Compensating for River Current

[Ellesar]

I'm probably gonna head back out to the Tennessee River again soon and I've wondered something when I've been out there in the past. At times the current is fairly strong which makes fishing difficult at times. Should I be compensating for the current? Are bass less likely to hit something going with the current or against it? I've wondered if I'm using something that looks like a minnow should it be worked with the current or against it? And what about things like jigs and worms. I've been trying to fish them by throwing them close to the shore and then slowly pulling them out. Once you get about 10-15 ft from the shore, there is a drop off of 20 or so feet. I've been trying to work the jig or worm down that slope, but often have problems because the current makes it hard for the bait to stay on the ground. Once I get a few feet from the shore the current starts ripping it down stream, which takes up the slack and keeps it from hitting the ground. Should I add more weight or use a heavier bait so that it falls faster?

Thanks for the advice!

[SnowBass23]

I have to admit to not having a ton of experience on rivers as big as the TN is so take my lack of any real 'know-how' with a grain of salt!  In my experience on any stream or river I have always done MUCH better by pulling my bait with the current.  For the most part your target is going to spend 95% of his time looking upstream because that is the way a fish stays suspended, by swimming into the current, rather than backing into it!  

I feel your pain in trying to get the bait down deep.  I generally do just like you said, and whenever possible I like to work structure/cover that is close to shore.  Generally, anytime there is something to break the current, then it will be a great spot to at least aim at.  Remember those fish will be right on the downstream side facing up, and just ready to slam into your unsuspecting bait as it moves past.  

Because of my own inexperience I try to keep lighter lures like plastics in the slower moving areas.  When it is areas with heavy current then I try crankbaits or spinnerbaits.  Spinnerbaits seem to be my go to bait for fast water; they are heavy enough to chuck out there, and because of the weight I can keep constant pressure on them even with current (usually!) .  Good luck, and hopefully this'll give you a couple ideas.

[MNGeorge]

We have fished the upper Mississippi for many years and while we don't have the depth of water you're talking about, my guess is some things are true regardless.  When we have fast current due to high water, we have been most successful concentrating our efforts near shore, looking for any current breaks no matter how small.  We have actually had some very good days in high water conditions.  We just keep moving and working shoreline pockets, flooded grass and/or timber, eddies and bottom ends of islands.

[roadwarrior]

I fish the Tennessee River almost every Saturday. Current is your friend, it is THE most important variable, period! Get away from the bank and fish structure, drifting your bait or lure with the current, always. Use enough weight to reach the bottom. That will be determined day-by-day, depending on water flow.

p.s. You are going to hang-up occasionally. If you don't, you are fishing in the wrong place!

8-)

[yossarian]

I don't have much exerience fishing for bass in rivers, but do spend a fair amount of time trout fishing in them.  One section of river that I fish, holds not only trout, but Shoal Bass and Striped Bass, as the water warms.  Although I have not caught a striper, I have caught shoal bass, and they seem to be in the same places as trout.

Those places being current breaks, eddys, pushwater and shoreline structure.

I only know this because I catch the occasional shoalie while trout fishing.  

As far as casting up stream or down stream, I do it both, but more often than not, I am casting cross stream, quartering the current.

This lets me keep pressure on the lure, allowing for a cross current / down current drift.  A lot of hits come on the sweep, where the current changes the lure presentation from primarily cross current to primarily up current.

I guess I would try to identify fishy spots and try to time the sweep so th lure swings through those spots.

[roadwarrior]

To follow-up,

When I fish a river, the key is boat control. Ideally, I want the boat and my bait/lure moving downriver at the same speed. The cast is across current and I am in effect, fishing "flat water", but even so, the lure is still moving downstream with the current.

8-)

[crazy4bass1]

welll i fish the ohio river regualrly

the part i fish is near a lock so the current is usually swift

My favorite rig

I tye on 2 snag proof jig heads( rock bottom)

i like them to be about a foot apart

then i put a 6 inch white swimbait on the top one

and a 3-4 inch twin tailed white grub on the other

I use white becus the water is muddy and it seems to work the best for me

I like to cast up stream and let the current take it downstream as my bait falls

then i jus bring my bait back to me

seems like i get alot of my hits when im letting my bait flow downstream and while its dropping

I dno if this if what works for you guys but its worked for me for awhile

[Crestliner2008]

Just a follow up to what rw said. I slip a river. I put the boat in forward gear with the bow upstream and slide back just a bit slower than the current itself. This gives me great boat control and I can present my jig in a natural downstream direction and not having to worry about using a 1 oz. jig (some folks advocate this in current). Nothing wrong with heavy jigs mind you; I just have had better luck with the lighter stuff while slipping. Just another way of poking the pig.