Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, is a world-class multi-species destination and home to giant smallmouth bass. Seasoned guide and pro bass angler Adam Rasmussen (Rasmussen Outdoors) shares his extensive knowledge of finding and catching smallmouth bass throughout the spring. He provides a detailed step-by-step approach to locating spring smallmouth using electronics and the best tactics to catch oversized goby-eating machines.
TACKLE USED (retail links)
UNDERSTANDING SPRING SMALLMOUTH LOCATION
The warming water of spring signals the transition from deep winter haunts to spawning grounds. Finding the warmest water on large rock-laden flats is goal number one! Using his LakeMaster VX charts, Rasmussen starts with a detailed map survey of what to look for, focusing on expansive rock flats punctuated with boulders and depressions. Whereas mapping gets him into the right zone, side imaging becomes the next tool to locate prime fish-holding spots like transition zones between sand and gravel to rock and isolated boulders.
UTILIZING ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY
Rasmussen marks prime-looking spots with waypoints, then takes to the bow. With waypoint sharing enabled, he acquires his targets on MEGA 360 Imaging, making sure to maintain a significant standoff distance to avoid spooking bass in the ultra-clear water. He then makes casts to specific targets, such as large boulders surrounded by sand. While 360 sonar paints a detailed picture of his surroundings, Rasmussen explains how forward-facing sonar adds additional insights, such as spotting bass, dialing in casting accuracy and measuring the height of boulders.
BOAT SETUP
FISHING TECHNIQUES
While the Sturgeon Bay forage base is diverse, the invasive goby is the primary and favored forage of the smallmouth. As such, bottom-based presentations excel over all else. Rasmussen shares some of his top lures, emphasizing the importance of choosing baits that mimic the size, color, and movement of gobies in the rocks. Small tubes, Ned-style plastics, and paddle tail swimbaits round out his shortlist of proven presentations. He then covers his favored rod, reel, and line setup for making long casts, detecting subtle bites, and controlling oversized bass in the challenging zebra mussel-infested waters.
This venture into Sturgeon Bay’s world-class smallmouth bass scene highlights the seasonal dynamics of these fish. It showcases Rasmussen’s systematic approach to fishing, from the strategic use of technology to his choice of spots and baits. This video is a treasure trove of insights, empowering anglers to hit the Great Lakes confidently during spring, with transferrable takeaways for any time of the year.
Ryan DeChaine
Ryan began his fishing industry career with Lindner Media Productions, gaining nearly a decade of unparalleled experience creating dynamic and compelling television programming and video production promoting the sport fishing industry. DeChaine oversees the strategy, creation, and publishing of video content on the website and social media platforms. Outside of work, DeChaine and his wife Jillian raise their three children around an active outdoor lifestyle in the lake-rich and forested lands of northern Minnesota.
