When massive schools of alewives and gizzard shad invade the shallows on their annual spring spawning runs, many smallmouths take a break from eating crayfish and switch to these small, silvery fish. Since alewives are oily and high in fat, alewives and shad are the perfect high-energy food for smallmouths. The bass grab them while they can, too, because once the water warms up, these schools of baitfish will move back offshore and out of reach.

In recent years, a small invasive fish called the round goby has taken up residence in our nearshore waters and has entered the diet of the predatory smallmouths. These small brown bottom-dwelling fish love to hang around the rocks with the crayfish. They are the perfect size for a hungry bass. Although gobies can grow as large as 8 inches, most are only 2 to 4 inches long.

There are other small fish that are eaten by smallmouths, too, in addition to those mentioned above. Smelt (like the alewives and gizzard shad) appear on their spring spawning run, and the bass chase them down whenever they get the chance. Emerald shiners are often present when the water warms, along with baby perch and other young-of-the-year fish.

BAITS & TACTICS
Smallmouth bass can be caught many different ways, and no single method is always the best. Trolling for smallmouths can be productive, but most anglers prefer to stop their boats and cast lures to underwater structure. Shore-fishermen also cast lures, but they also use a variety of live baits to tempt these hungry jumpers.

Productive smallmouth lures come in all shapes, sizes and colors. The most important thing to remember, though, is that you want your lure to imitate something that a hungry bass is used to eating. For the most part, that means you should use lures that resemble crayfish and small minnows or other fish.

Crayfish imitations are extremely productive. Lure manufacturers have developed dozens of different crankbaits that look and swim like crayfish, and they catch plenty of fish. When using a crayfish imitator, be sure to retrieve it so that it darts and bounces off underwater rocks, just like a real crayfish.

Minnows or shad-imitating crankbaits and stick baits are always productive. Stick baits resemble smelt and shiners, while the deeper-bodied crankbaits look more like alewives and gizzard shad. Chrome and gold-colored minnow imitators are great choices, although natural colors are also good. When the water is stained by spring wind and rain, try a rattling crankbait to attract more bass.