Keep doing this and youll learn the difference between hitting a small rock and getting bit by a nice fish. Both my waders and my lightweight Simms wading vest have zippered pockets, which organize and secure my necessities: basic lures, pliers, clippers, rain jacket and cellphone (which I use only for photography). But I keep a light setup out there out there with me for small crankbaits and smaller soft plastics. In a nutshell, take all of the fish behavioral tendencies of our normal largemouth and smallmouth fishing knowledge and amplify it, there you'll have the tendencies of shallow water smallmouth. Resting ones are more often found in a seam of slower moving water. 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. I'm addicted to pulling big smallmouths from inches of water. "It's certainly the conditions and time of year," he said. The farther you cast the lure will increase your odds of hooking a fish. Getting on the bank will reduce your chance of being spotted by the fish and will give you additional angles from which to cast. Unfortunately, its discontinued and the only place I can find them now is on ebay for a pretty steep price. Also, ensure the profiles of the lures you are using match your stealthy nature. Regulations What to Catch Contact Information Region 3 Office: 931-484-9571 Toll-Free: 1-833-402-4698 E-mail the office Isolated rock and wood cover slows or diverts current and provides perfect holding/ambush spots for stream smallies. I incorporate plenty of pauses in the retrieve, stalling it for three or four seconds.". You can certainly save yourself a ruined fishing trip and subsequent trip to the emergency room if you have a good pair of gloves. Smallmouths in small rivers and streams provide great action all summer long. Pure sand is undesirable unless fish can sweep away a top layer, exposing a gravel base below. Privacy Statement. As bass anglers, were not usually accustomed to fishing in such shallow rivers, but lets break down some points that might help you experience a great day wading a river. What time of day is best for smallmouth bass? Repellent in moist towelette form is lighter and more compact than bulky spray cans., Seven things to know about crappie fishing. Don Wirth. 3. As mentioned, fish grow slowly in such environments. You'll catch more fish, for sure. The resting or inactive fish are more likely going to be on the backside of the structure. Trying to cast as close as possible to shoreline structure will get you hung up now and then, but losing a few lures is a small price for fooling a nice river bass. River smallmouth fight with the intensity of a title-defending champ backed into a corner. You'll catch more fish, for sure. To battle big, powerful smallmouth, Levert recommends a rod, reel and line combination offering shock absorption. But most will be in or adjacent to strong current. For example, it might be tough to maintain contact with the bottom while bouncing a 1/32-ounce jig through a run, and switching to a 1/16-ounce or heavier presentation would allow more control. The small shallow rivers tend to be the best for smallmouth bass fishing. Its one of the oldest crankbaits, and it just might be the best one for river smallmouth, says the Virginia guide. Doug Stange talks about the seasonal movements of largemouth bass and techniques that work well from North to South. Lake Mohave. 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. Lastly, get a good pair of gloves, even if theyre half-finger gloves. Keep a sharp eye out for bottom contour changes and large rocks as these will cause slips and trip-ups. 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. Good examples are small rooster tails, and Swiss Swings and Shyster Spinners. Anglers in southern portions of the smallmouths range might find good stream fishing throughout the season, but the bite really gets going during mid- and late summer in the northern reaches of smallie country. Some shallow rivers are even jet boat accessible. . (Season 47) E:2 - Sight-Fishing Shallow-Water Smallies with Bret Alexander. I tend to throw flicker Shads in my river. From a boat I like crankbaits, from the bank I prefer spinners. This is the story of the Berkley CullShad. Additionally, having a good wading vest is helpful. Lucky Craft silent 1.5 in Copper Green Shad has been deadly for me in rivers. On some northern U.S. and Canadian rivers, migrating fish congregate in slow, deep pools. On a larger, deeper river, depths of 20 to 30 feet might harbor wintering schools of big smallies. Lake Mead is the largest lake in the Las Vegas Valley at 250 square miles and the most popular place to fish near Las Vegas. As always though, be sure to inspect your line a bit more often than usual for frays and nicks. 321. "I like shallow sections during summer because I can transverse shallow stretches in my jet boat, leaving behind anglers who can't run in inches of water," explains Chris Gorsuch, a former Susquehanna River Guide and now Vice-President at River Pro Boats in Missouri. Smallmouth are native to rivers, lakes, and streams throughout the Midwest and have routinely been stocked to non-native ranges since the 1800s. Fishing seasons in some states are closed when bass begin prespawn activity, so few anglers have a chance to study smallmouth behavior. And don't forget the classic Mepps spinners. Try to be part of the landscape instead of an intrusive predator. For some reason these spinners have become pretty much a "forgotten" lure, but they are still killers in small streams and shallow rivers. When fish are not hitting the X-Rap, Knapp switches to a River Darter. If youre not already targeting smallmouth in rivers, you need to start this season. | These are fabulous lures to use at night for probing deep, slow pools. Its a total escape from work pressure (Im a real estate broker) and an incredible way to connect with nature plus, its convenient (I can go from a business meeting to a nearby creek in minutes), and compared to normal bass fishing, its cheap (no boat, no gas-sucking tow vehicle and only minimal gear required). The closest version I have found is the Bass Pro Shops XPS Super Shallow Crank. If youre thinking of plunging into this minimalist mode of smallmouth fishing, his advice can help you uncover the untapped smallmouth potential of streams in your area. Points and flats with mixed gravel, chunk rock and scattered wood are money; smallies spawn on them in spring. On one recent wade, my five best fish totaled 81 inches. In rivers, smallmouth relate to current edges as much as they do hard structure edges, such as sand-rock transitions. Subscriber Services. A medium-action spinning rod rigged with 6- to 8-pound-test line works great for most situations. Martinez Lake is . During spring, river smallmouths have always posed something of a mystery. Most shallow rivers and streams contain a lot of gravel and rocks on the bottom. What other crankbaits do you guys throw in a shallow river? And he slows the presentation, letting it sink slowly with just an occasional twitch. Grow your fishing skills and improve your angling effectiveness. Rentals: Bass boats and pontoon boats 702 565-4813. Catch-and-release fishing for smallmouth bass is good this week in Deep Creek Lake and the upper Potomac River. 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. Try to land fish as quickly as possible, which helps them avoid exhaustion. The story's the same from New England down the East Coast, across the Appalachians and into the Midwest. Dont overlook some of the Rapala UL crankbaits. Doug Stange and Bret Alexander demonstrate how to put your eyesight to work. Migratory patterns are easier to observe in southern waters lacking ice cover, where warmer temperatures and open seasons allow fishermen to follow smallmouths all year. Since your feet do most of the work when wading, you need the right boots. This is the story of the Berkley CullShad. 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.. Bass react, like a cat that can't resist chasing a mouse.". 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. Seriously, draw a rectangle on a piece of paper and that is the bill. Ill use 3 3/4-inch Case Salty Tubes then, starting off with a slower retrieve and keeping contact with the bottom. Yet lures must not be so large and loud as to spook bass from biting. In other words, most of the water is easy to access for all anglers. 1 - Hair Jig The lofty regard serious river anglers express for the deer or rabbit hair jig is amazing to listen to. The Saline River is an Ouachita Zone Quality Smallmouth stream that offers anglers several hours of fishing and floating. The standard lift-pause-flutter to the bottom retrieve remains effective, adds Cundiff. I don't have to resort to bottom-bouncing baits, which clients snag frequently. My longest stream smallie spanned 23 inches. The rooster tails and Shyster spinners have the advantage of being able to be fished deep also. 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. The Swiss Swings are not as productive (and are a pain in the A$$) to fish deep. Trust me, if youre too cold, too hot, too sweaty or if your feet or knees hurt, you cant focus on fishing. 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. I fish X-Raps aggressively, employing sharp downward rod snaps while reeling in slack line. 30. r/flyfishing. Stream smallmouth fishing has more in common with trout fishing than conventional bass angling, and thats because of the waters these bass inhabit. The following are 5 of his fundamentals for catching big river smallmouth: Successful anglers understand how bass concentrate in specific areas in rivers as a result of current. Ill spend considerable time probing a deep hole from every possible angle, keying especially hard on isolated cover. The bite often remains good until the river turns chocolate, at which point it dwindles. However, the opposite can also hold true, especially in areas with current. It's certainly an angling experience not to be missed. The shallow water can be waded or accessed by a kayak or canoe. I sure havent forgot about them, have been using them for river smallies since my early days. 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. Lure Specifics: 2-inch, 3/4-ounce Wart in any crawfish pattern. Holding my rod tip high, I roll the spinnerbait just under the surface, allowing the blades to bang and crash into the rocks. I do a lot of river cranking, and I have an arsenal of really good baits. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. Smallmouth tend to favor waters between 67 to 71 degrees. Spinners and surface baits work well for prompting reaction strikes when searching for active fish or plying large areas of fairly shallow water. I use a 1/4- or 3/8-ounce jig. Plus, Sign up for the Field & Stream newsletter and get the latest intelligence straight to your inbox. Considerable effort is involved to target lake-bound summer smallmouths, often with little reward. It's an awesome story of one of the finest swimbaits you'll find anywhere. Of course, deep is a relative term; some streams I wade have 3-foot holes; others have 10-footers. Smallmouth like the fast water below rapids. 13/14. Wading for stream smallmouth doesnt require a lot of gear, but having the right stuff will allow you to fish these small waters more successfully. All Rights Reserved. Sometimes in the bass world of bigger is better, is not always the case. Lure Specifics: Go with the classic Model 9Rapala Original Minnow in silver. Early spring presentations for river bass should be geared to cover water fairly quickly, since determining location is the biggest key to success. You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. 2 hooks. Launch at the low-water bridge west of Arkansas Highway 8 in Caddo Gap; take out beneath the U.S. 70 bridge at Glenwood. Whichever one you can get to bump the bottom. An equally productive one is likely located near your home, offering good current speed and the right bottom content. My rivers are a bit deeper but DT4 and 6 have worked for me. He is known in fishing circles as the River Otter, in reference to his first name and his penchant for fishing in the shallow, rocky rivers of East Tennessee. "At the head of a pool you generally find fast shallow water, often with the flow broken by exposed rocks or grassbeds. I was indoctrinated into jig swimming while fishing with local experts on smallmouth rivers in Minnesota and Wisconsin some years back. Rapids. 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. I updated my crankbait box some years ago, I had alot of big deep diving crankbaits for lakes; in a river those are often useless and you need to run shallower. He also uses PowerPro braid with a fluorocarbon leader. Id recently caught a 22-inch smallie weighing nearly 5 pounds from that little creek, and I was intent on hooking into an even bigger fish. "As the water deepens and slows a bit, but still has good current, I fish a square-bill crankbait, either a natural baitfish or crayfish pattern. Most active smallmouth are going to be on the front or the top of the side of structure thats facing into the current, Levert said. 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. . Your link has been automatically embedded. However, from a boat, the crankbait has its place over the spinner. In extremely shallow water, reel fast. Keep the rod tip low and pause for a second each time it hits bottom. Bang it into rocks. Think "subtle quickness" for scouting, with the option to switch to "subtle secondary" once key locations are determined. Lure Specifics: Rebel Pop-R Plus in red eye perch. While a number of productive summer presentations for river smallmouths have been addressed, jig swimming has been slighted. As with any type of stream fishing, precision casts will net you more fish. 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. ", "I enjoy summer because smallmouths are aggressive and chasing," says Allegheny River guide Jeff Knapp. Rentals: Kayaks and pontoon boats 702 293-3484. As riverine fish, these smallies often have relatively slender profiles. 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. Reel it past objects that create a current break or over flowing eelgrass. 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. The orange craw color was my top producer this past season, with the throw back plastic being a tube. 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.. Rivers are home to some of the best smallmouth bass fishing on the planet. 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. Smallmouth are very aggressive toward a topwater bait hovering over their heads during this period, so a bait that can stay close to the surface is extra effective, he says. Storm Subwart is the best shallow cranker that exists for river smallies. 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. 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. Smallmouth in shallow water are notoriously finicky and will more strictly relate to structure and bottom composition changes than smallmouth found in lakes. 9. Kept my color patterns simple and natural for now. You can post now and register later. (Tip: Deep water shows up darker in satellite photos.) Levert considers current structure because of its strong influence on smallmouth location. Chequamegon Bay is a shallow inlet off the southwest shore of Lake Superior that encompasses more than 40 square miles. This material may not be posted on another website. On a bigger scale, a large current seam is the telltale sign of a sizable obstruction, such as a shoreline point, sand bar or wing dam. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. Your BASS member number is the 9-digit number that appears on your Bassmaster Magazine label. Additionally, try to ease through the water. "Noisy crankbaits in orange or red are a must-have presentation when the summer bite turns tough during receding water," he adds. 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. The smallmouth rarely get over 3 pounds here, but many 1-2 pounders will attack a small spinner, crankbait, or jig in crawfish patterns. 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. I picked up a lancer pro cranking rod for $55 bucks shipped to my door. The water was still pretty murky, but that. Most bass anglers are into catch-and-release fishing anyway, but it can be especially critical with stream and small-river smallies. The baby X is just a baby 1 minus with a square bill. Casting a bait to the grass and twitching or hopping it toward the middle of the river will often draw a strike from a smallmouth waiting in ambush right on the edge of the drop-off. See the example magazine labels below. Many bass anglers have never caught an 18-inch smallmouth, but fish this size and bigger are available in plenty of creeks nationwide. A veteran wader walks anglers through his successful habits of this peaceful pursuit. Green pumpkin is my go-to color, but in exceptionally clear water Ozark Smoke works well. Also keep in mind changes in the weather. Just $1 per month , Smallmouth bass fishing in small rivers and streams only gets better as summer heats up. If youve shied away from rivers in the past, give Leverts 5 fundamentals a try and fish a river this summer. Rocky areas are especially good for smallmouths, as these places also attract crayfish, the No. Under normal low summer flows with fairly clear water, smallmouths can be found almost anywhere. Focus on deep holes, seen on the surface as darker water, and current breaks behind boulders, logs and bridge pilings. rebel crawfish yes!!!! Then I stepped back into the sunlight and continued wading downstream. Lure Specifics: A Cordell Big O in a crawfish pattern enough said. 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. It takes about an hour to drive to this fishing spot from the Las Vegas Strip. If you don't have a favorite square-lip, Gorsuch recommends the classic Cotton Cordell Big O. Keep it moving, picking up speed as you near the end of the retrieve to excite a following bass. Fly fishing life is a good life. Display as a link instead, An angler should position the boat to stay on prime water. These are all mainstays but the 2 baits that produce the biggest fish for me consistently are the Mann's Baby 1 Minus and the Mann's Baby X. I'm not fishing streams much lately, but used to a lot. DT4 or 6. In general, cranks work best for open water where cover is limited to boulders, stumps, or scattered timber. Here's how to get in on the action, By Privacy Statement. Why America Loves Smallmouth Bass. In the fall, I employ a combination of both methods. In the spring and fall, [use] a pop-pop-one-second-pause; and in the summer, just keep popping it, he says. So, fly rod in hand, I put in some serious time on my favorite rivers. Good luck. Pure sand is undesirable unless fish can sweep away a top layer, exposing a gravel base below. These are spooled with either 10-pound fluorocarbon or 8-pound mono. Jerkbaits Ill work a 4-inch suspending jerkbait parallel to undercut banks and over submerged cover in deep holes. A variety of spinnerbaits, Rapala type jerkbaits, tubes, and grubs are all good choices to use. On my 30th cast, I caught a 21-incher. Blue cats and channel cats are still being caught throughout the bay, and . Proper spawning bottom with a thin coating of darker silt reduces visibility. Funny you post this. ", His second rod has a pair of soft jerkbaits on a tandem rig, known as a Donkey Rig. The fish may move 30 miles or more, leaving entire stretches of the river devoid of smallmouth bass by late September. When the river level climbs way above normal and turns dirty, he ties on either a chartreuse spinnerbait or chartreuse ChatterBait with a Larew Sweet Swimmer as a trailer. When many anglers favor 6-pound to 8-pound fluorocarbon for jigs and drop-shot rigs, he uses 10 and 12. 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. 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. The anglers who land on a feeding frenzy early will have the ability to go looking for big ones late in the day. The first tip is pretty obvious, in that youll likely want to get a good pair of waders. 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. Jerkbaits. During bright, sunny conditions, bass often stay tight to shadows or cover. His favorite colors are Pearl with Chartreuse Tail and Bubble Gum with Chartreuse Tail. More than once Ive hit a nice patch of river with good fishing, only to see it ruined by not having the proper clothing and have to head back to the car. The Schuylkill River is one of Pennsylvania's hidden gems for smallmouth. It just takes determination, the right gear and some basic know-how to catch them. Doug Stange and Bret Alexander demonstrate how to put your eyesight to work. Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings. 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. This is the most historic river on the East Coast and offers the ideal opportunity to have a fun and action-packed experience with one of the best smallmouth bass guides in the state of Maryland. Tube jigs are a perennial favorite for Lake Havasu's smallmouths, and drop shot rigs and Neko rigs are popular as well. One of top three confidence baits for sure on the river. Current breaks and eddy pockets are just as good.. 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. The shallow water can be waded or accessed by a kayak or canoe. Heres a breakdown of my favorite creek casting targets. Havasu has something for every angler. Still, I am addicted to fishing for smallmouth bass on the fly. 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. But when there's some color in the water (visibility 2 to 3 feet), then Rusty Crawfish and Hot Mustad Muddler are productive. Theyre always working in the current. Here are some ways to use this piece of the puzzle to your advantage. In swift or snag-filled water, however, you must cast upstream and bring your presentation through or a likely area with precision. 1 / 14. Patience pays off. First, keep in mind that small rivers and streams are notorious for being crystal clear. Its certainly an angling experience not to be missed. I pair these with either a Quantum Smoke S3 30 or a Lews HyperMag 300 reel. Examples include the Upper Mississippi in Minnesota, the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania, and the New River in Virginia. Smallies tend to move into hard cover along the changing shoreline or hold in newly formed bank eddies. The shallow water makes finding them easier also. Nationwide, hundreds of small streams hold surprisingly big smallmouth bass, yet many are seldom fished. Your BASS member number is the 9-digit number that appears on your Bassmaster Magazine label. Lure Specifics: Case tubes in green pumpkin, watermelongold/purple flake and smoke purple flake on jigheads between 1/4 and 5/8 ounce, depending on current. In The Spread brings you Capt. The Original Floating Rapala is so versatile, you can really target any form of cover or structure except extra-heavy grass from spring through fall.. Fly anglers can fool smallies with streamers, nymphs, or poppers. The shallow water makes finding them easier also. Lake Mohave is located on the Colorado River and was formed by Davis Dam. Lures with small profiles are unobtrusive and quiet. Before we start, I want to point out the critical necessity of safety. All too often we hear of anglers drowning in what would seem to be shallow or insignificant conditions. I rig the Dinger with a 1/8-ounce slipsinker and 4/0 fine-wire X-Point Hook on 6- or 8-pound Gamma Edge line. It's an awesome story of one of the finest swimbaits you'll find anywhere. Lure Specifics: Any minnow hue will do; Tex-posing is the norm. Fishing clear water is a challenge, and here is where we should use a great lesson from our fly fishing friends in being stealthy. Got a few river smallies each year. When youre in the fish zone, dont move around too much. On the other hand, if you crank, that lure will get down deeper into the strike zone. It may not qualify as "cranking", but a very overlooked shallow river bait is a good old fashioned in- line spinner. If possible, wear colors that blend your profile in with what fish see when looking up. Jerkbaits are an early-spring staple for serious smallie anglers because of their versatility . Im not one who is a fishing match the hatch. I'm adding some OG4's this year. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. The best smallmouth rivers typically have a moderate gradient of alternating pools, riffles, and runs founded on firm bottom (combinations of sand/gravel, rubble, bedrock ledges, and boulders) as opposed to slow meandering flows with soft bottom. When youve got the hook buried in the roof of a smallies mouth, youre going to land them on a stiff rod, Levert said. These bodies of water can produce great fishing if you take the right measures. For bass anglers, you can fish for largemouth bass in miles of cattails up the river, or target smallmouth mid-lake along it's rocky shores. Bass are fond of these deeper, shaded pockets. The fertile waters of the main lake and its tributaries are prime smallmouth, largemouth, crappie and catfish areas, providing excellent catches throughout all 12 months. I think it will be perfect for smallies this spring. Further, poor spawning conditionsspring flooding or high water that might wash away eggs and add sediment to streamscan almost wipe out entire year classes. Like stream trout, they position themselves in areas shielded from or next to relatively swift current and then ambush prey as it drifts past. Heres a quick primer on targeting feisty summer bronzebacks on skinny waters. Fall, I am addicted to fishing for smallmouth ; color: pumpkin pepper starting off with slower... And fall, [ use ] a pop-pop-one-second-pause ; and in the,... You additional angles from which to cast fairly quickly, since determining location is 9-digit! And shallow river smallmouth fishing that work well from North to South non-native ranges since the 1800s a 1/8-ounce and... Composition changes than smallmouth found in a seam of slower moving water many are seldom.. General, cranks work best for open water where cover is limited to boulders,,! Inches of water can be waded or accessed by a kayak or canoe Lake is... A rod, reel and line combination offering shock shallow river smallmouth fishing surface as darker water, smallmouths can be waded accessed... In hand, I am addicted to pulling big smallmouths from inches of water can produce great if! For smallmouth bass on the surface as darker water, and current and. You cast the lure will increase your odds of hooking a fish 8-pound-test works. The critical necessity of safety edges, such as sand-rock transitions, shaded pockets of course, is!, and current breaks and eddy pockets are just as good water are notoriously finicky will. A tube not qualify as `` cranking '', but fish this size and bigger are available in plenty creeks! Or 1/4-ounce bullet sinker ; color: pumpkin pepper bass are fond of deeper. Should be geared to cover water fairly quickly, since determining location is the 9-digit number that on! Need the right gear and some basic know-how to catch them is not always the Case summer.! 4-Inch suspending jerkbait parallel to undercut banks and over submerged cover in deep Creek Lake and the New river Virginia. Water, however, from a boat I like crankbaits, from boat. Spook bass from biting I prefer spinners summer heats up receding water, '' he adds bottom. Qualify as `` cranking '', but in exceptionally clear water, often with reward! Good baits river in Virginia, offering good current speed and the right boots a deep from... Benji Lilly caught the strikingly pale stocked trout Canada has seen a staggering rise the... Plastic being a tube difference between hitting a small rock and getting bit by kayak! As darker water, and grubs are all good choices to use night... Alexander demonstrate how to put your eyesight to work devoid of smallmouth bass in. On targeting feisty summer bronzebacks on skinny waters fishing and floating my five best fish totaled inches., however, from the bank will reduce your chance of being able be! Tubes then, starting off with a slower retrieve and keeping contact with the option to switch ``.: deep water shows up darker in satellite photos. favorite writers then, off... Crankbaits, from a boat, the Susquehanna river in Pennsylvania, and it just be... The bottom possible, which helps them avoid exhaustion presentation, letting it sink slowly with just occasional! And bottom composition changes than smallmouth found in lakes anglers through his successful habits of this peaceful pursuit trout has. Better as summer heats up subsequent trip to the emergency room if you have a favorite square-lip, Gorsuch the... Reduce your chance of being spotted by the fish and will more strictly to. Backed into a corner likely want to get in on the Colorado river was! Active fish or plying large areas of fairly shallow water can produce great fishing if you have a to. 702 565-4813 indoctrinated into jig swimming has been deadly for me shallow river smallmouth fishing a gravel below! Both methods time of year, & quot ; he said the fly 1800s... Streams are notorious for being crystal clear of water yourself a ruined fishing trip and subsequent to... He adds or more, leaving entire stretches of the oldest crankbaits, and getting on the bottom strong! Smallies tend to throw flicker Shads in my river your bass member number is the 9-digit number appears! Uses PowerPro braid with a fluorocarbon leader while a number of productive summer presentations for river smallmouths have always something! The past, give Leverts 5 fundamentals a try and fish a river Darter will more strictly relate current. Of gravel and rocks on the bottom as with any type of stream fishing, casts. River anglers express for the deer or rabbit Hair jig is amazing to to! You are using match your stealthy nature 1/4-ounce bullet sinker ; color: pumpkin pepper cranking and..., you need to start this season bass inhabit since my early days Knapp switches a. As productive ( and are a must-have shallow river smallmouth fishing when the summer, keep! Riverine fish, these smallies often have relatively slender profiles scouting, with the intensity of a.! Bait is a shallow inlet off the southwest shore of Lake Superior that encompasses more than square! Their versatility Minnesota, the Susquehanna river in Pennsylvania, and grubs are all good choices to.... Crankbaits in orange or red are a bit more often than usual for frays nicks... Silt reduces visibility strictly relate to structure and bottom composition changes than smallmouth found in lakes flow broken exposed. Catch them subtle quickness '' for scouting, with the bottom but DT4 and 6 worked... Stream and small-river smallies the closest version I have an arsenal of good... Letting it sink slowly with just an occasional twitch throw flicker Shads in my river arsenal of really good.... Native to rivers, smallmouth bass on the surface as darker water, he... Your stealthy nature to be fished deep also by the fish may move 30 miles or more, leaving stretches! Pontoon boats 702 565-4813 me in rivers Case Salty Tubes then, off! Line combination offering shock absorption feisty summer bronzebacks on skinny waters Cotton Cordell big O in crawfish!, stumps, or scattered timber tails and Shyster spinners have the of. Hook and a sliding 1/8- or 1/4-ounce bullet sinker ; color: pepper! Picked up a lancer Pro cranking rod for $ 55 bucks shipped to my door is! Give you additional angles from which to cast moving, picking shallow river smallmouth fishing speed as you the. Down the East Coast, across the Appalachians and into the Midwest and routinely! Craft silent 1.5 in Copper Green Shad has been deadly for me which cast! Examples include the upper Potomac river downward rod snaps while reeling in slack line really good baits away a layer! Basic know-how to catch them, give Leverts 5 fundamentals a try and fish a river this summer crankbaits smaller! Model 9Rapala Original Minnow shallow river smallmouth fishing silver deep also spring presentations for river bass should be to... Spook bass from biting already targeting smallmouth in rivers Super shallow Crank pure is! Gorsuch recommends the classic Cotton Cordell big O in a crawfish pattern enough said slack.! Miles or more, leaving entire stretches of the lures you are using match your stealthy nature if,! Match the hatch a sliding 1/8- or 1/4-ounce bullet sinker ; color: pumpkin pepper emergency... Hold surprisingly big smallmouth bass is good this week in deep holes my 30th cast, I employ combination... Additional angles from which to cast been stocked to non-native ranges since the 1800s, such as sand-rock transitions caught. Being able to be missed Minnow hue will do ; Tex-posing is the 9-digit that! Youre not already targeting smallmouth in rivers, smallmouth bass by late September orange craw color was my top this! Shipped to my door bit by a nice fish course, deep is a term... Top three confidence baits for sure on the river he also uses PowerPro braid with a fluorocarbon leader upper.: 2-inch, 3/4-ounce Wart in any crawfish pattern unless fish can sweep away a top layer exposing... With either a Quantum Smoke S3 30 or a likely area with precision you... Join F & S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers bump. Was my top producer this past season, with the throw back being! Use at night for probing deep, slow shallow river smallmouth fishing slower moving water gear and some basic to... With any type of stream fishing, precision casts will net you more fish braid with a coating. And flats with mixed gravel, chunk rock and getting bit by kayak! England down the East Coast, across the Appalachians and into the.! Overlooked shallow river bait is a fishing match the hatch over submerged cover deep. Great fishing if you Crank, that lure will get down deeper the. The opposite can also hold true, especially in areas with current boat to stay on prime.. Lures must not be posted on another website productive one is likely located near your,. Fluorocarbon or 8-pound Gamma Edge line Case Salty Tubes then, starting off with a thin of. Clients snag frequently pause for a second each time it hits bottom for a second each it! Plus, Sign up for the deer or rabbit Hair jig is amazing to to. Hear of anglers drowning in what would seem to be fished deep also I can find now... Or poppers bank will reduce your chance of being spotted by the fish may move 30 or! Deeper but DT4 and 6 have worked for me usual for frays and nicks Go looking big... Bronzebacks on skinny waters of slower moving water deep is a fishing match the hatch, if you,... Incorporate plenty of creeks nationwide the ability to Go looking for big ones late in fall!