COMMON NAMES:
Northern smallmouth, black, brown, gold, green bass, bronze-back, redeye, smallie, jumper
Dr. James Henshall, a Cincinatti physician with a passion for fishing, promoted smallmouth bass — most commonly referred to at that time as “black bass” — as a superior fish deserving broad distribution throughout the country. In 1881 Henshall published the Book of the Black Bass, in which he described black bass as follows:
“As a food fish, there are few, if any, more palatable freshwater fishes, its flesh being firm, white, and flaky, and when cooked, nutty, tender, and juicy; it has few bones and little offal, and as a pan fish is unexcelled. Its game qualities are second to none, and it will thrive and multiply in waters where the trouts can not exist.“
DESCRIPTION:
The smallmouth bass is generally green with dark vertical bands rather than a horizontal band along the side. There are 13-15 soft rays in the dorsal fin, and the upper jaw never extends beyond the eye. The smallmouth bass has long been recognized as one of the feistiest freshwater game fish of North American. When an angler first experiences a smallmouth fight he is always impressed by the great leaps and exciting tailwalks. Like the large mouth bass, the smallmouth bass is shaped for maneuverability and will if allowed any slack line use this attribute to get off of the fisherman’s hook. There is little more exciting than catching river smallmouth, especially when hooked on light line. They can effectively be fished from a boat or the shoreline. The colouring of the smallmouth bass develops to perfectly match its environment. Thus, weed oriented smallmouth would take on an obvious greenish colour, while those that are more often found near rocky lake shoals are usually different shades of brown or light gold.
SIZE:
Although they are one of the most challenging of freshwater game fish, the average smallmouth bass weighs only 2 to 3 pounds. A fish over 5 pounds is generally a real trophy, but a fair number of six to seven-pound fish are caught every year. This is especially true of the great lakes area where for example on lake Erie you can routinely catch numbers of fish that are five pounds or more every fall.
WORLD RECORD
The world record stands at an intimidating 10 pounds, 14 ounces. It came from Dale Hollow Lake in Kentucky where quality habitat, optimum conditions, and a long growing season all contributed to produce this record.
WHERE THEY CAN BE FOUND:
Although the smallmouth bass was originally found only in eastern North America, it has now been introduced over a much wider area. It has been successfully stocked in most U.S. states and has had extensive success on Canada’s East Coast. Smallmouth now thrive in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, and there are good populations in B.C., Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. The native populations in southern Ontario and Quebec have expanded northwards to Timmins in Ontario and Hull in Quebec.
HABITS AND HABITAT:
The smallmouth bass’s smaller mouth dictates the prey it can eat compared to its bucket mouthed relative, the largemouth. Mature smallmouth will feed on a variety aquatic insects, crayfish, and other smaller bait fish. Occasionally frogs will form a part of the smallmouth’s diet, if they are available. Smallmouth are generally more aggressive in nature than largemouth. This is partially due to the fact that they prefer a current, which the largemouth doesnt. This is known to stimulate a fishes metabolism and appetite. Males move into spawning areas once the surface temperature goes over 50 degrees Fahrenheit. In lakes, nests are usually located nearer to the shore on pea-size gravel bottoms, rocky outcroppings or deep bluffs. In rivers, they will nest downstream from boulders or some other obstruction that offers protection against the stronger current. Males can spawn with several females on a single nest. Eggs hatch in about 10 days if the water temps are in the mid-50s. They can hatch in as little as 2-3 days if the water temperature is in the 70s. Males guard the nest from the time eggs are laid until fry disperse. This can take up to one month. Like all other black bass, fry begin to feed on zooplankton, switching to insect larvae and finally fish and crayfish as they grow in size.
During the earlier part of the season lake populations of smallmouth are found in shallow to medium-deep water over rocky and sandy areas. The best areas have broken rock and rubble with lots of nooks and crannies to hide the schools of minnows as well as crayfish. If there is easy access to deep water, that area will have even more potential for larger numbers of smallmouth bass. When the water warms up in mid-summer, most smallmouth move into deeper water which may be up to 40 feet in depth. These areas are often close to their early summer haunts because smallmouth move very little throughout the year. In the fall, there is a general migration back to the shallow waters as the temperature drops. River smallmouth follow this same general pattern, feeding and holding in shallower water then retreating to deeper pools in the heat of the summer.
Smallmouth are usually found in clearer water than their cousin the largemouth bass. In general, Smallmouth relate to two types of habitat: moving waterand rock. The fish is specially adapted to live in streams and rivers. The smallmouth prefers cooler water than the largemouth, although both species can be found living in the same fishery. Because it is relatively intolerant of pollution, the smallmouth bass is a good indicator of how healthy an environment really is, though it can better adjust to changes in water condition than many other species.
SMALLMOUTH BASS FISHING TECHNIQUES:
There are many popular techniques for catching Smallmouth Bass. These include casting a variety of lures, drifting with live bait and fly-casting. The versatility of casting lures makes this the most popular technique among anglers from across North America. The incredible variety of presentations makes Smallmouth fishing both enjoyable and rewarding. The jig is probably the most popular lure, especially when it is cast over rock piles and shoals and then slowly hopped along the bottom back towards the angler. Minnow and crayfish colored jigs are amoungst the best for productivity, although gobie shaped and coloured plastics on a jig head are particularly effective in some areas of the great lakes. The Mister Twister Sassy Shad in the natural minnow color on a jig is also a great combo for most fishing situations. Boat speed is ultimately important when drift fishing with jigs, as you need the jig head to consistantly make contact with the bottom in order to catch fish. You may have to use an electric motor to increase speed or drift socks to slow your speed down in order to reach and keep the appropriate speed. Crankbaits are sure to rank second in productivity. An effective technique consists of simply retrieving minnow imitating lures adjacent to rock piles and other fish holding structures currents breaks. When using crayfish imitating crankbaits, they need to bounce along the bottom so they mimic the natural movements of real crayfish which is one of their favourite prey. Adding a small weight like a split shot a foot or two in front of your lure will help it reach bottom in deeper water. Bait fishing for Smallmouth in rivers involves casting crayfish, their favourite food, into pools and current breaks. A lightly weighted bait will move naturally with the current so that the fish are not spooked. Bait fishing in lakes is a relaxing sport. Many anglers simply drift over deeper structures, sand bars, and rocky breaks until they encounter fish. They can then anchor close to the area to enjoy non-stop action.
SMALLMOUTH BASS TACKLE:
You can fish for smallmouth using a great variety of different gear. Most anglers will use a medium or medium-light action spinning or bait-casting outfit. Spin casting rods and reels are easier to use when casting unweighted plastics or lighter lures and will generally give you greater distance in your cast. The Smallmouth often live in clearer water which may dictate the use of light line to avoid spooking the fish. Because they are often caught in a relatively open, snag free environment, the lighter line can be a productive yet reasonably safe approach. We still prefer the use of braided lines for smallies because of it sensativity, its smaller diameter and its no stretch characteristics. If the water is particularly clear we would also strongly suggest the use of florocarbon leaders as they make your line virtually invisible and is very abrasion resistant which is helpful in rocky and woody areas. One of the most popular lures for Smallmouth is deffinitely the jig. A marabou, deer hair or one of the of Twister tail style plastic jigs are all extremely productive for either lake or river Smallmouth. The use of tube jigs still rules as the supreme fish catching method in some areas like the great lakes where schools of larger smallmouth roam and gravitate to large rocky areas in deeper water. Another popular lure type is the crankbait. Minnow imitating and crayfish imitating crankbaits can be fished in shallow or deepwater and can be adapted for river use as well. Slash or twitch baits can be very effective especially when the smallies are feeding closer to the surface such as the early morning. Plastic worms like the senko have been producing great catches for a number of pros over the past few years and they work pretty much all of the time. Don’t overlook spinner baits and small in-line spinners to tempt wary Smallmouth. The white spinnerbait is probably still the number one search bait for smallmouth bass. The number one live bait for Smallmouth is undoubtedly the soft shell crayfish, and these can out produce all other baits. Running a close second and third are minnows and leeches.
TRY THESE TIPS:
1/If you are fishing clear deep open water, use your electronics to find schools of fish as these guys dont usually move all that much. This will often be an area with a change in the bottom such as a rock pile or rubble. Drag a tube jig over the area where you have located fish. Boat speed is extremely important. Generally, your tube jig needs to make contact with the bottom in order to be effective.
2/ If you are unable to locate any schools in deeper water shoals look for under water points, weed beds, steeper drop offs etc. as fish may congregate in these areas. Try using a white spinner bait to search for fish. If you find them in an area then start trying different baits like twitch and slash baits like the Xrap. Make sure that you twitch them and then you let them sit. Waiting is hard but it is often on the pause that you will get the strike.
3/ In weed bed areas try using plastic worms, jigs with plastic trailers, maribou jigs and the like. Fat crank baits like the big O produce a wide slower wobble which work very well when you can navigate loose weed beds or along the sides of the weed bed or a drop off.
4/ If you find them on an open flat, try using any of the assorted deep diving lures that will get down nearer to the bottom. If the bait actually stirs up the bottom it is more likely to get a strike.
5/ Always, Always, Always have a second rod ready when you are fishing for smallmouth bass. If you get into a school which is common then you will find when you have one hooked there will often be a follower looking for any food bits that your fish might drop. This is a great opportunity. Tip the second rod with a tube or other plastic and have it handy. When you see a fish following then toss your bait into the area of the second fish and pay attention to your line as they will often hit when the lure is dropping.
6/ Windy weather attracts smallmouths. Fish the shallow sides of shoals, dropoffs, and other structures. Smallmouth bass will be drawn to these turbulent-water areas to feed on bait fish, crustaceans, and aquatic insects.
Recipes
1. PAN-FRIED BASS WITH CHILE HOLLANDAISE
1a. CHILE HOLLANDAISE
2. BASS BEIGNETS WITH REMOULADE DIPPING SAUCE
2a. REMOULADE DIPPING SAUCE
3. CRISPY GLAZED BASS WITH SUNFLOWER SLAW
3a. SUNFLOWER SLAW
4. BASS WITH APPLE-FENNEL SALAD AND PICKLED PEARL ONIONS
4a. APPLE-FENNEL SALAD
5. BASS MIKE
6. FRIED BASS WITH HOMEMADE TARTER SAUCE
6a. HOMEMADE TARTER SAUCE
7. LOWCOUNTRY BASS STEW
8. LEMON-PEPPER GRILLED BASS
9. OVEN-ROUSTED BASS WITH SWEET ONION MARMALADE
9a. SWEET ONION MARMALADE
10. POTATO-CRUSTED BASS WITH OKRA AIOLI
10a. OKRA AIOLI
11. BASS STEW
12. BASS JAMBALAYA
13. CRISPY FRIED BASS WITH ASIAN SLAW
13a. ASIAN SLAW
14. BASS ALLISON
15. BASS LAFITTE
16. YUCATECAN GRILLED BASS WITH PICKLED RED ONIONS
16a. PICKLED RED ONIONS
17. COUNTRY FRIED BASS
18.CLASSIC FRIED BASS
19. SOUTHWESTERN PAN-FRIED BASS
20. WHOLE SIZZLING BASS WITH GINGER AND PONZU SAUCE
20a. PONZU SAUCE
21. GARDEN FRIED BASS
22. GRILLED LEMONGRASS BASS WITH HOISIN-GINGER SAUCE
22a. HOISIN-GINGER SAUCE
23.POTATO-CRUSTED BASS WITH ROMANO CREAM SAUCE AND CRISP SHALLOT RINGS
23a. ROMANO CREAM SAUCE
23b. CRISP SHALLOT RINGS
24. GRILLED BASS WITH BLACK BEAN RELISH
24a. BLACK BEAN RELISH
25. SESAME FRIED BASS
25a. DIPPING SAUCE
26. OVEN-FRIED BASS WITH PINEAPPLE CHUTNEY
26a. PINEAPPLE CHUTNEY
27. ORANGE ROSEMARY POACHED BASS
28. RANCHERO BASS
29. EASTERN RIDGE BASS EAST TO WEST CATFISH BOWL
30. PECAN BASS
31. BASS AL FORNO
32. SPICY GRILLED BASS
33. BLACKEND BASS FILLETS
34. GRILLED BASS WITH FRESH SALSA
34a. FRESH SALSA
35. FARM-RAISED BASS AMANDINE
36. CHEESY BASS
37. FARN-RAISED BASS WITH TANGY ORANGE SAUSE
37a. TANGY ORANGE SAUSE
38.
Baked Bass Recipe
