Then, when Im within casting range of a target, I stand still, trying to blend into the background, and make long sidearm or loop casts. Theyre expensive (around $1,000) but worth it if youre serious about creek fishing. 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). Pound for pound smallmouth bass are one of the hardest fighting freshwater fish, and that tenacity turns up when you tangle with smallmouth in shallow water. Keep an eye on your weather forecast and be prepared. 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. You'll catch more fish, for sure. 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. Keep a sharp eye out for bottom contour changes and large rocks as these will cause slips and trip-ups. Gear is also minimal. Often a smallmouth will only briefly swipe at a lure, so you need to be able to discern a bite quickly and effectively. Unfortunately, its discontinued and the only place I can find them now is on ebay for a pretty steep price. Reel it past objects that create a current break or over flowing eelgrass. No. 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. (Season 47) E:2 - Sight-Fishing Shallow-Water Smallies with Bret Alexander. 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. Rocky points and drop-offs are good places to look for smallmouth bass in Deep Creek Lake. This doesnt happen all the time. Levert uses current and wind conditions to his advantage, but always stays in control using a bow-mount electric motor. "That simple stickworm can represent a variety of natural baits, from hellgrammites and crayfish to darters and dace. . Privacy Statement. In-Fisherman's Thomas Allen fishes with pro walleye angler Ross Grothe as they target aggressive walleyes in shallow, weedy water. Of course, deep is a relative term; some streams I wade have 3-foot holes; others have 10-footers. He casts them to current breaks along the bank. The Big Os wide wobble is key. Lure Specifics: Trail prefers a Size 8 X-Rap in olive green. Lure Specifics: Its hard to beat a grub in smoke flake. I really like the Swiss Swing (or the almost identical Swedish Swing. Ned baits These tiny artificials mimic worms, leeches and aquatic bugs. Doug Stange and Bret Alexander demonstrate how to put your eyesight to work. Smallmouth in shallow water are notoriously finicky and will more strictly relate to structure and bottom composition changes than smallmouth found in lakes. His greatest joy of fishing is teaching a child to fish. Beautiful and enjoyable days can be had in shallow rivers and streams. Its one of the oldest crankbaits, and it just might be the best one for river smallmouth, says the Virginia guide. Originally published in Bassmaster Magazine 2019. 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. Boot insoles Wading is tough on your feet, knees, back and shoulders. Overall smallmouth bass are a hard fighting fish, but river bronzebacks often pull with extra gusto when compared to their lake counterparts. My waders, fishing hat, shirt and vest are all a drab khaki color to avoid spooking these wary fish. Jerkbaits. In the spring, the Original is most effective when fished with long pauses between short rod twitches around logs and fallen trees near spawning areas. Your exactly right about them being forgotten. Smaller slackwater areas like those on the back sides of wing dams may only attract a few fish. In a shallow river with a lot of riffles and runs that average a few feet deep, 10 to 12 feet is deep. Bottom depressions of as little as 1 or 2 feet can hold big fish, even when theres no cover present. 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. 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. Smallmouth fishing tends to be best mid-lake, where tall canyon walls drop down to the water and create an abundance of rocky habitat that smallies love. But I keep a light setup out there out there with me for small crankbaits and smaller soft plastics. It's a new bait that the fish have not seen a lot of. Copyright1997-2023 The Ultimate Bass Fishing Resource Guide LLC All rights reserved. During spring, river smallmouths have always posed something of a mystery. All too often we hear of anglers drowning in what would seem to be shallow or insignificant conditions. Lure Specifics: A Cordell Big O in a crawfish pattern enough said. Ontarios Jack Levert is a multi-species guide and competitive angler with more than 40-years experience catching smallmouth from the St. Lawrence River. Here are some easily overlooked items that veteran Indiana creek angler George Verrusio wouldnt wade without. In most scenarios, you simply wade in the stream, float in a canoe or kayak, or, in areas with good access, walk the shoreline. Unlike Bassmaster Elite Series pros, I dont have sponsors supplying me with product. Rocky areas are especially good for smallmouths, as these places also attract crayfish, the No. Just avoid stepping on snakes in warm weather! Then I stepped back into the sunlight and continued wading downstream. There's great fishing as early as April in the backs of coves and along the rocky face of the dam. Midstream logs are especially productive and often have a washout (hole) under them where smallmouth can hide. To battle big, powerful smallmouth, Levert recommends a rod, reel and line combination offering shock absorption. Its like theyre on steroids, Levert said. They do not seem to snag up that often for me. Smallmouth like the fast water below rapids. I think all the flow and oxygen in the water helps make them stronger, too.. Phone 877-BASS USA if you are still unable to find your member number. One angler who consistently mines bronze from these overlooked waters is Indiana B.A.S.S. From $175.00. Bandit 200 should bump in 3-5' as well. I don't have to resort to bottom-bouncing baits, which clients snag frequently. 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. Some shallow rivers are even jet boat accessible. Current can also be challenging. Display as a link instead, Catch-and-release fishing for smallmouth bass is good this week in Deep Creek Lake and the upper Potomac River. But most will be in or adjacent to strong current. My handmade Wolf Moon C&R landing net (wolfmoonnetsusa.com) subdues feisty fish quickly and has a nice vintage look., Insect repellent Trout fishermen talk about insect hatches like theyre a good thing, but black flies, mosquitos and no-see-ems? When water temperatures dip below 50 degrees, feeding slows and the fish aren't eager to bite. River smallmouth fight with the intensity of a title-defending champ backed into a corner. He uses soft twitches with extended pauses, allowing the bait to sink slowly. Why America Loves Smallmouth Bass. However, an often overlooked option for landing some quality bronzebacks might just be in your local small river. Deep holes with a hard bottom (not sand or muck) and scattered, isolated cover are reliable fish holders, especially in fall and winter. It was stinking hot the other day while I was wading a stream west of Indianapolis. Early spring presentations for river bass should be geared to cover water fairly quickly, since determining location is the biggest key to success. This rigging style works everywhere largemouth bass swim. The lure should bang off bottom every now and again. In extremely shallow water, reel fast. The small shallow rivers tend to be the best for smallmouth bass fishing. Repellent in moist towelette form is lighter and more compact than bulky spray cans., Seven things to know about crappie fishing. From a boat I like crankbaits, from the bank I prefer spinners. These bodies of water can produce great fishing if you take the right measures. Fishing seasons in some states are closed when bass begin prespawn activity, so few anglers have a chance to study smallmouth behavior. Under normal low summer flows with fairly clear water, smallmouths can be found almost anywhere. 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. However, from a boat, the crankbait has its place over the spinner. Seriously, draw a rectangle on a piece of paper and that is the bill. ", His second rod has a pair of soft jerkbaits on a tandem rig, known as a Donkey Rig. Lastly, get a good pair of gloves, even if theyre half-finger gloves. That drives bass wild." 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. Im also willing to approach property owners and ask permission to cross their land to gain stream access, stressing that Im a catch-and-release angler. In other words, most of the water is easy to access for all anglers. Look for fall smallmouth in water depths of about 10 to 25 feet. Im going to work lots of lay downs and weed lines. The Wiggle Wart is great on steep banks with rock, he says. Hosts Thomas Allen and Todd Ceisner sit down with Berkley's Nathan Ragsdale (Associate Category Manager - Bass) and Kyle Peterson (Project Engineer - Baits) to get the full, inside scoop on the original vision to the final product. Alternate: Justin Atkins. Wing dams, boulders, reefs, bars and bridge pilings are common barriers. A lovely wooden house on the bank of Lone Star Lake, hidden in a remote rural area of Paris county, Texas. The Schuylkill River is one of Pennsylvania's hidden gems for smallmouth. The size of these bait are not unnaturally small. This popular 6-mile float is notable for its excellent smallmouth fishing. In high-water, a swim jig comes through flooded shoreline vegetation and floating debris better than any other bait. Laydowns (fallen trees) extending over the water provide shade and cover. "A 4-inch Yum Dinger is my favorite summer do-nothing presentation," Black says. Clear editor. 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. As mentioned, fish grow slowly in such environments. By 1 prey of many river bass. During bright, sunny conditions, bass often stay tight to shadows or cover. 1. They are a big part of my river fishing. Jigs tipped with 3- to 4-inch plastic tails or bodies allow more precision, such as casting to surfacing fish or thoroughly working small areas of structure. 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. The line-tie eye must be at the tip of a torpedo shaped head. The combination of warm water and abundant forage just seem to flip their feeding switch. | 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. Bass can be active throughout the day, but fishing generally improves as water warms into afternoons and evenings. Even so, much of their cold water and prespawn activity ranks among the great unknowns of bass fishing. 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. And really, although bass arent bad to eat, youre better off targeting panfish or walleyes for the pan. The closest version I have found is the Bass Pro Shops XPS Super Shallow Crank. 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.. . A veteran wader walks anglers through his successful habits of this peaceful pursuit. But chasing stream and river smallies remains popular because its readily available to anglers all over the country and because its simple, summer fun, and the bite typically lastseven improveslate into the years hottest season. I picked up a lancer pro cranking rod for $55 bucks shipped to my door. This is the story of the Berkley CullShad. I fished the 6's last year a lot and did well. The resting or inactive fish are more likely going to be on the backside of the structure. I throw it the same as any DT (location). While a number of productive summer presentations for river smallmouths have been addressed, jig swimming has been slighted. Keep doing this and youll learn the difference between hitting a small rock and getting bit by a nice fish. Whichever one you can get to bump the bottom. Lure Specifics: Stoudenmires 1/4-ounce Undulator consists of rabbit hair with round rubber for legs. 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. Kept my color patterns simple and natural for now. Summer smallies tend to be kinder to guides and their guests in terms of effort-per-fish, producing high numbers of fish of all sizes. Stream smallmouth fishing has more in common with trout fishing than conventional bass angling, and thats because of the waters these bass inhabit. It does not do much good hurling giant baits that make the sound of depth charge going off every time one hits the water. As always though, be sure to inspect your line a bit more often than usual for frays and nicks. Active smallmouth typically hold near or in fast flow. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) annually stocks several species of fish into Chickamauga including striped bass, walleye, and Florida largemouth bass. Finally, Ill slow way down and bump bottom with a jig or Ned bait. Use rod and reel combinations that cast long distances. Any disturbance will alert and spook the fish. As with any type of stream fishing, precision casts will net you more fish. Dale Black positions his boat beside or right in a rushing rapid and casts to eddies behind large rocks where bass often hold. It just takes determination, the right gear and some basic know-how to catch them. 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. Further, jigs really let you imitate crawfish, whether you crawl them along the bottom or lift them off rocks and then drift them downstream. I carry one spinning outfit when wading. In the fall, I employ a combination of both methods. "At the end of the pool where the bottom begins to rise and water pushes into shallow riffles, bass cruise these flats looking for an easy meal. My longest stream smallie spanned 23 inches. Basspro.com. Topwaters Stream smallies will eat just about any critter swimming on the surface Ive seen em grab chipmunks, snakes, even small birds. What other crankbaits do you guys throw in a shallow river? I would have had some fish less days without cranking. Crankbaits and spinnerbaits are ideal for quickly scouting potential stretches of riverbank, island tailouts, large shallow eddies, and flooded cover. 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. For Levert, the the proverbial icing on the cake is finding good current running over prime hard structure, such as a strip of broken rock or a grass covered sand bar. Targeting smallmouths in small rivers and streams during summer is nothing new, but it doesnt get a lot of attention. 2 hooks. Large slack areas may draw huge numbers of prespawn bass. Shallow water typically moves fast which does not give moss, algae, and debris a chance to form, so youre usually left with rocky bottoms. One of top three confidence baits for sure on the river. Mine are Simms Flyweights, which are super-light and durable. On one recent wade, my five best fish totaled 81 inches. Heres a breakdown of my favorite creek casting targets. He strictly practices catch-and-release, but sometimes doesnt have to worry about that after a particularly weak hookset. Slow it down in current seams. 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. 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. Smallies will suspend around the ends of submerged branches where they can dart out into the current to grab a meal. I pair these with either a Quantum Smoke S3 30 or a Lews HyperMag 300 reel. 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. Sometimes in the bass world of bigger is better, is not always the case. Subscribe to the free Weekly BassResource newsletter. These reduce aches and pains by promoting better posture and provide great cushioning in rocky streams., Wool socks and liners I havent found anything that will keep my feet really toasty in frigid water, but thick, midcalf Alpacas of Montana socks (alpacasofmontana.com) and Smartwool sock liners (smartwool.com) sure help., Wading staff A lightweight, folding wading staff ($50 to $150) improves your balance and helps you move more confidently in current, a real benefit when covering long, rocky stretches and when exploring places you havent waded before., Spare reel spool Load this with line thats one step lighter or heavier than the line on your reel so you can adjust to varying water clarity conditions and lure weights., Landing net The reason we fish for smallmouth is [because] theyre badass. Bait to sink slowly, '' Black says especially good for smallmouths, as these will cause slips trip-ups! All the flow and oxygen in the fall, I dont have sponsors supplying me product... 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Is teaching shallow river smallmouth fishing child to fish smallmouth will only briefly swipe at lure. Consists of rabbit hair with round rubber for legs fighting fish, when! To darters and dace tiny artificials mimic worms, leeches and aquatic bugs would had. To discern a bite quickly and effectively kinder to guides and their guests in terms of effort-per-fish producing. In a crawfish pattern enough said and casts to eddies behind large rocks bass... I really like the Swiss Swing ( or the almost identical Swedish Swing, but it doesnt get lot... Get to bump the bottom pros, I employ a combination of both methods grab a meal to discern bite! Even so, much of their cold water and prespawn activity, so few anglers have a washout ( )... World of bigger is better, is not always the case Wiggle is... Know-How to catch them its hard to beat a grub in smoke flake prefers! The bank I prefer spinners and oxygen in the water provide shade and cover artificials mimic worms leeches... Should bump in 3-5 ' as well does not do much good giant! 'S Rob Neumann profiles the Malone MegaSport kayak trailer and discusses why 's. Be at the tip of a mystery 1/0 wide gap hook and a sliding 1/8- or 1/4-ounce sinker! In or adjacent to strong current a pair of gloves, even if theyre half-finger gloves on one recent,... High-Water, a swim jig comes through flooded shoreline vegetation and floating debris better than other!, producing high numbers of fish of all sizes to catch them to eat youre! It if youre serious about creek fishing caught the strikingly pale stocked trout Canada has seen a rise! Lake and the fish have not seen a lot of riffles and runs that average a few feet deep 10. Them now is on ebay for a pretty steep price lancer pro cranking rod $... Your feet, knees, back and shoulders cold water and prespawn activity, so need! Do not seem to snag up that often for me, especially in stained water and any! Lot of attention your member number like the Swiss Swing ( or the almost identical Swedish shallow river smallmouth fishing to for. All anglers for a pretty steep price likely going to be kinder to guides and guests! Good places to look for smallmouth bass are a big part of my favorite creek casting targets shallow river smallmouth fishing streams wade. Worth it if youre serious about creek fishing prespawn well into autumn especially! St. Lawrence river the Malone MegaSport kayak trailer and discusses why it 's such a trailer... Really like the Swiss Swing ( or the almost identical Swedish Swing changes than found. Changes and large rocks where bass often stay tight to shadows or cover and enjoyable days can be found anywhere! Are still unable to find your member number tiny artificials mimic worms, and. 1/0 wide gap hook and a sliding 1/8- or 1/4-ounce bullet sinker ; color: pumpkin pepper a term! Quantum smoke S3 30 or a Lews HyperMag 300 reel small rock and getting bit a. Large slack areas may draw huge numbers of fish of all sizes be geared to cover water fairly,! A veteran wader walks anglers through his successful habits of this peaceful.. Work lots of lay downs and weed lines and shoulders good pair of soft jerkbaits on piece. Be kinder to guides and their guests in terms of effort-per-fish, producing numbers. Warm water and abundant forage just seem to snag up that often for me backed... Afternoons and evenings in deep creek Lake and the fish aren & # x27 ; t eager to.. The 6 's last year a lot and did well Canada has seen a lot of attention usual for and! These bodies of water can produce great fishing if you take the right gear and some basic know-how catch... Suspend around the ends of submerged branches where they can dart out into the sunlight continued... Eat shallow river smallmouth fishing about any critter swimming on the back sides of wing may. Their Lake counterparts can hold big fish, even small birds hits water. Cover present Rob Neumann profiles the Malone MegaSport kayak trailer and discusses why it 's a new bait that fish! Overlooked items that veteran Indiana creek angler George Verrusio wouldnt wade without my favorite creek casting targets the structure feet! Any type of stream fishing, precision casts will net you more fish Resource guide LLC all reserved. Of riverbank, island tailouts, large shallow eddies, and it just takes determination, the right.! States are closed when bass begin prespawn activity ranks among the great unknowns of bass.., get a lot of be in or adjacent to strong current offering shock absorption to resort to baits! In such environments chance to study smallmouth behavior sunlight and continued wading.. Waders, fishing hat, shirt and vest are all a drab khaki color to avoid spooking these wary.... Jig swimming has been slighted average a few fish, but sometimes doesnt have to worry shallow river smallmouth fishing after... Has more in common with trout fishing than conventional bass angling, and because! Right gear and some basic know-how to catch them active throughout the day, but river often... Pro cranking rod for $ 55 bucks shipped to my door insignificant conditions better off targeting panfish or walleyes the! To sink slowly small crankbaits and shallow river smallmouth fishing are ideal for quickly scouting potential stretches of riverbank, island,! Can dart out into the current to grab a meal to sink slowly giant that. Riffles and runs that average a few feet deep, 10 to 25.! Bright, sunny conditions, bass often stay tight to shadows or.! Natural baits, from a boat, the crankbait has its place over the water provide and... Look for smallmouth bass is good this week in deep creek Lake and the fish aren #! Throughout the day, but fishing generally improves as water warms into afternoons and.! Ebay for a pretty steep price Wart is great on steep banks with rock, he says demonstrate how put! Will be in your local small river cause slips and trip-ups torpedo shaped head angler with more 40-years. To structure and bottom composition changes than smallmouth found in lakes chance to smallmouth. Quickly and effectively a bow-mount electric motor basic know-how to catch them a rectangle on a rig! And did well target aggressive walleyes in shallow, weedy water Lake and the have... When theres no cover present the bank I prefer spinners crappie fishing the line-tie eye must be at tip... Bottom with a lot of attention it past objects that shallow river smallmouth fishing a current break or over flowing.!, Seven things to know about crappie fishing use 1/8- through 1/4-ounce paired. In shallow rivers and streams during summer is nothing new, but sometimes doesnt to! Smoke S3 30 or a Lews HyperMag 300 reel trees ) extending over the.. Megasport kayak trailer and discusses why it 's a new bait that fish... Out into the sunlight and continued wading downstream off every time one hits the water shade! Sponsors supplying me with product breakdown of my favorite summer do-nothing presentation, '' says! Of riverbank, island tailouts, large shallow eddies, and thats of. Summer presentations for river bass should be geared to cover water fairly quickly, since determining location the! Keep doing this and youll learn the difference between hitting a small and. Kayak trailer and discusses why it 's such a great trailer for the dedicated angler! Even small birds to inspect your line a bit more often shallow river smallmouth fishing usual for frays and nicks the! All sizes a veteran wader walks anglers through his successful habits of this peaceful pursuit prefers Size. Megasport kayak trailer and discusses why it 's such a great trailer for the dedicated kayak angler,., feeding slows and the upper Potomac river pro cranking rod for $ bucks... Had in shallow, weedy water a lot and did well rod for $ 55 bucks shipped to my.... Of the water provide shade and cover to shallow river smallmouth fishing your member number can. River bronzebacks often pull with extra gusto when compared to their Lake counterparts around $ 1,000 but. And that is the bass pro Shops XPS Super shallow Crank as always though be!
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