Summer · Updated June 2026

Best Lures for Smallmouth Bass

Smallmouth bass take over the same Great Lakes rivers that hold steelhead in spring and fall. Tubes, drop-shots, topwater, and crankbaits are the proven summer arsenal. The best smallmouth lures match local forage — crayfish, gobies, and minnows. These are the picks that put bronzebacks on the bank from May through October.

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Our Top Pick

Dovesun Fishing Lure Making Kit DIY Spinner Making Kit, Inline Spinner Baits for Bass Fishing Trout Salmon Freshwater Gift for Men 228pcs/155pcs/107pcs

Dovesun

Dovesun Fishing Lure Making Kit DIY Spinner Making Kit, Inline Spinner Baits for Bass Fishing Trout Salmon Freshwater Gift for Men 228pcs/155pcs/107pcs

DIY spinner making kit with copper blades and treble hooks - create custom inline spinners for trout, steelhead and salmon fishing.

$26.99 ★ 4.3 (348)

View on Amazon Full review →

Top Picks at a Glance

Dovesun Fishing Lure Making Kit DIY Spinner Making Kit, Inline Spinner Baits for Bass Fishing Trout Salmon Freshwater Gift for Men 228pcs/155pcs/107pcs

Dovesun

Dovesun Fishing Lure Making Kit DIY Spinner Making Kit, Inli...

Nichols Lures Pulsator Metal Flake Double Willow Spinnerbait

Nichols Lures Pulsator Metal Flake Double Willow Spinnerbait

Reaction Tackle Lead Nail Weights for Plastic Worms, Wacky Rig and Neko Rig Insert Pencil Sinkers for Bass Fishing Soft Plastic Lures - 25-Pack

Reaction Tackle Lead Nail Weights for Plastic Worms, Wacky R...

Buyer's Guide

Tubes are king

A 3.5–4 inch tube on a 1/8 to 1/4 oz tube head is the most consistent smallmouth bait in Great Lakes rivers. Match the bottom — green pumpkin, brown, or smoke for clear water; chartreuse or watermelon for stained.

Topwater for the morning

Walk-the-dog baits (Spook Jr.), poppers, and buzzbaits are explosive in the first two hours of light. Smallmouth crush topwater all summer.

Crankbaits for covering water

Square-bill crankbaits in 1.5–2 inch sizes get bites in current and rocky structure. Crayfish patterns dominate.

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Dovesun Fishing Lure Making Kit DIY Spinner Making Kit, Inline Spinner Baits for Bass Fishing Trout Salmon Freshwater Gift for Men 228pcs/155pcs/107pcs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Best smallmouth lure for rivers?

A 3.5-inch tube on a 1/8 oz head, in green pumpkin or brown. Catches bronzebacks in every Great Lakes river they swim in.

Can I use steelhead spinning gear for smallmouth?

Yes — a 9-foot medium-light spinning rod handles both species. Many anglers don't even change setups when transitioning seasons.

Topwater all summer long?

Mostly first and last light. Midday topwater works on overcast days, shaded banks, and after thunderstorms. In bright sun, drop down to subsurface.

Best line for smallmouth in rivers?

8 to 10 pound mono or 15-pound braid with an 8-pound fluorocarbon leader. Smallmouth aren't leader-shy in stained water; in clear water fluoro helps.

Keep Reading

Rods

Best Spinning Rods for Steelhead →

Reels

Best Spinning Reels for Steelhead →

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