Smallmouth Bass
Characteristics
Smallmouth Bass are freshwater fish. They are bronze to brownish green in colour with dark vertical bars on its sides, which become blotchy with age.
The average size Smallmouth in Canada will weigh 1-2 pounds though specimens exceeding 4 pounds are not uncommon. They get their names from their unique upper jaw, with the corner of their mouth extending to the middle of their reddish eyes (while Largemouth Bass will be seen with the corner of their mouth extending past their eyes). Adults have a varied diet, consuming insect larvae, crayfish, and other smaller fish.
They are moderately aggressive creatures and may take some coaxing before they decide to bite, but once they strike, they’ll do so hard and fast. They are known for putting up a tremendous fight for anglers, who often relish in reeling in such a challenge. When hooked, these bronze-bodied fish often dive and surface several times over before they submit.
Habitat
With its streamlined body, Smallmouth Bass are well adapted to live in flowing or calm water. They prefer clear, rocky areas of a lake, pond shores, or medium to larger sized rivers.
With their preference for structure, it’s best to fish along the shoreline, where they can find shadowy areas sheltered by tree roots or rocks. They hunt for food both in shallow and deep waters, so they can be fished for at various depths.
They aren’t very tolerant of warmer waters, so they usually move into deeper water in the Summer heat. They are most popular in Quebec and Ontario but can also be found in the southern regions of Manitoba, Alberta, and certain stocked lakes across Canada.
Jerkbait
This refers to a lure which is shaped like a minnow with a horizontal presentation. The jerkbait will appear to swim in a shimmy action.
A jerkbait is best utilized in combination with a snap-pause retrieve. This action makes the jerkbait move in erratic and darting motions, attracting Bass, by playing on their aggressive nature. You can maneuver this by moving the tip of your rod downward in a snapping motion, then returning to its original position while reeling your line to account for the distance travelled.
Every few jerks, pause for a few seconds to give the fish an opportunity to make a strike. The warmer the weather, the faster and more aggressive you’ll want to move, as activity levels are generally higher in higher-temperature waters.
Plastics
There are a variety of different plastic baits available for use in a wide array of shapes, colours, and sizes, each iteration with its own strengths.
The clearer the water you're fishing in and the brighter the day, the brighter the plastic should be. In murkier waters with low visibility, you’ll want to use a plastic that produces more vibrations, like a Twister Tail, the Curly Tail Grub, or paddle tails. In colder water, the plastic you select should be on the smaller side.
Dropshot
The idea is to have the bait suspended at the level where it puts the bait in line with the fish's mouth. This approach originated as a technique for deeper waters using heavier gear, but it has evolved to be used in shallower waters with lighter gear as well.
It’s best to choose a hook that works well with nose-hooking your bait, which provides the most natural action. A drop-shot rig is a variation of the traditional rigging technique, where the hook comes before the weight, usually between 6 inches and 4 feet up the line from the sinker, which should be at the very bottom of your line.
Topwater
During the warmer months when Bass are more likely to feed from the surface, as the smallmouth Bass stay close to the shallower areas post-spawn to protect their fry, this technique is a must-try. Anglers love this tactic mostly because it provides a front row seat to all the action, and there’s nothing more satisfying than watching a calm surface suddenly explode from an aggressive strike.
It’s particularly effective in heavy vegetation areas, where Largemouth Bass have been known to strike right at the surface, tearing through anything in their way. Stick to shady areas and mind the speed at which you work your lure (the colder the water, the slower the retrieve).
Moping Technique for Open Water Fishing
Moping is a popular technique, thanks to the new sonar technology. Moping or the "damiki rig," has proven highly effective for finicky Bass and other species like Walleye, and Pike in clear water conditions or when fishing for highly pressured fish.
What is Moping Technique in Fishing
“Moping” involves using a light swimbait jig with a fluke to fish slowly in a vertical motion. It is done either directly below the boat or by casting the lure a short distance away and allowing it to swing back in at the desired depth. Anglers use subtle movements to mimic the movements of live baitfish and attract fish to bite. Many anglers rely on forward-facing sonar to precisely locate the target species and pitch their lure out, hoping to swim it by the fish. It is recommended to use a sensitive rod and lightweight line, usually within the range of a 4-to-8-pound test.
Jig Selection: Swimbait jigs weighing between 1/16 ounce—3/8 ounce are recommended for this technique. Lighter jigs enable slower fishing and keep the lure in front of the target fish for longer. Heavier jigs are better suited for deeper water and windy conditions. Use a swimbait jig with a 90-degree eyelet to keep the bait horizontal and a flat top for a stronger return on the sonar.
Lure Selection: Flukes in the 3-5-inch range are typically used for this technique, depending on the size and aggressiveness of the fish. TPE (Thermoplastic elastomer) baits are usually preferred over plastisol/PVC baits as they are buoyant and help keep the bait horizontal, giving it a more natural appearance. The best practice to entice finicky fish to bite is to use a lure that is similarly coloured to the forage in the water body being fished.
Pro tip: Practice imparting lifelike movements to mope the lure by gently twitching the rod tip. Experiment with different retrieve speeds and pauses to find what works best.
Where to Mope
Jeff Gustafson, the winner of the 2023 Bassmaster Classic Champion mentions, it is ideal to mope in colder waters at 15 to 30 feet of water, but it works any time Bass are feeding in the 20–35-foot range.
Pro tip: Use a dab of super glue on the tip of your soft plastic to securely attach it to your jighead. Repositioning and re-rigging of plastics will be reduced, and your bait will be presented properly even if you get a short bit.