Cracking the Code: Smallmouth Bass Fishing with Forward-Facing Sonar

In the ever-evolving world of bass fishing, technology continues to reshape the way anglers locate and catch fish. Among the biggest game changers in recent years is forward-facing sonar (FFS), a real-time imaging system that gives anglers a live view of what's happening beneath the surface. For smallmouth bass fishing, especially on large, clear lakes, forward facing sonar has become more than just a tool; it’s a weapon.

Forward-facing sonar, such as Garmin LiveScope, Humminbird Mega Live, and Lowrance ActiveTarget, works by projecting a live sonar beam in the direction the transducer is pointed. Unlike traditional sonar or side imaging, which show historical data, FFS provides a live feed. This means you can see fish swimming, track your lure in real time, and even watch a bass react, or not react, to your presentation.

Smallies are notorious for being roamers, especially in clear, deep lakes. Unlike largemouth that often relate to cover, smallmouths are more structure-oriented and frequently suspend in open water. That makes them tricky to target with traditional techniques. But, with forward-facing sonar, you can now see those suspending fish, follow their movement, and cast directly to them, even if they’re fifty or more feet away from the boat.

This ability to "hunt" fish rather than wait for them to pass under the boat has revolutionized smallmouth fishing. Anglers are now catching fish in places they’d never have looked before, such as open basins, isolated boulders, and subtle breaks that are well off of the shorelines. Smallmouth have often been targeted utilizing sight-fishing techniques, and FFS allows anglers to “sight fish” smallies even if they’re deep.

The process starts with graphing, except now you’re doing it in real time. Instead of idling over an area with side scan, many anglers now use FFS while slowly moving across likely structure, scanning for individual fish or bait pods. Once you locate targets, the next step is precision casting.

The key to success is lure control and accurate casting. With FFS, you can watch your bait fall through the water column and see how fish respond. If a smallmouth chases but doesn’t commit, you can change your retrieve, switch baits, or try a different angle, all without moving the boat.

Common high-percentage areas to scan include offshore humps and rock piles, isolated boulders on sand flats, edges of deep grass lines, or suspended bait balls with fish hanging underneath.

In clear lakes, you’ll often see fish hovering well off bottom in 10 to 30 feet of water. This used to be a guessing game, but now it’s a visual pursuit.

Because you're often targeting individual fish in clear water, finesse techniques shine. Here are a few go-to presentations for FFS smallmouth.

• Ned Rigs are all the rage, and work great for fish that are hugging bottom, a Ned rig with a light head, like the Northland Tackle Nedster, allows for subtle movements and a natural fall.
• Drop-shotting is still a staple, especially when fish are near bottom but hesitant. With FFS, you can keep the bait in the strike zone and adjust height based on the fish’s position.
• Small swimbaits like the Northland Elite Shallow Sunny B or Megabass Spark Shad can be counted down to the right depth and slow-rolled through the water column. Watching a smallmouth chase a swimbait on live sonar is one of the most exciting visuals in modern bass fishing.
• In the right conditions, suspending jerkbaits can call fish in from a distance and tempt them to strike, especially if they’re tracking but not committing to slower baits.

Forward-facing sonar isn’t a guaranteed limit. Fish still have moods, and just because you can see them doesn’t mean they’ll bite. In fact, one of the challenges of FFS is managing frustration, watching dozens of fish turn away from your lure can get in your head. There’s also a learning curve. Reading sonar, tracking your bait, and interpreting fish behavior all take practice. Many pros say it takes a full season to get truly dialed in.

Some critics argue that FFS is making fishing too easy, or even unfair, but many experienced anglers will tell you it’s just another tool. The fish still have to be caught.

As more anglers adopt FFS, we’re likely to see continued evolution in both tackle and techniques. Smaller, more lifelike lures are already gaining popularity, as are rods and reels designed for pinpoint casting and bait control. Tournaments are being won with “video game fishing,” where entire limits are caught while watching a screen.

For weekend anglers, the takeaway is this: forward-facing sonar opens up a whole new way to target smallmouth bass. It’s not just about casting to spots anymore, it’s about casting to fish you can see. And like the old adage says, seeing is believing.

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