When in summer pattern, do you think mature river smallmouth are almost exclusively concentrated in or near the current seams (shallow or deep) or do you think they roam some?

[Ohioguy25]

I have found outside of the first and last hour of the day during the dog days of summer, they are typically positioned in very predictable locations due to the low oxygen content. Most notably I seem to find them in moderate, deeper (3-5’) current or laminar flow behind boulders picking off forage, where I typically have to finesse them but occasionally can pry them off the bottom with a deep crank or jackhammer.

 

However, I am wondering if I am missing potentially big bites by skipping the slower moving areas near these prime targets like undercut banks, weedlines & shallow flats left and right of the “line” down the middle where the river channel and current seam are.
 

I’ve just had the importance of current this time of year drilled into my head so much that I skip most of that water unless it’s completely overcast, and even then I’m skeptical they stray from this pattern. What do you think?

[Susky River Rat]

It’s never a bad idea to throw into an eddy or on a weed line or any other potentially fishy looking area. I don’t care if it’s winter, summer or anywhere in between. You can learn a lot by this. Sometimes an area turns on at a certain water level but, outside if that isn’t really worth it. That’s the joys of river fishing. It doesn’t ever have to make sense to us just the fish.

[Ohioguy25]

2 minutes ago, Susky River Rat said:

It’s never a bad idea to throw into an eddy or on a weed line or any other potentially fishy looking area. I don’t care if it’s winter, summer or anywhere in between. You can learn a lot by this. Sometimes an area turns on at a certain water level but, outside if that isn’t really worth it. That’s the joys of river fishing. It doesn’t ever have to make sense to us just the fish.

Great point 

[TnRiver46]

Roam. 

[Scott F]

Because I mostly float rivers, there is often stretches between prime spots where the depth and current create high percentage spots. I don’t pass by the low percentage areas without casting. I’ll often find “sleeper” spots that don’t fit the ideal. Some of the rivers have rock ledges that run parallel to the shoreline. Fish often hold close to that drop off. The water on the surface doesn’t give any indication what lies below. You might float right past and never know it’s there. Weed beds for me aren’t easy to fish but often hold bass. I never pass by overhanging tees and shade lines. Some days the high percentage spots don’t produce so you need to know where else they might be. 

[Ohioguy25]

On 8/19/2024 at 8:26 AM, Scott F said:

Because I mostly float rivers, there is often stretches between prime spots where the depth and current create high percentage spots. I don’t pass by the low percentage areas without casting. I’ll often find “sleeper” spots that don’t fit the ideal. Some of the rivers have rock ledges that run parallel to the shoreline. Fish often hold close to that drop off. The water on the surface doesn’t give any indication what lies below. You might float right past and never know it’s there. Weed beds for me aren’t easy to fish but often hold bass. I never pass by overhanging tees and shade lines. Some days the high percentage spots don’t produce so you need to know where else they might be. 

How important is oxygen content and how low does it get in 80 degree water with little flow?

[JacobB006]

In my system, I personally believe they roam around. Of course yours might be different. You might be surprised how shallow a 20"+ smallmouth might lay midday. Shaded banks are at least worth a gander.

[whoopbass]

On the rivers I fish I find most of my bigger smallmouth on shallow shaded banks. If you can find a bank that is shaded most of the day I have found that as long as there is enough water to cover their gills and a current break they'll be there. The current break could be a laydown or in laminar flow it could be a stone that is just a little larger than the rest. 

 

[Ohioguy25]

10 hours ago, whoopbass said:

On the rivers I fish I find most of my bigger smallmouth on shallow shaded banks. If you can find a bank that is shaded most of the day I have found that as long as there is enough water to cover their gills and a current break they'll be there. The current break could be a laydown or in laminar flow it could be a stone that is just a little larger than the rest. 

 

Interesting, so you think the cooler water temps take precedence over oxygen content? That’s what I’ve been trying to figure out.

[bowhunter63]

Following bait. Roam 

[whoopbass]

8 hours ago, Ohioguy25 said:

Interesting, so you think the cooler water temps take precedence over oxygen content? That’s what I’ve been trying to figure out.

I believe the cooler water temps hold more dissolved oxygen. Plus the overhanging branches providing the shade also provide cover from predatory birds.