| The Smallmouth Bass has very different | | | | and other creatures that inhabit the surface areas of |
| characteristics than its larger cousin the Largemouth | | | | the water. |
| Bass. You must adjust your fishing style accordingly if | | | | We can use this information to develop the proper |
| you wish to have success fishing for this species. In | | | | fishing technique to catch Smallmouth Bass. For |
| the following paragraphs I will illustrate the differences | | | | starters we can forget about spinnerbaits, buzzbaits |
| between these two species in both lake and river | | | | and other artificial baits that are best used at or near |
| habitats. | | | | the surface. The Smallmouth Bass is a creature that |
| In lakes, Smallmouth Bass exhibit two main differences | | | | feeds deep, it does not like to swim towards the |
| in the areas they choose to spend most of their time | | | | surface to feed. The prudent Smallmouth Bass |
| in. | | | | fisherman should head to the lake with deep diving |
| Smallmouth Bass prefer much deeper water than | | | | crankbaits, jig and pig combos and plastic worms that |
| Largemouth Bass. You will rarely catch a Smallmouth | | | | can be fished at or near the bottom of the lake. |
| Bass in water that is three to six feet deep. | | | | Another trait of the Smallmouth Bass is that it is a |
| Largemouth Bass on the other hand are caught quite | | | | much more aggressive feeder than the Largemouth |
| regularly in these areas. The optimal water depth for | | | | Bass. They prefer fast moving baits and are definitely |
| Smallmouth Bass has proven to be ten to fifteen feet | | | | sight feeders. Largemouth Bass can be either sight or |
| deep. | | | | sound feeders. |
| Smallmouth Bass prefer a gravel bottom. For cover | | | | When the fishing venue changes to a river you must |
| nothing beats a large rock or series of rocks. | | | | again alter your fishing approach between each |
| Largemouth Bass tend to congregate more towards | | | | species. Rivers are the preferred habitat for |
| weed lines to forage. This explains their preference in | | | | Smallmouth Bass. In most cases you will not find deep |
| food. Smallmouth Bass often feed on crustaceans that | | | | water in rivers. Smallmouth Bass being an adaptable |
| inhabit the rocky areas they prefer. They will of course | | | | species now use the current to find a preferred place |
| eat small fish as well, but definitely prefer creatures | | | | to hunt. |
| such as leeches and crayfish that dwell at or near the | | | | In rivers you will find Smallmouth Bass in areas of the |
| bottom. Largemouth Bass on the other hand feed | | | | river with the fastest current. The key is to determine |
| primarily on smaller fish, but also will eat bugs, frogs | | | | which areas of high current are better than others. |