If you want a feisty fish bending and stripping your drag, try fishing on Lake Erie for Smallmouth Bass. Pound for pound these fish probably fight as good as any fish in the world. Many times they perform aerial acrobatics and have received the nickname “jumpers” by a lot of anglers.
Most of the time we use live bait, minnows, softcraws ,leeches on carolina rigs to catch these fish. While anchoring or drifting we also use tube jigs, crank baits that imitate the round-nose goby, which is Mr. Smallmouth's favorite bait these days. I've seen my dad catch many smallmouth bass using Black Maribou Jigs and trolling small crankbaits around the reefs.
The best time to really catch Smallmouth Bass on this Great Lake Erie is 1rst of September all the way through October. The bait fish starts to migrate towards the shoreline and the Bass follow them from the deep water 30-32 foot range until they meet at our local reef complex in front of Davis Bessee.
During the hot summer months we normally get a Canadian Fishing license for day or two and head over around Pelle Island. These areas hold huge numbers of prime Smallmouth and finding them is part of the adventure. Once you find the right comfort zone and bait fish holding rockpiles, you will truly enjoy this hearty fighter when he's on your line. Be ready for a good jump or two and than a deep dive back to the bottom, when he sees the boat, this is when you will test your patience and equipment.
Whether you are a seasoned expert or a novice, you will enjoy this great fish. Smallmouth fishing is not for the weak at heart. There is tremendous excitement and anticipation each time you cast your line. Be ready for the bite! The saying goes if you feel something funny on your line set the hook its free.
Remember September, October, November produce huge numbers of Yellow Perch, Walleyes and Smallmouth Bass all at the same time. These are just a few tips to help you improve your catch and nothing is better than visiting Lake Erie's Western Basin often to keep your fishing edge. Book a charter if you want to get the best results and then use these tips to increase your luck! See you on the Lake!
