Smallmouth Bass

The best smallmouth fishing tips, tackle, and gear from the Outdoor Life experts.

Latest in Smallmouth Bass

smallmouth bass
Fishing

How to Catch Smallmouth Bass

By Joe Cermele, Derek Horner

How to read a fish finder
Fishing

How to Read a Fish Finder

By Pete Robbins

A woman fishes on a lake with a spinning rod and reel combo.
Gear

The Best Spinning Rod and Reel Combos, Tested and Reviewed

By Alice Jones Webb

The author releases a smallmouth bass caught on a neko rig.
Fishing

Neko Rig: A Complete Guide on Rigging, Setups, and How to Fish It

By Derek Horner

A side-by-side comparison of largemouth and smallmouth bass, held up by an angler.
Fishing

A Guide to Largemouth Bass vs Smallmouth Bass

By Dac Collins, Derek Horner

The free rig on the deck of a boat.
Fishing

How to Fish a Free Rig: Here’s What You Need to Know About This Underrated Bass Technique

By Derek Horner

drop shot rig
Fishing

How to Fish a Drop Shot: A Complete Guide

By Derek Horner

An angler preparing to cast a wacky rig.
Fishing

Wacky Rig: A Complete Guide on Rigging, Setups, and How to Fish It

By Derek Horner

A largemouth bass caught on a texas rig
Fishing

How to Fish a Texas Rig: A Complete Guide on Baits, Tactics, and More

By Derek Horner

The Ned Rig: A Complete Guide to Baits, Gear, and How to Fish It
Fishing

The Ned Rig: A Complete Guide to Baits, Gear, and How to Fish It

By Derek Horner

The author fishing one of the best smallmouth bass lakes.
Fishing

The 7 Best Smallmouth Bass Lakes and Rivers

By Derek Horner

A fly fisherman holds up a smallmouth bass.
Fishing

Guide to Fishing for Smallmouth Bass in the Fall

By Kubie Brown

A North Dakota fishing guide with a big Montana smallmouth bass.
Fishing

‘I Was in Disbelief.’ Fishing Guide Releases Montana’s Pending-Record Smallmouth Bass

By Bob McNally

smallmouth bugs
Fishing

Podcast: The Secrets to Catching Bug-Drunk Smallmouths

By Joe Cermele

JT Thompkins was disqualified from a tournament and it cost him a shot at thousands.
Fishing

Bassmaster Elite Series Rookie Disqualified for Failing a Polygraph Test

By Derek Horner

Using Forward Facing Sonar to Locate Fish
Fishing

7 Forward Facing Sonar Tips: Settings, Mounting, and Techniques Explained

By Chad Morgenthaler

geecrack cuebomb
Fishing

How to Fish the Geecrack Cue Bomb — and Other Rubber Dice Baits

By Shaye Baker

Everything you need to know to catch bass on a strolling rig
Fishing

A Complete Guide to Strolling for Bass: The Ultimate Rig for Forward-Facing Sonar

By Derek Horner

The best drop shot rods are sensitive and light, yet powerful enough to pull up giants
Gear

The Best Drop Shot Rods of 2025

By Pete Robbins

Forward facing sonar has changed fishing, and the next evolution is FFS specific baits and gear
Gear

New Lures, Reels, Rods, and Lines Designed for Forward Facing Sonar

By Derek Horner