Catching Smallmouth Bass in Rivers

Catching Smallmouth Bass in Rivers

River fishing provides some of the best smallmouth bass fishing.
Catching a smallmouth bass in a river is more fun than in a lake
because they put up a tremendous fight. When you combine the
current with a fish that is stronger from swimming in the current, you
get one awesome fight. Expect a river smallmouth bass to jump
multiple times to try and throw your hook.

A 2 pound smallmouth in the river will fight more like a 2.5 to 3.5
pound bass from the lake.

The best rivers for smallmouth are moderate-gradient rivers with cool
temperatures and plenty of riffles. Slow-moving rivers and fast-
moving rivers are not suitable for large populations of smallmouth
bass. The slower rivers warm up too quickly and usually have a flat,
silty bottom. The faster rivers have currents that are too strong.

To catch smallmouth bass in rivers, you have to understand current
breaks. Areas that have current on the edge of slack water are the
best places to fish. You will find these areas behind boulders, log-
jams, and shorelines that jet out into the river. Smallmouth will stay in
the slack water and use the faster water for catching food. As insects
or bait fish get pushed downstream in the current, a smallmouth will jet
out into the current to grab their meal and then retreat back into the
slack water. Fishing the edge of current breaks is the best way to
catch smallmouth. During low water, fish will be in all of the deep
pools, making it easy to find them. When the water is high, fish will be
spread out throughout the entire river.

Spring and fall are good times for catching smallmouth around dams.
Smallmouth bass will swim upstream until a dam stops them from
going any further.

S pinners, small spinnerbaits, jigs, crankbaits, minnow-plugs and flies
are the top baits for fishing in rivers. For covering water, try using
lipless crankbaits. When you decide to slow down and fish a specific
spot like a pool or a boulder, try flipping a jig in the exact spot. If most
anglers had to pick just 2 lures for fishing rivers, most would pick a
lipless crankbait and a jig.

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