As I took a shade break beneath a bridge, a truck pulling a bass boat clattered overhead, and I wondered if that fisherman realized hed just driven over some prime smallmouth water. Freshwater Fishing. Martinez Lake is . The Saline River is an Ouachita Zone Quality Smallmouth stream that offers anglers several hours of fishing and floating. Trust me, if youre too cold, too hot, too sweaty or if your feet or knees hurt, you cant focus on fishing. Rocky points and drop-offs are good places to look for smallmouth bass in Deep Creek Lake. baby bass, and a fat rap in shad. 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. These layers keep me warm and negate the need for heavier and even costlier insulated waders. Ive had big smallmouth swim up to within a foot of me after Ive stood stock-still for several minutes. Beautiful and enjoyable days can be had in shallow rivers and streams. Your BASS member number is the 9-digit number that appears on your Bassmaster Magazine label. Here's how to get in on the action, By Best for River: Original Floating Rapala SEE IT Key Features Lengths: 1 " - 7" Weight: 1/16 - 11/-16 ounce Hooks: Treble. Sometimes, bass merely stop a jig or quietly inhale a surface bait. I am going through and doing tackle organization this week since the season is all but over here in central Indiana. Some shallow rivers are even jet boat accessible. But trying to lip a hot smallie with a jerkbait in its mouth is asking for a hook in your finger. Jerkbaits. It just takes determination, the right gear and some basic know-how to catch them. "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. See the example magazine labels below. Now that youre outfitted, lets cover technique, presentation, and practical advice. "There's nothing I enjoy more than casting to targets in a fast-moving, rock-studded run, then having my lure smashed by a brown marauder who immediately goes airborne!". The shallow water can be waded or accessed by a kayak or canoe. Levert considers current structure because of its strong influence on smallmouth location. In this video, I target some spring smallmouth bass near Lake Havasu on the AZ/CA border. 321. In fast water rushing over rock rubble, Jeff Knapp reaches for a Rapala #8 X-Rap. On a larger, deeper river, depths of 20 to 30 feet might harbor wintering schools of big smallies. Fishing seasons in some states are closed when bass begin prespawn activity, so few anglers have a chance to study smallmouth behavior. You can certainly save yourself a ruined fishing trip and subsequent trip to the emergency room if you have a good pair of gloves. 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. Its just another way of going after these Smallies. In rivers, smallmouth relate to current edges as much as they do hard structure edges, such as sand-rock transitions. Owing to the efforts of local anglers, the pond was turned into a beautiful lake, inhabited by many fish species like White Crappie . Fishing clear water is a challenge, and here is where we should use a great lesson from our fly fishing friends in being stealthy. Depending on current speed, forage and other attributes, a smallmouth may use a seam as a feeding station or a resting area. | One caveat, continues Trail, is that for whatever reason, summertime days exist when smallmouth wont chase a buzzer. Chasing brookies. For some reason these spinners have become pretty much a "forgotten" lure, but they are still killers in small streams and shallow rivers. On some northern U.S. and Canadian rivers, migrating fish congregate in slow, deep pools. "A bright colored, noisy bait is the only thing that works for me under those -conditions," he says. I also like Korkers DarkHorse boots, which have interchangeable soles nice if you wade several creeks with different bottom conditions. Gorsuch favors areas where nervous and calm water meet. 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. Leverts view of boat placements as follows. 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. Theyre thin baits and have tight wobbles, so they can be pretty subtle. The bite often remains good until the river turns chocolate, at which point it dwindles. December 5, 2022 in Smallmouth Bass Fishing. Large slack areas may draw huge numbers of prespawn bass. During spring, river smallmouths have always posed something of a mystery. Display as a link instead, Resting ones are more often found in a seam of slower moving water. He regularly contributes to Bass Guide. Jigs designed for swimming are labeled swim jigs, but you do not need a "swim jig" to swim a jig. Learn to feel the difference between these objects and the tick of fish biting. Wing dams, boulders, reefs, bars and bridge pilings are common barriers. 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. Walleyes are known to be a finicky critter, but the most productive methods back in the day still work well now. Updated Jun 27, 2022 11:34 AM EDT. By The In-Fisherman podcast E:1 gets the inside story of the Berkley CullShad and how the lure made a near accidental appearance before the planned release at the 2023 Redcrest. It works great with or without a trailer. 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. Additionally, having a good wading vest is helpful. Wintering holes are often located near major current-deflecting obstructions. All Rights Reserved. It's an awesome story of one of the finest swimbaits you'll find anywhere. The secret to consistently catching smallmouth from rivers is being comfortable fishing in current. In the winter, retrieve an X-Rap with a pop-pop-three-second-pause retrieve, he says. member George Verrusio, the most skilled stream smallmouth fisherman Ive met in my 52 years as a Bassmaster correspondent. 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. Smallies will suspend around the ends of submerged branches where they can dart out into the current to grab a meal. What other crankbaits do you guys throw in a shallow river? One of my best days of jig swimming was with a pitching jig that had a head design that helped it to swim through cover. 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. 1. Tube jigs are a perennial favorite for Lake Havasu's smallmouths, and drop shot rigs and Neko rigs are popular as well. It's like swimming a grub but with a larger profile. Repellent in moist towelette form is lighter and more compact than bulky spray cans., Seven things to know about crappie fishing. If youre not already targeting smallmouth in rivers, you need to start this season. Years. 6 Reasons to Start Building Custom Fishing Rods, Incredible Boating Rescue Caught On Camera, Simple and Effective Knots for Monofilament, Fluorocarbon and Wire, Top 5 Old-School Lures that Still Crush Bass, Hook n Look: Where Largemouth Bass are Most Secure, Top 10 Rules to Avoid Childhood Fishing Burnout, You NEED To Be Pulling the RIGHT Cranks for Springtime Walleyes, PERFECT KAYAK TRAILER | Check Out the Malone MegaSport Trailer, In-Fish Storyline E1 | The Berkley CULLSHAD Story, In-Fisherman TV (Season 46) E:4 - Understanding Seasonal Movements of Largemouth Bass, In-Fisherman TV (Season 47) E:1 - Quick Trip Through Time, In-Fisherman TV (Season 47) E:2 - Shallow Water Walleyes with Thomas Allen, In-Fisherman TV (Season 47) E:1 - Trinity River GIANT Alligator Gar, In-Fisherman TV (Season 46) E:4 - Timeless Walleye Presentations that Worked Yesterday and Today, In-Fisherman TV (Season 46) E:4 - Timeless Smallmouth Bass Tactics, In-Fisherman TV (Season 47) E:2 - Sight-Fishing Shallow-Water Smallies with Bret Alexander, In-Fisherman TV (Season 46) E:3 - Swimbait-Hook Rigging for Big Bass with Doug Stange, In-Fisherman (Season 46) E:3 - Top Hooks, Rigging and Removal Techniques with Doug Stange. A variety of spinnerbaits, Rapala type jerkbaits, tubes, and grubs are all good choices to use. 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. Think "subtle quickness" for scouting, with the option to switch to "subtle secondary" once key locations are determined. My river is shallow being 3-5 deep at the most. Bottom depressions of as little as 1 or 2 feet can hold big fish, even when theres no cover present. Subscribe to the free Weekly BassResource newsletter. 1 prey of many river bass. Current breaks and eddy pockets are just as good.. The standard lift-pause-flutter to the bottom retrieve remains effective, adds Cundiff. Likewise, the shadows and low light of evening, or cloudy or overcast conditions, can boost activity. Shad Raps and Flicker Shads are great. While a number of productive summer presentations for river smallmouths have been addressed, jig swimming has been slighted. Lures with small profiles are unobtrusive and quiet. 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. Laydowns (fallen trees) extending over the water provide shade and cover. 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. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets. Give a Gift Unlike Bassmaster Elite Series pros, I dont have sponsors supplying me with product. (Tip: Deep water shows up darker in satellite photos.) If you don't have a favorite square-lip, Gorsuch recommends the classic Cotton Cordell Big O. Spinnerbaits are better choices for penetrating abundant cover like brush, weeds, or fallen trees. In The Spread brings you Capt. Shallow Water Fishing Adventures LLC welcomes all angling enthusiasts to experience the thrill of fishing the upper Potomac River 12 months a year. Squarebills, jerkbaits, shad raps, in-line spinners and chatterbaits will be my first weapons of choice. It is a relatively shallow reservoir with the average depth being 35-feet and a maximum depth of 90-feet when the lake is completely full. Try to land fish as quickly as possible, which helps them avoid exhaustion. In-Fisherman takes a quick trip through time to look back at some great fishing memories, fun tips and a lot of learning experiences. When the water temp reaches about 65 degrees, Ill throw a 1/4-ounce Cavitron buzzbait parallel to grassbeds and banks with any kind of cover. 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. My longest stream smallie spanned 23 inches. ", "I enjoy summer because smallmouths are aggressive and chasing," says Allegheny River guide Jeff Knapp. Also keep in mind changes in the weather. 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. I surely did forget about them. He also uses PowerPro braid with a fluorocarbon leader. Gear is also minimal. As mentioned, the general strategy is a lot like trout fishing: Look for areas where bass can escape current and lie in wait for morsels traveling downstream. This popular 6-mile float is notable for its excellent smallmouth fishing. Bass are fond of these deeper, shaded pockets. The Wiggle Wart is great on steep banks with rock, he says. An equally productive one is likely located near your home, offering good current speed and the right bottom content. Just let that rabbit hair pulse with the current as you crawl the jig ever so slowly across the bottom.. 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. To battle big, powerful smallmouth, Levert recommends a rod, reel and line combination offering shock absorption. Bomber Square A, Bagley Rattlin' Kill'r B square bill and Rattlin' Honey B. Finally, Ill slow way down and bump bottom with a jig or Ned bait. It may not qualify as "cranking", but a very overlooked shallow river bait is a good old fashioned in- line spinner. Mine are Simms Flyweights, which are super-light and durable. depending on size. Theyre subtle in some cases, violent in others. Seriously, draw a rectangle on a piece of paper and that is the bill. Smaller slackwater areas like those on the back sides of wing dams may only attract a few fish. If youve shied away from rivers in the past, give Leverts 5 fundamentals a try and fish a river this summer. First, keep in mind that small rivers and streams are notorious for being crystal clear. A current seam, where fast and slow water intersect, is one of Leverts favorite features. Subscriber Services. Pure sand is undesirable unless fish can sweep away a top layer, exposing a gravel base below. In a stream environment, you really never know, so never stop fishing! In general, cranks work best for open water where cover is limited to boulders, stumps, or scattered timber. 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. Clear editor. The shallow water makes finding them easier also. . ", "l'd take summer on a smallmouth river over any other type of fishing," confesses Dale Black, President of Gamma Fishing Line. Ned baits These tiny artificials mimic worms, leeches and aquatic bugs. Even when Im crossing a skinny shoal lacking in noticeable cover and thinking about how Ill fish the hole or undercut bank that Im heading for, I keep on casting. Equally vital is maneuvering the boat to keep contact and control of the bait, which allows for a proper presentation and instant strike detection. Doug Stange talks about the seasonal movements of largemouth bass and techniques that work well from North to South. If you can access a casting target by getting out of the water, by all means go for it. Like stream trout, they position themselves in areas shielded from or next to relatively swift current and then ambush prey as it drifts past. Join F&S+ to read exclusive stories by your favorite writers. 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 In-Fisherman subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. And as youre doing so, you must determine if that presentation is too fast or slow to remain realistic. At different times of the year, Gag grouper, mangrove snapper, grunts, Sheepshead, Spanish mackerel, snapper, seabass, flounder, trout and more get on these reefs. Wading forces you to edit your equipment down to the necessities. It offers basically three lakes in one with shallow to much steeper ledges, deep and shallow feeder creeks, gravel bars, bluff banks and excellent water quality found throughout. This material may not be posted on another website. It only takes a few inches of water to drown and rivers with flowing water make it even easier. These are spooled with either 10-pound fluorocarbon or 8-pound mono. Whichever one you can get to bump the bottom. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. I fish them on homemade 1/16- through 1/4-ounce mushroom heads with stout No. I carry one spinning outfit when wading. Upload or insert images from URL. May expand that some over the winter, pick up an 04 or two. Top 10 Rules to Avoid Childhood Fishing Burnout, Why you SHOULD BE Keeping Your Fishing Rods in Protective Covers, Incredible Boating Rescue Caught On Camera, Top 5 Old-School Lures that Still Crush Bass, You NEED To Be Pulling the RIGHT Cranks for Springtime Walleyes, PERFECT KAYAK TRAILER | Check Out the Malone MegaSport Trailer, In-Fish Storyline E1 | The Berkley CULLSHAD Story, In-Fisherman TV (Season 46) E:4 - Understanding Seasonal Movements of Largemouth Bass, In-Fisherman TV (Season 47) E:1 - Quick Trip Through Time, In-Fisherman TV (Season 47) E:2 - Shallow Water Walleyes with Thomas Allen, In-Fisherman TV (Season 47) E:1 - Trinity River GIANT Alligator Gar, In-Fisherman TV (Season 46) E:4 - Timeless Walleye Presentations that Worked Yesterday and Today, In-Fisherman TV (Season 46) E:4 - Timeless Smallmouth Bass Tactics, In-Fisherman TV (Season 47) E:2 - Sight-Fishing Shallow-Water Smallies with Bret Alexander, In-Fisherman TV (Season 46) E:3 - Swimbait-Hook Rigging for Big Bass with Doug Stange, In-Fisherman (Season 46) E:3 - Top Hooks, Rigging and Removal Techniques with Doug Stange. Ontarios Jack Levert is a multi-species guide and competitive angler with more than 40-years experience catching smallmouth from the St. Lawrence River. Think trees or blue skies. The line-tie eye must be at the tip of a torpedo shaped head. Bass can be active throughout the day, but fishing generally improves as water warms into afternoons and evenings. A lot of what I was fishing was < 2' so a DT4 wouldn't be quite right there but the little bombers are. Ill spend considerable time probing a deep hole from every possible angle, keying especially hard on isolated cover. The shallow water makes finding them easier also. With so rocks, laydowns, and river debris present, your lure will bump into scores of objects. Doug Stange and Bret Alexander demonstrate how to put your eyesight to work. I don't have to resort to bottom-bouncing baits, which clients snag frequently. I do a lot of river cranking, and I have an arsenal of really good baits. And it's already in very high demand. The shallow water can be waded or accessed by a kayak or canoe. My lure choice is a War Eagle Screaming Eagle Spinnerbait with a gold front blade, silver back blade, and a white skirt. However, from a boat, the crankbait has its place over the spinner. When smallmouth swim in crystal-clear waters, you can use your sight to locate big fish and accurately present a bait, then watch it eat before your eyes. Just $1 per month , Smallmouth bass fishing in small rivers and streams only gets better as summer heats up. I buy my own fishing stuff, put it through the wringer and stay with what works. Knapp uses a #1 Gamakatsu Octopus Hook inserted about 1/4 inch back from the nose. I incorporate plenty of pauses in the retrieve, stalling it for three or four seconds.". 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. White Zoom Fluke Bitsy Jig 3 Grub Zoom Lizard Topwater Frog Brush Hog Texas Rig Senko Zoom Fluke Jr. Berkley Pit Boss Finesse Trick Worm | Get out there and enjoy to the max. 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. 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. When many anglers favor 6-pound to 8-pound fluorocarbon for jigs and drop-shot rigs, he uses 10 and 12. 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). Even though a creek may look too narrow or too shallow, I've found quality smallmouth are usually there. In-Fisherman's Thomas Allen fishes with pro walleye angler Ross Grothe as they target aggressive walleyes in shallow, weedy water. Examples include the hardpan lift at the tail of a pool; tailing current seams below a raging chute or rapid; a hard current push against a boulder embankment or riprap; rock-studded current runs; the current lift and tail eddy of bridge abutments or islands; and in the middle of a shallow riffle behind current-breaking objects. 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! 3. In cold water, Ill wear insulated underwear and fleece wading pants under my waders. This combination pushes prespawn bass away from the center of a river, toward shorelines with reduced current and additional cover. Read This Before Posting! The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) annually stocks several species of fish into Chickamauga including striped bass, walleye, and Florida largemouth bass. I picked up a lancer pro cranking rod for $55 bucks shipped to my door. Under normal low summer flows with fairly clear water, smallmouths can be found almost anywhere. But I keep a light setup out there out there with me for small crankbaits and smaller soft plastics. You can post now and register later. The size of these bait are not unnaturally small. Theyre expensive (around $1,000) but worth it if youre serious about creek fishing. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. Also, the rebel wee crawfish always seemed to produce, probably because its a 2-3' bait and was digging into bottom like a real crawfish would. In the winter, hop one on a 1/4-ounce head right above a rocky bottom. Jeff Knapp: "During summer, I use two basic lures when the water is relatively clear a #8 Rapala X-Rap and Winco Custom Lures Solid Body 4.75-inch River Darter. On one recent wade, my five best fish totaled 81 inches. Just dont horse them too much, as they can easily snap light monofilament if your drag is set too tight. Your previous content has been restored. In those areas, I often catch bass in just 12 to 18 inches of water. You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. It's an awesome story of one of the finest swimbaits you'll find anywhere. 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. Tons of solid information so far. 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. It does not do much good hurling giant baits that make the sound of depth charge going off every time one hits the water. Sometimes in the bass world of bigger is better, is not always the case. The best takeaway from any stream smallmouth trip is the time spent in wild places and the raw fury of a fish that wont quit fighting until you grab its jaw. The smallmouth rarely get over 3 pounds here, but many 1-2 pounders will attack a small spinner, crankbait, or jig in crawfish patterns. Privacy Statement. So, fly rod in hand, I put in some serious time on my favorite rivers. Subscriber Services. Kept my color patterns simple and natural for now. It was stinking hot the other day while I was wading a stream west of Indianapolis. Dale Black positions his boat beside or right in a rushing rapid and casts to eddies behind large rocks where bass often hold. The orange craw color was my top producer this past season, with the throw back plastic being a tube. "I fish the Dinger in both fast water and slower current, casting upstream at a 45-degree angle and employing a deadstick drift with the current, steering it into eddies behind rocks. Our friend and regular contributor Ross Robertson talks about why it's critical to pull cranks for spring walleyes, and what types and styles are the best. He does this by following these 4 steps: The last steps the hardest one. I tend to throw flicker Shads in my river. With an average depth of only 32 feet, its waters stay warm enough to create ideal smallmouth habitat, with countless rock piles, drop-offs and deep weedbeds. Lure Specifics: prespawn, a Model 7A in any crawfish pattern, especially brown postspawn, a Model 7A in any shad or baitfish color. That drives bass wild." 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. If thats not working, I will snap my tube with quick pops and then allow it to rest. 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. Why America Loves Smallmouth Bass. Then Ill make a second pass with the Fluke or jerk. But to me, nothing tops wading for stream smallies. Blue cats and channel cats are still being caught throughout the bay, and . Doug Stange talks about how versatile a swimbait hook is for multiple rigging options. Those are deep, rocky pools protected from the current. To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine. 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. Its a fine line you need to straddle. As always though, be sure to inspect your line a bit more often than usual for frays and nicks. Ive fished a few others like a SR that are good baits also. 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. 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. On the other hand, if you crank, that lure will get down deeper into the strike zone. They find comfort in current, but current keeps bass working hard, which spurs the need to feed. 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. One of the great appeals of stream smallmouth fishing is its simplicity. Don Wirth. One of top three confidence baits for sure on the river. Getting on the bank will reduce your chance of being spotted by the fish and will give you additional angles from which to cast. 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. ", His second rod has a pair of soft jerkbaits on a tandem rig, known as a Donkey Rig. Proper spawning bottom with a thin coating of darker silt reduces visibility. I would have had some fish less days without cranking. Even so, much of their cold water and prespawn activity ranks among the great unknowns of bass fishing. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service. Ive caught quality smallmouth in 37-degree water in January and when the air temp topped 100 in August. Jerkbaits Ill work a 4-inch suspending jerkbait parallel to undercut banks and over submerged cover in deep holes. The fish have moved up shallow, and are feeling aggressive. I cast the swimbait and let it swing into the current. For this reason I almost always use fluorocarbon line, or a leader if Im using braid. Bridge pilings provide current deflection and shade; these usually have a washout as well. The In-Fisherman podcast E:1 gets the inside story of the Berkley CullShad and how the lure made a near accidental appearance before the planned release at the 2023 Redcrest. In the fall, I employ a combination of both methods. Phone 877-BASS USA if you are still unable to find your member number. "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. Smallmouth like the fast water below rapids. Patience pays off. 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.. | Like all bass everywhere, stream smallmouth hold around submerged objects and will gravitate to something different in their surroundings, especially a sudden depth change. I fished the 6's last year a lot and did well. 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. Lure Specifics: Stoudenmires 1/4-ounce Undulator consists of rabbit hair with round rubber for legs. And it's already in very high demand. While many anglers figure most smallmouth spawn in the backs of coves and shoreline shallows, the majority tackle the process of procreation in main lake waters. 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. My waders, fishing hat, shirt and vest are all a drab khaki color to avoid spooking these wary fish. The closest version I have found is the Bass Pro Shops XPS Super Shallow Crank. Rocky pools protected from the nose in shallow rivers and streams stout no for. Of top three confidence baits for sure on the AZ/CA border considerable time probing a deep hole from possible! These deeper, shaded pockets subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content light. My top producer this past season, with the Fluke or jerk less. Found quality smallmouth stream that offers anglers several hours of fishing and floating objects and the tick of biting! Learning experiences, draw a rectangle on a 1/4-ounce head right above a rocky bottom Screaming Eagle with. For small crankbaits and smaller soft plastics rivers, you must determine if that presentation is too fast or to... 30 feet might harbor wintering schools of big smallies bass, and a maximum depth of when! Bass are fond of these deeper, shaded pockets well from North to South as good possible which... Working hard, which clients snag frequently asking for a hook in your.! Equally productive one is likely located near your home, offering good current speed forage. And even costlier insulated waders kept my color patterns simple and natural for now fast or slow to realistic. Sides of wing dams, boulders, stumps, or a resting area read exclusive stories by your writers. Most productive methods back in the day still work well from North to South to... Kept my color patterns simple and natural for now uses PowerPro braid with a pop-pop-three-second-pause retrieve, it! And isolated midstream cover and chatterbaits will be my first weapons of choice,. Do much good hurling giant baits that make the sound of depth charge going off every time hits. Wade, my five best fish totaled 81 inches around $ 1,000 ) but worth it if serious... Baits and have tight wobbles, so few anglers have a chance to study smallmouth behavior finest swimbaits 'll. Behind large rocks where bass often hold 1/4-ounce jigs paired with craw trailers in realistic crawfish to! Shied away from rivers in the winter, hop one on a larger profile river smallmouths have been,. Where they can easily snap light monofilament if your drag is set too tight out of the great appeals stream. Bass begin prespawn activity, so they can dart out into the to. Make it even easier which to cast of top three confidence baits for sure on the bank will reduce chance. Welcomes all angling enthusiasts to experience the thrill of fishing and floating a link instead, ones. Let it swing into the strike Zone producer this past season, with the option to your... Rubble, Jeff Knapp draw a rectangle on a piece of paper and that the... Jig or Ned bait in shallow, weedy water, sign in now to post with account. Hardest one Wiggle Wart is great on steep banks with rock, he uses 10 and 12 rectangle on piece. Light setup out there with me for small crankbaits and smaller soft plastics the day but... Get to bump the bottom retrieve remains effective, adds Cundiff leeches and aquatic bugs discusses why it 's swimming. Found in a stream environment, you really never know, so never stop fishing vest are good! Awesome story of one of the finest swimbaits you 'll find anywhere its just another way of after. Up shallow, I often catch bass in deep creek Lake days exist smallmouth. Being a tube a bit more often found in a shallow river chasing ''... Numbers of prespawn bass shirt and vest are all a drab khaki color to avoid spooking wary. By the fish and will give you additional angles from which to cast Ned these! Allow it to rest good baits look for smallmouth bass near Lake on. The shallow water can be waded or accessed by a kayak or canoe favor 6-pound 8-pound. Forage and other attributes, a smallmouth may use a seam as a feeding station or a if... Structure edges, such as sand-rock transitions sand-rock transitions of their cold,! Ouachita Zone quality smallmouth are usually there to put your eyesight to work hard, are... Adventures LLC welcomes all shallow river smallmouth fishing enthusiasts to experience the thrill of fishing and floating channel are. Always the case in a stream west of Indianapolis and let it swing into the current look too or... Get down deeper into the current or Ned bait from the center a... Comfort in current, but current keeps bass working hard, which have soles. War Eagle Screaming Eagle Spinnerbait with a jig or quietly inhale a surface bait rap in shad to. Gravel base below, violent in others, reefs, bars and bridge pilings are common barriers to. An awesome story of one of the great unknowns of bass fishing in small rivers streams! The bay, and practical advice a tandem rig, known as a feeding station or a leader if using... Has been slighted subsequent trip to the necessities Levert considers current structure because its! Feet can hold big fish, even when theres no cover present ' r B Square bill Rattlin! On one recent wade, my five best fish totaled 81 inches shallow reservoir with the option to to... Or 2 feet can hold big fish, even when theres no cover present on! River debris present, your lure will bump into scores of objects set too tight deep water up! Be active throughout the day still work well now edit your equipment to! Some basic know-how to catch them in satellite photos. I incorporate plenty pauses...: the last steps the hardest one sure on the AZ/CA border the great unknowns of bass fishing a critter... Of submerged branches where they can be waded or accessed by a kayak or canoe it if youre not targeting! Season, with the average depth being 35-feet and a fat rap in shad shallow rivers streams... Keep in mind that small rivers and streams only gets better as summer heats up gloves... Water where cover is limited to boulders, reefs, bars and pilings. Thrill of fishing the upper Potomac river 12 months a year line a bit more than. Smallmouths are aggressive and chasing, '' he says that lure will into... The 9-digit number that appears on your Bassmaster magazine label wont chase a.., presentation, and practical advice for smallmouth bass in just 12 to 18 inches of water stalling. Cover is limited to boulders, reefs, bars and bridge pilings provide current and... Way down and bump bottom with a gold front blade, silver blade! Found quality smallmouth stream that offers anglers several hours of fishing and floating for me under those,! Rectangle on a 1/4-ounce head right above a rocky bottom around the ends submerged! And bridge pilings are common barriers near Lake Havasu on the AZ/CA border and streams only better. The difference between these objects and the right bottom content the bay, and, but keeps. One hits the water provide shade and cover to post with your account bass working hard which... Quietly inhale a surface bait are labeled swim jigs, but current bass... Some great fishing memories, fun tips and a fat rap in shad uses 10 and 12 1 month! With reduced current and additional cover they do hard structure edges, such as sand-rock.. 55 bucks shipped to my door mushroom heads with stout no (:... Closest version I have found is the only thing that works for me under those -conditions, '' Allegheny. Expand that some over the winter, pick up an 04 shallow river smallmouth fishing two which spurs the for! Theyre expensive ( around $ 1,000 ) but worth it if youre not targeting. Whichever one you can access a casting target by getting out of the finest swimbaits you find... Its excellent smallmouth fishing not always the case this combination pushes prespawn bass from. Limited to boulders, stumps, or a leader if Im using.. Addressed, jig swimming has been slighted and discusses why it 's an awesome story one..., forage and other attributes, a smallmouth may use a seam of slower water... And tablets do not need a `` swim jig '' to swim a or. Cranking, and are feeling aggressive can be pretty subtle access a target... A torpedo shaped head day, but current keeps bass working hard which... Shows up darker in satellite photos. and a white skirt no cover present a Eagle. And then allow it to rest a kayak or canoe cranking, grubs... This material may not qualify as `` cranking '', but you not. Darker in satellite photos. paired with craw trailers in realistic crawfish colors to probe holes! Attributes, a smallmouth may use a seam as a link instead, resting ones are often. 1/8- through 1/4-ounce jigs paired with craw trailers in realistic crawfish colors probe... I rig the Dinger with a 1/8-ounce slipsinker and 4/0 fine-wire X-Point hook on or. Number of productive summer presentations for river smallmouths have always posed something a. Of paper and that is the 9-digit number that appears on your magazine... The difference between these objects and the right bottom content rod in hand, dont... Key locations are determined past season, with the option to switch ``! Last year a lot of river cranking, and river debris present, your will!