With our recent warm up here in the Northland the Smallmouth Bass have headed into the their respective nesting areas. Finding shallow rock piles in which the bass build their nests is key to success during this period of time. The new Lakemaster chip will help you pinpoint likely holding areas. We’ve been focusing our energies on slow dropping rocky points and shoals. Some of these locations will have 2 Bass while some have big numbers. Of course this time of year if you catch one there should be at least 2 unless… Never mind!
Wind action has drastically increased the productivity of the area. Likely the break up on the water allows for a more stealthy entrance to get on top of these beds. I’ve had my groups anchored or held with the motor far distances from the nesting areas. We then are all throwing different presentations at them until we find the right trigger for that particular day. We’ve been enjoying big numbers aggressive TOADS!
I personally like pitching 4 inch grubs in a Pumpkin seed or watermelon color at these fish with as light of a jig as I can get away with. Stock up on 1/8 oz. Precision H20 jig heads with plastic keepers. They will drastically increase the holding retention of your plastic presentation. A slow fall will drastically increase your catch rate on these fish. Keeping your bait of choosing in the strike zone for longer periods of time with naturally increase your catch rates. We’ve also had great success with Crawfish cranks, Poppers, Chuggers, Ring Worms, and Brush hogs. Working these baits very slow has been KEY!!!
The nice thing about fishing smallies with grubs is that you will likely catch yourself a mixed bag when the wind comes up. We’ve landed several monster walleyes pitching these shallow rocks. Pretty nice bonus pulling big walleyes out of 3 f.o.w. Great time of year to be fishing with the water temps finally on a STEADY rise. Fish are starting to follow some seasonal patterns and movements.
Great Report
Nice Fish
Great Looking Smallies.
Nice job.
Jack.