How to Locate Smallmouth On New River Systems
We have all been there…..
Heading out to fish a brand new river can be a very daunting task. Often times tournament anglers have the luxury and advantage of visiting the same lakes or rivers year after year and get the opportunity to compile a ton of experience on multiple fisheries every year. Most of us do not have that luxury. We have our home river that we fish and maybe we visit one or two other new rivers a year.
Many will tell you that what works on your home river should work on the river that you are visiting for the first time but this is most certainly not always the case. Depending upon where the river you are visiting is located it may be very different than your home river. This could be in its current volume rates, its forage species, its water clarity and whether or not it may have man made dams influencing the water levels of the river throughout the season.
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Smallmouth by nature are unpredictable. As roamers they are very different in nature than Largemouth and often patterns may be all mixed throughout different sections of a river system. Some areas may have better grass development whereas others will be dominated by rocky or sandy bottom composition.
Breaking down a new river and finding Smallmouth Bass can be a rewarding challenge for anglers. Here's a simple step-by-step guide on how to approach this on your next fishing trip to a new river:
Research: Start by gathering as much information as possible about the river you plan to fish. This includes studying maps, reading fishing reports, consulting local fishing guides or forums, and talking to other anglers who have experience fishing the river. Look for information on water conditions, seasonal patterns, typical Smallmouth Bass habitats, and productive fishing spots. Use the readily available resources like NOAA data which will use a predictive modeling measure to determine the water levels in the days ahead.
Scout the River: Before you start fishing, take some time to scout the river from the shore or by walking along the bank. Look for promising features such as rocky areas, submerged logs or trees, deep pools, riffles, and current breaks. Pay attention to any visible signs of fish activity, such as baitfish jumping or Smallmouth Bass chasing prey near the surface. Nowadays you can scout the river via plenty of drone footage that may be available in your region. Locate grass.
Understand Habitat Preferences: Smallmouth Bass are often found in rocky or gravel-bottomed areas with moderate to fast current flow. Using your online resources like Google Earth and Drone videos available you can locate the topography that will generate current flow and seams where Smallies will certainly stage. They also seek out structure such as submerged rocks, fallen trees, and undercut banks for cover. Focus your efforts on these types of habitat, especially during different times of the day and under varying water conditions. Identify the primary food forage resources for the river system that the Smallies themselves will target. Locating these forage resources like densely populated crayfish areas or bait balls will assist you in locating Smallies rather quickly during transitional periods of the year.
Experiment with Lures and Baits: Start by using a variety of lures and baits to see what the Smallmouth bass are responding to on that particular river but specifically in the conditions that present. Effective lures for Smallmouth Bass include soft plastic jigs, crankbaits, spinnerbaits, topwater lures, and now swimbaits are increasing popular. Match your lure selection to the prevailing water conditions, such as water clarity and depth but also temperature. Remember the colder the water is the less “chase” the Smallie will want to engage in so slowing your retrieves and cadence down on your baits is critical. Lure size is another question nowadays ripe for debate. It used to be Smallies preferred small baits but with the evolution of swimbaits we are seeing evidence that larger baits can be very effective as well but typically in narrow feeding windows like early Spring and late Fall.
Cover Water Methodically: Once you're on the water, work methodically to cover different areas of the river. Start by fishing near promising structures or habitat features, casting your lures or baits upstream and allowing them to drift naturally with the current. Gradually work your way downstream, varying your presentation and targeting different types of habitat along the way. I consider current seems and an eddy as artificial structure so anglers should treat them as such and approach them in the same way they would say a dock on a lake.
Pay Attention to Current and Water Flow: Smallmouth Bass are often found in areas where the current is broken by rocks or other structures. Look for seams, eddies, and pockets of slower water within the main current, as these are prime feeding areas for Smallmouth Bass. Adjust your presentation to account for the current, using techniques such as drift fishing or casting upstream and retrieving downstream.
Stay Flexible: Be prepared to adjust your tactics based on the conditions you encounter on the river. If one lure or presentation isn't producing results, try switching to a different lure or fishing technique. Pay attention to factors such as water temperature, weather conditions, and the behavior of baitfish and other prey species, as these can all influence Smallmouth Bass activity.
Be Patient and Persistent: Fishing a new river for Smallmouth Bass can be challenging, so don't get discouraged if you don't find success right away. Stay patient, keep experimenting with different approaches, and stay persistent in your efforts. Over time, you'll learn more about the river and develop strategies that work best for targeting smallies in that particular environment.
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