Smallmouth Bass

These fish are a favorite of all the guides and shop staff. If anglers are looking to improve their skill levels, these fish are perfect. For the intermediate to advanced anglers willing to put in the time, April and May (Spring) can produce some of the largest fish of the season as they get ready to spawn. We throw large, bright colored baitfish flies and topwater frogs this time of year and a solid cast is key. The inland rivers, Lake Erie tributaries and Lake Erie itself are all firing off with great fishing this time of year. 

 

June-August (Summer) is a great time of year for all skill levels as a wide variety of techniques are in play. Stripping smaller baitfish flies, dredging crayfish flies and finesse topwater fishing are all common methods. One of our favorites is finesse topwater fishing with poppers and terrestrials. Smallmouth act very similar to large trout feeding off ledges and current seams commonly eating damsels and dragonflies. While some Lake Erie tributaries will still have some lake run smallmouth in them, summer is best on the inland streams.

 

September-October (Fall) can be best described as a second prespawn. Fish feel the cool weather approaching and it triggers them to feed heavily on baitfish before winter inevitably takes hold. A solid cast is also key this time of year as larger baitfish flies come back into play. The inland rivers and Lake Erie itself are great options this time of year.