3 Great Baits For Northern Bass

Try these baits and catch giant smallmouth bass in Ontario.

You booked your fishing vacation. The lodge website says it is a great location for big bad Ontario smallmouth bass. So what baits should you bring with you?

If you’re anything like me, you have way too many options to choose from. But here are three bass baits I've used to catch giant smallmouth everywhere I have fished for them across our province.

1. Tube Jigs

Tube jigs seem so old-fashioned to many bass anglers these days because of the influx of so many new baits and techniques to catch smallmouth bass, but the tried and true tube jig is high on my list on any new body of water regardless of the time of year, spring, summer and fall.

You can fish tube jigs throughout the entire water column by altering the size of the jig head you insert into the tube jig and choosing a handful of your favourite colours, you prepared to catch bass.

Snapping tube jigs off bottom or on the first shoreline ledges usually find active roaming bass.

I will fish these tube jigs on a medium-action spinning rod and reel combination with a fifteen-pound test braided line and a fluorocarbon leader tied directly to the jig eye. The braided line increases strike to hook up rations with virtually no stretch whatsoever regardless of how far you cast and the leader is invisible.

2. Topwater Bait

Regardless of which top water bait you choose or prefer, these noisy splashy hard baits call smallmouth bass from long distances and can be fished all day long, not just sunrise and sunset. Baits with noisy props and cupped lips that spit water and cause even more noise on the surface are my favourites, biting smallmouth just love to smash these baits all season long.

topwater bait

3. Jerkbaits

Jerkbaits can be fished at virtually any depth depending on the styles and sizes you choose but they are an excellent bass bait to fish from the cooler late spring conditions throughout summer and into late fall.

Something about a suspending jerkbait drives smallmouth mad and triggers them into striking even if they are not actively feeding.

Northern Ontario has virtually thousands of lakes and rivers filled with smallmouth bass of all sizes, shapes and colours, bringing these three proven baits will help you find bass faster and make them bite.

Enjoy your vacation and remember how the catch and release of trophy bass works. 

angler smallmouth bass fishing ontario
About Karl Kalonka

It's possible Karl's love for fishing began as early as the age of five. His parents took the kids on weekend trips across Ontario fishing for panfish, catfish, and bass. "I started with a bobber and worm from the time I was five years old," says Karl. These days, he has the enviable task of doing what he loves for a living, travelling across Ontario fishing, filming and producing two outdoor series, Extreme Angler and Crappie Angler TV.

Recommended Articles

10 Facts About Lake of the Woods

10 facts amazing about this massive Northwest Ontario Lake!

Top 5 Musky Destinations in Ontario

The Musky Hunter shows you where to land the best musky in Ontario waters.

Leuenberger Air Service Is Your Ticket to Ontario's Best Fishing

Discover remote outpost fishing for northern pike, walleye, and whitefish

Eating Northern Pike

The Best Recipe to Cook This Fish

Ontario Brook Trout

Fish these 10 sweet spots.

Spring Fishing Tips For Any Angler

Increase your chance of fishing success

Goulais River Muskie

A Hidden Gem for Ontario Muskie

Buck Lake Lodge

Fishing Walleye at Witches Nose

Fishing and Foraging

Add some fresh foods and forage to your fishing adventures!

Steelhead of the Upper Ganaraska

Known to most trout and salmon anglers as one of Ontario’s most popular fishing destinations.

Top Flies for Northern Pike

Try These Go-to Flies and Tips on Your Next Trip

Cash in on Early Season Walleyes

Opening day of the walleye season in Ontario is one of the most-anticpiated dates for anglers..

World Class Carp

Ontario is a World-Class Fishery for Carp

5 Lakes, 4 Seasons, and Plenty of Fish

Fish TV selects their favourite lakes in Ontario.

Bob Izumi searches for bass and pike

Fishing unfamiliar territory, Bob Izumi lands monster smallies and Northern pike

Lake Mattagami Walleye

Drive-to fishing at Green Wilderness Lodge.

Smallmouth Bass Destinations

From rivers to lakes, smallmouth bass are found throughout Ontario.

Long Nose Gar

A Fish for the Bucket List

Shallow Water Walleye

Learn Tips and Techniques From The Extreme Angler

Killarney’s Pike Fishing Paradise

Plan your next northern pike fishing vacation to the Sportsman’s Inn Resort & Marina.