brushcutter

Just about 80% percent of my sm fishing is done on small shallow rivers. The one thing that I have learned over the years is that smallies in this type of water are primarily ambush predators. they hang on the edge of currents breaks. Snags, sandbars and bridge pilings are key spots. This makes casting accuracy a significant factor. A skirted swimming jig is pretty much a universal weapon at any depth. I agree with RW, use the stick baits. If you have a couple of rods that you can switch to then your in business. Good luck!

for the price you can't beat the storm wild eye series swimbaits. they have a 5" size that comes in blue/silver, black/silver, and rainbow trout.

Yozuri Pins minnow Rocket Shad Denny Brauer Finesse Jig White Senko Rebel Craw ;D

In-fisherman did a study about five years ago with the help of the MN. DNR and found out that light plays a major role in seasonal movement and activity. Amount of light and intensity are more than daily factors for smallmouth. This is especially true in river bass. Temp does factor in but only in part. You might want to log your trips and include all the above conditions.

Most of my creek fishing is in water less than 3 ft. I use a mann's -1 or a yozuri pins minnow when drifting. Hope it helps

Not a bad way to start the season! It feels good just to get out you know? I got out monday and tuesday. Caught a couple of smallies each day. Good fishin.

I'm going to Shafer this weekend. Any ideas? It is supposed to be high 30's and the water temp is in the mid 30's. :-/

I use both. Jerk baits, bomber a's, rocket shads, poor boys goby on a stand up head, Here lately I have had good luck with storm swim baits. Especially the chartruse shad 3".

When the rivers I fish flood outside their banks, I've noticed that the bass tend to get pushed up into the shallows to get out of the current. The rivers I fish are a little smaller than the miami though. Heavy jigs and critter baits fished slow do it for me. I driven over that river a half a dozen times and wondered if there were smallies in there. Now I know.

Thanks for your input everyone. I've been fishing shafer for about eight years, but never at this time of year. I'm pretty familiar with it's channels and coves. Thanks again!

shafer and the water is stained and running high. I'm thinking creek mouths but it might be too early for that. the main river channel?

It's February and the water temp in the shallow resevoir I fish runs about 39 - 42. the average depth runs about 20 feet. Where am I going to find the smallmouth in this resevoir? I normally don't fish this time of year but I can't take it anymore I MUST FISH!

try drifting a float and fly, or a gitzit under a slip bobber. Down size a little. That's a nice spot to have this time of year. Good fishing.

SWEET! these fish never cease to amaze me. ;D

Tubes are a given. they work everywhere there's a smallmouth that's hungry. Many have said get comfortable fishing those weeds. This is true. I like floating worms on a stand up jig head. Swimming a skirted jig works well too. Xraps might just do it also. Good fishing!

I have used this same rig in the past, but i used live bait on the hook. I suppose what ever is prolific at the time would work. This rig is great for silvers and northerns on the river as well. good fishing.