River Moving Fast Or Slow?

[tjwhite1]

I have a question for you guys that I can't seem to figure out myself. I've been fishing pickwick for a while now and in the last few years have started fishing below the dam and do this mostly now in the fall. Everything I read, people I talk to, and my overall intuition tells me that faster water = better fishing down there ( for smallmouth at least). However, I clearly seem to do way better when the water is not running much at all, matter of fact when it is running a lot I don't seem to like it. I like to drift with either live bait or artificial and it seems that when it's running a lot it is just too much to handle sometimes. I'm certain this has to do with something I am doing wrong because I know it is supposed to be better when the water is running. It is just interesting to me because I've gone down there a lot of times expecting to do bad due to low generation and done really well and also have gone down there when the water is cooking expecting to kill them and come to find out it is just hard to drift. Any advice on my little problem would be greatly appreciated , thx!

[00 mod]

The best times for me are when he generation is over 30,000 and under 120,000.  But the absolute best for me is between 60-80,000!

 

Jeff

[tjwhite1]

That's whats interesting to me, seems I do my best between 30-50,000, after that it seems like it is almost impossible to keep my split shot down, maybe it's simply a matter of me needing to add more weight. Everyone I talk to seems to like 60-80 ish.

[00 mod]

All depends on the weight you are using.  The key is just enough weight to tick the rocks, but not settle and get hung up!  Also, I found it better to use a floating line, and not flouro.  Just works for me!  I use Yo-Zuri Hybrid 6lb.

 

Jeff

[tjwhite1]

That's what I use also. I usually use two small split shot, I don't know what number or size but the ones I use are about the size of a bb from a BB gun if even that big. Seems like even In 50,000+ kind of water if I upgrade more than that I'm either constantly feeding out line trying to get the bottom or finding the bottom and getting hung immediately lol I almost had it in my head that when the water is really moving they get out of the river channel altogether but I just don't believe that's the case haha. I'll be down there tomorrow and Saturday I know that much

[00 mod]

I almost never use more than one weight.  I just upsize the one, helps to not get hung as often. I also never feed out line. Just one cast, and if I am not on bottom, then upsize weight.  And when the water is running that fast, the bait is pushed up onto the banks, both sides, and not much in the channel.  They cannot swim in that much current, so you should focus along the banks!

 

Jeff

 

Good luck and let us know how you do.  If they are pulling current Sunday, my bet is that is where I will be!

[tjwhite1]

Cool, I appreciate the help, I guess my definition of drifting close to the bank is a little off from what it needs to be haha

[tjwhite1]

Just realized I posted this in the fishing reports board, probably not the best idea

[Pete-K]

I'm with Jeff on the single split shot. When I would run out and try 2 always breaking off. But keep all different sizes and use just enough to feel it tick bottom. That is when it works best and less issues of hangs.

Last friday they were running around 77,000 and we caught fish good until the current was cut around noon or 1 pm.

Pete

[tjwhite1]

That's funny I was down there last Friday also and actually stopped fishing about 10 because I was getting tired of the fast water. Went back to the cabin ate some lunch went back when they were only running 20,000 and caught 7 smallies 4 between 4 and 5 lbs lol. Clearly I am not doing the right thing when the water is moving lol, that just makes me want to figure it out more though. I'm glad to know that is indeed something I'm doin wrong

[tjwhite1]

What speed do you guys normally drift?

[00 mod]

Same speed as the water.  Always keep the bait perpendicular to the boat and the bank.  Let it get in front of the boat and you are dragging the bait and it looks un-natural.  Let it get behind the boat and it is settling and getting hung up!

 

Jeff

[tjwhite1]

Well the river did not treat us great this past weekend, but not terrible. Both days we only caught about 10-12 in about 6 hours fishing time, I normally expect a little better from the river. But, we did have one 4-5 lb smallie on both days  overall only caught 5 smallmouth total. The wind on Saturday really hurt us with the drifting. Maybe if the river was slow like I like it we would have done better, lol