Best baits for river fishing this winter? Favorite Craw?

[Blue Raider Bob]

Went to Tennessee River yesterday below Nickajack dam and the fishing was very, very slow for me. Water temp 52 deg and water clarity excellent. Could not get a bite on the TRD Neds and only a couple small Spots on the #5 Shad Rap. About to go home when I changed my TRD for a Zoom Speedcraw and caught a 3lb 9 oz Smallie on 1st cast. Caught two more small spots right after that then nothing more. What are you guys favorite Craws and what may work better this time of year in current? BTW the current is from 1 to 2 MPH depending on where you are on the river.

Thanks

[Finessegenics]

I don’t know anything about the TN River but my guess would be that you were using the right stuff, just not in the right area.

 

Are there areas of the river with less current? Traditionally, people say that smallmouth will avoid heavy current in cold temps but I’m not sure if that applies everywhere. And 52 is not THAT cold, relatively speaking. Still, I remember the elite series event this past year on the tennesse river. All I know was it was cold, and Gussy won the tournament fishing right in the middle of some serious current.
 

Not sure if this helps but hopefully it gets you thinking! 

[bowhunter63]

Float and fly or a hair jig. Favorite craw for cold water is a Rage DB craw or Berkley the champ craw . 

[PaulVE64]

Pit boss jr

Sweet beaver

Menace grub

[TnRiver46]

The river is flowing very slowly right now , it spreads the fish out. I don’t use the TRD because everyone else does , they probably forgot about the speed craw and chomped it haha. Raging water with flood gates and murky conditions seems to put them in predictable spots. Right now the water is slow and clear so they can just be anywhere. Granted that’s how I like it, I’m a 6 lb test kind of fisherman most of the time 

[Bird]

19 minutes ago, TnRiver46 said:

 I’m a 6 lb test kind of fisherman most of the time 

Ahhh, the cats out of the bag. ?

[Spankey]

Don’t overlook a 3” grub or tube. I understand about the craw info you need. But as a change up to the craw when needed a tube or grub will sometime produce. Good fishing. 

[ironbjorn]

On 12/13/2021 at 8:38 PM, TnRiver46 said:

The river is flowing very slowly right now , it spreads the fish out. I don’t use the TRD because everyone else does , they probably forgot about the speed craw and chomped it haha. Raging water with flood gates and murky conditions seems to put them in predictable spots. Right now the water is slow and clear so they can just be anywhere. Granted that’s how I like it, I’m a 6 lb test kind of fisherman most of the time 

It really doesn't matter with the Ned. They'll eat it regardless.

[Finessegenics]

On 12/13/2021 at 8:38 PM, TnRiver46 said:

The river is flowing very slowly right now , it spreads the fish out. I don’t use the TRD because everyone else does , they probably forgot about the speed craw and chomped it haha. Raging water with flood gates and murky conditions seems to put them in predictable spots. Right now the water is slow and clear so they can just be anywhere. Granted that’s how I like it, I’m a 6 lb test kind of fisherman most of the time 

 

8 minutes ago, ironbjorn said:

It really doesn't matter with the Ned. They'll eat it regardless.

I agree that fish never seem to get tired of a classic TRD but I suppose fishing pressure could change its effectiveness. 
 

I throw a TRD a lot and they actually seem to hit it a lot harder compared to traditional plastics with more salt. I don’t know if it’s the rate of fall, or the buoyancy adds to the natural glide but it’s really something special. 

[Blue Raider Bob]

13 hours ago, Finessegenics said:

 

I agree that fish never seem to get tired of a classic TRD but I suppose fishing pressure could change its effectiveness. 
 

I throw a TRD a lot and they actually seem to hit it a lot harder compared to traditional plastics with more salt. I don’t know if it’s the rate of fall, or the buoyancy adds to the natural glide but it’s really something special. 

You guys are right on about the Ned. Usually catch several but last Sunday was a no go. There is not much fishing pressure below Nickajack compared to other area bodies of water on the Tennessee River. Don't know why they bit the craw better, could just be chance? Anyway I'll try it again Saturday if the weather allows. Appreciate all the input! 

[TnRiver46]

13 hours ago, ironbjorn said:

It really doesn't matter with the Ned. They'll eat it regardless.

I’ve put a whooping on the ned boys plenty of times, and they’ve got me a few times. There are plenty of days where they won’t eat certain baits, even the almighty half worm 

13 hours ago, Finessegenics said:

 

I agree that fish never seem to get tired of a classic TRD but I suppose fishing pressure could change its effectiveness. 
 

I throw a TRD a lot and they actually seem to hit it a lot harder compared to traditional plastics with more salt. I don’t know if it’s the rate of fall, or the buoyancy adds to the natural glide but it’s really something special. 

My buddy is obsessed with which jighead makes the TRD stand up. He tired tons, couldn’t figure it out. Then he took an 8 pack of TRD and put them into the sink with no hook, half floated half sank 

[T-Billy]

On 12/14/2021 at 10:44 AM, Spankey said:

Don’t overlook a 3” grub or tube. I understand about the craw info you need. But as a change up to the craw when needed a tube or grub will sometime produce. Good fishing. 

Beat me to it. Two of the very best for river smallies in clear conditions.

[roadwarrior]

Menace

 

[king fisher]

You might give a #3 inline spinner a try.  Inline spinners often go well together and only takes a few cats to determine if they are going to work.

[Basser2021]

If I were you I would stick with that zoom craw that gave you confidence. If you don't have confidence while fishing, you might as well not even go. Congrats on the big smallie by the way. A smallie that size in my area is something to brag about. Good catch and Good luck!

[flyfisher]

cold water river fishing for me is more about location than the bait itself.  The times I figure them out and where they are it doesn't matter what I throw as long as it sits in front of them long enough.  

[Drew03cmc]

52 degree water, I am throwing Rk Crawlers and spinnerbaits. 48 and under we can talk about cold water, but will move to more of a jerk bait or fluke alternating with a soft craw or 3.5" swimbait on a jighead. 

[OldManLure]

Yum Christie Craw Bama Magic (roll tide ) and Green Pumpkin …both naked and as jig trailers.  Both caught fish in 43* clear water on a couple trips to the Potomac.

[Sphynx]

Tubes are very productive for me when nothing else seems to work, pick your sizes based on the current, in the situation you described I'd probably go pretty light, I have done exceedingly well with a Dry Creek Double Dip in the Columbia Craw color, I like to pair them with the Bite Me flat eye head, 5/16 is probably my most used size, had several days where I'd be well into double digits of fish caught in under an hour with that combination.

 

Other favorites are Sweet Beaver, Pacca Chunk's, Smallie Beaver, and I also use Vilecraws/Vilebugs, but typically those last two don't produce as well for me in the cold water.

[flyfisher]

Just got my order in from confidence baits.net

 

https://confidencebaits.3dcartstores.com/Finesse-Jig-n-Craw-Mini-Kit-Riverbottom-Red-Flake-color-316th-oz-_p_74.html

 

these have been a goto for me in winter and all year really.  The draggin' heads are pretty solid as well and rarely get hung up.

[roadwarrior]

Rage Menace

 

[JWall14]

Ned Rig is king!

[ajschn06]

On 12/15/2021 at 9:28 AM, TnRiver46 said:

I’ve put a whooping on the ned boys plenty of times, and they’ve got me a few times. There are plenty of days where they won’t eat certain baits, even the almighty half worm 

My buddy is obsessed with which jighead makes the TRD stand up. He tired tons, couldn’t figure it out. Then he took an 8 pack of TRD and put them into the sink with no hook, half floated half sank 

 

Sounds about right based on the 3 packs I've tested.... Outkast perfect ned is the head to use, provided you've got one of the TRD's that floats!

[TnRiver46]

1 hour ago, ajschn06 said:

 

Sounds about right based on the 3 packs I've tested.... Outkast perfect ned is the head to use, provided you've got one of the TRD's that floats!

I’ll just stick with finesse worms 

[T-Billy]

19 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

I’ll just stick with finesse worms 

Don't fix what ain't broke.