Help when fishing a shallow creek?

[ChrisW]

As you can see, I am new to the board but this is a great site.  I was hoping people could help me.  I am an avid LM fisherman but lately I have been going for smallies in rivers and creeks.  I have not been using a boat.  Wading in the creeks is something I like.  I tend to use senkos when fishing the shallow creek I have been fishing.  I have been getting strikes from pretty small fish and I was wondering what baits are best to use for a shallow creek for smallies?  

I know some people will tell me fly fishing is a great way to go but for now, I am going to stick with a spinner.  Are senkos and other plastics the best way to go?  Also, what type of structures should I look for?  When fishing recently, I have been looking for deeper pools and also water just off of a current.  I understand the day to day weaher plays a big role as to what the fish will hit.  I am looking to get hits off some bigger fish.  I fish in Eatern Pa.  

I am at best a novice smallie fisherman, especially in creeks.  Would love to fish Lake Erie but it's just too far from me.  

I appreciate any help people can give me.  8-)

[BassKing813]

I'm not a smallie fisherman since they don't exist here in Florida, but based on what I have heard, I would try some crankbaits or spinnerbaits in a chartreuse or crawfish color, or you might want to try bouncing some grubs on a jighead on the bottom, or a spider grub. I think you should have some success if you try this. As far as where you're fishing in the creek, you sound right to me to find the deeper holes, but make sure you can find some rocks because I know smallies like that type of structure. Again, I have never fished for smallies, but I feel pretty confident in my answer to you based on what I have heard about smallmouth. If I am wrong, then one of the other more knowledgeable fisherman who know about smallies will point you in the right direction.

[fishinyank]

Youre on track with the spinners. I like to use Mepps Agilias, size 3 or 4 unskirted, in gold or silver. Cast them upstream and bring them back with the current past any current break, be it a large rock, log whatever. Undercut or steep banks with good current also produce. Latley however, Ive been slaying them with a green pumpkin w/ black flake Fat Ika (thanks to RoadWarrior) rigged weightless. Just cast upstream, let sink, and then have the current roll the Ika along the bottom. Whenever it stops, let it rest up to a minute, then gently lift your rod tip to free it from the bottom so it can keep on bouncing along. Ive been spankin them the past couple of weeks in the Susquehanna river and joining creeks. Thanks again RW!!! As far as the Ika as the Magic Bait.........I BELIEVE!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Norm]

I'm still so new to bass fishing that I feel lost on a lake, but I have pretty good luck in the creeks.  I use a Rebel Craw with good success, but lately I've been using a Smallie Beaver by Reaction Innovations.  It's a soft plastic craw that I rig weedless.  I've caught some really nice bass with it.  Look for the fast water, then find a nearby pool or area where the water is swirling.  That seems to be where I catch most of mine.

[ChrisW]

Thanks for the responses, I appreciate it.  The weedless crawfish sounds like a good plan.  

[56 crestliner]

i mostly fish small rivers for small mouths. i LIke to wade the whole area you plan on fishing find the deep spots and stucture and then hen the river gets low thats were the bass are especially in the middle of the day. but i also like the rebel craw but my main lure is an origanal floating rapala i like them in the silver and black.

[tfisherman]

Growing up in NC there was a shallow river behing my house I caught the larger smallies on 1/4oz. rattle traps and the smaller ones on grubs and craws!Any color will be just bounce it off the rocks.