Fishing In Strong Current

[blackmax135]

In my local river i usual find lakes natural lakes that are made off the river and fish in them but ive been really curious since the water is alot cooler in the main river if fishing would be productive or even possible.  The current in this river is very strong but there are lots of fishy places. I do catch an abundant amount of redbreast in the main river tied off to a branch of a tree or anthing that is strong enough to hold me.  My trolling motor does not have the power to hold me in place to present a lure.  Should i just stick in the lakes for bass or should i try it out if so what would yall suggest.

[RAMBLER]

To make tying off on a branch easier, I took a steel rod and made a large hook and small eye, for the rope.  I tied that to a cleat on the boat and I would just drop it over a limb.  Quicker than tying and untying.  Now, my trolling motor will hold me in place.

But, to answer you question;  I'd keep trying.  If you can tie off just upstream from an eddy and let a worm drift into that quiet water, that is really productive.

Good luck.

[MassBass]

Try burning an inline spinner thru the current.

[Mainebass1984]

 I like river fishing and do a lot of it here in Maine and Vermont.  I have very good luck fishing out of the current behind trees, rock piles, jetties or in eddies created by another river or brook coming in.

[blackmax135]

Ok that sounds good to me there are plenty of trees down and its a big river.  Guess ill start were trees are fallen into an eddie. Just wish there was a way to sit in place without haveing to tie off.  Can't throw out an anchor cause a anchor wont even hold a john boat in place in this river. First time i tried an anchor i about sunk the boat the, i don't have that anchor anymore.  I guess football jigs, texas rigged worms, square bills? and like mass said spinner baits.  Do you pull these baits up current, down, across?  I'm gonna go at it tomorrow and see what i can do.  Thnks for advice it helps alot. 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

Fish with the current for a natural presentation.

[Mainebass1984]

I usually will approach  the area I want to fish from downstream and cast my lure upstream working my lure with the current back to the boat. I am usually fishing with the current or at a very slight angle to the current.

[Brian6428]

Everybody here should know that there is only one correct answer to this question- you need power poles. You can run from the bait monkey, but you can't hide!

[Supermat]

There is no doubt there are bass out in the current. They may not be there all the time but when they want to feed, they're moving out there and gorging. How deep is the river?

I ask because you want to remember, you can have slow pockets on the bottom, not just the sides. Anywhere you have high spots with pockets behind them (watch the depth finder) bass will fill those holes as well and eat the food as it passes overhead. That said, the fish on the bank will be an easier target in the beginning.

Squarebills and lipless cranks are an easy option. Throw at a 45 degree angle up stream to start and just run it down the banks... the fish will help you adjust from there. I also find that throwing a heavy jig or heavy shaky head and just letting the current drag it down the bank can be deadly effective when the fish are feeding. As mentioned above, calm pockets are a given. If there is a tree or boulder breaking the current the bass won't be far.

I hope that at least gives you a start!

[blackmax135]

It averages 11 ft but i have found spots that are 25 im guessing those are the pockets you are talking about.  I surley wish i could afford a power pole that would be awesome.

[Kevin22]

Caught a bunch today fishing the main river below the dam. A 1/2 rat-l-trap wouldn't even shake going downstream. Had to get parallel and slow roll it upstream. The bass where there though.