Five tips for catching big smallmouth bass.
1. Look for Moving Water
Big smallmouth are lazier than smaller ones and like to be where they can get an easy meal. For this reason they will hang out in spots where current will push food in their direction, allowing them to just hang out and wait. Creek mouths are great, as are any narrow parts of the lake where food gets filtered through and water current picks up. This is also one of the reasons why big rivers can be such incredible smallmouth fisheries.
2. Big Baits
You've probably heard the saying "big baits, big fish." Well, it's true. It's possible you can catch big smallmouth on tiny lures, but on average, bigger lures will pick off more of the bigger fish. It comes down to simple biology. Large animals need more food, so they will look for the largest prey they can easily swallow. 5" Zara spooks, 1 oz spinnerbaits, 6" Sebile Magic Swimmers and 7" lizards have all caught me big bass in the past. Always have a few big lures tied on if you're in an area known for big smallmouth.
3. Find Unpressured Fish
While this isn't always easy, spend some time fishing offshore in search of smallmouth that haven't seen many baits. Looking for humps or any unique changes in the lake typography can clue you into potential overlooked hotspots. Often these places will have schools of smallmouth on them, and often these fish are big. Big bass don't want to get hooked so look for them in areas that don't see many lures.
4. Don't Be Afraid of the Weather
Wind triggers feeding smallmouth. For the same reason that bass will congregate in areas where the water is moving, bass will also feed more where the wind is blowing. Wind gets the whole food chain going, from plankton to baitfish to predators, and if you're after the predators it's important to be there when they're feeding. The next time the wind is up on your favourite smallie lake, make sure your trolling motor batteries are fully charged, put on a jacket, and hunker down for some of the best action of the season. Storm fronts are another great time to catch big fish.
5. Be an Early Bird
Just as the early bird gets the worm, the early angler often gets the biggest fish. In the warmer months, many big smallmouth will only come shallow to feed in low-light conditions, especially the early morning. A huge portion of my biggest smallmouth have come before 7 a.m., so if it's big bass you're after this is a great time to do it. Not only are they up shallow, but they will be feeding aggressively at this time. Spinnerbaits, jerkbaits and topwater lures are good choices for morning bass.
Tips from: http://www.worldfishingnetwork.com/tips/post/5-tips-to-catching-big-smallmouth
1. Look for Moving Water
Big smallmouth are lazier than smaller ones and like to be where they can get an easy meal. For this reason they will hang out in spots where current will push food in their direction, allowing them to just hang out and wait. Creek mouths are great, as are any narrow parts of the lake where food gets filtered through and water current picks up. This is also one of the reasons why big rivers can be such incredible smallmouth fisheries.
2. Big Baits
You've probably heard the saying "big baits, big fish." Well, it's true. It's possible you can catch big smallmouth on tiny lures, but on average, bigger lures will pick off more of the bigger fish. It comes down to simple biology. Large animals need more food, so they will look for the largest prey they can easily swallow. 5" Zara spooks, 1 oz spinnerbaits, 6" Sebile Magic Swimmers and 7" lizards have all caught me big bass in the past. Always have a few big lures tied on if you're in an area known for big smallmouth.
3. Find Unpressured Fish
While this isn't always easy, spend some time fishing offshore in search of smallmouth that haven't seen many baits. Looking for humps or any unique changes in the lake typography can clue you into potential overlooked hotspots. Often these places will have schools of smallmouth on them, and often these fish are big. Big bass don't want to get hooked so look for them in areas that don't see many lures.
4. Don't Be Afraid of the Weather
Wind triggers feeding smallmouth. For the same reason that bass will congregate in areas where the water is moving, bass will also feed more where the wind is blowing. Wind gets the whole food chain going, from plankton to baitfish to predators, and if you're after the predators it's important to be there when they're feeding. The next time the wind is up on your favourite smallie lake, make sure your trolling motor batteries are fully charged, put on a jacket, and hunker down for some of the best action of the season. Storm fronts are another great time to catch big fish.
5. Be an Early Bird
Just as the early bird gets the worm, the early angler often gets the biggest fish. In the warmer months, many big smallmouth will only come shallow to feed in low-light conditions, especially the early morning. A huge portion of my biggest smallmouth have come before 7 a.m., so if it's big bass you're after this is a great time to do it. Not only are they up shallow, but they will be feeding aggressively at this time. Spinnerbaits, jerkbaits and topwater lures are good choices for morning bass.
Tips from: http://www.worldfishingnetwork.com/tips/post/5-tips-to-catching-big-smallmouth
MCADAM VISITOR INFORMATION CENTRE
McAdam Railway Station, Municipal Visitor Information Centre, New Brunswick.
The village of McAdam, only a few kilometres from the Maine-New Brunswick border crossing at Vanceboro, along Route 4, and just 45 minutes from the city of Fredericton, is a warm and friendly community that offers several restaurants, a beautiful lakeside campground and a unique country experience. Stop at the Visitor Information Centre, located in the McAdam Railway Station, to receive information about this region of the province and take advantage of a variety of FREE services which will enhance your travel experience, such as:
• Travel assistance and EI counselling
• Official New Brunswick map and Rainbow Bus touring guide
• Information about events, attractions and Bass Master 2016
If there is anything else that you need or are looking for, just ask one of the counsellors and they will do their best to find it for you.
There are many adventures to pick from in McAdam – canoe the St. Croix River, picnic at Spednic Lake, hike the nature trail, browse through a variety of country shops or tour the McAdam Railway Station. The station, built in 1900, is a national historic site, a provincial heritage place and a designated heritage railway station that was part of the main Canadian Pacific railway line into Atlantic Canada. The station, operated and managed by the McAdam Historical Restoration Commission and 2013 winner of Canada's Greatest Places People's Choice Award, is an active museum offering tours, catered meals, conference facilities and much more.
http://www.mcadamstation.ca
McAdam Railway Station, Municipal Visitor Information Centre, New Brunswick.
The village of McAdam, only a few kilometres from the Maine-New Brunswick border crossing at Vanceboro, along Route 4, and just 45 minutes from the city of Fredericton, is a warm and friendly community that offers several restaurants, a beautiful lakeside campground and a unique country experience. Stop at the Visitor Information Centre, located in the McAdam Railway Station, to receive information about this region of the province and take advantage of a variety of FREE services which will enhance your travel experience, such as:
• Travel assistance and EI counselling
• Official New Brunswick map and Rainbow Bus touring guide
• Information about events, attractions and Bass Master 2016
If there is anything else that you need or are looking for, just ask one of the counsellors and they will do their best to find it for you.
There are many adventures to pick from in McAdam – canoe the St. Croix River, picnic at Spednic Lake, hike the nature trail, browse through a variety of country shops or tour the McAdam Railway Station. The station, built in 1900, is a national historic site, a provincial heritage place and a designated heritage railway station that was part of the main Canadian Pacific railway line into Atlantic Canada. The station, operated and managed by the McAdam Historical Restoration Commission and 2013 winner of Canada's Greatest Places People's Choice Award, is an active museum offering tours, catered meals, conference facilities and much more.
http://www.mcadamstation.ca
Bass Fishing, June MacAdam. Be there! Bass Master 2020
Looking Back... Past Winners of Bass Master
2015 - AJ,
2014 - Nose,
2013 - Goon,
2012 - Lee,
2011 - ?,
2010 - Gus,
2009 - ?,
WHAT IS NEW YOU ASK!
A look inside Marks Tackle Box...
Nicebass.ca recently visited with Bunker C. to discuss his tackle and learn a few tricks: "Well ya know I have always been a top water guy. I like the big smash you can get on a top water popper and the long retrieve often leaves time for a sip of refreshments before you get the bass in the boat and the work of un-setting the hook begins. I like to mix it up a lot, some say I change my lures to often but ya know if the fish are not biting then it is time to change, call me crazy but that is the way i see it... fish on!"
News:
A strange animal was spotted lurking around the Stoney Brook Lodge cabins on palfrey lake. The animal is said to smell of fries, snore like a beaver, walk like a duck, drink like a elephant, blabber like a brook trout and swim like a stone. Campers are recommended to keep their food inside and never look over your left shoulder... go ahead look...
Daily Reflections:
WE HAVE A NEW SPONSOR!!!! click here
Some members have been asking about the annual meet up of the McAdam Rainbow Bus Club. I have not heard any news on this. But members who attended last year, by all accounts, had a good time and made some important local contacts. If the meeting is a go ahead this year, they have promised to inform the group.
Looking Back... Past Winners of Bass Master
2015 - AJ,
2014 - Nose,
2013 - Goon,
2012 - Lee,
2011 - ?,
2010 - Gus,
2009 - ?,
WHAT IS NEW YOU ASK!
- The prairie chicken is doing some dry land training in his neighbour's swimming pool, between trips to bass pro and blender drinks..
- Scroogles is considering a return to Bass Master and may not use cheese for bait this year. This could be the year of Bacon.
- A full year's supply of His and Her's Monkey Butt Powder. Yes that's right folks, his and her's Monkey Butt Powder!!!!! These are the types of prizes on the line people.
- Special Event: Before Bass Master 2016 nicebass.ca will be presenting another "LUNCH AND LURES" with Special Guest "The Big Dog" We will provide details in coming weeks and invite all dedicated bass fishers to join us at "MacDonald's of Walmart" for fine dining followed by a guided tour of aisle 66 - The "Fishing Section". Come wonder at the Big Dog's intuitive understanding of which lures bass like to eat - he is not called the bass whisperer for nothing. BD will be speaking on the down side of cheese as a lure, the influence of cocoa butter on a fish's appetite and the truth about fish finders. After touring the bait and tackle section we will also tour the condiments aisle, rubber boots section and meet in the pet section to debate the virtues of live bait.
- We will be fishing in the back woods of N.B/Maine and CASH is the only real currency
- If you plan on sleeping you should bring a pillow and sleeping bag…..if you forget yours one of the blender boys will be quick to share.
- Bring bug dope and sun screen, stay hydrated, etc...
- The only place there is cell phone service is 5 miles from where you will be.... nice!
- Bob and Jaye are the best - clean up and give the house a good name.
- We do not use whitener. After the "Whitener incident" of 0tt-12 our newly minted camp bit#h went into the witness protection program.... whitener!!!! CLICK ON THIS LINK AND YOU WILL SEE - RIGHT GUP!!
A look inside Marks Tackle Box...
Nicebass.ca recently visited with Bunker C. to discuss his tackle and learn a few tricks: "Well ya know I have always been a top water guy. I like the big smash you can get on a top water popper and the long retrieve often leaves time for a sip of refreshments before you get the bass in the boat and the work of un-setting the hook begins. I like to mix it up a lot, some say I change my lures to often but ya know if the fish are not biting then it is time to change, call me crazy but that is the way i see it... fish on!"
News:
A strange animal was spotted lurking around the Stoney Brook Lodge cabins on palfrey lake. The animal is said to smell of fries, snore like a beaver, walk like a duck, drink like a elephant, blabber like a brook trout and swim like a stone. Campers are recommended to keep their food inside and never look over your left shoulder... go ahead look...
Daily Reflections:
- Give a man a fish, and he'll eat for a day. Give a fish a man, and he'll eat for weeks! - Toshihiro Kawabata
- A bad day of fishing is still better than a good day at work. - Author Unknown.
- The gods do not deduct from man's allotted span the hours spent in fishing. - Babylonian Proverb
- The fishing was good; it was the catching that was bad. - A.K. Best
- Calling fishing a hobby is like calling brain surgery a job. - Paul Schullery
- If I fished only to capture fish, my fishing trips would have ended long ago. - Zane Grey
WE HAVE A NEW SPONSOR!!!! click here
Some members have been asking about the annual meet up of the McAdam Rainbow Bus Club. I have not heard any news on this. But members who attended last year, by all accounts, had a good time and made some important local contacts. If the meeting is a go ahead this year, they have promised to inform the group.