Early Season River Smallies
As I sit here and write this I realize we are well out of the spring fishing season, but for some reason I feel compelled to put this information out there. If youd like print this article out and stick it in your fishing log, so its on hand for next seasons spring smallmouth bite. So here we go…..
The spring season in many areas poses a few problems for smallmouth bass anglers in many areas, one in many states the bass fishing season is still closed when smallmouths begin their yearly prespawn movements and activities. This prevents any chance of observing and studying the smallmouth bass during this period. Some states allow angler to study and follow smallmouth bass year round, even in these areas much of the smallmouths prespawn activities remain a mystery. With that being said lets move forward.
Fishing gear of choice for early season smallmouth bass;
- 6 1/2′ medium action baitcasting rod
- A medium sized baitcasting reel
- 10 to 12 LB mono
In most rivers throughout the country early spring means higher river levels, dirty waters and strong currents. In these conditions prespawn smallmouth bass will move away from the main channels of the river and into protected coves, and shorelines that provide less current and more cover.
The most common areas that smallmouth bass will spawn in are areas of small gravel and rock. Smallmouth bass will rarely spawn in sandy areas, unless of course there is gravel mixed with the sand. The optimum set up for spawning smallmouth bass is in water that is less than 5 feet deep and is free of heavy current.
Your presentation for fishing early season smallmouth bass should be allot of water at a fairly high speed. your lures should not be over sized, nor to loud, the key here is covering allot of water fast, yet being fairly quiet and stealthy about it. At this point you are scouting and locating once you have found where the bass are holding, slow your presentation down a bit and make more concentrated casts.
Natural colored crankbaits and spinner baits work well in situations like this. Try throwing crank baits in open water that consists mostly of rock, submerged timber and tree stumps. Try using spinner baits in denser cover along flooded shorelines and flooded areas. They work great for fishing weeds, semi submerged brush and timber.
Remember though focus on slack water, the tail end of islands, protected coves, and any other areas that offer protection form the push of the main current and you should do well fishing for them early season smallmouth bass.
