Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouth Bass are often considered the strongest pound-for-pound freshwater fish. These fish are extremely territorial but finesse fishing tends to be the most effective way to target them. Smallmouth are often found in bodies of water that contain deep, clear water with rocks or boulders on the bottom. They use these offshore boulders for cover and ambush points. Additionally, some cold water creeks and rivers will contains Smallmouth Bass.
Videos & Articles (76)
How Patrick Walters Fishes Finesse in the Post Spawn
Tue, May 24, 2022
The post spawn funk can often bring about the bassin' blues for anglers, as it can be a challenging time to pattern and catch quality bass while they recover from their annual spawning ritual. Here, Bassmater pro, Patrick Walters shares his tips on capitalizing on this often challenging time to catch bass.
How to Fish a Large Swimbait with Patrick Walters
Mon, May 23, 2022
A great way to target big bass, Bassmaster Pro Patrick Walters is here to share a few tips on how to fish a large soft-bodied swimbait.
Large Swimbait Setup (Rod/Reel/Line) - Patrick Walters
Fri, May 20, 2022
Hop in the boat with Bassmaster Pro Patrick Walters and get a full rundown on his setup for large swimbait fishing.
Glide Bait Setup (Rod/Reel/Line) - Patrick Walters
Thu, May 19, 2022
One of the most exciting ways to trigger big bites, Bassmaster Elite Series pro, Patrick Walters, is here to give his rundown on the proper setup for glide bait fishing.
How to Locate Hard Bottom with Side Imaging with Patrick Walters
Wed, May 18, 2022
Advancements in technology has made finding bass-holding cover and structures easier than ever! Bassmaster Pro, Patrick Walters, is here to give an overview on how to easily identify hard bottom areas using Humminbird MEGA Side Imaging.
Humminbird Waypoint Tip with Patrick Walters
Mon, May 16, 2022
Bassmaster pro, Patrick Walters, spends a lot of time behind his electronics while prepping for and competing in Elite Series events. Here, he has a quick tip on how to best manage your Humminbird waypoints to get the most out of your investment.
How to Locate Bass on Shallow Flats with Patrick Walters
Sat, May 14, 2022
Shallow flats are key fish-holding areas during the spring, but they can pose a challenge with how expansive they and the abundance of cover they offer. Hop in the boat with Patrick Walters to hear how he quickly breaks down a shallow spawning flat to find fish fast!
Your Spawning Questions Answered with Patrick Walters
Thu, May 12, 2022
You asked, he answered! Sit down with Patrick Walters and hear his answers to the questions submitted by BassUtopia fans about fishing for bass during the spawn.
How to Fish a Shaky Head with Patrick Walters
Wed, May 11, 2022
The reliable shaky head is a finesse fishing staple of bass anglers nationwide, and here are some tips from Patrick Walters on how to fish a shaky head.
How Bass Set Up on Trees with Patrick Walters
Tue, May 10, 2022
Bassmaster Elite angler Patrick Walters knows a thing or two about fishing trees by spending so much time on the target-rich environment of Santee Cooper lakes in South Carolina. Here, he shares some tips on how to narrow down these targets and maximize your efficiency on the water.
How to Fish a Bass Bed with Patrick Walters
Sat, May 7, 2022
One of the most exciting times of the year to fish, the spawn can also be a challenging time for anglers to convince bedding bass into biting. Here, Patrick Walters shares how he looks for beds and how he approaches them to make calculated casts and trigger fish into biting.
How to Fish a Glide Bait with Patrick Walters
Fri, May 6, 2022
A glide bait is one of the best big bass search baits ever made and here are some tips from Bassmaster Elite angler, Patrick Walters, on how to fish one successfully.
How to Rig a Jig
Thu, May 5, 2022
One of the most famous ways to catch big bass on a consistent basis, the jig has been found on boat decks of bass anglers for years and is a confidence lure for many. Patrick Walters finds the jig to be one of the most versatile lures across the country, and here he gives some tips on how he modifies and rigs his favorite jig setup.
How to Rig a Large Swimbait with Patrick Walters
Wed, May 4, 2022
Large swimbaits are one of the best offerings to catch above-average sized bass and here Patrick Walters breaks down the differences between pre-rigged and unrigged swimbaits and how he sets them up for success.
Spinnerbait/Chatterbait Setup (Rod/Reel/Line) - Patrick Walters
Tue, May 3, 2022
When it comes to spinnerbait and chatterbait fishing, Bassmaster Elite Series angler, Patrick Walters, likes to keep things simple and consistent. Take a look at his setup for these two popular techniques.
Tournament Fishing Essentials Gear List
Tue, April 19, 2022
The Lew's Pro SP Reel
Tue, April 19, 2022
One of the most popular new reels on the market, the Team Lew's Pro SP Speed Spool was designed to be the ultimate user-friendly skipping and pitching low profile casting reel.
The Daiwa Ballistic MQ LT
Sun, April 17, 2022
Loaded with premium features from Daiwa, the Ballistic MQ LT has been reimagined, redesigned, and fully-upgraded for battle for both freshwater and inshore spinning applications.
Humminbird: Mega Live vs. 360 w/ Bob Downey
Fri, April 15, 2022
Humminbird pro and Bassmaster Elite Series angler Bob Downey is here to break down the differences between Humminbird Mega 360 and Mega Live along with how and where to use each tool both individually and together in harmony to catch more fish
The Daiwa Tatula 80
Wed, April 13, 2022
Compact in size but mighty in performance, the new Tatula 80 offers a host of premier features from Daiwa in an easily palmable low profile casting reel.
The Atlas Tackle Pack from Plano
Mon, April 11, 2022
The premier solution to portable tackle management, Plano introduces the new Atlas 3700 Tackle Pack.
The Daiwa Tatula 70
Sat, April 9, 2022
"Tatula" has become a household name for bass anglers over the past decade, and now Daiwa has taken its SV technology and packed it into the most compact and lightweight Tatula yet, with the Tatula 70 SV TW.
HyperMag Spinning Reel from Lew's
Fri, April 8, 2022
A reputable name amongst baitcasting reels for years, the HyperMag by Lew's has set a standard for high-grade performance and top-notch engineering. Now, the reputation exceeds the baitcasting realm with the all-new Lew's HyperMag Spinning Reel.
How to Choose the Right Spoon
Thu, April 7, 2022
Bass spoons are one of the most effective categories of lures for imitating shad, all the way from small threadfins to the large gizzard shad of Tennessee River Impoundments. Ricky Harris shares some advice on how to get started with selecting the correct bass spoon.
Strike King Tour Grade Spinnerbaits
Wed, April 6, 2022
Crafted with attention to every detail and tournament-ready straight out of the pack, the Strike King Tour Grade Spinnerbait family covers all of your spinnerbait needs.
New Abu Garcia Zenon Casting Reels
Tue, April 5, 2022
Compact, super lightweight, and crafted with precision engineering, you can do it all with the new Zenon series of reels from Abu Garcia.
Glide Bait Hack - When to File Down Your Glide Bait
Mon, April 4, 2022
Ricky Harris from Omnia Fishing shares a quick tip on how and when to file down a glide bait to fine-tune its swimming action.
Humminbird Mega 360 Walkthrough
Sun, April 3, 2022
Make every cast count with Humminbird's innovative Mega 360 sonar, giving you a perfectly clear bird's-eye view of the underwater environment.
How to Choose the Right Glide Bait
Sat, April 2, 2022
Glide Bait fishing has risen in popularity over the years and is a great way to catch above-average sized bass. Ricky Harris from Omnia Fishing shares three key tips on how to select the right Glide Bait.
ZMan SMH Jig Head
Fri, April 1, 2022
Designed by Zman in collaboration with MLF pro Brian Latimer, the all-new ZMan SMH Jig Head stands in a league of its own within the booming finesse shakey head market.
Humminbird Mega Live Walkthrough with Bob Downey
Thu, March 31, 2022
We caught up with Humminbird pro Bob Downey at the Bassmaster Classic Expo to get a demonstration of how Mega Live functions and how he utilizes this tool to catch more bass.
ZMan Goat ToadZ
Wed, March 30, 2022
After countless redesigns and input from ZMan pros and fans alike, the new Goat ToadZ is finely-tuned for serious topwater bass-kickin' action!
Lew's Signature Series Rods
Tue, March 29, 2022
Professionally designed by some of the biggest names in bass fishing, the Lew's Signature Series Rods have a model for all of the most popular bass fishing techniques.
Hardbody Swimbait Setup (Rod/Reel/Line) - Ricky Harris
Sun, March 27, 2022
When it comes to hardbody swimbait fishing, your setup is very important. Here are some tips on how to choose the right setup for large hardbody swimbait fishing!
The Strike King Hybrid Hunter
Sat, March 26, 2022
Tailormade for big bass in the grass, the new Strike King Hybrid Hunter just may be the last shallow crankbait you ever need for fishing around vegetation!
Large Hair Jig Setup (Rod/Reel/Line) - Ricky Harris
Fri, March 25, 2022
One of the best ways to catch the largest bass from an offshore school, large hair jigs (aka "Preacher Jigs") require a special setup to be successful on the water. Ricky Harris from Omnia Fishing shares his go-to setup for large hair jig fishing.
St. Croix 7'3" M Extra-Fast Legend Tournament Bass Rod with Bob Downey
Thu, March 24, 2022
Bassmaster Elite Series angler, Bob Downey, shares one of his favorite models in the new St. Croix Legend Tournament Bass series, the 7'3" Medium, Extra-Fast Power Finesse spinning rod, aka the "Power Finesse".
Patrick Walter's Tips on Jerkbait Fishing Around Cover
Wed, March 23, 2022
A master of jerkbait fishing with forward-facing sonar, Patrick Walters shares a quick tip on fishing hard jerkbaits effectively around cover to garner more bites.
The Smeltinator Jig with Jeff Gustafson
Tue, March 22, 2022
The jig that propelled Jeff "Gussy" Gustafson to his first Bassmaster Elite Series win, the Smeltinator is dynamite for finesse swimbaits and vertical damiki rig presentations.
St. Croix: 7'5" MH Fast Legend Tournament Bass with Bob Downey
Mon, March 21, 2022
Dubbed the "Warhorse" by St. Croix Rods, the Legend Tournament Bass 7'5" Medium-Heavy is one of Bob Downey's favorites in the new line, and here he shares his favorite aspects of this new rod.
Lew's XD Crankbait Rod Series
Sun, March 20, 2022
Tailormade for the popular XD Series of crankbaits from Strike King, the new Lew's XD Cranking Rods come in a range of lengths and powers to serve all of your crankbait fishing needs.
The Strike King Chick Magnet
Sat, March 19, 2022
Ideal for cooler water temperatures, the brand new Strike King Chick Magnet feels right at home cranking for shallow water prespawn bass.
Spring Smallmouth Fishing on Lake St. Clair
Fri, March 18, 2022
Get an in-depth overview on targeting prespawn smallmouth bass on Lake St. Clair!
The Evergreen Grass Ripper
Fri, March 18, 2022
The all-new Evergreen Grass Ripper is here and as the name suggests, this swim jig is going to be a killer around vegetation!
The Smeltinator Underspin with Jeff Gustafson
Thu, March 17, 2022
An added twist on the jig that helped Jeff "Gussy" Gustafson win his first Bassmaster Elite event, the Smeltinator Underspin is the ideal tool for deep, coldwater smallmouth and spotted bass.
In-Depth Legend Tournament Bass Material with St. Croix Engineer
Wed, March 16, 2022
Bassmaster Elite Bob Downey interviews an engineer from St. Croix Rods to get a rundown on the proprietary materials used to design the all-new Legend Tournament Bass series of rods!
Legend Tournament Bass First Impressions with Bob Downey
Tue, March 15, 2022
Bassmaster Elite Series angler Bob Downey shares his first impressions on the new and improved St. Croix Legend Tournament Bass series of rods, which launches on March 25!
Abu Garcia: Revo Rocket
Mon, March 14, 2022
The Abu Garcia Revo Rocket is built with top-end speed in mind. Andrew Wheeler from Abu Garcia is here to share all the specs that make the Revo Rocket one of the most efficient low profile casting reels on the market.
Abu Garcia: Revo STX
Sun, March 13, 2022
A highly regarded casting reel by serious tournament anglers and diehard weekend warriors alike, the Revo STX upholds Abu Garcia's tradition of precision engineering and powerful performance.
Abu Garcia: Revo SX
Fri, March 11, 2022
We met with Abu Garcia Product Manager, Andrew Wheeler, at the 2022 Bassmaster Classic Expo to get a detailed review of what makes the Revo SX one of the best-selling low-profile casting reels of all time.
New St. Croix Legend Tournament Bass Rods
Fri, March 4, 2022
One of the best-selling families of rods from St. Croix is back in the all-new and improved Legend Tournament Bass Casting and Spinning rods! Polish Pete is here to share some of his favorite features of these tournament-grade performance bass rods!
Pete's Secret Stash: Abu Garcia AL-F Casting Reel and Zenon Casting Rod
Thu, February 17, 2022
Pete's Secret Stash is back! We're getting all the details on Pete's new favorite setup from Abu Garcia, the AL-F Casting Reel paired with the new Zenon Casting Rod.
VideoStriker Livestream with John Crews
Wed, October 13, 2021
Famous tournament angler John Crews joins Pete and Brad to talk Missile Baits and Striker outerwear.
VideoXZone Livestream with Brandon Palaniuk
Tue, October 12, 2021
The Omnia Team sits down with the award-winning angler Brandon Palaniuk to talk XZone Lures.
VideoPlano Livestream with Kristine Fischer
Mon, October 11, 2021
As a kayak angler, Kristine Fischer knows how crucial her storage space is, which is why she likes Plano boxes so much.
VideoDaiwa Livestream with Seth Feider
Wed, October 6, 2021
Daiwa brings together two of the top anglers in the game, Seth Feider and Patrick Walters, to talk products and their favorite tournaments.
How To Fish A Jig
Tue, September 14, 2021
VideoTop 3 Summer Bass Fishing Techniques
Tue, July 13, 2021
VideoWhere to Find Summer Bass
Tue, July 13, 2021
VideoSeth Feider's Must Haves for the Bassmaster Northern Swing
Fri, June 25, 2021
VideoThe Importance of Spinning Reel Spool Size
Wed, June 24, 2020
How Does a Bass See Your Tackle in Water?
Wed, April 8, 2020
Learn how largemouth and smallmouth bass interpret color.
Seth Feider Tops St. Clair
Wed, October 2, 2019
Leech Lake Summer Bass Fishing
Tue, July 16, 2019
Bass Jig Fishing Tips
Tue, July 2, 2019
How to Fish the Umbrella Rig
Mon, July 1, 2019
How To Fish A Jerkbait For Bass
Sat, June 29, 2019
Lake Guntersville Fishing Report
Mon, June 17, 2019
Lake Champlain Fishing Report - Spring/Summer
Wed, May 29, 2019
How to Fish the Jika Rig
Mon, April 1, 2019
Crankbait Fishing: How to Use the Square Bill
Thu, March 21, 2019
How to Fish the Ned Rig
Mon, March 18, 2019
Sam Rayburn Spring Bass Fishing Tips
Thu, March 14, 2019
Interview: Seth Feider Previews the 2019 Bassmaster Classic
Tue, March 12, 2019
Neko Rig Fishing - The Essentials
Thu, February 14, 2019
Lake Mille Lacs Bass Fishing Report
Tue, February 12, 2019