Autumn bronzebacks

Do-nothing technique works wonders for smallmouth

South Carolina’s top spot for smallmouth bass kicks it up a notch as the calendar turns to October. And that’s true even during years with unseasonably warm weather.

According to Mike McSwain of Broad River Smallmouth, October is a great month for numbers of smallmouth, and it’s also a great month to catch some of the bigger bronzebacks he sees each year.

“Usually by October, the water levels have stabilized, and the slight drop in the temperature in the early part of the month makes things more enjoyable to be on the water for longer periods of time,” said McSwain (843-763-3805).

During the summer, McSwain said it’s usually important to put together a pattern each day. That often means a lot of trial and error. But as summer turns to fall, smallmouth begin feeding more aggressively.

“Usually in October, the smallmouth become a lot less picky about what they’re eating. So anglers generally have more options this month. That can make for some really fun fishing, no matter what lure you’re casting,” he said.

Soft plastic creature baits are always good choices. Inline spinning lures are others that anglers should have a supply of. Topwater lures can be highly productive too. Rat-L-Trap lures will catch their share as well.

It’s no fluke

One of McSwain’s top tips for this month is for anglers to fish a fluke, unweighted.

“And you want to do as little as possible,” he said. “Give up the temptation to work the lure in. Just make a cast and let it sit. The current will give it some action, even when you simply cast and don’t even reel or lift your rod tip.”

Some anglers simply can’t let the lure lay without working it back, but McSwain said that often produces the most vicious strikes.

“Make a cast, let the fluke settle, then simply close the bail. Now just wait. It usually doesn’t take long before a smallmouth picks it up. The fish may ease off with it, or it may slam it hard,” he said.

Slack water pools, eddies, and even spots around shoals are all good areas to use this technique.