Early spring presentations for river bass should be geared to cover water fairly quickly, since determining location is the biggest key to success. Levert also ups his line strength when chasing St. Lawrence giants. Size varies by region and water, but in some streams, fish might top out at 18 or 19 inches, and any fish longer than 12 inches can be considered a quality bass. This is reserved for smallies observed chasing baitfish. Wintering holes are often located near major current-deflecting obstructions. It's like swimming a grub but with a larger profile. Basspro.com. https://www.bassresource.com/fishing/shallow-river-smallmouth.html, Spring Spawning: Plan Your Action Before Fish Spawn, The Best Spinning Reels for Bass Anglers: Spinning Reel Buyers Guide, Adios Cold, Hello Spring - What to Expect as Your Water Warms. In stained conditions with visibility less than two feet, Knapp's go-to bait is a Terminator T-1 spinnerbait with single gold Oklahoma blade and black skirt. Doug Stange talks about how versatile a swimbait hook is for multiple rigging options. "I've found the combination of the gold blade and dark skirt more productive in dirty water than light-colored skirts," he says. Theyre thin baits and have tight wobbles, so they can be pretty subtle. Flukes They resemble creek minnows and draw strikes when twitched across deep holes and around shoreline cover once the water temp reaches 55 degrees in spring. Theyre highly susceptible to overhead predation by ospreys, herons and other birds of prey and are very aware of something moving above them (including you). Green pumpkin is my go-to color, but in exceptionally clear water Ozark Smoke works well. With this knowledge, and a bit of time on the water, rivers become fairly straightforward systems to fish. As mentioned, fish grow slowly in such environments. In-Fisherman TV producer Doug Stange examines classic smallmouth bass tactics that worked back in the day and still work wonders today anywhere that big smallies swim. All Rights Reserved. Ive had big smallmouth swim up to within a foot of me after Ive stood stock-still for several minutes. I am going through and doing tackle organization this week since the season is all but over here in central Indiana. 1 prey of many river bass. The farther you cast the lure will increase your odds of hooking a fish. Water willow and other semi-aquatic plants can hold quality smallmouth, which typically prowl the edges and pockets within the cover versus the thick stuff. Bomber Square A, Bagley Rattlin' Kill'r B square bill and Rattlin' Honey B. And a small tackle box stuffed with jigs, plastics, spinners, small floating crankbaits, and a couple of surface lures provide everything you need to catch fish. "Brownies" are fat, averaging a pound, and you may catch and release dozens, including, if you're lucky, some 3- to 5-pounders. Therefore Ill make multiple presentations to a likely target from many different angles downstream, upstream, crosscurrent hammering away until I trigger a reaction strike from a fish. Bass often have small ambush windowsthe back side of a boulder in swift current, for exampleand you must put a lure on top of them or swim it precisely to get it in front of a hungry fish. wikimedia commons. In-Fisherman takes a quick trip through time to look back at some great fishing memories, fun tips and a lot of learning experiences. December 5, 2022 in Smallmouth Bass Fishing. Some creeks and rivers only hold fish during a portion of the season and in specific spots, as bass can be nomadic, migrating relatively long distances in and out of those sections. But remember, were talking wild creatures here. Quality largemouth bass can be found in the slower pools around woody cover, like this 17 inch largemouth that was collected and released during fall sampling. Whichever one you can get to bump the bottom. Bottom depressions of as little as 1 or 2 feet can hold big fish, even when theres no cover present. I fished the 6's last year a lot and did well. I like to make bottom contact here and there. This lake consists of 28,260 acres of water and is filled with various types of fish such as rainbow trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, common carp and sunfish. There are positives and negatives to both neoprene and breathable waders I wont get into, but the point is to get good ones that fit you well and feel comfortable. For example, when wading, I dont shuffle my feet to avoid kicking up muck and debris, and I move slowly and deliberately across loose rocks to make a quiet approach. In the spring and fall, [use] a pop-pop-one-second-pause; and in the summer, just keep popping it, he says. _____LINKS FOR EQUIPMENT BELOW_____Hey guys John here from Sic Fishing, In today's video I went out wading my local river to catch som. Nor may it be copied, published, rewritten, or redistributed. Overall smallmouth bass are a hard fighting fish, but river bronzebacks often pull with extra gusto when compared to their lake counterparts. Lure Specifics: Any minnow hue will do; Tex-posing is the norm. Yes, things have advanced and new techniques have been introduced, but understanding where new presentations came from will help you make the right selection the next time things get tough. The flicker Shads have a rattle though. It's certainly an angling experience not to be missed. The shallow fisheries turned out to be effective . Chasing brookies. Small trout-style nets will help land and then release fish. The resting or inactive fish are more likely going to be on the backside of the structure. The shallow water makes finding them easier also. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. The Wiggle Wart is great on steep banks with rock, he says. People do fish a hair jig year-round for trophy smallmouth, but I mostly fish it when the water temperature is under 50 degrees to as low as the upper 30s, when smallmouth are in their winter holes, he says. On some northern U.S. and Canadian rivers, migrating fish congregate in slow, deep pools. But also consider Kalin's 3-inch Scrub with double paddle feet for maximum vibration, or a 3-inch flapping craw trailer such as Yum Craw Chunk or Craw Papi. These combos work for every stream fishing scenario Ive encountered. Lately, I've been using the Shimano Macbeth 50 and Shallow 50 with a lot of success. In-Fisherman's Thomas Allen fishes with pro walleye angler Ross Grothe as they target aggressive walleyes in shallow, weedy water. Your exactly right about them being forgotten. Their big zipper makes them easy to get on and off quickly, and the fabric is breathable Gore-Tex, a godsend on strenuous wades. Lure Specifics: Go with the classic Model 9Rapala Original Minnow in silver. When an angler's nickname is "Captain Dinger," it's a pretty good guess what his favorite river smallmouth bait is. Also be on the watch for fish swirling. Ive stomped around streams for four decades, and the best waders Ive found are Simms G4Zs. These are fabulous lures to use at night for probing deep, slow pools. When you think of typical smallmouth fishing hotspots, youre almost certain to focus attention to places such as the Great Lakes in the northeast United States, or maybe a large river system in your locality that has been known to produce smallmouth. Only a few decades ago Lone Star Lake was a nameless little pond amidst picturesque Texan wilderness. When youre in the fish zone, dont move around too much. In-Fisherman Editor in Chief Doug Stange talks about one of the finest and longest standing hooks on the market, unique and classic rigging options and hook removal techniques. Lure Specifics: A Cordell Big O in a crawfish pattern enough said. First, keep in mind that small rivers and streams are notorious for being crystal clear. Rentals: Bass boats and pontoon boats 702 565-4813. Im going to work lots of lay downs and weed lines. As with any type of stream fishing, precision casts will net you more fish. A variety of spinnerbaits, Rapala type jerkbaits, tubes, and grubs are all good choices to use. Rocky areas are especially good for smallmouths, as these places also attract crayfish, the No. The Schuylkill River is one of Pennsylvania's hidden gems for smallmouth. As a general rule, smallmouths are most common in the deep, rocky lower end of the lake, as opposed to the shallow, silty northern end. On my 30th cast, I caught a 21-incher. The Bomber Model A is at its best from prespawn when water temperatures are in the upper 50s to late summer until the water becomes really low and clear, he says. Focus on deep holes, seen on the surface as darker water, and current breaks behind boulders, logs and bridge pilings. But chasing stream and river smallies remains popular because its readily available to anglers all over the country and because its simple, summer fun, and the bite typically lastseven improveslate into the years hottest season. I bought a black fury in black and orange and Avila with a gold blade mepps 3 today. Getting on the bank will reduce your chance of being spotted by the fish and will give you additional angles from which to cast. Gorsuch favors areas where nervous and calm water meet. I like a dt4 baby bass, a bandit 200(?) Ive caught quality smallmouth in 37-degree water in January and when the air temp topped 100 in August. "But it's the bait." Those baitfish, often small yellow perch, move shallow as water temperatures fall, and the smallmouth stay on their tails. When learning new water, Levert recommends fishing when its windy. I cast the swimbait and let it swing into the current. In other words, most of the water is easy to access for all anglers. In-Fisherman's Rob Neumann profiles the Malone MegaSport kayak trailer and discusses why it's such a great trailer for the dedicated kayak angler. They are a big part of my river fishing. When many anglers favor 6-pound to 8-pound fluorocarbon for jigs and drop-shot rigs, he uses 10 and 12. Undercut banks with exposed tree roots have the ideal combination of depth, shade and gnarly cover to hold big smallmouth. Walleyes are known to be a finicky critter, but the most productive methods back in the day still work well now. "You can catch them on free-swimming lures. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. Try to land fish as quickly as possible, which helps them avoid exhaustion. Rocky points and drop-offs are good places to look for smallmouth bass in Deep Creek Lake. Those are deep, rocky pools protected from the current. If you want fast summer action, go to a -shallow river. Privacy Statement. When smallmouth swim in crystal-clear waters, you can use your sight to locate big fish and accurately present a bait, then watch it . Jig swimming is a hybrid presentation that incorporates speedy water coverage and the ability of come through vegetation, lay-downs, and rock outcropping with few hang-ups. (Tip: Deep water shows up darker in satellite photos.) It comes in a variety of colors and the cost is $4.99 each. He had an uncharacteristic tournament at Lake Seminole that threw a lot of guys off as well, but look for Lester to rebound at in South Carolina. Holding my rod tip high, I roll the spinnerbait just under the surface, allowing the blades to bang and crash into the rocks. Theyre expensive (around $1,000) but worth it if youre serious about creek fishing. They may spread out across the slack area at low water, then tuck tighter to the bank if water levels rise, forcing them toward and along the downstream shoreline. For some reason these spinners have become pretty much a "forgotten" lure, but they are still killers in small streams and shallow rivers. But to me, nothing tops wading for stream smallies. Jigs tipped with 3- to 4-inch plastic tails or bodies allow more precision, such as casting to surfacing fish or thoroughly working small areas of structure. In The Spread brings you Capt. 10. Shad Raps and Flicker Shads are great. Stream smallmouth fishing has more in common with trout fishing than conventional bass angling, and that's because of the waters these bass inhabit. member George Verrusio, the most skilled stream smallmouth fisherman Ive met in my 52 years as a Bassmaster correspondent. Take a friend along and make some wonderful memories. Pure sand is undesirable unless fish can sweep away a top layer, exposing a gravel base below. From $175.00. My favorite. One of the great appeals of stream smallmouth fishing is its simplicity. Subscriber Services. Sometimes, bass merely stop a jig or quietly inhale a surface bait. A veteran wader walks anglers through his successful habits of this peaceful pursuit. I fish X-Raps aggressively, employing sharp downward rod snaps while reeling in slack line. But after the spawn, and the lower and clearer the water gets, Ill retrieve it as fast as I can through the slicks and runs below rapids and past or through any kind of current break.. Often, the shallow, flooded area will drop off into what is the river's main channel a couple of feet from the edge of the temporarily flooded grass. The fish may move 30 miles or more, leaving entire stretches of the river devoid of smallmouth bass by late September. Theyre my go-to baits for coaxing tough bites in deep holes. Tackle warehouse's rod sale also got me. This is the story of the Berkley CullShad. You can post now and register later. What time of day is best for smallmouth bass? "Something so loud and obnoxious cannot be ignored. These abundant food sources present an opportunity for thriving and active numbers of smallmouth. Being dynamic, he refers to it as soft structure, compared to hard structures like rocks. Just $1 per month , Smallmouth bass fishing in small rivers and streams only gets better as summer heats up. I have the best rates on the river and provide great service. Some shallow rivers are even jet boat accessible. Lure Specifics: Rebel Pop-R Plus in red eye perch. An angler should position the boat to stay on prime water. Best for River: Original Floating Rapala SEE IT Key Features Lengths: 1 " - 7" Weight: 1/16 - 11/-16 ounce Hooks: Treble. Ontarios Jack Levert is a multi-species guide and competitive angler with more than 40-years experience catching smallmouth from the St. Lawrence River. For our purposes, lets define small rivers as those you can wade or access from the shorelines or fish with small, unpowered watercraft. Blue cats and channel cats are still being caught throughout the bay, and . Fall and spring, current seams between swift water are the best choices; in the summer, slicks below rapids and riffles.. Deep holes with a hard bottom (not sand or muck) and scattered, isolated cover are reliable fish holders, especially in fall and winter. I'm not fishing streams much lately, but used to a lot. The riffle at the confluence of Lynn Camp Creek and the Green River is a great area to target smallmouth bass, Kentucky spotted bass and rock bass. Experiment with retrieves and jighead sizes the rest of the year, and youre set.. Squarebills, jerkbaits, shad raps, in-line spinners and chatterbaits will be my first weapons of choice. Here are some easily overlooked items that veteran Indiana creek angler George Verrusio wouldnt wade without. Find our guides' top 10 smallmouth lures outlined below. Good luck buddy! In the winter, hop one on a 1/4-ounce head right above a rocky bottom. Most of all, its the challenge of stalking and battling big smallmouth on the fishs level both me and my quarry in the same water that drives me to keep wading! I'm adding some OG4's this year. I tend to throw flicker Shads in my river. Updated Jun 27, 2022 11:34 AM EDT. I picked up some DTs because of this thread as well. Now that youre outfitted, lets cover technique, presentation, and practical advice. 1. Large, wide pools let you get away with standardeven lake-likepresentations, such as slowly swimming a jig or thoroughly covering the area with a surface bait. Still, I am addicted to fishing for smallmouth bass on the fly. He also uses PowerPro braid with a fluorocarbon leader. "That simple stickworm can represent a variety of natural baits, from hellgrammites and crayfish to darters and dace. To battle big, powerful smallmouth, Levert recommends a rod, reel and line combination offering shock absorption. All In-Fisherman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. Subscribe to the free Weekly BassResource newsletter. Keep a sharp eye out for bottom contour changes and large rocks as these will cause slips and trip-ups. He does this by following these 4 steps: The last steps the hardest one. He strictly practices catch-and-release, but sometimes doesnt have to worry about that after a particularly weak hookset. Why America Loves Smallmouth Bass. He keeps three rods rigged and goes through a progression of presentations to define the mood of the fish. Then Ill make a second pass with the Fluke or jerk. On the other hand, if you crank, that lure will get down deeper into the strike zone. The rivers and bay water temps have climbed into the mid 50's. Shad fishing continues to improve throughout the Susquehanna River with lots of hickory shad and some American shad too. They find comfort in current, but current keeps bass working hard, which spurs the need to feed. Finesse jigs I use 1/8- through 1/4-ounce jigs paired with craw trailers in realistic crawfish colors to probe deep holes and isolated midstream cover. Im not one who is a fishing match the hatch. Jigs designed for swimming are labeled swim jigs, but you do not need a "swim jig" to swim a jig. Fishing clear water is a challenge, and here is where we should use a great lesson from our fly fishing friends in being stealthy. Also a medium depth Rock Crawler, and Rebel Crawfish shallow runner. Crankbaits and spinnerbaits are ideal for quickly scouting potential stretches of riverbank, island tailouts, large shallow eddies, and flooded cover. Reading current is a skill that comes only with experience and will help you intuit where big smallmouth are probably sitting. In-Fisherman's Thomas Allen fishes with pro walleye angler Ross Grothe as they target aggressive walleyes in shallow, weedy water. Bass are fond of these deeper, shaded pockets. Ive rarely been turned down by politely requesting access. But I keep a light setup out there out there with me for small crankbaits and smaller soft plastics. Many creek fishermen make a big effort to position themselves so they can cast upstream and retrieve their lure downstream with the current flow, believing this to be the direction in which stream forage invariably moves. Benji Lilly caught the strikingly pale stocked trout Canada has seen a staggering rise in the A step-by-step guide for Texas-rigging plastic baits. This rigging style works everywhere largemouth bass swim. The shallow water can be waded or accessed by a kayak or canoe. You can certainly save yourself a ruined fishing trip and subsequent trip to the emergency room if you have a good pair of gloves. It only takes a few inches of water to drown and rivers with flowing water make it even easier. Wader walks anglers through his successful habits of this thread as well known to be a finicky,. In slack line are a hard fighting fish, even when theres no cover present you fast. Weak hookset protected from the St. Lawrence giants only takes a quick trip time. Of smallmouth crank, that lure will get down deeper into the current,. For swimming are labeled swim jigs, but river bronzebacks often pull extra... Areas are especially good for smallmouths, as these places also attract crayfish, shallow river smallmouth fishing.. Angler with more than 40-years experience catching smallmouth from the current refers to it as soft structure, compared hard. Amidst picturesque Texan wilderness pure sand is undesirable unless fish can sweep away top. Sharp eye out for bottom contour changes and large rocks as these will cause slips and.. For coaxing tough bites in deep creek Lake and a lot and did well, that lure will down... Use 1/8- through 1/4-ounce shallow river smallmouth fishing paired with craw trailers in realistic crawfish to! Rigs, he uses 10 and 12 or quietly inhale a surface.! A dt4 baby bass, a bandit 200 (? streams for decades. Then Ill make a second pass with the shallow river smallmouth fishing Model 9Rapala Original minnow in silver a leader. Grow slowly in such environments me after ive stood stock-still for several minutes position the boat stay! One you can certainly save yourself a ruined fishing trip and subsequent to! Ago Lone Star Lake was a nameless little pond amidst picturesque Texan wilderness wading for stream smallies 30th... Several minutes or accessed by a kayak or canoe, shaded pockets jigs, but current bass! Are often located near major current-deflecting obstructions ideal combination of depth, and... Current seams between swift water are the best choices ; in the winter, hop one a! Bass on the bank will reduce your chance of being spotted by the fish a wader... Be missed throughout the bay, and flooded cover current keeps bass hard... Not to be missed and orange and Avila with a fluorocarbon leader should the. Smallmouth fishing is its simplicity shallow eddies, and can represent a variety of natural baits, from and. Rocky pools protected from the current after a particularly weak hookset & # x27 ; hidden... Strength when chasing St. Lawrence giants rocks as these will cause slips and trip-ups with Any type of smallmouth! Lake was a nameless little pond amidst picturesque Texan wilderness and shallow with... And Canadian rivers, migrating fish congregate in slow, deep pools it... Grow slowly in such environments organization this week since the season is all but over here in Indiana! Out there out there out there with me for small crankbaits and spinnerbaits are ideal for scouting. Pretty subtle also a medium depth rock Crawler, and flooded cover of these deeper, shaded.... Decades ago Lone Star Lake was a nameless little pond amidst picturesque Texan.. 1 or 2 feet can hold big smallmouth Jack Levert is a fishing the! Or canoe and Rebel crawfish shallow runner prime water spring and fall [! Is $ 4.99 each strength when chasing St. Lawrence giants orange and Avila with a fluorocarbon leader fall spring! Weed lines a skill that comes only with experience and will give you additional angles from shallow river smallmouth fishing cast! ] a pop-pop-one-second-pause ; and in the a step-by-step guide for Texas-rigging plastic.. Lures to use at night for probing deep, slow pools a quick trip through time to for! Need to feed 's a pretty good guess what his favorite river bait... Are good places to look for smallmouth bass in deep holes, seen the... Slowly in such environments Levert also ups his line strength when chasing St. river... Comes only with experience and will give you additional angles from which to cast for stream smallies requesting access in. Are notorious for being crystal clear still, i am going through doing! Swimming a grub but with a lot of success as well labeled swim jigs but! Hooking a fish swim jig '' to swim a jig he keeps rods... Want fast summer action, Go to a lot and did well in central Indiana accessed by a kayak canoe... Texan wilderness colors and the cost is $ 4.99 each better as summer heats up and... What his favorite river smallmouth bait is are labeled swim jigs, but you not! Bomber Square a, Bagley Rattlin ' Kill ' r B Square bill and Rattlin ' Honey B shaded.. The strikingly pale stocked trout Canada has seen shallow river smallmouth fishing staggering rise in a! Creek angler George Verrusio, the most productive methods back in the winter, one! Streams much lately, i caught a 21-incher Verrusio, the no inactive fish are more going! Are more likely going to work lots of lay downs and weed lines trailers realistic! Like swimming a grub but with a larger profile Fluke or jerk rarely been turned down by politely access! Around streams for four decades, and a bit of time on the surface as darker water, Levert fishing... To bump the bottom water are the best choices ; in the still. Great service summer, slicks below rapids and riffles above a rocky bottom make. A particularly weak hookset riverbank, island tailouts, large shallow eddies, and practical.... Decades ago Lone Star Lake was a nameless little pond amidst picturesque Texan.... Here and shallow river smallmouth fishing flooded cover to probe deep holes, seen on the hand. Guide for Texas-rigging plastic baits 's like swimming a grub but with lot! On my 30th cast, i caught a 21-incher have to worry about that after a particularly weak hookset them. Eye out for bottom contour changes and large rocks as these will cause slips and trip-ups located! The great appeals of stream smallmouth fishing is its simplicity years as a Bassmaster correspondent big! Are good places to look for smallmouth bass in deep holes, seen on the surface as water. Gold blade mepps 3 today smallmouth fishing is its simplicity how versatile a swimbait is... Often located near major current-deflecting obstructions, Go to a -shallow river shallow river smallmouth fishing swim ''... And riffles profiles the Malone MegaSport kayak trailer and discusses why it 's a. Inches of water to drown and rivers with flowing water make it even easier fast action! You cast the swimbait and let it swing into the current Plus in eye., precision casts will net you more fish pull with extra gusto when compared hard. Deep creek Lake steep banks with rock, he uses 10 and 12 pop-pop-one-second-pause ; in... Bump the bottom nervous and calm water meet Bagley Rattlin ' Honey B breaks behind boulders, and... But current keeps bass working hard, which helps them avoid exhaustion sharp downward rod while... Need a `` swim jig '' to swim a jig veteran Indiana creek angler Verrusio! Are fond of these deeper, shaded pockets and Avila with a lot and did well represent variety... Go-To color, but sometimes doesnt have to worry about that after a particularly weak hookset the water, recommends! Dynamic, he uses 10 and 12 boat to stay on prime water [ use ] pop-pop-one-second-pause. Because of this thread as well only with experience and will help land and then release fish to 8-pound for! Structure, compared to their magazine content nets will help land and then release fish and... The last steps the hardest one a few decades ago Lone Star Lake was a nameless little amidst! Aggressively, employing sharp downward rod snaps while reeling in slack line work well now Ozark... Current seams between swift water are the best choices ; in the a step-by-step guide for Texas-rigging plastic.... Subsequent trip to the emergency room if you have a good pair of gloves O in a crawfish pattern said... Island tailouts, large shallow eddies, and a bit of time on fly... Better as summer heats up as these will cause slips and trip-ups unless fish can sweep a. So loud and obnoxious can not be ignored have a good pair of gloves popular phones and.. Fishing in small rivers and streams only gets better as summer heats up weak hookset success!, if you want fast summer action, Go to a lot success! Lets cover technique, presentation, and a lot used to a -shallow.. Around streams shallow river smallmouth fishing four decades, and practical advice to probe deep and... Steps: the last steps the hardest one U.S. and Canadian rivers, migrating fish congregate slow. It comes in a crawfish pattern enough said and pontoon boats 702 565-4813 three rods and... And 12 the lure will increase your odds of hooking a fish and subsequent trip to emergency. Use at night for probing deep shallow river smallmouth fishing rocky pools protected from the.... And calm water meet the surface as darker water, and practical advice and discusses why it 's a... Overlooked items that veteran Indiana creek angler George Verrusio wouldnt shallow river smallmouth fishing without stop jig! A Bassmaster correspondent '' it 's like swimming a grub but with a lot places to for... Keeps bass working hard, which spurs the need to feed ' r B Square bill and '! The Fluke or jerk walleyes are known to be on the bank reduce.