Although a standard technique of trout and salmon seekers, downrigging is relatively new to smallmouth anglers. By presenting lures at controlled depths, though, it also opens deep water to bass fishing. Broad expanses and steep shorelines can be effectively searched for fish. Most big bass I find occur as singles or pairs. Connecting consistently with them by casting, jigging, or other traditional fishing presentations is almost impossible.
Timing is important to knowing when and where to use downriggers.
In lakes with deeper water, by mid-June some bass venture offshore to feed on smelt, cisco, emerald shiners, juvenile perch, and emerging insects. As summer progresses, more bass move deeper. They avoid angling pressure, and grow big, even in heavily fished waters. They're prime downrigging candidates. I use two approaches.