Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2018 - 20
Summertime River
Cherry Picking
Smallmouth Bass
by Jeff Knapp
photos by the author
The Smallmouth Bass is known for its often aggressive nature.
In the warm water of summer, its metabolism is in high gear.
In free-flowing river systems, much of the Smallmouth Bass
food supply is concentrated close to current areas at this time.
Combine these factors, and it makes sense to target areas
likely holding actively-feeding Smallmouth Bass, pick the
low-hanging fruit and then move on to the next similar spot.
Free-flowing rivers feature a sequence of riffle-run-pool.
Riffles, faster-flowing chutes located in areas of higher
gradient, drain the deeper pool upriver. Riffles gradually flow
into the slightly deeper and slower areas of the run. As the
flow continues to deepen, it takes on the character of the pool,
which eventually tails-out before spilling into the next riffle,
completing the chain.
While this is a general depiction, influenced by the
topography of a river, within a free-flowing river there is slow
water and fast water. At this time of year, actively feeding
Smallmouth Bass, the ones looking for food (hence easiest to
catch), are typically near the fast stuff-the riffles and upper
ends of runs.
What follows is a look at three tactics employing soft
swimbaits, hard suspending jerkbaits, and soft jerkbaits for
20
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * July/August 2018
targeting fast current areas for summertime Smallmouth Bass
from a shallow-draft boat, kayak or canoe.
Slow and steady with soft swimbaits
Boot tail and grub tail soft swimbaits excel in many river
fishing situations but are best in fast current scenarios. I
like to fish these swimbaits with a 7-foot, medium power,
fast-action baitcasting outfit spooled with 10-pound-test
fluorocarbon line.
I prefer fishing soft swimbaits in the fastest water I target.
As the boat drifts through 1- to 3-foot riffles, many with
standing waves, make perpendicular (to the bank) casts into
the flow. I am a big proponent of stop-and-go retrieves in
some situations but not here. In this frothing disturbance, I
want the bait to be easy to track. The tail of the bait gives it
all the action it needs. Any Smallmouth Bass holding near
the heavy flow are likely eating minnows. Use an easy-to-eat
minnow imitation, and bass will take it.
There are many soft swimbait rigging options. For the best
hook-up ratio in river situations, I have the best results with
a standard 3/16- or ΒΌ-ounce mushroom-shaped leadhead jig.
Steady retrieves with just enough speed to keep from hanging
up work best. Smallmouth Bass will often intercept the bait
from behind and continue swimming. If you feel an odd
weight, wind in quickly to regain any slack, then set the hook.
www.gonefishingpa.com
http://www.gonefishingpa.com
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2018
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20240102
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https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20230304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20230102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20221112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20220910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20220708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20220506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20220304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20220102
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https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20210910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20210708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20210506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20210304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20210102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20201112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20200910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20200708
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20200506
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20200304
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20200102
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20191112
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20190910
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20190708
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https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pafishboat/20180708
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