How to Catch Trophy Smallmouth Bass In Sturgeon Bay | Spring and Beyond

Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, is a world-class multi-species destination and home to giant smallmouth bass. Seasoned guide and pro bass angler Adam Rasmussen (Rasmussen Outdoors-bit.ly/4bJv2on) shares his extensive knowledge of finding and catching smallmouth bass throughout the spring. He provides a detailed step-by-step approach to locating spring smallmouth using electronics and the best tactics to catch oversized goby-eating machines.
BOAT SETUP
• FISH FINDER - Humminbird APEX 13 MEGA SI+ CHARTPLOTTER: Buy at Bass Pro Shops bassproshops.vzck.net/Vmx9gk
• MAPPING - Humminbird LakeMaster Premium VX Digital Map Chart Card, Great Lakes v1: Buy at Bass Pro Shops bassproshops.vzck.net/R516Ga | Buy at Humminbird bit.ly/4c4uHwA
• 360 SONAR - Humminbird MEGA 360 Imaging: Buy at Bass Pro Shops bit.ly/3tfjF6x | Buy at Tackle Warehouse bit.ly/3t9Wiet
• FORWARD-FACING SONAR (FFS) - Humminbird MEGA Live Imaging: Buy at Bass Pro Shops bassproshops.vzck.net/MXa6eN
• TROLLING MOTOR - Minn Kota Ultrex QUEST: Buy at Bass Pro Shops bit.ly/49npejB
• SHALLOW WATER ANCHOR - Minn Kota Talon 10' Bluetooth Anchor, Buy at Bass Pro Shops bassproshops.vzck.net/eKnDMZ
• BOAT - Vexus VXs20: Check out at Vexus bit.ly/456Vwh7
• MOTOR - Mercury Pro XS 250 hp: Check out at Mercury bit.ly/3PeIhVk
TACKLE USED (retail links)
• TUBE - Howie Tubes: Buy at Omnia omnia.direct/Rgmqzg
• SWIMBAIT - Rapala Crush City Mayor Swimbait, 3-inch: Buy at Bass Pro Shops bassproshops.vzck.net/eKPxGX | Buy at FishUSA bit.ly/3Vqetbu | Buy at Tackle Warehouse bit.ly/3OLj3hm
• NED PLASTIC - Rapala CrushCity Ned BLT: Buy at Bass Pro Shops bassproshops.vzck.net/eKX07Z | Buy at FishUSA bit.ly/3X5OXtc | Buy at Tackle Warehouse bit.ly/3PCylFd
• ROD - 13 Fishing Envy Black III Spinning Rod, 7'3'' Medium - Fast: Buy at Tackle Warehouse bit.ly/3R5T8Bp
• REEL - 13 Fishing Axum Competition Spinning Reel, 3.0: Buy at Tackle Warehouse bit.ly/4aNQNlV
• LINE (braided mainline) - Sufix 131 G-Core Braided Line, 10-pound: Buy at Bass Pro Shops bassproshops.vzck.net/B0KA60 | Buy at FishUSA bit.ly/4dozWbE | Buy at Tackle Warehouse bit.ly/4dozWbE
• LINE (fluorocarbon leader) - Buy at Bass Pro Shops bassproshops.vzck.net/ZQrJn1 | Buy at Tackle Warehouse bit.ly/43dZt2w
HAT - Humminbird Limited Edition Richardson Rubber Patch Hat: Check out apparel at Humminbird bit.ly/3R74JjV
HOODY - CrushCity Athletic Hooded Sweatshirt White Logo: Check out at Rapala bit.ly/3KMxTBr
UNDERSTANDING SPRING SMALLMOUTH LOCATION
The warming water of spring signals the transition from deep winter haunts to spawning grounds. Finding the warmest water on large rock-laden flats is goal number one! Using his LakeMaster VX charts, Rasmussen starts with a detailed map survey of what to look for, focusing on expansive rock flats punctuated with boulders and depressions. Whereas mapping gets him into the right zone, side imaging becomes the next tool to locate prime fish-holding spots like transition zones between sand and gravel to rock and isolated boulders.
UTILIZING ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY
Rasmussen marks prime-looking spots with waypoints, then takes to the bow. With waypoint sharing enabled, he acquires his targets on MEGA 360 Imaging, making sure to maintain a significant standoff distance to avoid spooking bass in the ultra-clear water. He then makes casts to specific targets, such as large boulders surrounded by sand. While 360 sonar paints a detailed picture of his surroundings, Rasmussen explains how forward-facing sonar adds additional insights, such as spotting bass, dialing in casting accuracy and measuring the height of boulders.
FISHING TECHNIQUES
While the Sturgeon Bay forage base is diverse, the invasive goby is the primary and favored forage of the smallmouth. As such, bottom-based presentations excel over all else. Rasmussen shares some of his top lures, emphasizing the importance of choosing baits that mimic the size, color, and movement of gobies in the rocks. Small tubes, Ned-style plastics, and paddle tail swimbaits round out his shortlist of proven presentations. He then covers his favored rod, reel, and line setup for making long casts, detecting subtle bites, and controlling oversized bass in the challenging zebra mussel-infested waters.
#rapala24 #13fish24 #vexus24 #minnKota24 #humminbird24
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[@pinhookfishingclub]

Great vid! I’m a bank fisherman so it’s cool to see how this tech all works. Thanks for putting this together!

[@kens.8124]

I live ALL wired2fish content but I have to mention this video was done exceptionally well. It was enjoyable to re-watch this even though I may never get to fish for Midwest Smallmouth 😅

[@Phoenix-nl2ut]

Awesome vid. One day I’d like to fish there.

[@andreanngeise3738]

Hope to get out there one day

[@hyang9195]

Dang man. You had to point to the spot at Sand Bay where I caught my 5 lber this year. Good video though.

[@af4od02]

I am a southern bass fisherman, I have never had the opportunity to fish the great lakes. Crazy question, do Lunar Tides effect these lakes with rising and falling water like marine environments like oceans and the gulf? Thanks for the video.

[@nchec326]

I've heard there is a very small tide effect on the great lakes. Pretty much unnoticeable.

[@greenwinggang3949]

The people in this comment section who constantly complain about the new push for technology need to grow up and realize this is the future of fishing. The funny thing is the only people complaint about it are the ones who don’t have it and the ones who are t good at it. It just another learning process.

[@joshkorotka5994]

Probably one of the best videos I’ve see. Adam didn’t seem to hide much info. What month was this recorded? @wires2fish

[@packmane78]

Wow, with $100000 worth of electronics on the boat he should just have a robot reel the fish in while he sits there- is this fishing now lol 🤔

[@gtb5216]

#FFFS!😂😂

[@timcheese234]

This guy almost won the classic and you guys are here complaining. How about try and learn something or stay getting beat by the “scoopers”

[@Backwood865]

Pro bass fishing has turned into a video game. Not about fishing. Reading a screen and dropping the bait down to them. While also the boat stays in whatever position they want. Catch them without electronics then that’s skill

[@alpha3521]

Too many electronics. Lmfao

[@Pudge4400]

Too judgemental. Lmfao

[@romaloboda2280]

@@Pudge4400 In that case, you are also: "Too judgemental. Lmfao"

[@umairfaizuddin3429]

I don’t have a boat with electronics myself but often fish on other buddy’s boats and as a co angler. It’s really not that hard to understand what you’re seeing on the screens. A couple quick YT videos or TikToks and you’ll have a pretty good understanding of what you’re seeing and can start appreciating/utilizing more of that information that’ll only help your fishing.

[@Danyang1]

It helps when you’re on a body of water like the Great Lakes. If you can afford it, why not?

[@mikej9619]

So in summary, buy 10Gs worth of fish finders and plotters and drag a tube...give me a break...

[@devinwillis7787]

Feel free not to. No one holding a gun to your head to spend 1500 on live scope

[@JB-gt5no]

6 minutes of playing with his iPad 👍👍👍 - I’m so tired of all these videos where it’s all about playing with electronics. Can ya’ll actually fish without it? Let’s be real men.