of five to eight pounds are caught with artificials such as spinnerbaits, jigs, frogs, swimbaits, and buzzbaits each year, but as a rule, the true trophies, 9 pounds and over, are caught with specialized techniques and live bait. . Recently, several big bass have been hitting large “Saltwater” Rat-L-Traps in the size of 3/4 ounce and up in various colors, worked with a fast rod pump action, and swimming bait tactics. employed by the west coast. angles.

Sebile’s “Magic Swimmer” and Tru-Tungsten 4-inch swimbait have really produced big bass in the Northeast. I never thought these baits would work here until I met Bill Seimantel at the World Big Bass Championships at Table Rock Lake in Missouri in 1999, and he convinced me to try them here in the Northeast. Since then, swimbaits of all kinds have produced numerous trophy-class fish.

When fishing for true “trophies bass” the best bait to use is the main forage in the body of water where you are fishing. This should be researched ahead of time by contacting the Department of Fish and Game for the state you plan to fish in and checking with local tackle stores. You also need to know what is legal to use in each state you are fishing in.

Most of the lakes, ponds and rivers in the Delaware and Maryland area have golden shimmers and will produce really big bass. When these aren’t available, extra large glitters are the next best thing. If you insist on using only artificials, then a large frog, a large buzzbait, a 12″ worm, a 3/4 to 1 1/2 ounce Rat-L-Trap, or a “Castaic”, “Sebile”, or ” Matt Lures” Swim Bait are the best options.

You’ll need at least two to three dozen dark circles every time you go, and they need to be in a temperature controlled, chemically treated bait keeping system to ensure they’re alive. This is very important. When using live millroach or shoe shine on a deep frame, I like to hook them over the back and, for sliding, over the lips. When working cattails, swamp bulrush, and heavy pads, I hook them through the tail and let them swim to the heavy deck where the bass are. Use sharp, Daiichi or X-Point hooks from 3/0 to 5/0. I like to use balloons instead of bobbers, they work best if you blow them up to the size of a small orange. You can tie them directly on the line and use split shot if you prefer.

The best equipment is a high quality, 7-7 1/2 foot, E-glass or S-glass, heavy action rod such as G.Loomis or St.Croix. Recently, many shaft manufacturers are making composite and graphite shafts that are lighter, yet stronger, and produce the same characteristics as the older E or S Glass shafts. G. Loomis makes a good one, as does Kistler. I always use at least a seventeen pound test line, and most of the time twenty to thirty pound monofilament. In certain deep water or heavy cover situations I use the forty to fifty pound test “Stren Super Braid” or “Power-Pro line”.

I suggest using a good baitcasting rod, but a heavy action spinning rod will also work. Reels should be strong metal, with at least 3 ball bearings and strong brass gears or better, in a 5:1:1 or 5:3:1 gear ratio, or similar range. It is best for all the power and speed of these larger fish. The knots are very important. The best knot to use is the Palomar, it has a 100% knot strength. You should also learn some other special knots for braids and other super lines.

The best time to go is whenever you can. However, if you only have a few days and have a choice, solunar tables, weather conditions, and barometer should all be considered. They play an important role in the activity of fish. In early spring, anglers willing to brave the elements will catch the largest bass. These fish attack earlier in the year than most people imagine.

There are some great little waters for Trophy bass in Rhode Island, Vermont, Minnesota, Florida, and of course California, Arizona, and Texas. In the Northeast, though, you can’t go wrong spending your time in Delaware at Noxontown Lake in Middletown, Lums Pond in Bear, Killens in Dover, and Diamond in Milton. The Susquehanna River, Liberty Reservoir, and the Potomac River in Maryland are also home to huge fish that you can fish for both largemouth and smallmouth. These waters, fished with the techniques described in this article, will produce the “Trophy of your life”.

Northeast Bass Fishing for Trophy Bass