Fishing Report for Smallmouth Bass using Swim Jigs in Spring (Pre-Spawn)

Item: Lake Vermilion
Author: Rich Lindgren

Rich Lindgren

Blue Ambassador

5/18/21

Lake Vermilion

Species
Smallmouth Bass
Season
Spring (Pre-Spawn)
Technique
Swim Jigs
Structure
Boulders
Forage
Perch

As of fishing opener weekend, water temps were in the mid to upper 50s in most of Vermilion with a few smaller bays peaking into low 60s. Water is about a foot low & water color is as clear as I have ever seen it. Vast majority of both bass species are in Pre Spawn mode, but lake is warming fast & so are the bass. For the most part smallmouth are on shallow boulder areas leading into spawning pockets. Jerkbaits in natural patterns with some chartreuse & perch imitating chatterbaits both produced well. We found largemouth hanging around emerging pads & old reed beds. Black & Blue Swim jigs were the most productive for finding & catching chunky largemouth