How to catch more and bigger smallies !

This month is the one of my faves ... the hard fighting smallmouth bass. There are many ways to catch smallies, but I find that your ability to read moving water and fish it properly, is the biggest factor to catching fish. Most smallmouth come from fast water, other than the occasional deep water reservoir that supports a good population. Here are some tips for fishing current. If in a straight, fast current with no real current breaks, you should fish across the current. Cast 45 degrees up current, real fast at first and then slow down your retrieve as you achieve the proper speed to allow your lure to be in the strike zone as long as possible. Sometimes a slow drag against the current, back to you, can produce good strikes. Swimming against the current is actually the most natural presentation. In fast current areas with little or no cover or current break, spinners and small crankbaits are my choice. My go to lures are the classic beetle spin (smoked silver/white/chartreuse), chartreuse/white spinner bait with willow leaf blade, rebel crayfish and jointed minnows and small diving plugs (crayfish/silver - 3'). I almost forgot ... tiny torpedos on topwater can be a blast !!! Whole different story if you can find deep pools, out of current, behind rocks. Same lures will work, but plastic worms can be money ! I caught many 4lb smallies when I was young on 4" culprit worms (sidewinder/mocassin) texas rigged. With the new developments in scented baits ... I would definitely give gulp brands a consideration. I find the fish hold on longer for better hook sets when using scented baits. With smallmouth, MAKE SURE your drag is set properly and tie real good knots. I once fought a 5lb smallmouth at pony pasture in the james river for almost 20 minutes on light tackle !!! They are jumpers, too ! So give it a shot .. any question, as always .... let me know ! Warning ... like every other type of fishing .... this can be addicting ! Tight lines !