S T A L K I N G
‘ Go deep ’ and ‘ drop-shot ’ aren ’ t always the rules for targeting summertime smallies
By Tyler Brinks
Summer is primetime to find smallmouth bass feasting on the bounty of bait found in shallow water .
PHOTO BY ENGBRETSON UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY
The smallmouth bass is known for inhabiting deep , clear water , but this tiger-striped dynamo is also highly adaptable to its diverse environments and can be found throughout all levels of the water column . During the summer , especially in northern climates , many anglers head to deep water and employ finesse tactics for smallmouth , and for good reason – it ’ s proven to be an excellent approach for bronzebacks .
However , you can catch smallmouth just as easily by staying in shallow water and stalking them with powerfishing tactics .
MLF pros Luke Clausen , Jonathon VanDam , and Matt Stefan all cut their teeth fishing for smallmouth bass in their respective home states : Clausen on the diverse fisheries of the Pacific Northwest , VanDam and Stefan in the smallie-rich waters of the Great Lakes and their tributaries . And when push comes to shove , all three would much rather stay shallow for smallmouth if given a choice .
There ’ s always some fish shallow
Michigan native VanDam has succeeded with shallow smallmouth on his home waters around the Wolverine State and throughout the Midwest and Northeast . He believes that many smallmouth anglers overlook the shallow bite .
“ Most anglers automatically think you have to go out deep and find a rockpile and pull out a drop-shot ,” VanDam said . “ That ’ s how most anglers target smallmouth in the warmer months , especially on the Great
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