| Smallmouth tend to move back and forth from | | | | |
| shallow to deep water, depending on the | | | | Yellow perch are a favorite of Bronzebacks in |
| season and temperature of the water. | | | | the early spring, as they have just come out |
| | | | of the spawn and are an easy target. Try |
| They can usually be found in the shallows in | | | | lures with either a gold or perch pattern on |
| the spring, fall and winter. They will escape | | | | them. Target larger bass with larger baits. |
| the heat of the summer by occupying deeper | | | | |
| waters. | | | | Many believe the smallies spawn in coves. |
| | | | Don't eliminate the fact that they may spawn |
| This is a general rule, as there can be day | | | | in the main lake. Using your finding |
| to day and lake to lake variations. As the | | | | jerkbait, work the shoreline well searching |
| water warms up in the spring, you'll find | | | | for these fish. |
| certain areas of the lake to be warmer than | | | | |
| others. Focus on these areas... | | | | Look for bedding bass around sand or gravel |
| | | | bottoms, isolated stumps, rocks, or anything |
| Smallmouth will likely be schooling this time | | | | they might use for cover. They are likely to |
| of year. You can't beat a hard jerkbait for | | | | bed deeper in clear water. Once they bed, |
| finding schools. You can cover a lot of | | | | they rarely leave. They are prone to be |
| ground quick with a jerkbait. Search out | | | | aggressive towards anything that comes over |
| these fish in 5 to 10 feet of water. They may | | | | or past their beds. In this situation, try |
| also be in much deeper water, but suspended | | | | soft jerkbaits and tubes. Throw them over the |
| at 5-10 feet. | | | | bed and let them fall, then hold on. |