daiwa electric fishing reel 1000 Tanacom 800 The motors new more powerful drivetrain allows for beefier gears and internal components Daiwa Tanacom Japanese Electric Fishing

They'll gather on outside points, humps, and creek channels where rock and hard bottom is present

Take a look at our total frog fishing guide to master the power of the frog lure

However, the Itty Bit Mayfly stands out for winter drifting because the shape matches the aquatic insect nymphs that are near the bottom and that get moved mostly by the current

A few years ago, I tested this tactic with my nephew Alex, who was 7-years old at the time

Best Jerkbait: Megabass Ito Vision 110 +1 Best Crankbait: Strike King Pro Model 3XD Best Topwater: River2Sea Whopper Plopper 110 Silent Best Ned Rig Bait: Z-Man Finesse TRD Best Drop Shot Bait: Berkley Powerbait Maxscent Flat Worm Best Forward-Facing Sonar Smallmouth Bait: Strike King Baby Z-Too + Dirty Jigs Tungsten HD Guppy Swimbait Head Best Chatterbait: Z-Man Evergreen Chatterbait Jack Hammer Best Spinnerbait: War Eagle Nickel Spinnerbait Double Willow Best Paddletail Swimbait: Keitech Swing Impact FAT Swimbait Best Swimbait: Megabass 5 Magdraft Swimbaits Best Jig: Keitech Casting Jig Best Soft Plastics Honorable Mentions How I Chose the Best Smallmouth Bass Lures Best Jerkbait: Megabass Ito Vision 110+1 Pros Ideal for covering water Wide array of color options Stock hooks work well Durable Cons Will get snagged in hard cover like rocks or laydowns Expensive Specs: Size: 4 inches Weight: ounce Key colors: French Pearl US, Megasbass Sexy Shad, GG Deadly Black Shad Prime Conditions: Pre-spawn Bluff walls, open water, over top of submerged timber Ask any diehard bass angler to pick their favorite hardbody jerkbait and Id be willing to bet 9 out of 10 go with the Megasbass Ito Vision 110+1

By late summer, that zone typically lies within 8 to 12 feet of the waters surface