River Kayak Smallmouth Fishing

[EliHarris___]

So in the next couple weeks, I'm looking to purchase a Fishing Kayak to take to the Huron River to catch some summer Smallies. I'm looking for tips on Kayaks and on baits/ lures to use, and things to look for in a fishing kayak before i buy one. 

I waded part of the river today using a 1/4 oz rooster tail, i got like 20 large Rock Bass, and only one 1.5 lb smallmouth. not satisfied with those results and want tips to catch more smallmouth regarding what to use. Im starting to resent rock bass, no mater where I go, I catch a million of em

[CountryboyinDC]

I've never been on the Huron, but it is supposed to be a slow moving river.  I would say it depends on your skill, but I would want something that paddled fairly well more than something that maneuvered well.  There are a lot of choices, but something like a Wilderness Systems Tarpon (12'), Ocean Kayak Trident (13') or Old Town Predator (13').would be at the top of my list.  I'm also hearing good things about the Crescent Light Tackle, which I've seen but not paddled.

An online spinner is a favorite of many; I use Mepps Aguilas and Blue Fox Vibraxs on occasion.  I would say that soft plastics are generally the best baits in the warmer months.  There are a lot of them to choose from, so if everyone seems to be using the same colored Case stickworm, that's probably a good one.

Whatever you do, get a PFD and wear it.  I see posts about folks drowning all the time, and unless it was them taking the wrong line at Great Falls, it's almost always because they didn't wear their their PFD.

 

[Black Hawk Basser]

I dont know anything about the Huron, but I catch loads of smallmouth bass on small crankbaits.  They're what I use most of the time.  Small plastics rigged in a variety of ways would be my next choice. I like small stickworms and tubes.

[drakesndrum]

I usually have three(3) rods with me when I hit the rivers around here for smallies.  One spinning outfit(M or ML) rigged with a 2/0 EWG hook, weightless, and I'll swap out 5" senkos and 5" flukes, depending on what they want.  Flukes usually get bigger bites for me.  Next up is a baitcaster with a spinnerbait, and then a second baitcaster that I'll swap out a crankbait and topwater, depending on time of year.  Hard to beat a Rapala DT6 in a crawfish pattern ticking off the bottom.  For topwater it's usually a WP or Choppo 90, and then a 3.5" spook.

 

Been fishing out of a Seaghost 110 for a while now, great river boat.  Not the best to stand and fish out of however.  Just upgraded to a Bonafide SS127, but haven't gotten it out on the rivers yet due to high water.  Good luck!

[NYWayfarer]

River Smallies love the Whopper Plopper. If you don't believe me watch NDYakAngler on YouTube.

 

Other than that I have much success with the Ned Rig, Squarebill Crankbaits and weightless worms.

 

I feel your Rock Bass pain. I have gotten it down to a half dozen for every Smallmouth I catch.

 

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[Djohn]

Senkos and tubes are always good for smallies. I Agree with the previous post about a W.S. Tarpon

[Obi_Wan]

I only river fish out of my kayak.  I have a Pelican Catch 100.  I only take 1 or 2 rods with me when I go because they are small rivers and some rapids run under low hanging tree branches and some rapids require some needle threading and hard paddling.  I don’t want to manage multiple rods in all that.  Last trip I caught most of mine on a blue/black micro chatterbait.  Another river I fish, they seem to like chartreuse better.  I catch most of them on a Zoom Fat Albert in chartreuse/black flake or brown with chartreuse tail.  1/8 oz head when the river is running hard keeps the bait down.  

[HookInMouth]

I'm predominantly a shallow river smallie kayak fisherman. 

 

I'm in a Bonafide SS127 right now. Excellent choice but I don't really know your budget. My recommendation is to not overlook comfort. Make sure you get a seat you want to sit in for the better part of a day. 

 

I have had the most luck with the Berkley Choppo 90 which is basically a whopper plopper. I tied that on one rod and have a NED rig on another to start each trip. If I can't get them to bit topwater that Choppo usually becomes a Picasso Shokblade Pro with a rage baby bug trailer. 

[kayaking_kev]

I find that just about anything I throw for smallies, the Rock Bass will smash it also. I even threw a 1/4 oz frog once because the smallies were having problems with the 1/2 oz and ended up catching a rock bass instead.

[Jleebesaw]

Im a little off topic here, but a young kid just broke the new york state record for rock bass at 14.5" and 2lbs. A friend of mine claims he has caught many bigger than that and has set his mind to going after a state record rock bass! Just thiught you'd get a chuckle out of that.

[MIbassyaker]

I have been fishing out of a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 100 for a number of years now. It's perfect for rivers, as it's very maneuverable.  I have upgraded to a Lure 11.5 for lakes, but still use the tarpon on rivers.

 

I don't think there is a way to target Smallmouth without catching rock bass. Or if there is, I haven't found it.

 

I'm sure I've caught more river smallies on 4" curly-tail grubs or stick worms than anything else.

 

The Whopper Plopper 75 and 90 are excellent choice for topwater especially for larger fish (although I still can't keep rock bass off them). But sometimes they want a more stationary topwater, like a popper, or split the difference with a propbait like the Tiny Torpedo.

 

Don't overlook floating minnow crankbaits, in-line spinners, or 4" worms on a slider head.

 

There is an excellent book worth tracking down called River Smallmouth Fishing by Tim Holschlag. Very comprehensive.

 

 

[Drew03cmc]

I prefer a small walking bait like a Sammy 85 or a small super shallow crankbait, 2 feet or less. 

[king fisher]

When I fish lakes, and large rivers, I take the Bait Monkey and his whole family with me.  When I fish small rivers and creeks I bring one spinning rod, one fly rod, inline spinners ( # 3 french blade), original floating Rapala's ( size 7-11), and black hair jigs (1/8 - 1/4 oz).  For flies I use mostly woolly buggers, bunny bugs, and mice.  Any Kayak that will safely get down the river will work fine.