Smallmouth Bass gear
Quick setup
| Rod | Reel | Line |
|---|---|---|
| 6.5 to 7 foot medium action spinning rod. Bass rods run 6 to 8 feet. | Spinning reel; baitcasting is an option. | 8 to 10 lb monofilament, or fluorocarbon. |
Rod, reel and line
- Rod
- 6.5 to 7 foot medium action spinning rod. Bass rods run 6 to 8 feet.
- Reel
- Spinning reel; baitcasting is an option.
- Line
- 8 to 10 lb monofilament, or fluorocarbon.
Baits
- crayfish
- hellgrammites
- minnows
- nightcrawlers
Lures
- tube jigs
- small stick worms on jig heads
- drop shot worms
- 1/4 to 1/2 oz jigs with curly tail grubs
- crankbaits
- topwater lures
Rigs
- Ned rig: 3 to 4 inch piece of stick worm on a 1/8 to 1/4 oz mushroom jig head. Let it sit, drag it a few feet, repeat.
- Tube jig: 3 to 4 inch tube on a 1/8 to 1/4 oz head, hopped or dragged around rocks.
Tips
- Smallmouth favor rocks in about 5 to 35 feet; start shallow and work deeper. The best lake fishing is in June just after spawning and in early fall. Crayfish imitations shine early morning and late evening.
- Fly fishing: Surface flies and streamers, especially early and late in the day.
Starter setup
A 5.5 to 7 foot light to medium-light spinning or spincast rod and matching reel, spooled with 6 lb monofilament. Spincast is easiest for beginners, and a 4 to 5 foot rod suits small kids. Carry size 6 to 10 hooks, a few split shot (pinched on 4 to 8 inches above the hook), small bobbers, a couple of small spinners and jigs, and worms. Learn the improved clinch knot and the palomar knot.
Light line casts farther and draws more strikes. Heavier line and stiffer rods are for bigger fish, heavy cover or sharp teeth, not for everyday fishing.
When to size up
| Fish | Gear |
|---|---|
| Walleye, bass, saugeye, hybrid striped bass | medium rod, 8 to 12 lb line, 6 to 7.5 feet |
| Channel catfish | medium-heavy rod, 10 to 20 lb line |
| Northern pike | medium-heavy rod, 15 lb or heavier braid, steel or heavy fluorocarbon (40 lb+) leader |
| Muskellunge | heavy 7 to 9 foot rod, 50 to 80 lb braid, heavy leader |
| Trolling for lake trout and salmon | 8.5 to 10.5 foot trolling rods, 15 lb mono or 30 lb braid, level-wind reels |
| Steelhead | 8 to 10 foot or longer rods, 6 to 10 lb line |
| Lake sturgeon | heavy rod, 50 to 100 lb braid |
Stocked in the last 2 years
6 waters with a stocking in the last 2 years.
Texas (2)
- Grapevine Lake, Denton
- Possum Kingdom Lake, Palo Pinto
Washington (2)
- Moon Lake, Jefferson
- Williams Lake, Spokane
Wisconsin (2)
- Lauderdale Lakes, Walworth
- Tichigan Lake, Racine
Gear for other species
- Rainbow Trout
- Brown Trout
- Brook Trout
- Walleye
- Stocked Trout (species not listed)
- Cutthroat Trout
- Muskellunge and Tiger Muskie
- Yellow Perch
- Channel Catfish
- Largemouth Bass
- Bluegill and Sunfish
- Northern Pike
- Crappie
- Lake Trout
- Landlocked Atlantic Salmon
- Tiger Trout
- Kokanee
- Chinook Salmon
- Coho Salmon
- Steelhead
- Saugeye and Sauger
- Splake
- Lake Sturgeon
- Golden Trout
- Hybrid Striped Bass
- Arctic Grayling
Gear types only. Check your state's fishing regulations before you go.