Smallmouth Bass

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

Latest in Smallmouth Bass

An illustration of a kid holding up a big bass

The Unmaking of an Ozark Stream, and One Last, Giant Bass with My Grandpa The Unmaking of an Ozark Stream, and One Last, Giant Bass with My Grandpa

By Larry Dablemont

best bass fishing tips for beginners lead

The Best Bass Fishing Tips for Beginners The Best Bass Fishing Tips for Beginners

By Joe Cermele, Derek Horner

smallmouth bass

How to Catch Smallmouth Bass How to Catch Smallmouth Bass

By Joe Cermele, Derek Horner

How to read a fish finder

How to Read a Fish Finder 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 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.

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

A Guide to Largemouth Bass vs Smallmouth Bass A Guide to Largemouth Bass vs Smallmouth Bass

By Dac Collins, Derek Horner

The free rig on the deck of a boat.

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

By Derek Horner

How to Fish a Drop Shot: A Complete Guide How to Fish a Drop Shot: A Complete Guide

By Derek Horner

An angler preparing to cast a wacky rig.

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

By Derek Horner

A largemouth bass caught on a texas rig

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

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

The 7 Best Smallmouth Bass Lakes and Rivers The 7 Best Smallmouth Bass Lakes and Rivers

By Derek Horner

A fly fisherman holds up a smallmouth bass.

Guide to Fishing for Smallmouth Bass in the Fall Guide to Fishing for Smallmouth Bass in the Fall

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

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

smallmouth bugs

Podcast: The Secrets to Catching Bug-Drunk Smallmouths Podcast: The Secrets to Catching Bug-Drunk Smallmouths

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

Bassmaster Elite Series Rookie Disqualified for Failing a Polygraph Test Bassmaster Elite Series Rookie Disqualified for Failing a Polygraph Test

By Derek Horner

Using Forward Facing Sonar to Locate Fish

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

By Chad Morgenthaler

geecrack cuebomb

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

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

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

By Derek Horner