As river temperatures rise, so does the smallmouth activity. Now is the time to hit the water and catch some of the biggest, most aggressive bronze backs of the year.

When water temperature increases, it signals to smallmouth bass that it is time to feed, defend their territory and breed. This trifecta of instincts makes smallmouths devote all their energy to achieving these three goals: they feed more, strike more and fight more.

It is difficult to predict a date for the action; it’s determined by water temperature, not calendar dates. At 50 degrees, fish will move out of their deep winter hides, holding at medium depths, waiting to see if it is a rise or a momentary spike. When temperatures hit the mid-50s to 60 degrees, the switch will flip and pre-spawn aggression takes over.

During the pre-spawn, there are two things the successful angler needs to accomplish. First, you need to find the fish. Then you need to offer them a means they cannot refuse, or a threat they cannot ignore, so be sure to have a supply of crankbaits and Rat-L-Traps on hand. Both will draw in fish when the water is high and stained. Other options include flashing spin baits or quick-sinking shad soft plastics. Just before the spawn, the possibility of topwater action increases, but it is never my go-to option during the spring.

Fly anglers should consider a full sinking line paired with streams to achieve the same effect. Clauser minnows and bulky, dual-colored patterns will flash and move a lot of water, making them perfect for pulling fish from far away.

Once the spawn kicks off, fishing can get tough. Female smallmouth will slow down, or even stop, their feeding once they have spawned. Many of the younger males will mimic this lull in activity and blankly stare at anything you throw their way. However, while the older males may not be eating, they will be on guard duty and watching the nearby nests. To entice a bite, you need to present a threat, not food.

This is the one time during the year when it is hard to beat a soft plastic lizard. Smallmouth do not eat lizards, but they will attack any that come close to a nest. While this makes a plastic lizard a near-perfect tactic, it does come with a downside. The downside is that because the bass is not looking for a meal, only a kill, they will strike hard and fast before dropping the lizard and moving on. To overcome this, you need a sensitive setup and quick reactions. Of course, you need your lizard to be seen, so change the color based on water and light conditions, testing different combinations until you find the one that works.

With a little luck and the right timing, spring could bring you not only the most bass of the season, but also the best chance at a personal best.

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Tom Burrell is a retired Waterways Conservation Officer, veteran and lifelong outdoorsman. He now spends his days hunting, fishing and sharing his experiences with readers.