River Smallie Question

[KSanford33]

I have a stretch of river on the Mohawk where I can consistently catch 10-14" smallies in 8-10' of water. Would I find larger fish deeper or in a different stretch of river?

[Scott F]

You might find larger fish in shallower, deeper or a different stretch. There is no formula that fits every river especially large deep rivers like the one you are on. It depends on the river, where the forage is, current, or temp. Too many variables. Just keep fishing, trying new spots. 

[Reel]

Have you ever caught larger fish in that river ?

[KSanford33]

2 hours ago, Reel said:

Have you ever caught larger fish in that river ?

The occasional 15 incher, but nothing substantial. There was a bass tournament on it last month and there were several 18"+ caught, so I know they're in there.

[Scott F]

Get out there on a tournament day and observe where and how guys are fishing, especially the guys who are catching fish. 

[Jma1087]

Just from personal experience, the larger smallies I catch are closer to the bank. I don’t think there is a connection between the size of fish and the depth at which they are. I could be totally wrong though as I am quite new to river fishing. 

[RobA]

I caught a 20" smallmouth on a buzzbait less than 2 feet from the bank on the New River.  Surprised he was so close to the bank.

[gim]

Ya the depth doesn't seem to play that big of a role for river smallmouth when I'm doing it.  The one item that is required is current though.  Slow current is useless.  Swifter current with a big boulder mixed in or undercut banks near moderate current are places I look regularly.  Especially in the heat of summer, slow or minimal current has virtually no oxygen so its void of fish.  They need oxygen to survive so areas with moderate or heavier current will have this.

[flyfisher]

The one constant in river smallmouth fishing is there is no constant.  So many things factor in to smallmouth feeding and movement which is why time on the river is the best teacher. Water levels, temperature, CFS, clarity etc....all factor in and what works one day may not work on another.  

I am no expert but I have noticed that the spots small fish congregate won't hold bigger fish.  Bigger fish have the prime lies in a river system.  They didn't get large on accident.

[Spankey]

2 hours ago, Jma1087 said:

Just from personal experience, the larger smallies I catch are closer to the bank. I don’t think there is a connection between the size of fish and the depth at which they are. I could be totally wrong though as I am quite new to river fishing. 

Been on the river I fish a long time. Find this to be true for me. This is not to say I’ve never caught one in 13ft of water. Generally the deepest part of the channel or around bridge piling. 
 

Don’t know really anything about the OP’s river but it seems to be a great place to fish for smallies and greenies in the same areas. 

[A-Jay]

I am Not an experienced river smallie angler.

However this young man apparently is.

Besides being a BR member here for a long time @everythingthatswims

Nolan recently won the Hobie BOS on the Susquehanna River

using a floating bug.  Evergreen Gizmo

 

Interesting approach.

A-Jay

[flyfisher]

3 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

I am Not an experienced river smallie angler.

However this young man apparently is.

Besides being a BR member here for a long time @everythingthatswims

Nolan recently won the Hobie BOS on the Susquehanna River

using a floating bug.  Evergreen Gizmo

 

Interesting approach.

A-Jay

of course he did because he was paying homage to the Fly Fishing Legend Bob Clouser who lives and guides there   

I didn't know that is what he won it on by the way but cool stuff for sure...i might go up there next week after seeing this.  

[Fallser]

15 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Nolan recently won the Hobie BOS on the Susquehanna River

using a floating bug.  Evergreen Gizmo

I may have to see if I can tie a fly like that out of foam.  That's an all-purpose "bait"  It imitates at least three of the smallmouth's favorite meals, crayfish, dragonfly nymph and hellgrammite, particularly on the Susquehanna.