I am in the midwest and enjoy largemouth bass fishing but am looking to try smallmouth fishing. I have never fished for smallmouth bass so any tips would be very helpful. Some things I would like to know are lake vs River, what combos work best, lures, structure to look for, stuff to avoid, line you use, etc. Any tips help.

That’s a lot of stuff to cover in one post. You might try narrowing it down a bit. How are you fishing, in a boat, personal watercraft, wading, or bank fishing? Pick a body of water and the time of year and work on one part of your post at a time. 

First thing you'll need to do is determine if there is a suitable population of them present.  Not every lake or river has them.

 

I can attest to this living in the land of 10,000 lakes.  One might assume they are very abundant but they actually aren't.  Most of our lakes here are more typical largemouth lakes.

1 hour ago, Scott F said:

How are you fishing, in a boat, personal watercraft, wading, or bank fishing?

Bank fishing

6 hours ago, Calvin123 said:

Some things I would like to know are lake vs River, what combos work best, lures, structure to look for, stuff to avoid, line you use, etc. Any tips help.

 

Where: smallmouth bass live in lakes, rivers, and streams... but, as been said, they do not live in ALL lakes, rivers, and streams. Most states will have an environmental agency which lists the types of fish live in each significant body of water, and that's a good place to start, but your local bait and tackle shops will know better. 

 

Gear (rods, line, etc): use the same gear as largemouth fishing. The gear is more technique specific than fish specific. For example, a dropshot rod for LMB and SMB is the same.

 

Structure: SMB generally tend to hang out in deeper water than LMB, at least in NY where I fish. They also are more inclined to relate to rock and hard structure than weeds. Look for chunk rock and boulders in deeper water. Certain times of year (spawn, fall) they come shallower. I caught the monster in the photo below out of a weed bed in 8' of water like 3 days ago, but that won't happen once the post-spawn is over in my area. 

 

Lures: generally, guys will use slightly smaller baits when smallmouth fishing, but I'm not sure that's needed. In general, they'll hit most LMB baits, but I would focus on baits that imitate craws and minnows. I've had the most success with standard stuff like jigs, swimbaits, dropshots, ned rigs, etc.

 

Check out the brown bass tools thread started by @A-Jay

1 hour ago, 10,000 lakes Bassin said:

Check out the brown bass tools thread started by @A-Jay

 

Thanks @10,000 lakes Bassin

 

@Calvin123 

There are so many great smallmouth anglers on this site it's sort of staggering.

Each with their own style, plenty of experience &  tons of success. 

 I am fishing for smallies the majority of my time on the water.

Sometimes I get a few.

Targeting smallies from the bank can be a little tricky.

Totally possible but IME, Smallmouth do not relate super close to the shoreline

nearly as much as largemouth bass do. 

As for some tips you asked for,

fishing topwater early & late in the day can be good from the bank.

There's quite a bit more info in the link provided below.

Coming up on 7 years worth.

https://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/211811-brown-bass-tools-~-questions-answers/

Good Luck.

A-Jay

 

4 hours ago, Calvin123 said:

Bank fishing

 

I think your best bet for bank fishing for smallies is gonna be one of the great lakes (banks near deep water hopefully with current) or wading a river.  Either of those an option close to you?

 

scott

Good thing about TN? Smallmouth indeed live in all lakes, rivers, and streams 

 

For the Midwest I would try fishing the bank of monster lakes like @softwateronly or borrowing a canoe/kayak and floating something. You can buy a canoe for the price of a rod/reel combo anymore 

Lots of midwest small rivers and creeks hold smallmouth. If that's the case, I can provide a little insight. I'll hold on before rambling

You're asking about my bread and butter here... I'm not saying I'm any good, but I've spent a lot of time fishing for smallies from the bank. I did catch this 18" beauty from shore while traveling through MO yesterday:

 

If you've got lakes nearby that are rocky and relatively clear then there's a chance you can find spots to fish for them from shore. But more than likely rivers and streams are going to be your best option. You might find them in streams that are only 10' wide, but slightly larger, 20-30' wide streams up to the largest rivers seem to be best. Typically river fish are smaller in size, but better fighters, pound per pound.

 

As for where: Look for current breaks and the eddies or slack water they create. This could be a point where the bank sticks out, behind a log or rock, anything that blocks the current. If you can, cast from downstream to upstream in the seam where the main flow of the water meets the slow, or reverse-flowing water. Aggressively feeding fish might be above the obstruction, so if there's a rocking the water for example, cast in front of it and bring your lure past along the current break behind it. You can also try banks that are rocky or undercut banks, anywhere the bank is steep into seemingly deepwater is a good place for a couple casts, usually these are on the outside of bends. If you find any wood or weeds, give those spots a go too. In small streams the pools immediately below riffles and rapids are a good bet, cast into the rapid and work your lure down into the pool.

 

As for what lures to use, I do personally prefer more finesse lures, and more to the point, less-expensive tackle that you can afford to loose a few of, since snags are even more likely in flowing water than in lakes/ponds. I break it down into a just a few categories:

• Jigs on a round or mushroom, or football jig-head between 1/8oz and 3/8oz, depending on what it takes to keep it on the bottom. Folks do well on bigger craws, creatures, and finesse to medium-sized bass jigs. But I like  I like the mini 2.5"-3" craws, and ned-rigs on 1/10th oz heads and I also like 2.5-3" tubes.
• Swimbaits and grubs. I like both, but twister tails are cheap and easy to replace. My favorite combo is a 4" Kalin's Lunker Grub on a 1/8oz head, though a heavier head may be needed in faster current. Note that there can certainly be some overlap between a swimbait and a jig. I may drag a twister tail on the bottom or swim a craw jig on different casts.
• Crankbaits like shallow-running square bills, Rapala original minnows, and Rebel Wee Craw. Note that the Rapala minnow is silent, and most square bills have rattles in them, and either approach may best on any particular day. Though I generally like to run lures downstream or cross stream, I tend to run crankbaits upstream as they are easier to get un-snagged just by putting some slack in the line. So I stick to floating crainbaits. Wood is the biggest risk for a snag, though you can bounce them off of wood if you are careful.
• Dropshot: they can't resist a drop shot in lakes or slower current. But drop shot can be impractical in faster current. They can't resist a PowerBait flatworm. Other worm/fish shaped drop-shot baits under 4" also work well.
• Other: Smallmouth do love topwaters, flukes work in some situations, some people like spinnerbaits, chatter baits, lipless crank baits. I've caught them on senko's in lakes and slackwater. These and more all work, but I generally don't bother as the first 3 categories generally catch them, and won't break your heart if you loose them to a snag.

As for colors, overall, use louder/brighter lures if the water is muddy and/or the current is producing riffles and noise, use more realistic, quieter lures in clear, and more smoothly flowing water. That said, a little chartreuse or pink (such as a jig head) can get a lure noticed even in situations that call for finesse. White and black can cover both poor visibility and clear water situations (have good contrast and are a fairly realistic color), but I prefer to fish pumpkinseed/brown or translucent/minnow-colored baits when I can, and have something chartreuse on-hand.

 

To take what you already have that might fall into these categories and give it a go, or maybe buy just a few things. You might consider wading as a good way to fish smaller streams and even larger ones if the current isn't too strong and the water not too deep. Just be cautious, learn what is safe and not over time, don't get in over your head (literally).

 

Well, that turned into an essay, certainly more than enough to get you started.

On 6/18/2025 at 11:37 AM, 07Rapala said:

You're asking about my bread and butter here... I'm not saying I'm any good, but I've spent a lot of time fishing for smallies from the bank. I did catch this 18" beauty from shore while traveling through MO yesterday:

 

If you've got lakes nearby that are rocky and relatively clear then there's a chance you can find spots to fish for them from shore. But more than likely rivers and streams are going to be your best option. You might find them in streams that are only 10' wide, but slightly larger, 20-30' wide streams up to the largest rivers seem to be best. Typically river fish are smaller in size, but better fighters, pound per pound.

 

As for where: Look for current breaks and the eddies or slack water they create. This could be a point where the bank sticks out, behind a log or rock, anything that blocks the current. If you can, cast from downstream to upstream in the seam where the main flow of the water meets the slow, or reverse-flowing water. Aggressively feeding fish might be above the obstruction, so if there's a rocking the water for example, cast in front of it and bring your lure past along the current break behind it. You can also try banks that are rocky or undercut banks, anywhere the bank is steep into seemingly deepwater is a good place for a couple casts, usually these are on the outside of bends. If you find any wood or weeds, give those spots a go too. In small streams the pools immediately below riffles and rapids are a good bet, cast into the rapid and work your lure down into the pool.

 

As for what lures to use, I do personally prefer more finesse lures, and more to the point, less-expensive tackle that you can afford to loose a few of, since snags are even more likely in flowing water than in lakes/ponds. I break it down into a just a few categories:

• Jigs on a round or mushroom, or football jig-head between 1/8oz and 3/8oz, depending on what it takes to keep it on the bottom. Folks do well on bigger craws, creatures, and finesse to medium-sized bass jigs. But I like  I like the mini 2.5"-3" craws, and ned-rigs on 1/10th oz heads and I also like 2.5-3" tubes.
• Swimbaits and grubs. I like both, but twister tails are cheap and easy to replace. My favorite combo is a 4" Kalin's Lunker Grub on a 1/8oz head, though a heavier head may be needed in faster current. Note that there can certainly be some overlap between a swimbait and a jig. I may drag a twister tail on the bottom or swim a craw jig on different casts.
• Crankbaits like shallow-running square bills, Rapala original minnows, and Rebel Wee Craw. Note that the Rapala minnow is silent, and most square bills have rattles in them, and either approach may best on any particular day. Though I generally like to run lures downstream or cross stream, I tend to run crankbaits upstream as they are easier to get un-snagged just by putting some slack in the line. So I stick to floating crainbaits. Wood is the biggest risk for a snag, though you can bounce them off of wood if you are careful.
• Dropshot: they can't resist a drop shot in lakes or slower current. But drop shot can be impractical in faster current. They can't resist a PowerBait flatworm. Other worm/fish shaped drop-shot baits under 4" also work well.
• Other: Smallmouth do love topwaters, flukes work in some situations, some people like spinnerbaits, chatter baits, lipless crank baits. I've caught them on senko's in lakes and slackwater. These and more all work, but I generally don't bother as the first 3 categories generally catch them, and won't break your heart if you loose them to a snag.

As for colors, overall, use louder/brighter lures if the water is muddy and/or the current is producing riffles and noise, use more realistic, quieter lures in clear, and more smoothly flowing water. That said, a little chartreuse or pink (such as a jig head) can get a lure noticed even in situations that call for finesse. White and black can cover both poor visibility and clear water situations (have good contrast and are a fairly realistic color), but I prefer to fish pumpkinseed/brown or translucent/minnow-colored baits when I can, and have something chartreuse on-hand.

 

To take what you already have that might fall into these categories and give it a go, or maybe buy just a few things. You might consider wading as a good way to fish smaller streams and even larger ones if the current isn't too strong and the water not too deep. Just be cautious, learn what is safe and not over time, don't get in over your head (literally).

 

Well, that turned into an essay, certainly more than enough to get you started.

Thank you for all your help. I went out and caught too smallies on my first trip, but I still have MUCH to learn. Thank you

Well, I am learning the same thing. One of the first things to understand is that LM and SM are not the same fish and often must be approached differently. Yes there are places where you can catch them both, but to target smallies you have to think differently than targeting largemouth. *Generally speaking* look for cleaner water, hard bottom, current breaks, and understand that smallies may roam more than you’re accustomed to largemouth doing. They’ll often be found in deeper water as well. We have the Grand River here in Michigan where you can find good populations of both species but more often than not you will find them in different sections of the river depending on what the water is like in a given area. 
 

I’m a million miles away from being a smallmouth expert but those are a few of the points I’ve learned the last couple years. 

2 hours ago, Bucks Bass and Bourbon said:

Well, I am learning the same thing. One of the first things to understand is that LM and SM are not the same fish and often must be approached differently. Yes there are places where you can catch them both, but to target smallies you have to think differently than targeting largemouth. *Generally speaking* look for cleaner water, hard bottom, current breaks, and understand that smallies may roam more than you’re accustomed to largemouth doing. They’ll often be found in deeper water as well. We have the Grand River here in Michigan where you can find good populations of both species but more often than not you will find them in different sections of the river depending on what the water is like in a given area. 
 

I’m a million miles away from being a smallmouth expert but those are a few of the points I’ve learned the last couple years. 

Thank you for the help

A couple of videos: