Tackling Smallmouth for 2021

By Andrew Ragas

2020 was my worst ever year of fishing. Per my high standards, poor fishing days far exceeded good fishing days. As last year’s guiding season concluded, I happily looked forward to a quiet winter offseason of rest, without any fishing activity or thoughts of it. But then I was quick to realize this is unacceptable and unrealistic for the profession. To master your craft, you must study it, improve, and love it more than everyone else.

The winter offseason is my enabler to regroup and recoup. The downtime of productivity offered by winter is a provider for study, preparation, tackle inventory, boat repairs & maintenance, and acquiring new gear and tackle for the upcoming season.

Fishing guides are the industry’s guinea pigs. Our position gives us honest credibility and luxuries to test and experiment with all types of goodies that are readied to be released to the market, and then share them with users.

Bass anglers are offenders of prioritizing and hoarding fishing tackle. We accumulate several rods and reels, pack as many of them as we can into our boat’s rod storage lockers, we own dozens of tackle boxes, and weekly tackle purchases and consumption is the norm. In extreme circumstances, our garages and basements all resemble tackle shops.

Between now until your fishing season begins, it’s a grand time to prepare every aspect of your game for the new fishing season.

Supply Chain Challenges

Our global pandemic and international trade has disrupted supply chains and overseas manufacturing & imports. I can’t order certain fishing reels right now, and for almost a full year I’ve been unable to purchase a new MinnKota Ulterra trolling motor directly from the manufacturer for my Ranger.

Beyond manufacturers, the situation is harder on dealerships who are struggling to keep stock of new boats and outboards. This is currently preventing me from re-powering my Lund with a new 30 hp tiller, but at least their technicians are appreciative of my frequent business with maintenance projects and repairs.

Covid life is really impacting manufacturing and retail even worse. Visit your local tackle shops or the big chains, and you’ll find many empty shelves. It’s more critical now than ever to support local business, independent retailers and manufacturers, private tackle companies, and your favorite American-made brands. You’ll want to stock up now, because who knows if there could be further shortages and stocking delays come spring.

Tackle shopping is currently presenting conflicts and challenges. Allow me to assist you with some products and ideas that help shape my boat’s bass fishing success and quality fishing experiences.

When buying fishing gear, you’re supporting the hands that manufactured and created the product. You feed their families and become their enabler.

Reels

Covid disrupted everyone’s overseas manufacturing and canceled I-Cast, but Quantum is still focusing and prioritizing affordability and reach for the serious and cost-conscious bass anglers. Quantum PT spinning reels are still as spectacular as ever, with its flagship Smoke S3. For the moderate cost of $160, buy a few models. They are perfectly geared for all-things smallmouth fishing. Size 25 is applicable for finesse, jigging, and drop-shotting, size 30 is suitable for all scenarios, and size 40 for power casting. They’ve discontinued my recently-favored Tour S3 bait caster, but their marketing department has informed me that the next great flagship casting reel may be released later in 2021.

Better yet, Quantum PT reels were some of the best reels ever manufactured during the early 2000’s when overseas production was based in Japan and Korea. The old first gen Energy and Accurist PT’s are cult classics, whose Japanese gears and components are much superior to the current lesser quality Chinese-made parts.

If you can, hunt for your treasures on eBay to help stockpile your reel supply and hoarding desires like I have been. There is no shortage of new and used reels on eBay compared to retailers. Buy at www.quantumfishing.com

Rods

Be sure to prioritize a rod to complement and perfectly balance with your high-end reels, especially one that is crafted by several sets of hands in the U.S.A. Nowadays, I don’t fish anything but a St. Croix Rod. The brand has something for everybody, and specific rod models available to every type of consumer and angler. Rod demand is higher than ever, and consequently some models still on backlog, but they’re the best rods our American dollars can buy that is made in the U.S.A.

If you’re just getting introduced to smallmouth fishing, there is no better rod for the quality, specifications, tech-specific use, and price-point than a Mojo Bass rod. During the 2020 season, my customers were outfitted with this reliable, workman’s rod lineup. I even favored fishing them myself over higher quality, more expensive rod models.

For the serious bass angler, look no further than their family of Legends. Legend Tournament, Legend Elite, and Legend-X are all available at differing price points & rod blanks that feature unique cosmetics and components. Each of these are superb, luxurious rods you will own for your entire lifetime! Be sure to protect every St. Croix with a Rod Glove, a fiber sleeve that will further protect your investment during travel and boat storage. Manufactured by Jim Van Ryn of VRX Fishing from Toronto, Ontario, you’ll be able to jam your rod lockers with up to 30 St. Croix rods that are inserted with a Rod Glove.

With this rod purchase, you’re supporting the American worker, a family, and the northern Wisconsin communities. Buy at www.stcroixrods.com and buy Rod Gloves at www.therodglove.com

Line

Line choice always comes down to a personal preference, and the topic is seldom worth debating. My line choice is dictated by the “Made in the U.S.A.” emblem on the box, and my decade-long friendship and connection to the brand and its employees. Cortland Line Company is headquartered in Cortland, New York, and is an industry stalwart in fly line and braided superline manufacturing. It’s the oldest tenured American made fishing line manufacturer.

I have been blessed to partake in research & development, testing, and other initiatives with them. It’s one of the duties of a fishing guide.

About 10 years ago, Cortland Line manufactured a favorite multi-colored monofilament and copolymer line called Cam-O-Flage, but now is focusing entirely on braids which includes Masterbraid, Spectron, and Silent-Flip, and fluorocarbon leader material. My boat fishes its Masterbraid religiously for all species from panfish to the mighty muskie. Silent Flip is a must-have if you are a dedicated pitcher and flipper. Each guiding season, we go through hundreds of yards of their fluorocarbon spools for leader material. Buy online at www.cortlandline.com

Jigs and Baits

This arena of tackle shopping is where most of us get carried away with. I support and partner with manufacturers whom I respect and they value in return, and whose products deliver my boat results. Reputation is a consideration for me as well. Is the brand you buy from owned by a likeable boss,  employs likeable folks, and have integrity? Do they treat the customer with respect? If so, I’ll support them without any hesitation.

A prominent partner of mine whose jigs and lures my boat fishes with is Freedom Tackle Corp, now a subsidiary of American Bait Works. I’ve been with them since the brand’s earliest days in 2013. Founded by Michael and Nick Tamburro, of Toronto, Ontario, Freedom Tackle manufactures its signature lineup of swinging head jigs that are available in rounded and football shape designs. The articulated design and interchangeable hook feature is something no other jig manufacturer has. Many of the largest smallmouth bass we’ve caught have been with their Zodiac jigs, and Hydra swimbait heads rigged up with a Trokar hook of choice.

Recently, Freedom Tackle Corp. has expanded into manufacturing hard baits. It’s extensive lineup of swim jigs, spinnerbaits, buzzbaits, bladed jigs, blade baits, jigging spoons, skirted football jigs, and new for 2021 topwater are each made from premium components, and can be further customized to fit every angler’s and fishes specifications. Buy at www.americanbaitworks.com

Bags of soft plastics weigh down everyone’s bass boat the most. I’ve been a longtime customer of Kalin’s soft plastics and Acme Tackle’s, of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. They took notice of Northwoods Bass Fishing Adventures, and we’ve been close-knit Wisconsin friends ever since. Kalin’s Lunker Grubs have accounted for more personally-caught smallmouths than any other soft plastic I reckon.

Their Lunker Grubs in Avocado and translucent patterns are fish catchers. And its Tickle Tail paddletails are unique fish finders. For largemouth’s, you’ll go through bags of baby bass Wac-O-worms when the bite is hot. The 3.8” Sizmic Shad paddletail also caught my personal best 7 and a half pound smallmouth bass. Need more? They offer lots. Buy at www.acmetackle.com

Are you in need of jig trailers, and craw imitating plastics? Bizz Baits of North Carolina will have you covered. I’ve known owner, Brian Souza, ever since his days as a college student at Illinois State University. This company began as a marketing class project. That’s living the American dream! Check out their Killer Craw, Bizz Bug, Baby Bizz Bug, and Cutter Craw for all of your standalone rigging, and jig trailer needs. I utilize each for all my swim jigs, casting jigs, football jigs, and pitching and flipping tactics. Buy at www.bizzbaits.com

If you want to catch pre-spawn smallmouth in spring, you’ll need an assortment of suspending jerkbaits. Nothing more can be effective and enticing than a jerk-jerk-pause retrieve with a Dynamic Lures J-Spec. A 3 inch, 5/16 oz. bait, it can be bombed with your preferred spinning set-up. Manufactured in Grand Junction, Colorado, their products speak of ingenuity, durability, and unique colorways. In 2020, they released new popular colorways. For your northwoods bass, and to tackle all lake types and water clarities, you’ll want a variety of J-Specs in Ghost Fish, Perch V2, 9 Mile Goby, Ghost Clown, Fire Craw, and Cutthroat. Attach a feathered treble hook for further attraction and better action. Order at www.dynamiclures.com

To catch smallmouth from shallow water and high transparent water clarity, you’ll want to sight fish them. Costa sunglasses are essential if your life revolves around the water. Sunglasses are more than a fashion statement; they are your vision’s protection and enhancement. Costa provides the clearest fishing sunglasses on the planet and builds their frames for performance with the highest clarity. Every pair is built in Daytona Beach, Florida. Lens color is a personal preference according to eyesight, but my favorite frame is the Reefton with 580G green lightwave, gray lightwave, and gray silver lightwave lenses. Don’t skimp on eye protection. $260 a pair is justifiable when worn daily. Buy at www.costadelmar.com

I have to fish rain or shine, and most days of the week in all environments. STORMR USA has allowed me to partake in my activities comfortably, warm, dry, and uncompromised. StormR products utilize neoprene material, vapor repelling technologies, and UV shield fabric that is applicable for all seasons and weather conditions. What I like about my StormR Aero bibs and jacket is the lightweight material, flexibility, and breathability on hot summer days. It keeps me bone dry, even in monsoons. For more foul weather and cold weather conditions, the Strykr suit is a lifesaver, worn daily for every fall season. Its warmth, mobility, and strength is extraordinary in cold wind and snow. If you haven’t already invested in weather gear, or considering updating to something new, be mindful of weatherproofing yourself with StormR by visiting www.stormrusa.com

Seeking more tackle? Examine the personalized services and creations of custom lure makers. This winter I’ve supported folks who create custom soft plastics and hand-made jigs more than ever. Some brands deserving of mention and business are Big Beast Baits who produces my air brushed swim baits to use for swim jig trailers. New to me, Beast Coast Fishing manufactures a variety of smallmouth enticing jigs and soft plastics. Good friend Jonn Graham of Warrior Jigs is another good man who custom ties some of my swim jigs.

Last, Motion Fishing Company from Missouri is another to check out. They hand craft my new favorite football jigs and color pattern named “Sardis Craw”. All it takes is some thorough research to discover a treasure trove of smallmouth candies that are being produced independently, and under the radar.

During your offseason preparation, strive on becoming a better fundamental and detail-oriented angler. Read, study, research, learn, and ask questions.

I greatly enjoy hosting seminars and interacting with anglers, but we’ve been unable to do so with in-person attendance and instruction. I also enjoy receiving emails from readers and take pride in my duty to be an educator, fishing instructor, and influencer. In your future tackle hoarding endeavors, consider these same items I rely on for my bass fishing and guiding success. Make gear purchases like I do based on your fishing strengths, philosophies, values, appreciation for certain brands and their employees, and how the products benefit your boat as a whole.

Don’t get lost in the YouTube world, suckered by an infomercial & TV show, or overwhelmed in the aisle of a big fishing superstore. Support small, locally made, and U.S.A. made brands I’ve highlighted to help you succeed with the smallmouth game.

Andrew Ragas splits time between the Chicago area and Wisconsin’s Northwoods. Based in Minocqua, WI, he specializes in trophy bass fishing and offers guided trips from May thru October. While big bass is the passion, he dabbles in multi-species as well. He may be visited online at www.northwoodsbass.com