Alright, let’s talk about them best swimbaits for smallmouth bass, you know, the kind that catch them big ones. I ain’t no fancy fisherman, but I’ve been yankin’ fish outta the water for a good long while, and I know what works.
First off, you gotta understand them smallmouth fellas, they ain’t like them largemouths. Smallmouths, they like things a bit more… natural, I guess you could say. They ain’t always lookin’ for somethin’ big and flashy. Sometimes, it’s the little things that get ’em.
So, when we talkin’ swimbaits, we ain’t talkin’ ’bout them giant things you use for muskie. We talkin’ smaller, more… realistic lookin’ stuff. You know, somethin’ that looks like a real little fishy swimmin’ around.
- Size Matters: Don’t go too big. Think 3 to 5 inches, that’s the sweet spot. Too big and them smallmouths, they get spooked. Too small, and they might not even notice it. Gotta find that happy medium, you know?
- Color Me This: Now, color, that’s a whole ‘nother story. If the water’s clear, you wanna go with somethin’ that looks natural. Greens, browns, maybe a little bit of silver or white. Think like a little minnow or somethin’. If the water’s murky, you gotta go a bit brighter. Chartreuse, maybe a little bit of white or yellow. Gotta make sure them fish can see it, even if the water’s all muddy.
- Scent’s Important Too: I heard this fella once say that garlic scent works real good for smallmouths. I ain’t no scientist, but I tried it, and it seemed to work alright. So, if you can find some swimbaits with a little bit of garlic smell to ’em, might be worth a try.
Now, let’s talk about the different types of swimbaits. There’s a bunch of ’em, but I’m gonna focus on the ones that work best for smallmouth.
Paddle Tail Swimbaits: These are the ones with the little flappy tail on the back. They make a nice little thumpin’ sound and vibration in the water, and that draws them smallmouths in. They’re real good for fishin’ in open water, or along the edges of weeds and rocks.
Boot Tail Swimbaits: These are kinda similar to paddle tails, but the tail is shaped more like a boot. They have a little bit more of a side-to-side action, and they can be real good for fishin’ in current, or around cover like rocks and logs.
Segmented Swimbaits: These are the fancy ones. They’re made up of multiple sections, and they have a real lifelike swimmin’ action. They can be a bit more expensive, but they can be real effective, especially when the fish are being picky.
Plastic Worms: Now, some folks might not call these swimbaits, but I do. Especially them ones with the little curly tail. You just put ’em on a jig head and they swim just fine. And they’re cheap too! A worm and a jig head, that’s probably less than a dollar. And they work real good in the summertime when them smallmouths are down deep.
So, there you have it. My take on the best swimbaits for smallmouth. Remember, keep it simple, keep it natural, and don’t be afraid to experiment. And most importantly, have fun! Fishin’ ain’t just about catchin’ fish, it’s about bein’ out there on the water, enjoyin’ the peace and quiet.
One more thing, them fancy colors and all that, they might work sometimes, but don’t overthink it. Sometimes, a plain ol’ worm is all you need. And when the sun’s shinin’ bright, them natural colors work best. But when it’s cloudy or the water’s deep, you gotta go with somethin’ that stands out. Think about it, if you can’t see it good, how’s a fish gonna see it? It’s just common sense, really.
Anyways, I hope this helps ya catch some big ol’ smallmouths. Now get out there and go fishin’!
Don’t forget the important part , you need to know where to fish. Smallmouth bass like clean, clear water. They like rocks and gravel and places where they can hide and ambush their prey. So find a good spot, cast your line, and be patient. Sometimes them fish, they bite right away, and sometimes you gotta work for ‘em. But that’s part of the fun, ain’t it?
And remember, fishin’ ain’t always about the biggest or the most. Sometimes, it’s just nice to be out there, enjoyin’ nature. But a big smallmouth sure does make it a little bit better!
Tags: [smallmouth bass, swimbaits, fishing lures, paddle tail, boot tail, segmented swimbaits, plastic worms, bass fishing, fishing tips]