Unlocking Swimbait Success for Pre-Spawn Smallmouth
Field notes from Leech Lake with James & Troy Lindner
The Modern Lure Line-Up—and Where Swimbaits Fit
Spinnerbaits, crankbaits, topwaters, jerkbaits, jigs, rigs, and an endless variety of plastics each own seasonal “windows” of dominance. Yet over the past decade one family of lures has elbowed its way into nearly every fishery in North America: swimbaits. Today’s models are fished deep or shallow, in wood or weeds, fresh or salt, and range from 1-inch panfish snacks to 12-inch musky meals—perfect imitations of whatever a predator calls dinner.
First Light on Leech Lake
On a cool spring morning (water 54 °F) we join James and Troy Lindner to hunt pre-spawn smallmouth bass. The brothers start by combing rocky points and bays with a 4-inch Big Bite Baits Swimmer threaded on a 3⁄16-oz VMC Hybrid Swimbait Jig. The jig’s screw-lock collar grips soft plastics firmly—welcome news when premium swimmers can cost a dollar apiece.
“Once that single hook pins a bass, keep steady pressure and she’s yours,” Troy notes after boating the day’s first chunky bronzeback.
Every fish reveals football-like girth: classic pre-spawn weight gain. While some bass stalk the point tips, others cruise far inside the bays, forcing the team to cover water fast—the swimbait’s true super-power.
Tackle Anatomy: Matching Heads, Hooks & Line
James lays out four staple jig styles that let swimbaits shine across depths, cover, and line classes:
| Jig Head | Typical Size | Best For | Line / Rod Pairing |
|---|---|---|---|
| VMC Half-Moon Finesse | 3⁄32 oz | 2.5-inch finesse swimmers in ultra-shallow water | 6-8 lb braid or mono on ML spinning |
| VMC Half-Moon Regular | 1⁄16 oz | 3-inch baits when fish are spooky | 8-10 lb braid on ML spinning |
| VMC Hybrid Swimbait | 3⁄16 oz | 4-inch all-purpose swimmers (today’s choice) | 10 lb braid / 8 lb fluoro leader on M spinning |
| Boxer Head | ¼–½ oz, XL hook | 4–5 inch swimmers in 15–25 ft or heavy cover | 15–25 lb fluoro / braid on MH bait-casting |
The golden rule: let hook size follow line strength and rod power. A big hook on light line equals heartbreak.
Locating Early-Season Fish
Smallmouth emerging from wintering holes scatter between 6 ft points and sand flats behind boulder ridges. With water still in the high 40s to low 50s, a single bay can hold bass kilometers apart. Swimbaits excel here because anglers can:
- Swim mid-column to contact roamers.
- Drag slow when fish sulk on bottom—today’s winning move.
- Adjust size on the fly (down to 2.5 in.) for reluctant giants.
Sight Tools: Polarised Lenses & Anchoring Tech
Clear spring light makes quality eyewear essential. Troy’s “wavy label” polarized lenses let him spot inactive bass ghosting beneath the boat—and steer precise casts. When the wind pipes up, the duo slam dual Minn Kota Talons to spike the boat in place, then cast with the breeze for maximum reach and control.
Quick Gear Breaks & Partner Shout-Outs
- Bubba Electric & Manual Fillet Knives – non-slip grip and balanced flex for every species.
- Fish Head TV – on-demand video library covering everything from panfish to muskies, open water to ice.
- Blackfish Outdoor Apparel – because anglers can’t choose the weather, but they can choose staying dry.
A Growing Leech Lake Bronzeback Boom
While smallmouth have long inhabited Leech Lake, Minnesota DNR data show the population has exploded in recent seasons. The lake’s vast rock reefs, sand-grass transitions, and scattered reeds promise a world-class fishery in the making—one the Lindners are already tapping. Three casts, three bites: proof positive that a subtle swimmer, presented on the right head and line, flat-out catches fish.
Swimbait Mastery on Leech Lake: A Deep Dive into Spring Smallmouth Bass Fishing
Rolling Bottoms and Subtle Tactics
As the morning wore on and the sun began to warm the shallows, the Lindners refined their presentation. James shared how he was reeling the swimbait like a roller jig—keeping it just off bottom while dragging it slowly. The retrieve was deliberately subtle, letting the tail of the swimbait pulse in a rhythmic doonk, doonk, doonk, mimicking a bottom-crawling baitfish.
This deliberate, finesse-oriented approach—often using small swimbaits like the Cane Thumper—was a key technique for coaxing bites from otherwise sluggish bass. Leech Lake’s structure-rich habitat, combined with its diverse forage base, makes it a prime destination for this style of fishing.
Leech Lake: A Multi-Species Paradise
Leech Lake stands out not only for its smallmouth bass population but also for its versatility. The system supports thriving populations of:
- Yellow perch
- Walleye
- Muskie
- Largemouth bass
- Crappie
- Bluegill
Troy praised the lake’s expansive food shelves and wide range of depths, which create perfect environments for fish to thrive.
The surrounding town of Walker, Minnesota, enhances the experience. With resorts, gift shops, restaurants, and sporting goods stores, Leech offers more than just world-class fishing—it’s a family-friendly fishing destination.
Boat Control and Seeing Beneath the Surface
The team made full use of tools like dual Minn Kota Talons, which locked them in place while they cast with the wind for increased distance and better bait presentation. Paired with high-quality polarized sunglasses, they spotted smallmouth cruising just beneath the surface. These moments of sight-fishing elevated the action, as fish could be targeted with pinpoint accuracy after being visually located.
Polarized Sight-Fishing in Shallow Flats
As they explored less obvious areas—like the back ends of bays and dishpan flats with darker bottom—they found surprising numbers of bass. In as little as four feet of water, schools of fish were holding and feeding. Polarized lenses were essential in this scenario, helping the anglers see shadows and movements that indicated fish presence.
Troy and James spotted multiple bass cruising in small wolf packs, often getting multiple follows or strikes from the same cast. Sight-fishing at its best.
Finesse Gear for Subtle Swimbait Presentation
When it comes to rod and reel selection for this finesse swimbaiting, James detailed his preferred setup:
- Rod: 6’8” St. Croix Legend Tournament Walleye Series “Snap Jig” model (medium power, extra fast tip)
- Reel: 2500-size spinning reel (possibly the Daiwa “Kage” or “Kaji”)
- Line: Light braid mainline with a fluorocarbon leader
This setup offers sensitivity and control while allowing accurate, long casts with light swimbaits. A 6’8″ to 7’2″ rod in medium power with a fast or extra-fast tip is ideal for maintaining bottom contact and detecting subtle bites.
As James explained, slow-rolling the bait over rocky bottom can trigger a response—particularly when the fish are just beginning to feed before the spawn.
Smallmouth Hot Zones: Off-the-Radar Spots
One intriguing detail: many of the biggest fish were caught in spots far removed from classic rocky structure. Instead, smallmouths were tucked into “bizarre” locations—dishpan flats with soft bottom or darker substrates.
These “off-script” spots have become increasingly productive over the past few seasons, suggesting the need to stay open-minded and read the water conditions rather than the map alone.
Final Thoughts: Swimbaits Year-Round
The takeaway? Swimbaits—whether dragged, slow-rolled, or swum—are not just a spring bait. Their effectiveness spans seasons and species. With the right gear, heads, and retrieval methods, these lures are lethal on smallmouth all year long.
From technical rigging to stealthy retrievals, from shallow dishpans to deep rocky points, James and Troy Lindner’s day on Leech Lake revealed the versatility and power of swimbaits for pre-spawn smallmouth bass. Add in top-tier gear, advanced boat control, and quality optics, and you’ve got a blueprint for success that works far beyond spring—or Leech Lake itself.
Whether you’re new to swimbaits or a seasoned smallmouth hunter, there’s no better time to tie one on.
