Smallmouth Bass Fishing Lake Erie
smallmouth bass fishing lake erie
Which Rapala crankbait is best used for fishing Smallmouth in shallow, rocky cover?
In late June, I will be fishing Lake Erie for Smallmouth Bass. We kill them around piers at this time of the year on jigs, tubes, finesse worms, etc. I’m sort of new to crankbait fishing, though. I’m definitely going to buy some X-Raps and Clackin’ Raps, but what about a good crankbait for this situation. The water we fish is around 5 feet, give or take, and its mostly rocks. The smallies hang around and under the piers up in the rocks. The water is pretty stained. Would a Rapala X-Rap Shallow Shad be a good choice? Any other sugestions? And also, any color suggestions? We like to stick to dark, crawfish patterns when we’re finesse fishing, but I want to stick to baitfish patterns for hardbait fishing. A ton of white bass school up around this pier also, so what would be a good color choice to imitate white bass, but bright enough for the stained water?
I think your set up well for Smallmouth if you have X-Raps (Hot Steel, Perch & Glass Ghost colors)- http://www.basspro.com/Rapala-XRap-Xtreme-Action-Slashbait/product/57968/-1536282 or HJ8-sized Husky Jerks.
Lake Erie Smallies apparently love Tubes and Jigs. Check out this article- http://www.gameandfishmag.com/fishing/bass-fishing/gf_aa056503a/
Chartreuse and basic Perch/Fire-tiger tend to be good colors for stained waters.
Another EXCELLENT lure for Smallies? Blue Fox’s Vibrax Minnow- http://www.basspro.com/Blue-Fox-Vibrax-Minnow-Spin/product/15446/-494979
I’ve used the 1/4 OZ version of the Vibrax Minnow with great results on Lake Superior and other large Smallmouth Lakes.
Remember to bring some Fluorocarbon line (or low diameter Braid).
Good luck!
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