Smallmouth Bass – Jigging Offshore Humps

Casting and swimming jigs tipped with softbaits appeals to the tentative nature of postspawn smallmouth bass. Shallow offshore humps are prime for big fish.

For anglers looking to target smallmouth bass mid-summer, jigging offshore humps can be a great option. These sunken humps can be up to two to three miles around and provide excellent habitat for smallmouth bass to live and spawn. In this article, we’ll discuss the techniques used to target smallmouth bass on these offshore humps and the best times of year to do so.

Fishing Techniques for Jigging Offshore Humps

When fishing offshore humps, anglers typically use a slow rolling technique with soft minnow presentations. This technique works best when fishing the high spots and crests of the hump. As the fish move deeper, anglers can follow them by dropping the bait halfway down the water column. For example, if the fish are in 15 feet of water, the bait should be dropped 7-8 feet down.

When fishing these baits, anglers should remember that minnows don’t typically swim erratically. Instead, they are usually suspended in the water column. Bass know how to feed on these suspended minnows, so anglers should use a slow and straight retrieve when fishing these baits.

Best Times of Year 

The best times of year to target smallmouth bass on offshore humps will vary depending on the season. In the spring, anglers should focus on fishing the high spots and crests of the hump. In the summer and fall, anglers should focus on fishing in 8-10 feet of water. In the late summer and fall, anglers should concentrate on fishing in 15-20 feet of water.

Conclusion

Jigging offshore humps can be a great option for anglers looking to target big smallmouth bass. By using the techniques discussed in this article, anglers can have success fishing these humps throughout the year.

[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]