Hot Weather = Hot Smallmouth Action

When the water in the Wisconsin River warms up like it has the past couple of weeks, it’s time to get out the top-water baits and go fishing for smallmouth bass. Smallies love hot weather and school up at this time of year. When a school finds a bunch of minnows or other bait-fish, they tear into them and herd them up onto shallow areas for easy hunting.

When you’re fishing on the Wisconsin watch for minnows jumping from the water. You will also see fish chasing those minnows. That’s when you want to get out your small top-water baits and begin casting. My favorite is called a Pop-R made by Rebel. It’s very small and simple and a killer on river smallmouths. Once you see some fish chasing minnows, cast into the area and begin to twitch your bait. In no time a smallmouth will blast it and the fight will be on. Often two fish will grab the bait trying to take if from each other. The Pop-R has two treble hooks and I’ve caught two at once several times.

There are many other baits available and if you don’t have access to any like the Pop-R, take a small Rapala and cast it and then just twitch it like it’s a wounded minnow. Anything that imitates a crippled minnow will get a look. Keep your eyes open on the Wisconsin. Smallmouth bass are fierce fighters and great fun to fish on the surface.

Dan Bomkamp - Author & Host of the radio show "How's Fishing"