How to Catch Smallmouth Bass during the Spawn

Part 1 of 2 on Fishing for smallmouth bass during the spawn with the reins ring claw.
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[@jamescobrien]

The male smallmouths make the nests and then the females come in to lay the eggs in the males nest then the females leave and the males stand to guard the eggs and fry when they are young then they are left on there own shortly after.

[@JohnnyAmato]

I'm a little confused here. You keep saying "her" and "she", when these are clearly all males your fishing for. The females are only on the beds for a very short time, only a few hours. It's the males that guard it from predators, not the females. Before the female comes in and lays her eggs, the male is guarding it mainly from other males coming in and stealing his bed for themselves. This can go on for a week or more depending on weather. Once the eggs are laid, he quickly drives the female off, after her only being on the nest for a few short hours. He then guards it much more aggressively to keep predators from stealing and eating the eggs, for a few more days until they hatch. The short time that the female is there, she is laying her eggs, and will not eat or attack anything. Still, nice video with great camera work. I personally don't fish for bedding smallmouth, I try to catch as many big pre-spawn, egg-filled females as I can before the spawn and post-spawn periods start. But I can still see that it's a science and can be fun, nice job! I'm wondering what state you're in, I'm in northern Wisconsin. Check out my Facebook page under the same name if you want to see some of the great smallies I get up here. I also do the music for a good friend's fishing website. Send me a friend request! Hope to talk smallies soon!

[@maxrebo1141]

How to catch them during spawn? Retrieve a bait through their beds. The end.

[@fishonfish1]

I have a problem when I'm fishing for smallmouths in a lake. I can see tons of smallmouths but cant seem to catch them. The lake has parts where there is Sandy beaches other parts with weedy bottoms and other part with Lilly pads/wild rice.Any tips Thanks!!

[@pmuell08]

I would back off those areas where you see those fish and make long casts with a jerk bait like an ima flit 120 and fish it fast if the water is warm and fish it slower with more pauses if the water is cold. A yamamoto senko wacky rigged with a zappu inch jighead is another great way to catch them when they are cruising and the water is warmer

[@fishonfish1]

Thanks will try!!

[@Boatflipit]

My gosh them fish are anorexic talk to your local dnr officer and see if they can start stocking your lake with baitfish or craws.

[@maxrebo1141]

How to catch them during spawn? Retrieve a bait through their beds. The end.