The Rise of the Smallmouth: A Lifelong Journey into America’s Favorite Sportfish
Growing up, my summers were defined by long days at my grandmother’s cabin on Grindstone Lake in Hayward, Wisconsin. That’s where my love affair with smallmouth bass began. Each year, as school let out, I’d grab my spinning rod and head to a giant rock off the beach in front of the house. Wearing a pair of swim goggles and armed with a nightcrawler on a Glimmer Knight hook, I’d scan the clear water for the telltale shadow of a smallmouth. When I spotted one, I’d wait for it to return and strike. That simple, intimate moment with nature sparked a lifelong obsession.
At the same time, Jeremy’s family cabin in Longville, Minnesota, was another cornerstone of his youth. Back then, catching a smallmouth bass was a rarity—something to talk about. Fast forward to today, and the story has changed dramatically. Those same waters now teem with smallmouths. Anglers routinely catch 4- to 6-pound fish, and it’s not uncommon to land 50 in a single day. This boom has elevated smallmouth bass to new heights of popularity—and for good reason.
From Finesse to Power: Versatility in Smallmouth Techniques
One of the things that makes smallmouth bass such a fan favorite is the sheer variety of techniques you can use to catch them. On any given day, you might catch one using an aggressive lure like the Rapala X-Rap or finesse baits like a four-inch wacky-rigged Big Bite Baits cigar worm. These fish are aggressive, curious, and opportunistic—all traits that make them a blast to target.
Industry surveys confirm what anglers are feeling firsthand: smallmouth populations and size classes are booming across North America. Contributing factors include clearer water from invasive species like zebra and quagga mussels and longer growing seasons due to climate shifts. These conditions have created a perfect storm for smallmouths to flourish.
The Dark Side of Success: Conservation Concerns
However, with popularity comes pressure. Smallmouths are more in demand than ever, not just by recreational anglers but also by tournament circuits like BassMaster and Major League Fishing. While that’s great for exposure, it introduces risks—especially during spawning season.
Gord Pyzer, a well-known voice in Canadian angling, shared pivotal research from Dr. David Phillip at the Illinois Natural History Survey. In studies spanning multiple years and lakes, data showed that even immediate catch-and-release practices during the spawn significantly reduced smallmouth recruitment. The key takeaway? Fishing for nesting males—even if you release them—impairs their ability to guard the nest, which can result in poor survival rates for the next generation of bass.
If you’re serious about conservation, the message is clear: avoid targeting bedding bass. Even catch-and-release can do damage. Tournament anglers, in particular, need to consider alternatives like catch-record-release formats that eliminate the need to transport fish away from their nesting sites.
Minnesota’s Progressive Approach to Trophy Bass Management
In Minnesota, experimental regulations have been introduced to protect smallmouth populations. Some lakes have gone catch-and-release only, while others enforce protected harvest zones. These initiatives are already yielding results—trophy-class fish are becoming more common, and more anglers are realizing the joy of catching (and releasing) a true giant.
It’s critical to protect these fish, especially those exceptional specimens. They’re not just fun to catch; they’re ecological treasures. Let someone else enjoy the fight. These fish are just too special not to release.
Jerkbaits, Hair Jigs, and the Essentials of Smallmouth Arsenal
Few fish are as responsive to a wide range of lures as smallmouth bass. Whether it’s a hair jig, a drop shot, a tube, or a suspending jerkbait like the size 10 X-Rap, smallmouths will hit them all if presented properly. Because these fish are naturally curious, they tend to react aggressively to bright, flashy baits—especially colors like “hothead,” “clown,” or pink.
As fishing pressure increases, however, the little things—bait size, color, and presentation style—become more critical. Heavily fished waters demand more finesse and a deeper understanding of fish behavior.
Gear That Gets the Job Done
When it comes to gear, having the right rod and reel setup can make all the difference. For most smallmouth applications, a 6’10” to 7’0” rod with medium or medium-light power and fast to extra-fast action is ideal. It’s a versatile setup that handles everything from topwater to jigs and jerkbaits.
As for reels, a size 2500 spinning reel offers a good balance between weight and line pickup speed—important when working slack-line techniques like jerkbaiting. Smooth drags are essential, especially when fishing light line, and that’s where brands like Daiwa shine. Whether you’re using a budget model or their high-end offerings, Daiwa’s drag systems are consistently reliable.
Line selection also plays a crucial role. In this setup, Sufix 832 in 10-pound test is a great all-purpose braided line, providing excellent casting distance and sensitivity while holding up to the fight of a charging smallmouth.
Modern Electronics: Seeing More, Catching More
Few things have transformed smallmouth fishing as dramatically as today’s marine electronics. Running 10-pound Sufix 832 in high-visibility yellow lets you spot the slightest “tick” on a slack line and launch a lure a country mile. Pair that with the imaging power of a modern Humminbird and you can literally watch schools materialize.
- Side Imaging (60 ft range) – Ideal for scouting; you’ll see isolated boulders, rock spines, or pods of baitfish well off the boat’s path.
- 2-D Sonar – The workhorse view while you’re motoring; it lets you monitor bottom hardness and depth changes on the fly.
- Down Imaging – Once you stop to fish, flip to this mode for photo-like clarity right beneath the hull.
Mapping overlays tie everything together, letting you waypoint fish, structure, and travel routes with a single button press. Learning to cycle through these three views quickly is half the battle—and half the fun.
Tailin’ vs. Spot-Lock: Smart Boat Control
Boat-positioning tools are now as important as rods and reels:
| Tool | Best Depth | Key Advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Talons / Power-Poles | 3–10 ft | Silent anchoring—perfect for spooky shallow-water smallmouths during bug hatches. |
| Spot-Lock on an Ultrex | 10 ft + | Electronic anchor that keeps you pinned in wind or current without drifting off the juice. |
Use the shallow-water anchors when you need stealth; switch to Spot-Lock the moment you slide deeper so the trolling motor holds you in place and lets you fan-cast efficiently.
The Jerkbait Edge—and a World of Options
Even after experimenting with hair jigs and soft-plastic flukes, the size-10 Rapala X-Rap continued to dominate. Bright patterns such as Hot Head, Clown, and Bubblegum worked in both gin-clear and tea-stained water because smallmouth are, at heart, curious predators.
That said, smallmouths are the ultimate “choose-your-own-adventure” fish. Crankbaits, rattlebaits, tubes, grubs, drop-shot minnows, even topwaters—all have a window when they shine. Think of it as an ice-cream shop: different flavors for different moods, yet all equally delicious.
A Personal Reflection on Water, Life, and Origins
Time on the lake inevitably invites bigger questions. Between casts, I find myself pondering creation versus evolution. Genesis describes each creature made “according to its kind,” and—speaking only for myself—that explanation feels more intuitive than imagining a straight line from chipmunk to human. Whether you agree or disagree, the outdoors has a way of putting profound thoughts in front of us, as real and immediate as the bronze-backed torpedo tugging at the line.
Guardians of the Bronze Future
Smallmouth bass have never been more abundant—or more vulnerable. Advanced electronics, refined tackle, and growing angler pressure mean we can both love and harm this resource in equal measure. Remember:
- Respect the Spawn – Leave bedding males alone; even quick photos can doom a year-class.
- Embrace Catch-Record-Release – Tournaments and weekend anglers alike can document trophies without relocating them.
- Protect the Giants – A 20-inch smallmouth is a living treasure. Release it, and let someone else feel that electric surge.
Smallmouth fishing today really is the best it’s ever been. With thoughtful stewardship, it will be even better tomorrow. So spool up that high-vis braid, dial in your electronics, and savor every bronze flash that meets the boat—then send it back to make the future just as bright.
