Smallmouth bass

Season

• Spring: rocky banks as water warms.
• Summer: deeper rock and points; early/late best.
• Fall: chase bait on main-lake structure.
• Winter: deep and slow.

Time of day

Low light and wind-blown rock. Night can work near rocky public banks; day bite often better in cooler months.

Where on Hoover

• Rocky points and riprap on public shoreline.
• Main-lake edges toward the dam basin (boat, 10 hp).
• Confirm access on Columbus / ODNR maps — no private property.

Water maps · ODNR depth PDF (2001 @ 894 ft)

Limits reminder — verify

Same aggregate black bass limit — ODNR Fishing Regulations 2026–27 — verify HuntFish OH.

Reminder only — confirm on HuntFish OH / ODNR licenses and the current ODNR regs before you keep fish. Cite: ODNR Fishing Regulations 2026–27 (verify current).

Gear

Sized for bank reality and ≤10 hp boats — Hoover is a drinking-water reservoir.

• Medium spinning, lighter line than cat gear (6–10 lb).
• Tubes, Ned rigs, small crankbaits, hair jigs.
• Bank or small boat both work — focus rock.

Bait & presentation

• Tubes, drop-shots, small swimbaits, crankbaits.
• Match craw/shad colors to season.
• Boat: fan-cast points; bank: riprap parallels.

Notes

Less abundant than largemouth per ODNR Hoover notes. Same 5-fish / 12″ aggregate as largemouth/spotted.