Smallmouth bass are aggressive enough that they hit almost any lure on the right day. They’re selective enough that the wrong lure produces nothing on tough days. The gap between those two states — easy fishing and tough fishing — is what separates casual smallmouth anglers from serious ones. The serious anglers know which lure to throw when, and they have the inventory to switch between presentations until they find what’s working.
This guide covers the four lure categories that produce Upper Midwest smallmouth across all conditions — Ned rigs and finesse plastics for tough days, vertical jigs for deep water, swimbaits for active fish, and jerkbaits for spring and fall trophy work. Pair this with the smallmouth temperature guide for seasonal context.
⚡ Quick Picks by Situation
Best finesse / Ned rig: Z-Man Finesse TRD ShroomZ — the modern smallmouth standard.
Best Ned worm: Strike King Ned Ocho — soft plastic for ShroomZ heads.
Best deep vertical jig: Rapala Jigging Rap W3 — smaller smallmouth-sized.
Best swimbait: Storm WildEye Live Series — pre-rigged for casting.
Best for clear water: Keitech Swimbait — premium soft plastic.
Finesse / Ned Rig (Modern Standard)
The Ned rig — a small soft plastic worm or stickbait fished on a mushroom-style jig head — has revolutionized smallmouth fishing over the past decade. The technique produces when smallmouth refuse aggressive lures, particularly in clear water and on heavily-pressured lakes.
Z-Man Finesse TRD ShroomZ Jig Heads
The Z-Man ShroomZ jig heads are the foundation of the Ned rig system. The mushroom-shaped head sits the soft plastic body upright on the bottom — looking like a baitfish or crayfish nosing into the substrate. The 1/10 oz to 1/6 oz sizes cover most smallmouth applications. Z-Man’s hooks are sharp out of the package and durable through repeated use. Pair with the matching soft plastic body (Strike King Ned Ocho or Z-Man’s own TRD body). The Ned rig requires light line — 6-10lb fluorocarbon mainline or braid with fluoro leader — and a slow presentation. Cast to structure, let the rig sink to bottom, then slowly drag and lift. Strikes are usually subtle taps; set the hook on any unusual feel. Mille Lacs smallmouth anglers consistently rate the Ned rig as the most productive smallmouth presentation across summer conditions.
Strike King Ned Ocho
The Strike King Ned Ocho is the soft plastic body designed specifically for Ned rig presentation. The 3-inch length matches the ShroomZ head perfectly, the salt-impregnated material adds weight and durability, and the color palette covers smallmouth-relevant patterns: green pumpkin, brown, watermelon, smoke. Salt-impregnated bodies hold up longer than freshwater-only plastics — important for the slow Ned rig retrieve that exposes the bait to fish for longer periods. Brown and green pumpkin are the highest-producing colors across most Upper Midwest waters; black and smoke variants for stained conditions. Pair with 1/10-1/6 oz ShroomZ heads.
Vertical Jigs for Deep Smallmouth
Summer smallmouth often hold deep on structure. Vertical jigging is the most effective way to present a lure at 20-35 foot depths.
Rapala Jigging Rap W3
The Rapala Jigging Rap in the smaller W3 size is the smallmouth-specific application of the lure that dominates walleye and lake trout fishing (covered in the walleye jigs guide). The W3 (2.5″) size matches smallmouth’s prey scale better than the larger W5 and W7 used for walleye. The horizontal swimming action on the drop, the circling motion when jigged, and the realistic minnow profile produce smallmouth from deep structure in summer. Glow patterns dominate for low-light conditions; perch and natural patterns for clear summer water. The Jigging Rap technique is sharp upward snaps followed by controlled falls — different from Ned rig dragging or finesse work. Position the boat over structure, drop the lure to bottom, then jig with sharp 12-18 inch snaps. Most strikes come on the fall.
Swimbaits and Active Lures
When smallmouth are aggressive — spring, fall, dawn, dusk — swimbaits and active lures produce bigger fish than finesse plastics.
Storm WildEye Live Series
The Storm WildEye in 3-4 inch sizes is the easy-to-use swimbait for smallmouth fishing. Pre-rigged with a weighted hook, the WildEye works as a casting lure for active fish or vertical for inactive ones. The realistic minnow profile and natural swim action trigger reaction strikes from cruising smallmouth. The same lure works for walleye (covered in the walleye guide) and crosses into smaller pike applications — versatile enough to carry on multi-species trips. Best colors for smallmouth: rainbow trout, shiner, perch. Cast to structure, count down to your target depth, retrieve with steady speed punctuated by occasional pauses.
Keitech Swimbait
The Keitech is the premium soft plastic swimbait that produces when other swimbaits fail. Japanese-made with refined materials and color patterns, Keitechs cost more than Storm WildEyes but produce more strikes in pressured water. The 3-3.5″ size matches typical smallmouth forage. Rig on a 1/8-1/4 oz jig head or weighted swimbait hook. The paddle tail’s action is more refined than most swimbaits — subtle yet attractive. Worth the premium for clear-water lakes (Mille Lacs, Lake Vermilion) where smallmouth see swimbait presentations frequently. Color selection runs natural — silver shiner, smoke, ayu — rather than aggressive contrasting patterns.
Big Hammer Swimbait 4″
The Big Hammer crosses over from the SoCal saltwater world (covered in the best yellowtail jigs guide) into freshwater applications. The 4-inch size and substantial profile target trophy smallmouth that pass smaller offerings. Rig on a 3/8-1/2 oz jig head for vertical work or weighted swimbait hook for casting. The double-action design — paddle tail with body roll — produces realistic baitfish behavior. Particularly effective on Mille Lacs and Sturgeon Bay for the 5+ lb class smallmouth those waters produce.
Drop Shot Rigs
The drop shot rig — a hook above a sinker — is the deep-water finesse technique that produces when nothing else does. Particularly effective for smallmouth holding deep in summer or in heavily-pressured water.
Components:
- Drop shot sinkers — 1/4 to 3/8 oz cylindrical sinkers
- VMC Drop Shot Hook — purpose-built hooks designed for drop shot presentation
- Owner Mosquito Hook — alternative finesse hook
- Soft plastic body — small worm, small swimbait, or finesse minnow imitation
Tie the hook above the sinker using a Palomar knot (see the Palomar knot guide) with a long tag end going down to the sinker. The bait floats above bottom while the sinker maintains depth — perfect for inactive smallmouth holding off bottom.
Color Selection for Smallmouth
| Conditions | Best Colors | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Clear water, bright sun | Green pumpkin, brown, smoke, watermelon | Mimics crayfish and gobies, natural appearance |
| Stained water | Black, junebug, dark patterns | Silhouette contrasts against turbidity |
| Low light / dawn / dusk | Black, dark patterns, motor oil | Silhouette matters more than color |
| Cold water (spring/fall) | Silver, white, gold, natural shiner | Match cold-water baitfish |
| Hot summer (deep water) | Natural patterns, perch, goby | Mimics primary deep-water forage |
Line and Setup for Smallmouth
Smallmouth demand finesse — lighter line than walleye or pike fishing:
Mainline for finesse work (Ned rigs, drop shots): 10-15lb braid (PowerPro, J-Braid) with 6-8lb fluorocarbon leader. The braid provides sensitivity for the subtle bites; the fluoro leader provides invisibility near the lure. The braid vs mono guide covers the trade-offs.
Mainline for swimbaits and Jigging Raps: 12-20lb braid with 8-12lb fluoro leader. The slightly heavier setup handles the bigger lures and bigger fish that take them.
Knots: Palomar for direct connections (see the Palomar knot guide), FG knot for braid-to-fluoro leader (see best fishing knots).
Reels: 2500-3000 size spinning reel for finesse, 3000-4000 for active lures. The walleye reels guide covers the same size class with reel-specific recommendations.
For broader line guidance, see the best fishing line by pound test guide.
Hook Considerations
Smallmouth have hard mouths similar to walleye — hookset depends on sharp hooks and good geometry. The best hooks by species guide covers selection. For smallmouth-specific applications:
- ShroomZ heads: Built-in hooks, replace if dull
- Drop shot hooks: 1/0 to #1 for typical smallmouth bait sizes
- Swimbait hooks: 3/0 to 5/0 weighted swimbait hooks
- Wacky rig hooks: 1/0 (rigged through the middle of soft plastic stickbait)
The circle hooks vs J hooks discussion applies less to smallmouth fishing — J hooks dominate because most smallmouth presentations require active hooksets, not the slow-rotating hookup of circle hooks.
Common Mistakes
Too heavy line. Smallmouth are line-shy in clear water. 6-10lb fluoro for finesse work, max 15lb for aggressive lures. Heavy bass line (20lb+) kills strikes from clear-water smallmouth.
Wrong jig head weight. Too heavy a Ned rig head crashes through the strike zone too fast. 1/10 oz is the standard for typical conditions; only step up to 1/6 oz in wind or current.
Retrieve too fast. Bass fishermen converting to smallmouth often retrieve too fast. Smallmouth respond to slow, methodical presentations — particularly with Ned rigs and finesse plastics.
Wrong colors for the water. Bass-fishing colors (chartreuse, white) don’t always translate. Smallmouth respond to natural craw and goby colors more reliably than bright bass patterns.
Skipping structure scanning. Smallmouth are structure fish. Without electronics to find rock piles, points, and breaks, you’re casting blind. A modern fish finder pays back its cost in smallmouth caught.
Gear to Pair with Your Smallmouth Lures
- Best Walleye Rods — many walleye rods work for smallmouth
- Best Walleye Reels — same size class, same techniques
- Best Water Temp for Smallmouth Bass
- Best Walleye Jigs — Jigging Rap crossover
- Braid vs Mono vs Fluorocarbon
- Best Fishing Line by Pound Test
- Best Fishing Knots
- Palomar Knot
- Spinning vs Conventional
- Best Hooks by Species
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best smallmouth bass lure?
For finesse work (most situations), the Z-Man Finesse TRD ShroomZ with a Strike King Ned Ocho body is the modern standard. For active fishing, the Rapala Jigging Rap W3. Most anglers carry both categories.
What’s a Ned rig?
A finesse rig using a small mushroom-shaped jig head (like the Z-Man ShroomZ) with a 3-inch soft plastic stickbait. Fished slowly along the bottom — the lure sits upright looking like a baitfish or crayfish. Particularly effective for pressured smallmouth in clear water.
What color lure for smallmouth?
Green pumpkin, brown, smoke, and watermelon are the standard smallmouth colors — they mimic crayfish and gobies, the primary forage. Black and junebug for stained water. Silver and white for cold water.
What size jig head for smallmouth?
1/10 oz to 1/6 oz for Ned rigs is standard. 1/4 to 3/8 oz for drop shot sinkers. Match the weight to the depth and conditions — lighter when possible, heavier when wind or depth demands it.
What line for smallmouth fishing?
10-15lb braid mainline with 6-8lb fluorocarbon leader for finesse work. Heavier (12-20lb braid + 8-12lb fluoro) for swimbaits and aggressive lures. Smallmouth are line-shy in clear water — keep visible line as light as possible.
How deep are smallmouth in summer?
15-25 feet on most lakes in mid-summer. The smallmouth temperature guide covers the seasonal depth patterns. Vertical jigging with the Jigging Rap W3 is the most effective deep-water technique.
Plan Your Trip
- SST Charts
- Chlorophyll Maps
- Fleet Tracker
- Marine Weather
- AI Fishing Predictions
- Minnesota Fishing Season Calendar
- Upper Midwest Fishing Trips
Related Guides
- Best Water Temp for Smallmouth Bass
- Best Walleye Jigs
- Best Walleye Rods
- Best Walleye Reels
- Walleye Jigging Guide
- Best Fishing Knots
- Palomar Knot
- Braid vs Mono vs Fluorocarbon
- Best Fishing Line by Pound Test
- Best Hooks by Species
- Spinning vs Conventional
- Best Yellowtail Jigs (SoCal Big Hammer crossover)
- Minnesota Fishing Season Calendar
- Mille Lacs Fishing Guide
- Lake of the Woods Fishing Guide
Tight lines!
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