Best smallmouth bass fishing lure in western North Carolina!

In this article I will share the best fishing lure for catching smallmouth bass in western North Carolina. This is my favorite lure for catching smallmouth bass anywhere. It is versatile, productive, and easy to use. This simple and effective lure is the jerkbait!

A jerkbait is a slender hard body lure with multiple treble hooks. They are usually plastic, though hand carved wood baits are available, but expensive. Most float on the surface and then dive down when reeled in. Some baits sink and others suspend. The size of the lip greatly determines how deep the lure dives down.

My personal favorite jerkbait for smallmouth bass, particularly in rivers, is the Rapala X-Rap Extreme Action Slashbait. In most applications I like the 08 size. This is the perfect size for fishing rivers and even shoreline cover in lakes. It dives down to around 4 feet. It is available in a myriad of colors, with my favorites being pilchard, olive, and ghost (white). My second choice is the Rapala Husky Jerk in size 08.

Fishing the best smallmouth bass fishing lure

The jerkbait has several advantages. It is worked quickly, allowing anglers to cover a lot of water. Anglers can even troll it in search of fish. The bite is very easy to detect when fishing a jerkbait. The bass either slams it or the lure just “stops”. The hookup ratio is good due to the multiple treble hooks. Jerkbaits do not snag on the bottom, which is an issue when fishing jigs. Finally, jerk baits trigger strikes from both active and inactive fish!

The term “jerk bait” comes from the manner in which the lure is used. The bait is cast out ad the slack is reeled in. With the rod tip low, the angler reels in a couple of times then sharply jerks the rod tip. Immediately thereafter, the rod tip is pointed at the lure, putting slack in the line. This step is crucial! Most takes occur as the lure sits motionless, seemingly helpless. The combination of the violent flash followed by the pause realistically imitates a wounded bait fish. The process is repeated back to the boat.

Fishing jerkbaits in North Carolina rivers

These lures are extremely effective in North Carolina rivers! They catch a ton of smallmouth bass as well as other species. Trout will definitely hit a jerkbait meant for bass. The X rap dives down several feet, which is perfect in most cases. These lures work best in slightly deeper pools and runs, basically holding water, as opposed to in rapids. Combine these deeper pools with cover such as fallen trees or a rock ledge and you have a prime spot to catch a smallmouth bass.

I like to work the lure across and downstream. Often times the bite occurs as the lure swings on a tight line at the end of the cast. This is very similar to “swinging a nymph” when fly fishing. Anglers can cast upstream when the current slows down enough. The slack water behind rocks is a top spot when a bit of current is present.

Where possible, the best approach is to drift a river. This entails two vehicle, one at the put in and one at the take out points. This lets anglers fish stretches of the river that shorebound anglers can’t reach. I like to keep and anchor handy and slide it in on a good looking spot. Many anglers floating or drifting fish too quickly.

Wading is the other option when fishing rivers. Obviously, not as much water can be covered and the spots will get more attention. However, anglers tend to fish more thoroughly. I usually wet wade in shorts with wading boots or sneakers. A wading staff can be helpful. Safety first when wading!

Jerkbaits produce in lakes as well

Jerkbaits are very effective when fishing for smallmouth bass in lakes as well. I usually bump up to the #10 size as they cast further and run deeper. They also better match the shad and herring and other larger forage that lake bass feed on. I also use a model with a larger, deeper diving lip to get the bait down. Otherwise, it is fished the same way.

Points are productive spots in lakes that hold smallmouth bass. Anglers should hit the point from multiple angles. Docks are prime spots for bass. Fallen trees are always worth a cast. The rip rap around dame is one of my favorite spots. I like to cast almost parallel to the rocks. Fishing over suspended bait fish is also very effective.

Anglers can also troll jerk baits, especially deep diving models. Points are prime spots as are rocky and gravel banks. Rip rap around dams are prime spots. Don’t be surprised if a large brown or rainbow trout takes a trolled jerk bait.

Tackle requirements for fishing jerkbaits

Anglers fishing with jerbaits should use a rod with a soft tip. This is especially true when using braided line. A little bit of “give” helps hook and land more fish. In North Carolina rivers, I like a 6′ to 6 1/2′ light rod with a fast action, 1000 series reel spooled up with 6 lb monofilament line. If the water has some color or the fish larger, I will bump it up to 8 lb line. 10 lb braided line with a 2′ section of flourocarbon leader also works.

When fishing lakes, I like to step up the tackle a bit. Medium spinning tackle or light baitcasting tackle is the best choice. A medium rod with a fast action and soft tip is best. 10 lb monofilament, flourocarbon, or braided line are all good choices.

More effective smallmouth bass fishing lures

 

While the Rapala jerkbait is my favorite smallmouth bass fishing lure, there are certainly other baits that I use when fishing in western North Carolina. There are times that a topwater bait works best. Other conditions will dictate the use of a bottom bumping soft plastic. Here are my favorite other lures for smallmouth bass in the North Carolina streams and lakes.

Topwater lures

Topwater lures are great fun to fish! They produce explosive strikes and are relatively snag free, as long as you stay out of the trees! My favorite topwater lure is the Heddon Tiny Torpedo. The propeller puts out a nice noise and some splash. Anglers tend to work it too fast, often times the bass will hit the lure as it sits quietly. I also like the Whopper Plopper in smaller sizes. A simple steady retrieve works well and is easy for novice anglers.

Soft plastic lures

Soft plastic lures may account for more fish of all species than all other lures combined! There are several that I use, and they are all fished the same way. These lures are most effective bounced slowly on the bottom. This imitates both crayfish and hellgramites. Tube baits used to be very popular and still produce. Ned rigs are the rage right now. I also like a simple curly tail grub on a jig head. The downside is that these lures will hang up, forcing anglers to re-rig often.

Spinnerbaits

Spinnerbaits are effective and easy to use. They are also relatively snag free. The unique design results in the lure walking over structure. I like the Johnson Beetle spin in 1/4 ounce size and black in color. It does not look like much, but really works well. The Strike King Mini would be my second choice. A steady retrieve works best.

In conclusion, this article on the best smallmouth bass fishing lure for western North Carolina will help anglers use these effective lures and experience more success!