Smallmouth Bass

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

Latest in Smallmouth Bass

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 2024

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

bassmaster
Fishing

Here’s Why Forward Facing Sonar Won’t Be Banned from Professional Bass Fishing

By Derek Horner

A Humminbird and Garmin fish finder on the deck of a boat.
Gear

MEGA Live vs LiveScope: What’s the Best Forward Facing Sonar?

By Pete Robbins

micro ned rig fishing
Fishing

Micro Ned Rigs: The Ultimate Bait for Targeting Bluegills and Bass at the Same Time

By Alex Robinson

old school bass lures
Fishing

Quick Strike Podcast: 3 Old-School Bass Lures the “Cool Kids” Hate (and Why You Should Be Fishing Them Now)

By Joe Cermele

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

smallmouth bass caught in a river
Fishing

The Best Way to Catch Smallmouth Bass in Rivers: Hit Them With Topwater Lures While Wading

By Joe Cermele

best bass fishing tips for beginners lead
Fishing

The Best Bass Fishing Tips for Beginners

By Joe Cermele

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

smallmouth bass
Fishing

How to Catch Smallmouth Bass

By Joe Cermele

A brown trout caught on a cicada fly.
Fishing

How to Fish the 2024 Cicada Hatch

By Dac Collins