How do you catch smallmouth bass on Lake Erie?
Productive lures include jigging spoons, blade baits and spoonbill jerkbaits; however tube jigs, soft plastics and live bait are angler favorites. “Tubes” are a top artificial bait for Erie smallmouths and can be used effectively through cast and retrieve, vertical jigging or combined with a drop-shot rig.
What do smallmouth bass eat in spring?
Jerkbaits Another early-spring smallmouth bass favorite is the jerkbait. Jerkbaits make great cold water baits, and ideal for targeting smallies in the early spring cooler water temperatures. The reason it works so well is they have the ability to be worked really slow, this is especially true for suspending jerkbaits.
How do you catch a river smallmouth in the spring?
Subsurface baits usually work best for river smallmouths during spring. Shallow crankbaits in crayfish patterns, 1/8- or 1/4-ounce spinnerbaits, and #2 straight-shaft spinners are fine options.
Where is the best smallmouth bass fishing in the United States?
1. Lake Erie, Ohio-Ontario-New York-Pennsylvania — Of all the smallmouth waters in North America, Erie seems likely to be a perennial topper for lists like this one. Biologists report that Erie experienced perhaps its largest-ever smallmouth hatch in 1992. In 1998, those fish will average 20 inches or better.
What should I throw for Bass in April?
Here are some of the best early spring bass fishing lures to try this season:
- Suspending Jerkbaits.
- Lipless Crankbaits.
- Jigbaits With Crawfish or Grub.
- Plastic Worms.
- Tubes.
- Drop-Shot Rigs.
- Best Technique for Suspending Jerkbaits.
- Best Technique for Lipless Crankbaits.
Where is smallmouth in spring?
Veteran spring smallmouth anglers seek out flats and offshore humps, search steep bluffs that drop into deep water, and check out the warming creeks and backwater areas off the main lake until they mark concentrations of smallmouths or the offshore structure they prefer.
Where is the best smallmouth bass fishing in Ohio?
Great Miami River – Ohio’s best river to catch smallmouth bass
- Supports a very diverse fish population.
- Produces record-sized fish.
- Ranks as Ohio’s best river to catch large smallmouth bass.
- Ranks as a top two riverin Ohio for Rock Bass and a top three for sauger.
- Has produced noteworthy fish in every month of the year.
When is smallmouth bass season on Lake Erie?
Anglers can enjoy an early bass season on Lake Erie to take advantage of the great fishing available for smallmouth bass during spring. From the 1st Saturday in May to the regular season opener of statewide black bass season on 3rd Saturday in June, anglers may take one bass at a minimum of 20 inches per day in Lake Erie and its tributaries.
Where can I Fish Lake Erie in spring spring?
Spring. Smallmouth bass will run up many tributaries along the Lake Erie shoreline, but the most popular (due to number of fish and amount of public access) are Cattaraugus Creek, Eighteen Mile Creek, Canadaway Creek and Chautauqua Creek. Bass concentrations are highest in the mid to lower areas of the streams.
What are the most commonly caught fish in Lake Erie?
Smallmouth bass are the most frequently caught fish species in Lake Erie and fishing trips for smallmouths make up about 25% of all Lake Erie fishing trips for the entire year. Anglers travel from across the country to fish for Lake Erie bronzebacks.
What is the best time of year to Fish Lake Erie?
As Lake Erie waters warm, post-spawn smallmouths move to deeper water zones where they will hold during the summer months (late June through August). The bass bite is usually best between 20 and 40 feet of water, however bass can be found deeper. The key to successful summer smallmouth bass fishing is to locate bottom structure.