Smallmouth Bass Lures
Top Ranked Fishing Lures That Catch More Smallies

Scaling down is necessary when selecting which smallmouth bass lures to use, as well as the importance of using lighter tackle.

Smallmouths have smaller mouths as opposed to largemouth bass. Therefore, fishing with smaller profile fishing lures are going to be the ticket to catching these feisty bronzebacks.

On that note, I would recommend using 6 to 8 pound test line matched up with your choice of these fishing lures talked about below...


Top 5 Smallmouth Bass Lures

First, one important thing that you should know to help you with selecting the best fishing lures for smallmouth bass is is to know what these fish eat. Smallmouth bass primarily enjoy feeding on crawfish. So, a small lure that resembles a crawfish, or a similar lure with crawfish colors will be an excellent choice.

Most Productive Smallmouth Bass Fishing Lures

1.) Crawdad pattern crankbaits are great to fish for smallmouth bass. Actually, nearly any small crankbait should do, just as long as it has a red or reddish brown colored under belly.

2.) Another favorite are jig'n pigs. Again, colors should range in crawfish colors, especially browns and combinations of. Brown pork rind trailers or floating style worms are perfect compliments to the jig.

3.) Tube baits rigged with 1/16 to 1/4 ounce jig heads are among the top lures to use for smallmouth bass. Crawfish color patterns produce well. You can also try a variation of other colors that have red flake or reddish colors running through the pattern. Smoke or chartreuse colors and variations of those can entice those bronzebacks to strike.

4.) Then there are the old faithful soft plastic worms. I recommend 4 inch plastic worms in brownish, natural earth tone colors. Switch between straight tails and split tails to figure out what they like best. Rig them up on standing p-heads, a split shot rig (similar to a Carolina rig), or the deadly drop shot fishing rig.

5.) Don't count out using your panfish and trout tackle on these smallies. Inline spinners, 1/4 ounce spinnerbaits, and crappie jigs are exceptionally great producers. White and chartreuse colors should be one of your top options. Try out chrome and nickle colored blades for the spinners.

Smallmouth Bass Fishing Lures Tips

Because smallmouths are touchy-finicky eaters - they tend to peck at and mouth baits more than lagemouth bass do - so, you'll need to have a little more patience. Allow the smallmouth bass to take the bait just long enough to feel a slight pull before you set the hook.

Recap on the best smallmouth bass lures to use:

  • Crankbaits
  • Jig'n Pig
  • Tube Baits
  • Soft Plastic Worms
  • Panfish Lures

As already mentioned, smallmouth bass enjoy to feed on crawdads. Therefore, crawdad replicas and crawfish colors will be absolutely your best choice when selecting fishing lures for smallmouth bass.

Use Smaller Smallmouth Bass Fishing Lures and Tackle

Freshwater fishing for smallmouth bass is already challenging enough as it is, right? If you are up for it, I would like to extend to you an exciting challenge that is sure to test your angling skills and patience. Check out ultralight smallmouth bass fishing and see how well you perform out on the water using those smallmouth fishing techniques and tactics.

Smallmouth Bass Braggin' Board

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