Three Techniques for Deep Summertime Smallmouth

If there’s one fish that separates the men from the boys in the bass fishing world, it’s smallmouth. They are lean, mean, bronzeback fighting machines that will test the way you think. Unlike largemouth, which will eat just about anything, smallmouth are much more cunning; it’s harder to convince them to bite. Nothing against largemouth, but when it comes to diet, they definitely are the trash cans of the sunfish family.

summertime smallmouth — Compared to largemouth, big smallmouth bass are a bit more discerning when it comes to feeding in warm, summer water. *(Photo courtesy Nick Petrou)*

Usually, with a little coaxing, you can get smallmouth to eat consistently…except during the summertime. One minute they might be out feeding on suspended baitfish, and the next they’re hugging the bottom, or chasing bluegills along a weed edge. Smallmouth are always on the move and changing their diet, especially in deep water. Yes, the fishing may be challenging, but it’s one of my favorite times to be on the water. Whether I’m putting my clients on fish or just fun fishing with friends, deep, summertime smallmouth will always have my heart. There are so many ways to target them, but to help shorten the learning curve, here are a few of my favorite summer tactics to put more fish in the boat.

(Note: On The Water is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.)

Dragging the Bottom

When most bass anglers think of summertime smallmouth, dragging baits on the bottom is usually the number one tactic. In hot summer temperatures, smallmouth move deep to follow the food which, a majority of the time, consists of creatures that live on the bottom. Their summer diet might include crayfish, large invertebrates like hellgrammites, or even round gobies. Any baits that imitate those forms of prey will get bit during the summer months, which is why dragging a Ned rig, tube, or a football jig in deep water can be deadly.

Now, you’re not just out in the deepest part of the lake dragging bottom; you need to be around some sort of structure. Rocks, sand flats, and wood will all hold the bait which, in turn, will attract the fish. The biggest things to look for are transition zones. Whether it’s rock to sand, sand to gravel, or wood to rock, fish use these transition zones as highways to find prey, and to move from one part of the water body to the other. Utilizing techniques and baits to present the fish a natural and appetizing option will result in more big smallmouth this summer.

The Dropshot

This tactic deserves its own category, as it’s arguably the top-producing smallmouth technique of the last century. A dropshot consists of a small, octopus-style hook on the line, and a long tag end to which a weight is tied. It’s like a high-low rig used for bottom fishing in the ocean, but it has only one hook, and instead of a dropper loop, the hook is tied directly to the line. The dropshot rig allows the soft-plastic bait to suspend six, ten, or even twenty inches above the bottom. This gives the fish a unique look at the bait and ultimately triggers more strikes, which is why it has become one of the fastest-growing tactics for deep water smallmouth.

You can fish the dropshot in the same places that you fish dragging baits. The second best approach is to use it on fish that you can see hovering just above the bottom, or even suspended in the water column. Whether presented vertically with 2D sonar, or cast in front of the boat with forward-facing sonar, smallmouth will follow it right to the bottom. Then, let the bait sit almost motionless in their face to draw strikes.

The biggest tip to remember with a dropshot is to always keep bottom contact with the sinker in order to maintain the bait’s position and a natural presentation.

A Jighead/Minnow Combination

This lineup wouldn’t be complete without mention of the ol’ reliable jighead and minnow. It’s a combo which, when presented properly in front of a bass, is arguably the most lifelike baitfish imitation available. One of the most effective techniques to present a jighead and minnow in today’s world of bass fishing is to utilize forward-facing sonar to intercept a fish’s path. There are a lot of anglers that consider this style of fishing to be cheating, but forward-facing sonar is a useful tool that can help to generate strikes from suspended or pressured smallmouth during the summertime.

You can fish this bait in various ways, like snap jigging or mid strolling, but the most productive approach is to sight cast with forward-facing sonar. Suspended smallmouth are some of the toughest to catch, but when you have a valuable piece of technology like FFS, it changes the game, allowing you to see how fish react to your bait in real time so you can trigger more bites.

Top-Performing Baits for Deep Summertime Smallmouth

There are a lot of baits that I keep rigged up in the summertime for smallmouth, but a few stand out from the rest. It doesn’t matter if I’m fishing a Great Lake or some hundred-acre lake, when I’m fishing out deep for trophy smallies, I have these four baits tied on at all times.

Berkley MaxScent Flat Worm

Since its creation and addition to the MaxScent lineup a number of years ago, the Flat Worm has accounted for more big smallmouth catches than any other bait besides a tube. Its lifelike action mimics a variety of creatures living on or near the lake floor, and the scent it emits is unparalleled to any other bait on the market. Whether fished on a dropshot, on a jighead (suspended), or dragged on the bottom, this is a bait that flat out produces big bass.

Beast Coast Fishing O.W. Sniper

When it comes down to a finesse jig designed for smallmouth, this one takes the cake. In conjunction with Travis Manson, host of the Smallmouth Crush YouTube Channel and 1000 Islands area fishing guide, Beast Coast released this little football-style jig with no weed guard that’s meant to work through rock. Paired with your favorite goby- or craw-style trailer, this is the perfect meal for a large smallmouth living in the deep. This bait has gained popularity over the years and when paired with a Berkley MaxScent Lil’ General, it looks just like a goby.

Z-Man Finesse TRD

Z-Man Shroomz Jig Ned Rig — Z-Man Finesse TRD on a Z-Man Pro ShroomZ Jig

The Ned rig is the go-to for many smallmouth anglers nationwide. It is almost like the Senko of the smallmouth world with how many people throw it and how well it gets bit. I have one of these baits tied on all year long, but in the summer especially, it’s a key player in my arsenal. The TRD is a super finesse presentation that draws a lot of strikes. What does it imitate exactly? Not one precise thing, but its nondescript profile and action can pass for a crawfish, small baitfish, leech and more.

Strike King Z-Too or Baby Z-Too on a Northland Smeltinator Jighead

Looking for the ultimate jighead/minnow bait combination? These two paired up are like peanut butter and jelly. The hook is the perfect size for the plastic, so it looks just like a minnow coming through the water. In my opinion, there is no comparison when it comes to lifelike appearance and durability. Plus, the super strong Gamakatsu hook used in the jighead will never break and stays glued to the fish’s mouth at all times.

—

It may be tricky fishing, but summertime smallmouth in deep water will always have my heart. They are the most fun to chase, and they fight extremely hard. Plus, smallies are a great way to shake things up if you don’t want to go out and target only largemouth. If you employ these techniques and baits, I can guarantee that you get on some big smallmouth this summer.