Fishing Rivers

[MartinTheFisherman]

Hello,

 

Is fishing rivers much easier or harder, or is it just the same thing? What are your guys best lures for rivers? Will a BPS River Bug 3-1/2" work?

 

Thanks,

Martin Sierra

[NittyGrittyBoy]

Rivers tend to have more things to take into consideration. 

 

Example, you have to into account the current, recent rainfall (is it rising or falling), us it muddy or clear, is it tidal or man made (dam). 

 

I wouldn't say rivers are harder, but require a bit more effort. I flip bugs/creature baits in rivers all the time. It's a great bait, I usually peg my 1/2oz weight and try to get as close to the bank I as can. 

 

So to answer your question in general, yes, it's a good bait. But, if you could provide a few more details, as to river location and bank is boat, I'm sure guys on here could help you dial in your presentation a tad better

 

My personal best river lures are simple, Red craw or fire tiger crankbait, usually a squarebill of some type

Double Colorado Spinnerbait, Gold blades, white skirt

Topwater Propbaits, either white or black.

and My go to is Flipping a Creature bait. Lately it's a baby brush hog with a pegged punch skirt ?

[Scott F]

Rivers can be MUCH easier and they can be much harder. Too many variables to make a blanket statement. The main difference in fishing is the current. For me, I like shallow rivers where the fish are shallow all year long. 

Most lures will work in rivers but because of the current, baits like crankbaits won’t always work the same. Before I go any farther, just what kind of river do you plan on fishing?

[MartinTheFisherman]

@Scott F @NittyGrittyBoy 

 

I am trying to fish the Nashua River which typically has visibility of around 3-5 feet, the water normally has current and the depth is around 15 feet at max at certain places.  

 

Thanks Again

 

[Jleebesaw]

I feel like small rivers are tougher than lakes in general. I have a lot of time on the st lawrence and almost treat it like a windy lake because it's so big. I'm sure other big rivers are like that too. Fishing that particular river is pretty easy. I have a harder time in the smaller rivers around here. There are plenty of nice fish caught on them, but I have a bit of a struggle finding nice bass in them. I catch a lot of smaller bass. Other species seem easier in rivers to me though. Crappie and walleye especially. It's like anything with fishing though. So many variables. 

[Bluebasser86]

"River" fishing means way different things in different areas. To me, that's running up the river/creek feeding into a lake looking for largemouth. It's usually fishing lots of shallow, dirty water and there's rarely any current. Go south a few hours and river fishing is gravel/rock Ozark rivers with clear water filled with smallmouth and slow to heavy current. 

 

In my area, it's a seasonal thing. They don't winter in the rivers but using them heavily at certain times of the year. 

[Glaucus]

River fishing to me means fast current and river dams. At dams its a squarebill, elsewhere it's a Ned Rig or bitsy bug jig or topwater, for smallmouth.