Tips for Creek Fishing? I have questions and discussions?

[TennesseeBASSALLDAY]

   I've gotten into fishing almost everyday this year, atleast 3-4 days a week. Right now I'm just fishing the local creeks which produce some healthy smallies, red eyes (rock bass) and gar. I'm located in Middle TN. I usually use a Texas Rigged Craw, or 3" grub on 1/8 head. I've also had luck with Texas Rigged ribbon tails. Are there any things I should know about the behavior of bass in creeks? Any specific baits? Rigs? Techniques?

 

[Scott F]

Are you wading or floating? If you are fishing during the summer, look for spots on the creeks where the current is moving. Slow or still water can hold some fish but if it’s near fast water, there is a much better chance you will have some action. If you are floating and get to slower, deeper sections, don’t spend a lot of time. When you get to the riffles, that’s where you want to stop and cover water thoroughly. Fish the “push” water right above the riffle, the shallow, fast water and any deeper water close to the fast current.  Jigs and cranks will get hung up a lot in these areas so if you fish those, you’ll waste a lot of time trying to get them back or retying. Walking through the spot to get your bait back will spook anything hanging out there. Unweighted senko type baits fished T rigged won’t hang up much. In-line spinners retrieved quickly will cover a lot of water and will catch anything that swims there. The shape of the plastic bait is almost irrelevant. Getting it in the right spot is what matters.

[Smells like fish]

AC Shiner model 250 in perch, sunfish and thrown on 6 lb line. This lure is wonderful for what you’re doing should you get bored with soft plastics. 

[Kenny Yi]

I like to throw in "still" water that is behind rocks and around fast water (I believe it's called an eddy).  Grubs and ultralight dropshots are my creek fishing go-tos, from panfish to smallmouth

[schplurg]

My creeks are pretty shallow.

 

Cast next to cover, on mats, next to cover, and sometimes next to cover   Also deeper areas. Also shaded areas are good. 

 

I caught the same fish 3 times in 10 months in the same exact spot. I don't know if they migrate or not. Some probably do.

 

[king fisher]

Bait Monkey does not like creeks.  One spinning rod and reel, a few  #3 Mepps or Vibrax,and a couple original floating Rapala minnow's is all you need.  Throw in a few buck tail jigs if there are some slow deep holes.

[jimanchower]

My creeks are muddier than yours up in TN (well, maybe not this week), but I really like a weedless Ned rig for bottom-contact and a 3/16oz Booyah Pond Magic spinnerbait. The latter is $2.99 at Academy so if you lose a couple to rocks or laydowns you're not too heartbroken.

 

Scott F's advice is pretty spot on in terms of how to actually fish it.

[PotatoLake]

Here’s a little bait I’ve been playing around with. Been catching the tar out of them. The price is a little steep, but they give you a ton of them in the package.

 

https://www.tacklewarehouse.com/catpage-TACKHD.html?from=basres

 

Creek fish cannot pass up hellgrammites. 

[TnRiver46]

Hopefully your creek did not get blown away. I like grubs on a jig head In places like that

[Cgolf]

My favorites are a yum crawbug on a slider spider head with the 2/0 hook and weight that allows it to bounce off rocks but not snag up hard every cast. Other baits are the bandit 100, rebel teeny wee craw, and of course a ned rig. A sleeper bait on the Ned rig for me has been dropshot worms like the missile baits bombshot and the big bite smallie smasher. The smallie smasher on the ned got me a 20" smallie this year. Always judge the weight of jig by the current, you want to bounce off the rocks with the occasional snag you can pop free most of the time. if you break off the jig every 10-20 casts on the bottom you are too heavy.