Fishing In Current

[NWBasslover]

Hey guys, I'm new at this and need some help.  I live in Lewiston, Id., right were the Snake River and the Clearwater River meet.  Big river, lots of water, decent current.  For those of you in the north west, think Columbia River.  Most of the shore line is all man made, rock dikes and the like. The problem is that I can't find any good info on bass fishing in a big river.  Everything that I have read or watched about bass fishing is all about lakes (except for the one Gene put up about fishing behind bridge pillons, of which we have none). 

 

So...HELP!

 

Any good bits of information or good videos? Any good personal experience? Anything is appreciated!

[Sam]

1.  www.woodaves.com - check out his articles.

2.  Always throw into the current so the water brings your bait towards the fish.

3.  Look for any structure that the bass can hide behind to ambush their prey.

4.  Look for any clam water behind any surface structure or in any cove, pool, blowdown, etc.

5.  Try to find backwater oxbows and sloughs, humps, dropoffs, creek channels, rip rap, ledges and straight banks.

6.  Go to Amazon.com or to Woo Daves, himself, and see if you can purchase his DVD, River Fishing Techniques: Inland Rivers with Woo Daves.  You may be able to find the production at BPS in Missouri, 800.227.7776. May be an old number but it is a start.

7.  Anchor in one place and hit it from different angles and with different baits. Can you shove a pole into the river bed and tie up to it to keep you in place?

8.  Speak with locals and get their input and suggestions.

9.  Sometimes the current wins. When that happens go home.

 

Be safe and let us know if you find anything on Woo's site or the Fishing Articles at the top of the Forum's home page.

 

Good luck.

[Crestliner2008]

First off, are you fishing from a boat or are you shorebound? If in a boat, google Dan Gapan and "Slipping" a river system. This knowledge is paramount to your success. Dan has been guiding on the Mississippi for generations. His books are true masterpieces to the art of river fishing. Learn to slip and get a copy of his book, "Big River Fishing" and you will be well on your way to having many successful days on the water.

[Hogsticker]

The Snake is awesome. Small top water poppers right at daybreak, lipless crankbaits throughout the evening. Daytime try this in the current. Peg a 3/16 to 5/16 ounce bullet weight 18 to 24 inches above a 2/0 worm hook. Get some 3.5 inch tubes and slip some ear plugs inside them before rigging them. Toss it out and let it sit while the tube suspends in the water. Green and orange are good. 

[NWBasslover]

Hogsticker, you've fished the Snake? Where abouts?

[Hogsticker]

Various areas of Idaho (close to you) and Oregon. Smallmouth and Steelhead trips. I wish it were closer to where I live now.

[roadwarrior]

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/119147-river-fishing-tips/

[NWBasslover]

Lots of good info. Appreciate it! The main problem I have is that, as I said, most of the banks are man made. Mid size rock levees and the like. There just isn't any structure to be found.

Again, Thanks for all the input.

Tight lines.

[BASShunterOH]

We have a large river (a few) its the cuyahoga or "burning river", I have the best luck throwing a spinner or lipless crank bait (sometimes a swim jig). I look were the water has some rapid like current and toss it in on an angle going into it from the shore. They like to hang out right in that rougher water and right after it because the oxygen and smaller bait/food gather. Best of luck! I to am still trying to figure the river out but thats what I have had the best luck. Previous days fishing same river in 5 hours I caught 3 smallies, new spot after rapid area 5 in an hour. 

[McAlpine]

Lots of good info. Appreciate it! The main problem I have is that, as I said, most of the banks are man made. Mid size rock levees and the like. There just isn't any structure to be found.

Again, Thanks for all the input.

Tight lines.

 

Sounds like there is lots of structure.  Your just not seeing it.  ;-)

 

Anything that breaks current is structure where there is current.  Fish both the head and tail of current breaks.  A small point that comes out or bend in the river will have a current loop behind it.  That rock you are talking about is probably awesome.  Anything hard bottom is always worth looking at.  Humps that come up from the bottom have dead areas down current.  Any time a creek comes in there is a counterflow and generally a flat.

 

Think in terms of current flow and not the usual bank beater stuff you cast to on a lake.  Brush on a river bank may be a waste of time or it may be the best cover around.  It all depends on where it is in relation to the CURRENT.

 

Good luck and just get out there.  You'll learn faster than what you think you will.  Start out with small chartruese and white spinnerbaits 1/8th oz, whacky rigged worms that can flow with the current past structure, small 1/8oz black buzz baits, shakey heads and finnese jigs for rock.  Eventually you may want to try a squarebill but learn how to fish current first or you'll get frustrated.  That do nothing whacky rigged worm will be a great way to figure out where the fish place themselves when you are learning.  Then you'll quickly learn to read the water.

 

Have fun.

[tomustang]

When you find the structure sometimes you wish you haven't, it loves taking lures. It can be rewarding but don't forget you'll lose a lot of gear.

[papajoe222]

Current breaks are key to river fishing.  I'm not familiar with the Snake, but man made jettys and the  like are key areas where there is a larger interuption of the current vs. say a big boulder and they extend out from the shore for an easy shorebound approach.  Another key spot is what's called a 'seam'.  This is where faster water runs alongside slower or calm water. Active fish will hold in the slower current and dart out into the faster water to strike.  A 'push' upstream of shallower rapids and the 'draw/ just below them create a similar situation with faster water alongside slower moving water.