New River Smallies

[NRV_Smallmouth]

   Hello everyone I live in Southwest Virginia and fish the New River around Radford Va. I usually only fish warmer weather (water temperature upwards of 55 degrees) however this year I would like to start earlier. Currently the water temp is in the high 40's around 47 degrees. Would it be a waste of time to go this early? I plan on fishing a Small dam on a river that feeds into the New River. From what I've read Smallies should be in the calmest parts of the river when its cold and there are many still pools below the dam. Would that be a wise choice or should i fish the main river? Lastly I'm not sure what baits to use since the water is cold -  I plan on dead-sticking tubes and senkos and possibly trying some jerks baits is this the right approach? This is new to me and I am open to any ideas.

Tight Lines.

[TnRiver46]

All sounds like logical ideas to me and should work

[New River Addiction]

I've caught smallies in the dead of winter throwing a T rig and fishing VERY slowly. I usually wait and fish on warmer weather like you mentioned but have caught several nice ones in colder weather on the New. 

[The Bassman]

Sounds like a natural for the Ned Rig.

[Ivey]

I'd lay off the jerk baits until the water temps. are above 50. If you can get your hands on some Black bear hair jigs tipped with a trailer like a zoom tiny chunk, fish slow keeping just off the bottom. I've caught lots of SM in small rivers and creeks with this rig. On warmer days fish just above sholes and then the deeper pools below

[Turkey sandwich]

Those are all good options, and I'll definitely second the hair jig.  Other baits that do well when the water is under 50 degrees - blade baits, and jigs tipped with milder actioned trailers like pork (if you can still find it).  

 

When end the water gets cold, fish will often be piled up (not an exaggeration) anywhere with protection from current and predators.  Deep, slow pools, oxbows, and areas of slow or broken current above or below dams can all be good. 

 

The most important part of winter fishing, though, is to just use common sense and stay safe.  

[PatrickKnight]

My go to for river smallies in Ohio is a hair jig fished as slow as I can tipped with some kind of low action trailer.

[fishnkamp]

Paddle tail grubs are another good option.

[BigSkyBasser]

I strongly second the hair jigs and other small profile finesse presentations that look like a lethargic crawfish. The keyword is patience, so work these baits very meticulously through good ambush points over and over again. Another thing I've heard from certain people is that these early season bites can feel very soft and easy to miss, so a sensitive rod paired with braid to flouro would probably be optimal in these conditions. Good luck!

[MSWV]

My theory for the New River before April is to fish areas where fish can stay out of current during high water events.  I usually stay clear of mid river.  Behind Islands & deeper areas areas are my go to..  Ive also noticed they like sand/mud more during winter..  New River fish seem to like "Brown & Down" when the water is in the 40s but dont forget the crankbait during warming trends.  I like "spring craw" crankbaits & even white ones on dark days..  Look for the mushy bite.. It will usually feel like leaves on your bait.  Also remember there will be slow days but the rewards are great because  small New river bass dont seem to bite before April..

[newriverfisherman1953]

I fish the same area. Was there yesterday but no luck. I usually don't start catching many before March. Catch a few hybrid stripers as a bonus too. Good luck. 

[lonnie g]

On ‎1‎/‎17‎/‎2017 at 10:26 AM, NRV_Smallmouth said:

   Hello everyone I live in Southwest Virginia and fish the New River around Radford Va. I usually only fish warmer weather (water temperature upwards of 55 degrees) however this year I would like to start earlier. Currently the water temp is in the high 40's around 47 degrees. Would it be a waste of time to go this early? I plan on fishing a Small dam on a river that feeds into the New River. From what I've read Smallies should be in the calmest parts of the river when its cold and there are many still pools below the dam. Would that be a wise choice or should i fish the main river? Lastly I'm not sure what baits to use since the water is cold -  I plan on dead-sticking tubes and senkos and possibly trying some jerks baits is this the right approach? This is new to me and I am open to any ideas.

Tight Lines.

I lived on the green briar just out of hinton just above where it meets the new river, few years back. there is a bridge there  where I used to see a lot of smallies under. worked for c&o railroad  then. didn't have any gear with me, only lived there about 6 months.they sure did look intiseing tho.

[Fishinggeek]

You can catch smallies in very cold water. I personally don't try to fish for them until the water is above 40 degrees. Here in PA we are experiencing random warm weather the past couple of weeks (not complaining). Water temps on a local river were about 41 degrees. I got this little guy and missed a handful of others. When the water temps are in the 40s I try to fish as slow as possible. I typically will pause a jerkbait or jig for about 30 seconds before twitching it again.

[J Francho]

My personal best smallmouth was caught in water that was 38° F.

 

[retiredbosn]

I grew up fishing the New and Greenbrier rivers. River fish simply aren't the same as lake fish. Pay attention and look under some rocks along the shore, if the crayfish are out of hibernation then finesse jig like a bitsy bug with a craw trailer. You'll want one with a subtler action. 4 inch grub baits are always good on the river just work it much slower, I've had allot of success in mild current in winter by letting the grub hover off the bottom and letting the current move the tail, work it from the head of the current downstream by letting slack carrying it away from you. It might take an hour to cover the water by letting the grub slip down stream. Finally with river smallies any time is a good time for a Rebel Pop R. I've caught them while it was snowing on Pop R's