Predator Fishing Charters, Inc.
Smallmouth Bass

Spring  
Smallmouth bass love rock and spend more than ninety percent of their time on this hard structure. When water temperatures climb into the upper 40's and low 50's pre-spawn smallies will typically stage 17 to 25 feet deep. Drop offs around the Bass Islands or Open water reef structures are excellent locations. Vertically jigging blade baits and spoons work well, also tube jigs slowly retrieved over the bottom do well. Small mouth does not have no possession till June 23rd.
Spawn
As the water warms, smallies gradually move up to shallower drops and become more active. When the water stabilizes at 55 degrees and above, bass move up to the tops of humps and flats. Spawning depths range from less than 10 feet too more than 20 feet deep. Tube jigs and 5-inch fat grubs are essential at this time. Cast and retrieve these lures over the bottom or drag behind a drifting boat. Plastic worms, twister tails, jerk baits and spinner baits also work very well during the spawn.
Summer
Summer fishing can often be a "hit and miss" attempt due to whereabouts of the fish during this time. Smallies will retreat to the safety of deeper water. The one thing they will relate to is structure, and having a  dependable fish finder on board will become your underwater eyes. Look for humps, shelves and drop offs and work a jig, or live bait over these underwater magnets. Due to the schooling nature of the smallmouth bass, once one is caught, there are sure to be more to come.
Fall
The fall time means one thing to a bass angler - BIG Smallies. Fish at this time of year gorge themselves on crayfish and minnows in anticipation of the cold winter months. Searching for these hungry fish is the key to catching them, and concentrating on some of the spots you had success on earlier in the season will help you unlock the location factor. Points, saddles and shoals will hold Smallies at this time of the year, however, the school will be situated farther from shore and in deeper water in comparison to their
summer counterparts. Begin your search by finding water in the 20-foot depth and continue working until you hit 35 feet. Most of your fall fish will relate to water this deep and once you catch some, the remainder of the lakes' fish will be holding at this magical depth. Rattle traps, cranks and jigs are the artillery for the fall enthusiast, and using a marker buoy to stay with the school and at the optimum depth will increase your chances of connecting.