Tips for Fishing in Current

[ajschn06]

So I'm right on the mighty Mississippi, but I usually frequent some smaller lakes near me because I'm not familiar with a lot of the backwater areas and current can be a pain.  Wanting to branch out more, any recommendations for fishing in current- even as I get off the main channel here it can be pretty strong in areas.  I did a brief scouting trip yesterday and found TONS of great looking areas that I'm embarrassed I haven't looked at more before.

 

I figured I'd throw the trolling motor down and go into the current and cast upriver towards the bank and start my retrieve from there.  One thing I'm (pretty) certain of is that I don't want to be dragging the lure against the current?  But it seems like it would be hard to get proper action on a lot of things going directly with the current.  This is new to me and I want to be successful- any thoughts are appreciated...

[scaleface]

I fished the Mississippi quite a bit  years ago but I imagine its a lot different here than where you are located . I mostly fished rock and backwater areas . Wing dams were good as well as rip rap banks .Cast  upstream and bring the lure down with the current as much as possible . That does  require a faster retrieve . If there are wing dams with breaks in them , those are good spots .When fishing rock I mostly used spinnerbaits and crankbaits . I like the Bomber Flat A with the long lip in chartreuse . Backwater areas , I treated a lot like a lake but still fished with the current  if there was any.  

[ajschn06]

2 minutes ago, scaleface said:

I fished the Mississippi quite a bit  years ago but I imagine its a lot different here than where you are located . I mostly fished rock and backwater areas . Wing dams were good as well as rip rap banks .Cast  upstream and bring the lure down with the current as much as possible . That does  require a faster retrieve . If there are wing dams with breaks in them , those are good spots .When fishing rock I mostly used spinnerbaits and crankbaits . I like the Bomber Flat A with the long lip in chartreuse . Backwater areas , I treated a lot like a lake but still fished with the current  if there was any.  

I'm not sure how many wingdams I'll encounter most of them are out in the main channel- I'll be staying in the backwaters as much as possible.... lots of laydowns, small coves, and mats... the backwaters where I am are a maze its pretty crazy.  So much to explore back there...

[TnRiver46]

Use tube jigs, bring lots of extra tube jigs, and charge your trolling batteries 

[jimmyjoe]

   Good advice from all.

   I fish Pool 19. In the backwaters that are open to shearwater, a spinnerbait is my first lure, and a spoon is my second. Only in the bottlenecked backwaters would I use a soft plastic or topwater.

   Wingdams are a pain. I use a floater-diver with reasonable success. The bad thing is that rapidly changing water levels can play hell with your choice of which one to  use.

   With your description of the backwaters in your area, I'd say add a punching rig for the mats.

   Good luck!       jj

[scaleface]

15 hours ago, jimmyjoe said:

Wingdams are a pain

Pools 22 and 24 , There is no 23 , have  dikes that are  above the water , those are easy and productive .

[Bankbeater]

Make sure you have an anchor heavy enough to hold the boat and not drag in the current.  Also in the river I would make sure I have my life jacket.

[schplurg]

Depending on the bait (say T-rigged) I try throwing on a slightly heavier weight. It sorta counter-acts the current a little. Gets down quicker, drifts slower.

 

I also will use baits that I think do well in that situation, like wacky rig. They sink super slow in current though when unweighted, but I let it drift with maybe a tug here and there.

 

Maybe if you use crank baits you could try a deeper one so you can reel it in slower to get to the desired depth. Never tried it though.

 

I'm still pretty new so my 2 cents worth.

[GReb]

Glenn put out a video recently about current that was very good. You should check it out

[gall]

Agree wtb everyone else I look for the slack water and seams and other things and will cast up stream and drift it into those areas. Also don't count out a light weight wacky rig. Drifting it seems to get crushed along with weightless stick baits. Also can't go wrong with tubes and spinner baits. At least in the river and creeks I fish those are my go to tactics 

[Mbirdsley]

I’ve never fished the Mississippi River.  However, I have been fishing the Tittabawassee and Saginaw a lot the last 3 years These are fairly deep and wide ( the Saginaw gets freighter traffic 3 miles downriver from where I was at today) Throw up stream and use a heavier weight  that what you think you should be throwing.  Even In the slack areas there is some current.  Black and blue has been the go-to color.  Tubes are also a good choice 

[John O]

I fish the St. Johns River here in Fla. The river has a heavy northern flow. I throw heavy up current and let the current bring it back down to just past the boat. I'd also say Black and Blue are my go to colors in this heavy current....