The smallmouth bass, or small mouth bass, is green with dark vertical bands along the side. Unlike the largemouth bass, the upper jaw does not extend past the eye, hence its name. Smallmouth bass are also referred to as brown bass, brownies, bronze bass, bronze backs (because of the hue) and smallies. Smallmouth bass can live to be 10 to 12 years old and average 8 to 15 inches long and weigh less than three pounds. However, trophy smallmouth have been caught much larger than three pounds. See our smallmouth bass fishing articles for more information.
Smallmouth bass are native to the Mississippi River and can be found in warm Minnesota and Wisconsin waters, Arizona, Texas and parts of Canada among others. They like clear water, rocks and gravel, and can be found in all types of natural lakes, manmade lakes, and they thrive in rivers and streams with moderate current.
Smallmouth bass eat primarily crayfish, insects, frogs, minnows, shiners, smelt, and other fish species. Shiners and crayfish are the popular live baits, while jigs, crankbaits and spinners are the best artificial baits.
Some lakes contain both largemouth bass and smallmouth bass. Interestingly enough, they are not always found in the same places in the same fishing holes because largemouth bass and smallmouth bass survive in different environments. You can read more about these studies in our articles section.
Most methods of catching largemouth bass are also good for catching smallmouth bass. However, there are a few differences to increase the size of your catch. The differences would include flyfishing techniques (or, fly fishing), and a slight difference in baits (though one will work for the other, we are talking about increasing the catch by being more precise with your baits.
The smallmouth bass record of 7 pounds, 12 ounces, set by Aaron Fridrich and caught in Lake Texoma in March of 2003, has reportedly been broken. For more info on that, see our smallmouth bass fishing articles.
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