Fishing Downstream

[WVbassin87]

I found what looks like a killer spot for smallies. just need tips on my approach. it's an area of slow water just below a spot of swift current. there are two fallen trees about 6 feet apart. the only problem is i have to bankfish and i have to cast downstream from the swifter area, the opposite of my usual approach. any tips?

[Scott F]

Take a vibrating bait like a crankbait, inline spinner, or even a spoon, and toss it in the swift water. Let the current carry it downstream slowly letting line out. When you stop, the bait should be vibrating in the current the same way it would be if you were retrieving it in calm water. When you get the bait near the calm water, stop and let it sit there. If there are any bass sitting in the calm water near your bait, they'll find it. If possible, try and direct the bait as close as you can get to the slack water while keeping the bait in the current. If you don't get a hit, let a bit more line out and stop again. Keep doing this until you run out of room or line. You can then work the bait back toward you just moving it a little at a time. As long as you are in the fast water, the bait will continue to work and won't sink any lower than it is designed to run.

Is the water too deep to wade in safely?

[WVbassin87]

Just don't trust it to be honest. lots of debris from the bridge that used to be upstream. my luck i'd fall and bust my head or get caught on a piece of steel. thanks for the tip.

[Scott F]

Sometimes, you don't have to wade out very far. Just enough to be able to direct your bait where you want it to go. Safety is very important. If you aren't comfortable with the conditions, stay on the bank.

[FrankW]

Hi WVbassin87,

That sounds like a very good spot. I suggest two things. 1. Use a drop shot and cast a weight that the fast currant will carry into the slow water. Smallies will be laying in that slower water waiting for the currant to wash food to them. You can control your drift by staying in contact with the weight and bounce along the bottom. 2. Get a floating worm with some kind of weight or split shot that won't take it to the bottom and will be washed down with the currant. When it hits the slower water it will sink to the bottom or at least lower in the water column. You will have to experiment with the weight size to get it right. Remember as you cast into the faster water, where it enters the water will determine how deep the bait is washed into the slow water. To get it right you might have to cast up stream to get the right drift. It depends on how fast and how deep the fast water is.

Of course this is ideal for a fly rod and a sink tip line.

Frank

[WVbassin87]

FrankW, do you think a weightless senko might do the trick?

[FrankW]

Hi WVbassin87,

 

A 5" Senko might be a good choice.  It weighs around 3/8oz.  It all depends on the flow of the fast water.  The 5" Thin Senko might be a better choice.  It is half the weight of the standard 5" Senko.  I would try the Thin Senko with a split shot 12 to 18 inches above the Senko.  You would need to experiment with the size/number of the split shot and how you cast it into the fast water.  The split shot would also be a good choice with a floating worm but you would need more weight.  You will just have to experiment with different combinations of weight/bait and how the fast water carries the bait into the slow water. 

 

Well I just remembered you are fishing for smallies and a 5" Senko may be too big.  I usually use a smaller size for smallies.  Same idea, just downsize the Senko.

 

Frank