Smallie advice needed.

[MN Shutterbug]

A friend and I are thinking about heading to SD this year for smallmouth. We've fish LM plenty but we're wondering if SM prefer the same water temps. In other words, when is the best time in the spring or summer to start chasing them? Are there any other notable differences between the 2 that we should be aware of?

Thanks.

[TurnUpTheFishing]

What time of the year are you going? Any time after May and you shouldnt have a hard time getting into them unless its unseasonably cold. Heck you could get into them well before May too. If its warm enough for the largemouth the smallies should be hitting too. Smallies will spawn before largemouth and prefer a harder bottom for spawning than largemouth. They will also spawn deeper than largemouth many times you wont see the smallmouth's nest areas.