Small Mouths vs Large Mouths

J

Jovis

Member
Hi Guys

I apologize if this topic was discussed previously on Sealine, but I couldn’t find a related topic/post. Please send me the thread info if I missed it.

 

The bass bug bit me about six years ago but as I’m from the Lowveld I’ve only been exposed to large mouth bass. I’ve recently been introduced to a dam with small mouths and managed to get three on my first outing (not big, the biggest  + -  700g). I’m very impressed with the fighting abilities of the smallies but I lack knowledge on how to target them…

 

Can someone please assist me with specific info on how to target smallies?

How would your approach differ from targeting large mouths?

 

Look forward to any tips. Tanks!
 
H

HennieS

Senior Member
Hi Jovis

The two species is very different in nature therefore your techniques to catch them will also be very different, although you will have success using the same techniques. Because the smallie is more aggresive it makes them easier to catch on power fishing. Power fishing meaning, cranck baits, jerk baits and spinner baits. The smallie also tend to like cooler water tempratures.

The largies is very structure bound and you will mostly find them in places they can get shade or some form of cover. The smallie tends to relate to more subtle structures like humps, loves rocks ect. I will make subtle changes to my techniques if I fish for smallies people tend to scale down but there is no need for that, the only time I will scale down is if I am fishing very clean water which smallies tend to like. If I am fishing clean water I will go to a spinning rod with 6 - 8 pound flauro. The type of lure I would use would be fat albert grub, stretch 40, ring worm, 4 inch dead ringer. You will notice that these plastics have something in common, an active tail! Smallies want something that is moving and looks active! Also do not be scared to throw a super fluke on a mojo, they WILL eat it. Colors watermelon, green pumpkin, watermelon red, watermelon gold, black & chartruese on ring worm. 

My other favorite lure for smallies is a lipless cranck bait, or rattle trap as people would call them. The colors I like is gold and silver, must have a decent shine to it and must rattle furiously. I use the rapala type rattle traps.

Cranks baits I like to use the Bill Norman meduim size diving to about 12 foot, the suspending ones seem to work better. The colors I like here is the golden shiner and the lavender shad. Would retrieve to depth and then have  a stop start retrieve, usually get hit when you start your retrieve again.

Husky jerk bait by Rapala is my my favorite jerk bait, the color is tenessee shad. You will notice that this color is again gold and green. Also like the suspending ones would give it two jerks and stop two jerks and stop, you will get hit when you attempt to jerk.

Lastly I would use 1/4 ounce spinner bait in three colors, golden shiner, plain white and plain chartruase. Again try different techniques simple cast and wind, stop start retrieve, or slow roll the spinner bait. 

Hope this helps
 
F

Frogstar

New member
Agreed!

I have been fishing for smallies here in the cape for the last year so am no expert.

reaction baits seem to be the most successfull. However I have found that lately they are mostly being caught on plastics. (at least at the moment).

They do relate to different structure than largies, mostly gravel beds and rocks but have picked up my fair share in the usual largie structure.

Dont be fooled by their small mouths. My last smallie i caught in October was on a U-Vibe Mag worm (practically the biggest plastic worm you can get) and that was only a 1.3kg fish.

In the cape DT10, DD22 and 12's, lipless cranks seem to be the best cranks to use from reading all the reports and from my experience.

Plastics that ive caught on have been grubs, lizards, brushhogs, u-vibes, even flukes, mostly in junebug but also watermelon, cinnamon and white (due to the cape witvis).

Ask any Capie and they will answer: Smallies Rock
 
T

TOE 007

Sealiner
Yep SMAllies rock , i will take some pics of what i use in Clan and Kwaggas , Remember smallies like small baits , ripraps with rocks , humps , ridges and drop off close to deep water , i have fished EXTENSIVELY in Clan , Bullshoek ,kwaggas ,vvlei ,and the breede . I LOVE THEM BRONZEBACKS ,i'll post something shortly !
 
J

Jovis

Member
Thanks for all the info! Much appreciated.

 

# Hennie[/b]: Thanks, dit help baie! Can’t wait to put everything in practice. After reading your piece some of what I experienced on Saturday falls in place. I was throwing 6 “ dead ringers and super flukes texas rigged without success. I then speeded up and caught 2 on spinnerbaits and one on a lipless crank (meer geluk as wysheid).

 

#Frogstar: [/b]You do have draw backs like Nakaluvuki J down in the Cape but you sure are lucky to have such nice venues for Smallies.

Solly’s in Nelspruit will sell some cranks this week… Thanks for the info.
 
G

gt40

Senior Member
Was at kweaggas 2 weeks ago was catching them on norman little n cranks in the fire tiger them seem to love bright colours
Fantastic to catch the shear adrenaline and force they take take the lure on is fantastic
 
B

Billaridoo

Senior Member
I heard the same thing from my cousin in George. Smallies love firetiger! He owns three firetigers, Rapala DT's. That is all he uses and he never goes home without a catch!
 
J

Johanvc

Sealiner
When I fished for smallies about a month ago I used shiny cranks as Hennie said and clapped them Ok the biggest was only 1.2kg. But for a guy from JHB that only catches largemouth it was a jol
 
J

Johanvc

Sealiner
When I fished for smallies about a month ago I used shiny cranks as Hennie said and clapped them Ok the biggest was only 1.2kg. But for a guy from JHB that only catches largemouth it was a jol
 
B

Blanky

Senior Member
Smallmouth bass... aaahhhh my most favourite thing in the world!!!! You cant get a better rush than a smallie hitting your topwater lure. My most succesfull topwater for smallies has to be the Tiny Torpedo. When smallies are breaking water you gotta throw a TT!!!
 
B

BassMasterNONPro

New member
Smallies are def harder fighters. But River fish, largies or smallies seems to be much stronger. Prob cause they live in a current. Therefore....river smallies are the best thing ever.

I use smallers plastics (texas rigged) for smallies with some kind of tail action (tubes, grubs, creatures, etc), in darker colours and/with red or orange. And they slam your lures, its great. Then i use lipless too. Most colours seem to work for me...i dont really know.

EDIT: i must try some topwater lures for these dudes. U guys use popper or walking type lures?
 
T

TOE 007

Sealiner
BassMasterNONPro wrote:
Smallies are def harder fighters. But River fish, largies or smallies seems to be much stronger. Prob cause they live in a current. Therefore....river smallies are the best thing ever.

I use smallers plastics (texas rigged) for smallies with some kind of tail action (tubes, grubs, creatures, etc), in darker colours and/with red or orange. And they slam your lures, its great. Then i use lipless too. Most colours seem to work for me...i dont really know.

EDIT: i must try some topwater lures for these dudes. U guys use popper or walking type lures?
Click to expand...
  howzit , IN CLAN the Smallies  LOVE  spooks ,greys ,blacks silvers ,transparent, and yes , my personal favorite , THE CHUGBUG!!! I NEVER GO WITHOUT MY CHUGBUG
 
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