How To Catch Bigger Smallmouth (And Largemouth) – Everything You Need To Know – Finesse Bass Fishing

Smallmouth are amazing! They’re aggressive, even in cold water. They’re willing to migrate huge distances for food. When you set the hook they give you a ride that is unrivaled by the other bass. There is little wonder why so many anglers love Smallmouth bass fishing. Targeting these predators requires a finesse touch and some unique gear that is often overlooked for the other bass species.

While you can catch a smallmouth on virtually anything, the fish tend to favor clearer water and a true finesse touch will increase your odds dramatically. In today’s video Tim dives into his favorite finesse tactics and equipment for consistently targeting these bronze backs.

Below is a breakdown of the gear he discussed in order of appearance. The links go directly to Tackle Warehouse where you can see detailed photos and descriptions of each item.

Finesse Swimbaits…
-Keitech Fat Swing Impact 4.3 and 3.8:
Colors: Chartreuse Blue, Crystal Shad, Goby, Smallmouth Magic
-Tactical Finesse Swimbait Head 3/8 oz:

-2.8 keitech Fat Swing Impact:
Colors: Electric Shad, Pro Blue Red Pearl, Tennessee Shad
-Dirty Jigs 1/8 oz Guppy Head 1/0:

-Megabass 3″ Spark Shad:
Colors: Purple Haze, Real, Silver Shad
-Megabass 1/16 oz Okashira Head:

-Megabass Dark Sleeper 2.4″ and 3″:
Colors: Donko, Haze, Hanahaze Wakasagi

Spy Baits…
-Duo Realis Spin Bait 80:
Colors: Ghost SX Shad, BK Ayu, Ghost Minnow

-Duo Realis Spin Bait 90:
Colors: Ghost Minnow, Purple Reign AM, Shiner AM

Hair Jigs…
-Outkast Tackle Feider Fly 3/32 (Black):

Dropshot Worms…
-Big Bite Baits Smallie Smasher:
Colors: Chick Magnet, Green Pump Purp, Smoke Purp Flake
-Strike King Half Shell:
Colors: Morning Dawn, Magic, TW Green Pumpkin

Dropshot Rigging…
Light Wire Hook- Owner Mosquito Light (Size 1, 2):
Medium Wire Hook- Trokar Dropshot (Size 1, 2):
Tungsten Tie-On Weight- Swagger Tear Drop (3/16):
Tungsten Dropshot Weight- Swagger Tear Drop (3/16):

Tubes…
-Dry Creek Tournament Tube 3.5″:
Colors: Old Ugly, Mocha Copper Pepper, Crazy Eddie
-Big Bite Tour Tube 3.5″:
Colors: Tilapia, Green Pumpkin Purple Copper Flk

Tube Heads…
-Bite me 60 degree Flat Eye Head (3/16):
-Provider Tackle 90 degree (3/16):

Z Man Ned Rig Baits…
-Z Man Finesse TRD:
Colors: Green Pumpkin Goby, Canada Craw, Mud Bug
-Z Man TRD BugZ:
Colors: Green Pumpkin, Mud Bug, Hot Snakes
-Z Man TRD TicklerZ:
Colors: Green Pumpkin Goby, Canada Craw, Mud Bug

Other Ned Rig Worms…
-Xzone Ned Zone stick Bait 3″:
Colors: 309, Green Pump Purple, Minnow Magic
-Roboworm Ned Worm 3″:
Colors: Desert Craw, TW Black Blue Pumpkin
-Missile Baits Ned Bomb:
Colors: Super Bug, Bluetonium Green Pumpkin Core

Ned Heads…
Tungsten- Swagger Flanders Head 1/6 oz:
Lead- Z Man Ned LockZ HD Head:

Stick Baits…
-5″ Yamamoto Senko:
Colors: Baby Bass, Crushed Goby, Electric Worm
-5″ Yum Dinger:
Colors: Elders Magic, Green Pumpkin, Ozark Smoke

Stick Bait Rigging…
-G7 O-Rings 7MM:
-G7 O Ring Tool:
-Owner Jungle Wacky Weedless Hook:
-Gamakatsu Finesse Wide Gap Hook:

Tim’s Favorite Keitech Combo…
Rod- G Loomis GLX 853C JWR:
Reel- Shimano Chronarch MGL HG:
Line- Sunline Sniper 12 lb Fluorocarbon:

Tim’s Favorite Ultra-Finesse Combo…
Rod- Shimano Conquest 902S SJR:
Reel- Shimano Exsence 3000:
Line- Sunline SX1 Braid 10 lb:
Leader- Sunline Sniper 6 lb Fluorocarbon:

Tim’s Feider Combo…
Rod- Daiwa Tatula Elite AGS 7’6″ ML:
Reel- Shimano Stradic CI4+ 2500:
Line- Sunline 6 lb Sniper Fluorocarbon:

NEW Tactical Bassin Apparel…
TacticalBassin Reaper Hoodie:
TacticalBassin Shadow Hoodie:
TacticalBassin Sun Shirt:
TacticalBassin Hooded Sun Shirt:

If you plan to do any shopping, using our links before doing your shopping at Tackle Warehouse is the single greatest way to support us! You won’t be able to even see a difference but they’ll know you’re one of us!

#smallmouth #bassfishing #beginner