Smallmouth Shop | Hammertime Hookers

SMALLMOUTH BASS GEAR - TECHNIQUES

Power: L=Light. ML=Medium Light. M=Medium. MH=Medium Heavy. H=Heavy. Ex=Extra Heavy

Action: M=moderate. F=Fast. EF=Extra Fast

JIGS

How: Work the bottom at various speeds with the appropriate weighted jigs to feel the bottom. Use skirts for added action and experiment with plastic trailers. Trailers for jigs are typically swimbait or crawfish patterns. Cast and retrieve is also effective.
Rods: MH- to H, 6'6" to 7'3" typical. Reels: Baitcasting or spinning reels. Line: Braided or fluorocarbon line, 12-20 lb test. Tackle: Use skirted jigs in various colors to match the local forage. Trailers such as crawfish imitations can enhance appeal.

POWER FISHING

SPINNERBAITS

How: Cast and retrieve lure with various styles of blades, skirts, and trailers to experiment with. Used to cover water. Work along shallows, weedlines, dropoffs, points or anywhere that may hold fish.
Rods: Medium to Medium-Heavy, 6'6" to 7'3". Reel: Faster retrieve. Line: Monofilament or fluorocarbon line, 10-15 lb test. Tackle: Choose spinnerbaits with different blade configurations and skirt colors to imitate baitfish and attract strikes.

BUZZBAITS

How: retrieved along the surface, cast near shorelines, points, area around fallen cover.
Rods: Medium to Medium-Heavy, 6'6" to 7'3". Reels: Baitcasting reels with a high gear ratio for quick retrieval. Line: Braided line, 12-20 lb test. Tackle: Opt for buzzbaits with larger blades for increased surface disturbance and better attraction.

CRANKBAITS

How: cast and retrieve to cover water. Target shorlines, weedlines, falled cover, rocks, dropoffs, bounce off bottom and structures to trigger bites
Rods: Medium-Heavy, 6'6" to 7'6" in length, with a moderate to fast action. Reels: Baitcasting reels with a gear ratio between 6.4:1 to 7.1:1 for optimal control. Line: Monofilament or fluorocarbon line, 10-20 lb test. Tackle: Carry a selection of crankbaits in various colors, sizes, and diving depths to match the prevailing conditions.

SWIMBAITS

How: Soft plastic shads cast and retrieve. Can be various sizes and weights.
Rods: Medium to Medium-Heavy, 6'6" to 7'6" in length, with a moderate to fast action. Reels: Baitcasting reels with a smooth drag system. Line: Braided line with a fluorocarbon leader, 15-30 lb test. Tackle: Experiment with different swimbait sizes, weights, and colors to mimic the local forage and entice strikes.

TOPWATER

How: Cast and retreive surface lures. Evening and morning bites are typically best. Cast around shorelines, points and any structure. Walk the dog-Twitch the line with slack to make the lure snake back and forth. Popper- Twitch the lure to create a surface disturbance.
Rods: Medium to Medium-Heavy, 6'6" to 7'6" in length, with a fast action for better control of topwater lures. Reels: Baitcasting reels with a high gear ratio for quick line pickup. Line: Monofilament or braided line, 12-20 lb test. Tackle: Carry a variety of topwater lures, including poppers, walking baits, and prop baits, to capitalize on different feeding behaviors and water conditions.

Finesse Fishing

Wacky Rig

How to Fish: Let the worm fall naturally, then twitch gently.
Rod: 6'6" - 7'0" Medium Power, Fast Action Spinning Rod, Reel: Spinning Reel, 2500-3000 Size
Best Conditions: Clear water and high-pressure conditions.

Drop Shot

Texas Rig

How to Fish: Drag or hop the bait slowly through cover.
Rod: 7'0" - 7'3" Medium-Heavy Power, Fast Action Casting Rod, Reel: Baitcasting Reel, 6.4:1 - 7.1:1 Gear Ratio
Best Conditions: Fishing in thick vegetation or near wood cover.

Ned Rig

How to Fish: Drag slowly along the bottom, letting the bait stand upright.
Rod: 6'8" - 7'0" Medium-Light Power, Fast Action Spinning Rod, Reel: Spinning Reel, 2000-2500 Size
Best Conditions: Clear water, cold temperatures, or post-frontal conditions.

LINE - LEADER

How To Articles

Choosing the right fishing line for smallmouth bass depends on technique, water clarity, and structure.
Braided Line (Strong & No Stretch – Best for Power Fishing & Finesse Leaders)
10-20 lb braid – Finesse fishing, combined with a fluorocarbon leader.
30-40 lb braid – Used for power fishing (spinnerbaits, swimbaits).
Fluorocarbon Line (Invisible Underwater & Sinks – Best for Clear Water)
6-10 lb fluorocarbon – Finesse applications like drop shot, Ned rigs.
10-14 lb fluorocarbon – Crankbaits, spinnerbaits.
15-20 lb fluorocarbon – Jigs and swimbaits.
Monofilament Line (Floats & Has Stretch – Best for Topwater & Beginners)
8-12 lb monofilament – Best for topwater lures and crankbaits.
Leader Setup (For Spinning Reels & Finesse Fishing)
**Use a 6-10 lb fluorocarbon leader with 10-15 lb braid for finesse fishing.
**Use a 12-15 lb fluorocarbon leader with 30 lb braid for power fishing.