Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth bass fishing near Birmingham, Missouri, requires a bit more searching than largemouth, but the rewards can be worth it. While not as abundant as their larger cousins in the immediate vicinity of Birmingham, smallmouth can be found in the clearer, rockier sections of the Missouri River and its tributaries further upstream. Focus your efforts in the spring and fall when water temperatures are moderate. Smallmouth prefer cooler water than largemouth. A local tactic is to use crayfish-imitating crankbaits or tubes bounced along the bottom in areas with current. Accessing these areas can be tricky; look for public access points along the Missouri River, but be prepared for some wading or bank fishing as boat ramps can be few and far between. The smallmouth here are known for their fight, so be ready for a battle!