Locating Early Season Smallmouths

The ice has recently departed on your local smallmouth pond and after a long winter you're itchy to connect with a few of these ole brown fish. 

Question is; where do you start your search to increase the odds at catching your favorite finny prey rather than just fishing for them?

There are several strategies that you can try to locate early spring smallmouth bass in natural lakes with rock and sand grass as cover. 

Here are some to consider:

Look for transition areas along main structures: Smallmouth bass tend to move from deeper water to shallower water as the water temperature rises in the spring. Look for areas where there is a transition from deep to shallow water, such as a drop-off, submerged island or a point. Start fishing near the base of the drop-off and work your way into the shallows.

Focus on warmer water: Smallmouth bass are more active in warmer water, so look for areas where the water is slightly warmer than the surrounding water. This can be caused by the sun shining on a shallow rocky area, near springs, dark bottomed bays or south-facing shorelines.

Look for cover: Smallmouth bass like to hang out near structure, such as rocks, logs, or weed beds. Look for areas with cover associated with structure and fish them thoroughly.

Experiment with baits: In early spring, smallmouth bass may be less active and more finicky. Try using a variety of baits, such as tube jigs, lipless crankbaits, suspending jerkbaits and finesse soft plastic rigs (drop shot and Ned rigs), until you find what works.

Use bait that imitates their prey: Smallmouth bass feed on a variety of prey, including crayfish, minnows, and insects. Try using lures that mimic these prey items, such as jigs, crankbaits, or soft plastics.

Keep moving: If you're not having success in one area, don't be afraid to move to another. Smallmouth bass can be quite mobile, so it may take some trial and error to find where they are feeding.

Want more tips on locating early season smallmouths? 

Take a few minutes and watch as smallmouth bass guru Kevin VamDam discusses several of the factors he considers when searching for early season smallmouths...