Before we start, I want to point out the critical necessity of safety. Unlike Bassmaster Elite Series pros, I dont have sponsors supplying me with product. 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. If you want fast summer action, go to a -shallow river. Doug Stange talks about how versatile a swimbait hook is for multiple rigging options. . The closest version I have found is the Bass Pro Shops XPS Super Shallow Crank. Owing to the efforts of local anglers, the pond was turned into a beautiful lake, inhabited by many fish species like White Crappie . Lastly, its imperative that you take a good look at surrounding structure and fish smart. I picked up a lancer pro cranking rod for $55 bucks shipped to my door. Years. I incorporate plenty of pauses in the retrieve, stalling it for three or four seconds.". Don Wirth. When youve got the hook buried in the roof of a smallies mouth, youre going to land them on a stiff rod, Levert said. 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. 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. "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. Squarebills, jerkbaits, shad raps, in-line spinners and chatterbaits will be my first weapons of choice. 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. These abundant food sources present an opportunity for thriving and active numbers of smallmouth. When you think of typical smallmouth fishing hotspots, youre almost certain to focus attention to places such as the Great Lakes in the northeast United States, or maybe a large river system in your locality that has been known to produce smallmouth. In June you have a chance at larger than normal smallmouths in a river situation when bass move out of Green Bay and into the lower river. Even so, much of their cold water and prespawn activity ranks among the great unknowns of bass fishing. In the spring, they are often on sale for $3.99 each. Spinnerbaits are better choices for penetrating abundant cover like brush, weeds, or fallen trees. 10. Whenever you cast a shadow, raise your rod high or even pull a bait with a reflective finish out of your tacklebox so it glints in the sun, you risk spooking a fish. Bomber Square A, Bagley Rattlin' Kill'r B square bill and Rattlin' Honey B. Smallies will suspend around the ends of submerged branches where they can dart out into the current to grab a meal. I fish a soft plastic swimbait about 3.5 inches long on a Sled Head Jig (wackyworm.com). I sure havent forgot about them, have been using them for river smallies since my early days. 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. ", His second rod has a pair of soft jerkbaits on a tandem rig, known as a Donkey Rig. Knapp uses a #1 Gamakatsu Octopus Hook inserted about 1/4 inch back from the nose. Youve got to dress right to wade, regardless of the season. . On some northern U.S. and Canadian rivers, migrating fish congregate in slow, deep pools. He has many tricks up his sleeve when it comes to weighting a winning tournament bag or putting clients on tank-sized smallies. The fish may move 30 miles or more, leaving entire stretches of the river devoid of smallmouth bass by late September. 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 The water was still pretty murky, but that. 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. Most shallow rivers and streams contain a lot of gravel and rocks on the bottom. 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. I do a lot of river cranking, and I have an arsenal of really good baits. From a boat I like crankbaits, from the bank I prefer spinners. Try to land fish as quickly as possible, which helps them avoid exhaustion. Think "subtle quickness" for scouting, with the option to switch to "subtle secondary" once key locations are determined. Phillip likes to fish in whatever water is wet and usually likes to catch anything with fins, scales, and eyes, but prefers bass. Lastly, get a good pair of gloves, even if theyre half-finger gloves. Rapids. 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. Shad Raps and Flicker Shads are great. 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. He casts them to current breaks along the bank. Rocky points, drop-offs and coves here harbor loads of big smallmouths. Now that youre outfitted, lets cover technique, presentation, and practical advice. In broad, deep pools, fish might roam more and feed aggressively during evenings or other periods. Smallmouths often select nesting areas of mixed sand, gravel, and small rocks, out of current flow and generally in water less than three feet deep. 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! This is critical. What other crankbaits do you guys throw in a shallow river? Small rivers accommodate many kinds of aquatic animals ranging from microscopic phytoplankton to larger frogs, crayfish, and other fish. 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. The small shallow rivers tend to be the best for smallmouth bass fishing. Give a Gift To provide a balanced look at summer tactics, I asked several hardcore brown bass anglers to share their insights. Further, jigs really let you imitate crawfish, whether you crawl them along the bottom or lift them off rocks and then drift them downstream. 2023 is going to be a heavy cranking year for me, Ive pretty much fished the bottom of the river and top water exclusively. In this video, I target some spring smallmouth bass near Lake Havasu on the AZ/CA border. Ive caught wall-hanger smallmouth from Lake Michigan, lunker Florida largemouth, big Tennessee stripers, even trophy peacock bass from the Amazon River. Fish it at a slow to medium pace, keeping contact with the bottom.. 13/14. I fish for smallmouth bass and channel catfish. This lake consists of 28,260 acres of water and is filled with various types of fish such as rainbow trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, channel catfish, common carp and sunfish. Targeting smallmouths in small rivers and streams during summer is nothing new, but it doesnt get a lot of attention. I knew the fishing would be challenging, but I also recognized it as a terrific opportunity to learn more about how to catch smallies in low, warm water. Take measures to ensure youre not making large splashes and commotion in the water. 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. Ive caught quality smallmouth in 37-degree water in January and when the air temp topped 100 in August. Upload or insert images from URL. When hooked, stream smallies usually put on a great show, darting for cover, running upstream, jumping high out of the water, and then doggedly plowing toward the bottom. Reading current is a skill that comes only with experience and will help you intuit where big smallmouth are probably sitting. Gear is also minimal. Many bass anglers have never caught an 18-inch smallmouth, but fish this size and bigger are available in plenty of creeks nationwide. Even though a creek may look too narrow or too shallow, Ive found quality smallmouth are usually there. I see it more like a 90-percent rule.. In-Fisherman takes a quick trip through time to look back at some great fishing memories, fun tips and a lot of learning experiences. Bass often have small ambush windowsthe back side of a boulder in swift current, for exampleand you must put a lure on top of them or swim it precisely to get it in front of a hungry fish. 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. 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. Theyre thin baits and have tight wobbles, so they can be pretty subtle. He strictly practices catch-and-release, but sometimes doesnt have to worry about that after a particularly weak hookset. I use a 1/4- or 3/8-ounce jig. In the winter, hop one on a 1/4-ounce head right above a rocky bottom. Active smallmouth typically hold near or in fast flow. Doug Stange and Bret Alexander demonstrate how to put your eyesight to work. You can certainly save yourself a ruined fishing trip and subsequent trip to the emergency room if you have a good pair of gloves. 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. I fish streams from ice-out to ice-back-in. Additionally, having a good wading vest is helpful. A variety of spinnerbaits, Rapala type jerkbaits, tubes, and grubs are all good choices to use. Jerkbaits Ill work a 4-inch suspending jerkbait parallel to undercut banks and over submerged cover in deep holes. In the spring and fall, [use] a pop-pop-one-second-pause; and in the summer, just keep popping it, he says. Experiment with retrieves and jighead sizes the rest of the year, and youre set.. 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. Creeks and small rivers simply dont have the forage bases to put loads of weight on bass. The Swiss Swings are not as productive (and are a pain in the A$$) to fish deep. "Noisy crankbaits in orange or red are a must-have presentation when the summer bite turns tough during receding water," he adds. Where are smallmouth in fall? 2023 Outdoor Sportsman Group. The bite often remains good until the river turns chocolate, at which point it dwindles. 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. They are a big part of my river fishing. Your previous content has been restored. Bump it into rocks, sticks, and drag it on the bottom, then memorize how it feels. He regularly contributes to Bass Guide. Subscribe to the free Weekly BassResource newsletter. It just takes determination, the right gear and some basic know-how to catch them. And don't forget the classic Mepps spinners. But most will be in or adjacent to strong current. River smallmouth fishermen can actually be a lot more creative in muddy, high-water conditions than during frigid winter conditions. Smallmouths in small rivers and streams provide great action all summer long. At different times of the year, Gag grouper, mangrove snapper, grunts, Sheepshead, Spanish mackerel, snapper, seabass, flounder, trout and more get on these reefs. I was indoctrinated into jig swimming while fishing with local experts on smallmouth rivers in Minnesota and Wisconsin some years back. I buy my own fishing stuff, put it through the wringer and stay with what works. This popular 6-mile float is notable for its excellent smallmouth fishing. jitterbug127 Originally published in Bassmaster Magazine 2019. 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. Reel it past objects that create a current break or over flowing eelgrass. In a shallow river with a lot of riffles and runs that average a few feet deep, 10 to 12 feet is deep. Rod: 6 1/2- to 7-foot medium-power casting rod. Tackle warehouse's rod sale also got me. 9. Heres a quick primer on targeting feisty summer bronzebacks on skinny waters. So, fly rod in hand, I put in some serious time on my favorite rivers. 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. Rocky points and drop-offs are good places to look for smallmouth bass in Deep Creek Lake. 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 ways to use this piece of the puzzle to your advantage. This rigging style works everywhere largemouth bass swim. Best for River: Original Floating Rapala SEE IT Key Features Lengths: 1 " - 7" Weight: 1/16 - 11/-16 ounce Hooks: Treble. In most scenarios, you simply wade in the stream, float in a canoe or kayak, or, in areas with good access, walk the shoreline. Your BASS member number is the 9-digit number that appears on your Bassmaster Magazine label. It's an awesome story of one of the finest swimbaits you'll find anywhere. In-Fisherman's Thomas Allen fishes with pro walleye angler Ross Grothe as they target aggressive walleyes in shallow, weedy water. Find our guides' top 10 smallmouth lures outlined below. In the short reach between Green Bay and the first dam, smallmouths are part of a mixed bag of walleyes, channel catfish, northern pike and, at certain times of year, salmon and trout from Lake Michigan. Lucky Craft silent 1.5 in Copper Green Shad has been deadly for me in rivers. Im going to work lots of lay downs and weed lines. 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. All too often we hear of anglers drowning in what would seem to be shallow or insignificant conditions. The fish seek gravel or sand bottom, but also can be found around stumps and rockpiles. 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. As mentioned, fish grow slowly in such environments. On one recent wade, my five best fish totaled 81 inches. 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. My clear water color picks for the X-Rap are Olive Green, Olive Green Muddler, and Perch. Some creek anglers wear a backpack; I find these too bulky and constrictive, and I dont need all that storage space because I travel light. 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. Rocks, gravel, and shellbeds will slice braid easily and a good hard-coated fluorocarbon will likely save the day. Proper spawning bottom with a thin coating of darker silt reduces visibility. Examples include the Upper Mississippi in Minnesota, the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania, and the New River in Virginia. 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. This makes a buzzbait or a plopper-style surface plug an exciting option from spring through fall. 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. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. The closest version I have found is the Bass Pro Shops XPS Super Shallow Crank. Ive used the OG Slim the last two seasons some. There's great fishing as early as April in the backs of coves and along the rocky face of the dam. I wear custom Upstep orthotic insoles (upstep.com) in my wading boots. 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. Proper spawning bottom with a thin coating of darker silt reduces visibility. These seams and associated hard structure are high percentage zones and concentrate smallmouth on an otherwise plain stretch of river. Some days, the smallmouth want a crankbait with a wide wobble, and sometimes they want one with a tight wobble like the Wiggle Wart. The suspending Rapala X-Rap is a favorite with spring smallie anglers. Your exactly right about them being forgotten. This is the story of the Berkley CullShad. Although smallmouths are abundant, Piedmont Lake isn't really known for producing trophies. Its like theyre on steroids, Levert said. I have the best rates on the river and provide great service. The fish have moved up shallow, and are feeling aggressive. Pools, fish grow slowly in such environments spinnerbaits, Rapala type jerkbaits, tubes, and advice. Weapons of choice it just takes determination, the right gear and some basic know-how to catch.. 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