@ Wally13 - The 3/8 oz, double willow blade, chartreuse spinner bait is another great lure for searching smallmouth bass in the Boundary Waters. I like to use the BooYah model with the blades painted chartreuse as well. A top 5 lure for most of the smallmouth season.

Spookmeister: "What is your favorite technique for fishing smallies on/near the bottom?" Do a search on YouTube for "best smallmouth baits". My experience is the same top techniques that work around the country also work fantastically well in the boundary waters.

Know what tackle to bring for each type of fish including Smallmouth bass, Walleye, Northern Pike and Lake Trout. Smallmouth Bass. Smallmouth Bass are pound for pound the best fighting fish in canoe country which is why they are so popular among anglers all over the country, and especially in the boundary waters.

Tips on finding and catching smallmouth bass in northern Minnesota Boundary Waters (BWCA): best time to fish, where to fish, what lures to use. Pound for pound, smallmouth bass here in the BWCA are our toughest fighters.

If the fish are active, your fast retrieve will cover more water and clean up. If the fish are less active, a slower, deeper presentation will produce more. You could add large/small, as a larger bait will produce better when fish are active, and a smaller bait when less so.