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A water-column approach to catching smallmouths anywhere

Few freshwater fishing styles match the excitement of targeting smallmouths on the surface. A great way to figure out if the fish are looking up and ready to go aerial is to use a propbait that’s designed for a steady retrieve. (Contributed photos)

Smallmouth bass have a much-deserved reputation as being one of the sportiest of freshwater species you can target. They are known for their fighting ability and their aggressiveness. But, they can also be extremely fickle in their willingness to bite. This dynamic has caused plenty of anglers fits over the year.
There is a cheat code to catching smallies anywhere, however. It involves understanding how to break down the water column into three parts, and then making an educated guess regarding what type of forage to target.

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