when fishing alake in long island ny i see huge smallmouths explode and boil on surface i cast topwater and jigs to area but never hook up then . i do catch some nice ones on sassy shads but nothing like the ones i see explode on top help me hook one of these monsters what should i try ?

The chances are what you are seeing is the smallmouth in a feeding frenzy. Try to determine what it is the smallies are feeding upon, and try to match your bait or lure to what it is that has them so excited. This commonly happens when the weather is changing to fall. The smallies get so intent on storing up energy for the colder months that they make forays into the shallows they normally avoid to feed. Another hint is that they feed all day long, not waiting for the “normal” times of the day at which they normally feed. Drop your lure just on the fringe of the excitement. Most times, the largest lunker present will strike first, but there will be a slightly smaller one also going after your bait. Have a second hook rigged right behind the first, and you will likely get two for the price of one cast. Use mid to shallow running lures, small jigs, or live bait. Even a spinnerbait will work, but be careful not to get fouled up if you are in areas with lots of brush or structure. If the water is stained, try a Colorado Blade in chartreuse, a jig and a twister tail. When the smallies are aggressive, this is a winning combination. If this does not work for you, try varying your retrieve, between a steady retrieve and a lift and drop type retrieve. If the water is clear and they are feeding on crayfish, try a copper blade with a brown/orange grub. If they are feeding on minnows, try a smoke colored grub with silver blades.