Any smallies near Gettysburg?

[Bassn Blvd]

Two things I've always wanted to do is visit Gettysburg and catch a Smally.  I'm in S.Florida which is good for L/M and Peacocks but as yall know, no smallies.  Is there any place near Gettysburg to fish for smallies or any members in that area that would like to take me.  I'll have the wife with me but she can stay in the hotel room while I fish. She don't fish and will hate being left in the room but she'll forgive me.  When would be a good time of the year to do both?  Does it have to be in the summer? I'm tired of the heat and never seen snow.  Thanks.

[baitblitz]

Yes! 50 or 60 miles north is Harrisburg. I'm sure you've heard of the Susquehanna river. If you have not - just to let you know it's the Beast of the East for Smallies. Their are better Smallmouth lakes in the North east but not many better rivers than the Susky in my opinion. Fish anywhere north of Harrisburg. Towns of interest to target - Marysville area Duncannon area and all over in between. Here's the deal! Spring -summer and Fall are the best, I'm not sure about the winter but some say it can be good. Bring waders with a felt bottom boot if your going to wade. But check river levels before you wade(you can die in this river like any other river if it's high) Call Blue mountain outfitters in Marysville before you go and ask them the river conditions. If it's Muddy and High - stay away - If stable and clear, Fish Hard. You can rent a Kayak from Blue Mountain for the day and they have a shuttle service that will take you to Duncannon and you float back to the shop in Marysville. Or just bring your waders and a map and look for spots to pull off and fish on highway11/15.  This is a big wide river and relatively shallow if the water is low but if a good storm hits it can blow up quick. Google as much info on this river as you can before you go it's a big area. But Smallies run down the whole thing. I would stick to warmer weather in this area to up your chances. Blue Mountain has a river gauge on their site- you want that river to be around 4 to 6 feet on the gauge, if higher than 6 stay away. I have no affiliation with Blue Mountain outfitters but they have treated us well over the years.  Tackle - Yum craw papi in watermelon red flake on a Charlie brewer slider head is a stone cold mortal lock - Zoom super Fluke in baby bass color on a Gami G lock hook for a horizontal presen - If they do not touch a ripped in super fluke go low and slow. Any small plastics in pumkinseed watermellon green will catch - use light line if clear go Fluoro leader maybe in 10lb use 8lb running line in green- Long cast if clear.  Good luck, BaitBlitz

[Bassn Blvd]

Thank you for your time.  Greatly appreciated.

[fishnaddiction]

and just north west of gettysburg is the raystown lake which holds a good many smallies along with the feeder river the raystown branch of the junita river             if you want contact me next summer if you want to fish the river together i know it pretty good o and as far as the heat  the bite is best in june  but the heat isnt too bad  mostly because you are wading the river   any questions just PM me   thanks later