Fishing A Rocky Bottom River

[AJMichigan]

Went to fish the Thornapple River today (best smallie fishing in the state) and i found the bottom to be extremely rocky. Everything was getting stuck. You couldn't move your lure near the bottom of the river without it getting stuck. Lost 3 lures and was extremely annoyed even when I did not lose lures. Got stuck having to move my spinner way too fast and could not even use fake crawlers texas rigged because those would get stuck as well.

 

Any advice for fishing a river like this? The current was too fast to try anything top water.

[Scott F]

I use inline spinners over the rocks. You really can't fish them too fast, The bass will catch them. Unweighted senkos are perfect they sink slowly but are easy to keep out of the rocks.  Just let them drift with the current on an almost slack line. When the line stops drifting, take up the slack. when you feel the weight, set the hook. The bass are used to food moving with the current and are looking for it. If you have fish weighted baits (and you don't) try using hooks like the Luck E Strike Jig heads or Charlie Brewer Slider heads. Both of these come through the rocks sooo much better than most other jigs.

Luck E Strike

 

Slider Head

[AJMichigan]

I use inline spinners over the rocks. You really can't fish them too fast, The bass will catch them. Unweighted senkos are perfect they sink slowly but are easy to keep out of the rocks.  Just let them drift with the current on an almost slack line. When the line stops drifting, take up the slack. when you feel the weight, set the hook. The bass are used to food moving with the current and are looking for it. If you have fish weighted baits (and you don't) try using hooks like the Luck E Strike Jig heads or Charlie Brewer Slider heads. Both of these come through the rocks sooo much better than most other jigs.

Luck E Strike

 

Slider Head

I have a few like those and attempted to use those, but they still got stuck, everything did even texas rigged weightless senkos.

[Jucas97]

A good heavy cover jig. Check out www.sibertoutdoors.com and you can customize your jig to what water clarity your fishing. However, nothing completely prevents from lures getting snagged. It happens.  Try out the hack attack jig from Strikeking.

[ClackerBuzz]

i had this situation the other day.  used charlie brewer slider heads b/c they bend out when snagged.  also a light split shot rig (if ur successful w/ split shot later you can upgrade to clam shell shot from BPS= snags less on rocks and weeds b/c it has no re-usable 'ear' tags). use fine wire hooks. don't buy expensive hooks. 'cheap' hooks that bend out are ideal b/c they straighten out when snagged.  just make sure you play out fish.  and don't be afraid to tie straight to 10lb braid.  that helps bending out light hooks while staying on the bottom.  shore fishing in these condition is tuff.  a kayak/canoe etc is much easier b/c you can just paddle over and unsnag.

Edited September 29, 2013 by ClackerBuzz

[lanzbass]

I have fished rivers and streams like that before and used to lose a lot of tackle !!!

One of two things worked for me :

1-- Look for bends and rounds and fish those , OR

2-- Used a 3 way swivel with 2 foot leader heaver than the line on my reel.

On the bottom part of the swivel I tied on 2 or 3 split shot to a lighter line.. which snags before the lure does ..saving the lure or streamer fly

[Crestliner2008]

Try a slip bobber with a wacky rigged Senko beneath it. It'll work.

[Snakehead Whisperer]

Try a slip bobber with a wacky rigged Senko beneath it. It'll work.

x2

 

Or a jig and grub under a slip bobber. This is sound advice. 

[AJMichigan]

Try a slip bobber with a wacky rigged Senko beneath it. It'll work.

 

May be a stupid question but I want to know, I've never used a slip bobber..what is it?

[Snakehead Whisperer]

May be a stupid question but I want to know, I've never used a slip bobber..what is it?

It's just a float. It slips over your fishing line and uses a knot (bobber stop) to set the depth, as opposed to the clip on type. This allows you to set the depth deeper than your fishing rod is long, and the bobber will not get in the way of your casting. They also don't look quite as dorky as red/white plastic bobbers

 

One of the great things about slip bobbers is that you can easily adjust the depth at which your lure/bait will rest by sliding the knot up and down your line. This is extremely helpful when fish are suspended more than 8' deep. I've successfully targeted suspended fish at more than 50' with a slip bobber, it's a serious tool.

 

As with any presentation, there is a time and place for bobber fishing. It's not usually the presentation I go for in rocky river fishing, but it does work. 

 

If you're getting snagged constantly while fishing a rocky bottom there are probably some other things you can do to minimize it though. Snags are inevitable, but they happen a lot less now for me than when I first started. Sorry in advance if these tips are obvious, just trying to help.

 

Are you fishing with the current or against it? Typically the technique when fishing soft plastics for river smallies is to let the lure drift with the current. The fish will most likely be facing upstream watching for forage to wash down to them, like Scott F said.

 

I know you said that even your weightless rig got stuck, but I can't overemphasize using the lightest possible weight that will get the lure down to the fish. Using line with little to no stretch will also help you to avoid snags by feeling/moving the lure when it hits a rock, etc. Typically I'll throw light jigs on 8-15lb. braid with a 4-10lb. fluoro leader which gives incredible sensitivity and very little line stretch.  

 

Probably the most important thing I've learned about fishing rocky river bottoms is to use a light touch. Gently guiding your lure out of rocks will usually end better than yanking them out. I'm not trying to sell you any tackle, but a sensitive rod is a good tool to have for this type of fishing. The difference in feel from one rod to the next is night and day many times.  A sensitive ML or M rod in Fast or X-Fast will serve you well, and possibly save you money in the long run.  

[ClackerBuzz]

http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-forums/topic/84060-senko-under-a-float/

[Phranchise1213]

http://www.confidencebaits.net

 

Get a couple of the draggin heads, you won't leave home without them. 

[Oregon Native]

Used to use a slinky (western steelhead/salmon sinker) on a drop shot. Made my own sizes.....very effective.

Tight Lines

[BubblesNY]

On 9/29/2013 at 10:44 PM, Snakehead Whisperer said:

It's just a float. It slips over your fishing line and uses a knot (bobber stop) to set the depth, as opposed to the clip on type. This allows you to set the depth deeper than your fishing rod is long, and the bobber will not get in the way of your casting. They also don't look quite as dorky as red/white plastic bobbers

 

One of the great things about slip bobbers is that you can easily adjust the depth at which your lure/bait will rest by sliding the knot up and down your line. This is extremely helpful when fish are suspended more than 8' deep. I've successfully targeted suspended fish at more than 50' with a slip bobber, it's a serious tool.

 

As with any presentation, there is a time and place for bobber fishing. It's not usually the presentation I go for in rocky river fishing, but it does work. 

 

If you're getting snagged constantly while fishing a rocky bottom there are probably some other things you can do to minimize it though. Snags are inevitable, but they happen a lot less now for me than when I first started. Sorry in advance if these tips are obvious, just trying to help.

 

Are you fishing with the current or against it? Typically the technique when fishing soft plastics for river smallies is to let the lure drift with the current. The fish will most likely be facing upstream watching for forage to wash down to them, like Scott F said.

 

I know you said that even your weightless rig got stuck, but I can't overemphasize using the lightest possible weight that will get the lure down to the fish. Using line with little to no stretch will also help you to avoid snags by feeling/moving the lure when it hits a rock, etc. Typically I'll throw light jigs on 8-15lb. braid with a 4-10lb. fluoro leader which gives incredible sensitivity and very little line stretch.  

 

Probably the most important thing I've learned about fishing rocky river bottoms is to use a light touch. Gently guiding your lure out of rocks will usually end better than yanking them out. I'm not trying to sell you any tackle, but a sensitive rod is a good tool to have for this type of fishing. The difference in feel from one rod to the next is night and day many times.  A sensitive ML or M rod in Fast or X-Fast will serve you well, and possibly save you money in the long run.  

I've just started fishing after 30 years and wow there's so much to learn. I really appreciate finding this thought out reply and just wanted to say thanks so much. I'm trying to learn to fish the haw River in NC. 👋

[PaulVE64]

Yes

Light wire hooks

1/16 to 1/8 oz split shot

1.5# drag on spinning gear

12# to 17# mono leader to braid.

 

No

Football head

Heavy wire hooks

Fluorocarbon

Casting upriver with a slow speed a heavy weight 

 

 

I know I am deep enough when my jig hits a rock, I have to lift it right away or risk losing it in the next few moments. But thats the job.

 

[Swamp Girl]

I have about 15 Erie Dearies I'll never use again. They're spinners with a single hook aimed upward. They're free if you want to try them.