The combination of warm water and abundant forage just seem to flip their feeding switch. River smallmouth fight with the intensity of a title-defending champ backed into a corner. While a number of productive summer presentations for river smallmouths have been addressed, jig swimming has been slighted. 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. 2 hooks. Wiggle warts are the other baits that ill throw parodically in the deeper pockets of the river. With a wide head and no hook slot, the River Darter is designed for nose-hooking. I guide on the historic upper Potomac River near Poolesville MD. Its action is deadly and it rarely snags. Their big zipper makes them easy to get on and off quickly, and the fabric is breathable Gore-Tex, a godsend on strenuous wades. Spinners and surface baits work well for prompting reaction strikes when searching for active fish or plying large areas of fairly shallow water. 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. In broad, deep pools, fish might roam more and feed aggressively during evenings or other periods. Smallmouths often select nesting areas of mixed sand, gravel, and small rocks, out of current flow and generally in water less than three feet deep. Bump it into rocks, sticks, and drag it on the bottom, then memorize how it feels. Before we start, I want to point out the critical necessity of safety. 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. *Darl Black, Cochranton, Pennsylvania, is a freelance writer and photographer and editor of the Northwest Pennsylvania Fishing Report. Yet lures must not be so large and loud as to spook bass from biting. Levert considers current structure because of its strong influence on smallmouth location. Ill use 3 3/4-inch Case Salty Tubes then, starting off with a slower retrieve and keeping contact with the bottom. The suspending Rapala X-Rap is a favorite with spring smallie anglers. I like to make bottom contact here and there. He casts them to current breaks along the bank. jitterbug127 Also keep in mind changes in the weather. In the fall, I employ a combination of both methods. Once you understand that these fish are incredibly spooky, finding ways to keep a low profile becomes part of the fun and challenge of catching them. Active smallmouth typically hold near or in fast flow. Im not one who is a fishing match the hatch. In some extreme cases Ive seen them even crowd up on the only shadow in the river for a hundred feet. Just avoid stepping on snakes in warm weather! What time of day is best for smallmouth bass? Smallmouth in shallow water are notoriously finicky and will more strictly relate to structure and bottom composition changes than smallmouth found in lakes. Sometimes, bass merely stop a jig or quietly inhale a surface bait. Also be on the watch for fish swirling. "Summer fishing is a visual thing it's all about reading the water so you can select the best targets. 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. (The long, relatively stiff rods I use facilitate surer hook sets when Ive got a lot of line between me and the fish.) For our purposes, lets define small rivers as those you can wade or access from the shorelines or fish with small, unpowered watercraft. In the spring, Ill rig a jerkbait with a weighted 3/0 wide gap hook so that it will sink slowly, with soft twitches, down into current seams or boulder fields, he says. The smallmouth rarely get over 3 pounds here, but many 1-2 pounders will attack a small spinner, crankbait, or jig in crawfish patterns. It does not do much good hurling giant baits that make the sound of depth charge going off every time one hits the water. Known as one of the finest gator gar fisheries on the planet, the In-Fisherman Staff heads to the Trinity River in East Texas seeking this large toothy critter. Pure sand is undesirable unless fish can sweep away a top layer, exposing a gravel base below. Depending on how small you're talking some good ones to consider are bomber model A's, DT4s, and the various 1.5 equivalent squarebills. Leverts view of boat placements as follows. Bang it into rocks. I throw it the same as any DT (location). depending on size. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) annually stocks several species of fish into Chickamauga including striped bass, walleye, and Florida largemouth bass. On one recent wade, my five best fish totaled 81 inches. The shallow water can be waded or accessed by a kayak or canoe. Don't miss a chance to fish undercut banks, fallen trees, weed beds, deep holes, and eddies. Ill wear waders until the water temp climbs to around 65 degrees, then Ill wet-wade with lightweight, quick-drying guide pants (not jeans they soak up water like a sponge), a breathable fishing shirt with extra pockets and wading boots. Now that youre outfitted, lets cover technique, presentation, and practical advice. I'm adding some OG4's this year. Trust me, if youre too cold, too hot, too sweaty or if your feet or knees hurt, you cant focus on fishing. I'm not fishing streams much lately, but used to a lot. Subscribe to the free Weekly BassResource newsletter. 2023 is going to be a heavy cranking year for me, Ive pretty much fished the bottom of the river and top water exclusively. Fly fishing life is a good life. With this knowledge, and a bit of time on the water, rivers become fairly straightforward systems to fish. . I cant stress enough how wary stream smallmouth are. Lure Specifics: Case tubes in green pumpkin, watermelon gold/purple flake and smoke purple flake on jigheads between 1/4 and 5/8 ounce, depending on current. I really like the Swiss Swing (or the almost identical Swedish Swing. The shallow water makes finding them easier also. If the surface temp is around 55 degrees, Ill start by twitching a Fluke or a jerkbait; if its 60 or above, Ill begin with a surface bait. 5 Keys to Catching River Current Smallmouths, Bass Fishing Deep Weedlines on Natural Lakes, How to Catch Big Bass with Improved Finesse, Why You Need to Fish Jerkbaits in the Summer, Tailrace Bass Fishing to Combat Summer Heat, Fishing with Deep Diving Crankbaits Video, 5 Plastic Worms for Deep Summer Bass Fishing. One of the great appeals of stream smallmouth fishing is its simplicity. So, fly rod in hand, I put in some serious time on my favorite rivers. Tube jigs are a perennial favorite for Lake Havasu's smallmouths, and drop shot rigs and Neko rigs are popular as well. Be sure youve got the ability to slip off a sweatshirt if you get too warm, or put on a hat if it gets cold. Lastly, its imperative that you take a good look at surrounding structure and fish smart. Most bridges offer decent stream access, but understand that any stretch of water close to the most convenient access spots invariably receives the most fishing pressure. The breeze accentuates ripples on the waters surface, making it easier to see current variations. 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. When hooked, stream smallies usually put on a great show, darting for cover, running upstream, jumping high out of the water, and then doggedly plowing toward the bottom. Also a medium depth Rock Crawler, and Rebel Crawfish shallow runner. Large slack areas may draw huge numbers of prespawn bass. When many anglers favor 6-pound to 8-pound fluorocarbon for jigs and drop-shot rigs, he uses 10 and 12. Although smallmouths are abundant, Piedmont Lake isn't really known for producing trophies. In-Fisherman takes a quick trip through time to look back at some great fishing memories, fun tips and a lot of learning experiences. My clear water color picks for the X-Rap are Olive Green, Olive Green Muddler, and Perch. My two favorite rods are a 7 1/2-foot St. Croix Legend Elite ES76MF and a 7-3 G.Loomis NRX+ 872; both are medium action with a fast tip. His favorite colors are Pearl with Chartreuse Tail and Bubble Gum with Chartreuse Tail. I dont know how long Ive been fishing Shad Raps but since their arrival Im sure. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. Ill spend considerable time probing a deep hole from every possible angle, keying especially hard on isolated cover. 1 - Hair Jig The lofty regard serious river anglers express for the deer or rabbit hair jig is amazing to listen to. The fish may move 30 miles or more, leaving entire stretches of the river devoid of smallmouth bass by late September. Theyre subtle in some cases, violent in others. 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. 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. Where are smallmouth in fall? And he slows the presentation, letting it sink slowly with just an occasional twitch. Wading forces you to edit your equipment down to the necessities. Ive fished a few others like a SR that are good baits also. Proper spawning bottom with a thin coating of darker silt reduces visibility. Any current breaks, isolated boulders, wood or any irregular structure that are on flats near deeper water or the river channel will hold fish, he says. Lure Specifics: Rebel Pop-R Plus in red eye perch. Levert uses current and wind conditions to his advantage, but always stays in control using a bow-mount electric motor. The rooster tails and Shyster spinners have the advantage of being able to be fished deep also. After all, the endeavor is relatively low-tech, and bass in such waters dont often grow as heavy as their cousins in lakes, reservoirs, and larger rivers. Be sure to also consider good protection from the sun which includes a good hat to cover your face and neck, as well as sunscreen or a long-sleeved SPF rated fishing shirt. In the short reach between Green Bay and the first dam, smallmouths are part of a mixed bag of walleyes, channel catfish, northern pike and, at certain times of year, salmon and trout from Lake Michigan. To give an example, when fishing a flat Levert looks for current ripples to locate boulders, rocks or depth variations. You'll catch more fish, for sure. See the example magazine labels below. All things considered, Lester's strong suit is shallow fishing, and his last two finishes have been Top 10s, so he has some good momentum rolling into Murray. Bandit 200 should bump in 3-5' as well. Phillip likes to fish in whatever water is wet and usually likes to catch anything with fins, scales, and eyes, but prefers bass. Its best then to select other topwaters. Unfortunately, its discontinued and the only place I can find them now is on ebay for a pretty steep price. Tackle warehouse's rod sale also got me. | Stoudenmire says wide-wobble cranks perform best from prespawn well into autumn, especially in stained water and around any kind of rocks-and-current scenario. Only a few decades ago Lone Star Lake was a nameless little pond amidst picturesque Texan wilderness. Like DTs Ill throw it all season. A good pair of polarized sunglasses will really allow you to see into the water and wade safer. 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. Rivers are home to some of the best smallmouth bass fishing on the planet. Bass can be active throughout the day, but fishing generally improves as water warms into afternoons and evenings. Find our guides' top 10 smallmouth lures outlined below. The orange craw color was my top producer this past season, with the throw back plastic being a tube. And when you can slip that fish back into the water and watch it slowly swim away to battle again, the memory becomes even sweeter. Lure Specifics: Texas rig with a 1/0 wide gap hook and a sliding 1/8- or 1/4-ounce bullet sinker; color: pumpkin pepper. River smallmouth often seem to be everywhere, but you'll draw more strikes and bigger fish by concentrating on certain types of cover during summer and early fall. i forgot about that one had it years ago. Ive had big smallmouth swim up to within a foot of me after Ive stood stock-still for several minutes. Doug Stange and Bret Alexander demonstrate how to put your eyesight to work. Water level usually is higher and dirtier in spring than during the rest of the year, producing stronger current, less visibility, and more submerged cover. I really think a flat bait shines in a river setting. In a nutshell, take all of the fish behavioral tendencies of our normal largemouth and smallmouth fishing knowledge and amplify it, there youll have the tendencies of shallow water smallmouth. In other words, most of the water is easy to access for all anglers. In those areas, I often catch bass in just 12 to 18 inches of water. I would have had some fish less days without cranking. But when youve got them skin-hooked, or just stuck in the front lip, you need that parabolic action to cushion the fight and not rip out the hook.. Equally vital is maneuvering the boat to keep contact and control of the bait, which allows for a proper presentation and instant strike detection. On one recent wade, my five best fish totaled 81 inches. I typically fish 3 to 5 feet of water, either working along a rocky bank or over rocky bottom in the center of the river. Pasted as rich text. Lake Mead. Rentals: Bass boats and pontoon boats 702 565-4813. 3 RIVER-SMALLMOUTHS COMBOS Lipless cranks - heavy-power crankbait rod or 7-foot, 1-inch medium-power, 7.2:1 or 6.3:1, 15-pound fluorocarbon. If youre not already targeting smallmouth in rivers, you need to start this season. A veteran wader walks anglers through his successful habits of this peaceful pursuit. December 5, 2022 in Smallmouth Bass Fishing. "Something so loud and obnoxious cannot be ignored. Ive caught wall-hanger smallmouth from Lake Michigan, lunker Florida largemouth, big Tennessee stripers, even trophy peacock bass from the Amazon River. The characteristics of small bass waters vary throughout the fishs range, but generally they resemble trout waters, with good current and abundant rock-and-gravel substrate, but they feature higher summer water temperatures (typically exceeding 72 degrees in the North). I think all the flow and oxygen in the water helps make them stronger, too.. Small trout-style nets will help land and then release fish. This popular 6-mile float is notable for its excellent smallmouth fishing. There are a couple places where a 6 is just too deep and even 17 lb mono can't keep it shallow enough so 4's it is. Doug Stange talks about the seasonal movements of largemouth bass and techniques that work well from North to South. 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). 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. If you run a spinner fast through a drift, either by design or necessity, that lure will want to come up high in the water column. These are spooled with either 10-pound fluorocarbon or 8-pound mono. Keep doing this and youll learn the difference between hitting a small rock and getting bit by a nice fish. A lot of what I was fishing was < 2' so a DT4 wouldn't be quite right there but the little bombers are. 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. | Always watch your line for twitches or other movement that might indicate a fish has subtly taken a lure. Here are 8 spots to look for when chasing river bronzebacks. I do a lot of river cranking, and I have an arsenal of really good baits. 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