Spring

• The spring for smallmouth bass is when the water temperatures are between about 50 and 70 degrees. During this time, smallmouth bass are in shallow water and in some stage of the spawning process. The fish spawn in hard-bottomed shallow areas. Anglers should search for rocks and bowl-shaped depressions, which are smallmouth bass beds. Because they are spawning, smallmouth bass will hit a variety of lures, but it is not because they are hungry. Rather, the fish hit lures out of a desire to protect their beds. As a result, anglers should begin casting quick-moving lures, such as topwaters, shallow-diving crankbaits, or spinnerbaits. If the smallmouth will not hit such lures, or there is an abundance of smallmouths in an area, anglers should slow down and cast lures such as small jigs and pigs, soft jerkbaits and 4-inch plastic worms. Retrieve these lures slowly and near the bottom.
  
  

Summer

• The summer period for smallmouth bass is when water temperatures are about 70 degrees and higher. This is the time of year when many anglers have the most difficulty catching smallmouths, especially considering they were relatively easy to locate and catch during the spring. The smallmouth bass move to deeper water when the temperatures rise, but they are still found around rocks, which hold the crayfish that top the smallmouths' desired food list. Anglers should look for rocks on structures such as drop-offs, the edges of reefs and humps, and points. Cast quick-moving baits, such as deep-diving crankbaits, Carolina-rigged worms or spinnerbaits until you locate smallmouths. Continue to cast such lures until the bite tapers off. Then go to slower-moving baits, such as jigs and pigs or small plastic worms, to catch the fish that are not as aggressive. Make a note of where smallmouths are found, because they often do not move far during the summer months. One exception is that smallmouths will move into shallow, rocky areas under low-light conditions to feed. This includes cloudy or windy days, as well as after dark. Quick-moving lures perform best in such conditions.
  
  

Fall

• When the water temperatures are in the middle-60s and falling, the fall has arrived and, with it, some of the best smallmouth bass fishing of the year. The smallmouths tend to be in large schools at this time of year, and anglers who find such schools can catch smallmouths on every cast. The fish move back into the shallows, as they are cooler, and they spend a good portion of the day feeding. Look for shallow areas with plenty of rocks and deep-water access. Use lures such as spinnerbaits, lipless crankbaits and topwater baits. Use erratic retrieves to trick smallmouths into believing your lure is a dying baitfish.
  
  

Live Bait

• If smallmouth bass will not hit artificial lures, switch to live bait, such as minnows, leeches or nightcrawlers. Fish these below a bobber and in the same areas as you would fish artificial baits. Live bait is especially effective during cold-front conditions and when the fish are not actively feeding. Smallmouths cannot resist a piece of live bait dangled in front of their faces, which is why many anglers targeting walleyes with live-bait rigs also catch many smallmouth bass.