Hey, i want to start getting into some lake largemouth when i can't get to my smallmouth rivers, what are some good lures to begin with. Its not a deep lake (60 feet, but it does thermocline at around 15) and even though its man made doesn't fluctuate except maybe just a few feet. No docks, lots of weed and some wood, and a good crayfish, and shad population. There is a 18 inch limit on these fish so there are some good ones out there.

 

 

Thanks 

wapsi smallmouth

Well, it's not the best time of year to target largemouth in Iowa, so don't be too disappointed

if the fishing is slow. As spring approaches, the fishing will heat up with the weather. Let's

look at a couple of lures for various depths that are usally considered "affordable".

 

Topwater: Zara Spook, Sammy and Pop R, Cavitron

 

Jerkbait: Smithwick Rogue

 

Shallow crankbaits: Norman Fat Boy, Bandit 200, KVD 2.5

 

Middle range: Red Eye Shad,  Fat Free Shad

 

Soft Plastics:  GYCB Senko & Fat Ika, MegaStrike MegaTube Craw & MegaBug and Rage Tail everything!

 

Jigs: Siebert Outdoors and MegaStrike Evolution

 

Spinnerbaits: MegaStrike StrikeBack and Siebert Cosmic

 

That should get you started!

 Number one:  Plastic worms.  

T-rigged rage craw matching the color that's natural to the water, slow across the bottom and hang on. Put a weight on to run deeper or use a keel weighted hook.

Thanks guys, where should I start to look for them in early summer-fall. And don't worry most lakes are iced up now so I won't be fishing

Where to start looking early summer through fall is an entirely different question than what baits should I start with.  Start by researching your seasonal patterns.  Read Buck Perry.  When he writes that the fish are deep, or shallow, or somewhere in-between - try to get a handle on what he means by that.   Read any of a number of In-fisherman books about location bass in a variety of venues.  ( Be mindful that in the earlier In-fisherman books, Al Lindner can get really technical, and there comes a point where he is hard to read.)   Then ask yourself what are the food sources and where are they at, (or where should they be, given seasonal patterns).    That is your starting place on where to look.  You can make the search process easier by having a bunch of rods & reels all rigged up with different baits, so that you can pursue fish deep, shallow and in-between without stopping to cut lines, change baits and tie knots.

 

By the same token, it is very easy to over think the search process by having a bunch of rods & reels all rigged up with a variety of different baits.  You decide.

Senkos and Zoom brush hogs. I love these 2 plastic lures. Also pick you up an assortment of bullet sinkers and some Gamakatsu Offset Round Bend Worm Hooks in a 3/0 and 4/0. This will get you started with some plastics!

Wapsi, may I suggest taking another viewpoint regarding our query?

 

How about considering the presentations/techniques you want to use for the smallmouth and then check out this Forum and YouTube plus Glenn's videos regarding the specific baits to use for each application?

 

For instance, if you want to throw spinnerbaits what colors, blades and sizes are best for smallmouth spinnerbait fishing?

 

Then consider drop shot baits. Which plastics should be used based on water clarity and temperature.

 

We can inundate you with lists of baits to consider but those lists are worthless unless we know the techniques you want to use, time of year, water clarity, water temperature, structure, cover, etc.

 

So sit down and give some thought as to your rods and reels, the places you will be fishing and the parameters of your rods pertaining to line test and bait size and go on the web and do some searching in addition to this Forum.

 

Just remember, we all have our favorite smallmouth baits and presentations that work for us. They may not work for you.

 

Good luck and let us know what you invest in and if the baits were successful under what conditions.