shallow smalies

[tlubeck]

I fish a river in my city thats more like a stream I was just wondering what types of baits would you use in a shallower type water

[roadwarrior]

Welcome aboard!

GYGB Fat Ika, Hula Grub, grub, 3 1/2" tube, Zara Spook, Lucky Craft Sammy & Pointer 65 or 100 and Rapala X-Rap or Husky Jerk.

[riverfisher]

When creek fishing for smb I tend to down size my lures and also I will use stuff I trout fish with. Inline spinners, Panther Martins, small top water plugs, small spinner baits.Ill also wacky rig worms and float them down the stream. Just try everything you have,work the fast water the slow water and everything that looks fishy inbetween. I have a uncle that gets a kick out of catching slobs with gummy worms why you ask I dont know but they do work. Main thing is just get out have fun and take lots of pictures.

[farmpond1]

Rebel crawdads, panther martin spinners, small x-raps, deer hair jigs, 1/4 ounce spinnerbaits.

[Tin]

Jerkbaits, inline spinners, tubes and jigs always do the trick

[Tokyo Tony]

Can't go wrong with the 3" Powerbait Minnows on a 1/8 jighead.  They're great for both trout and smallies.

[smallfry]

All the above will work.  For small rivers/streams I'd add one more.  If the water gets muddy try throwing an ultralight bomber fat A in a dark brown color into eddies...  

[tlubeck]

thanks alot guys ill try it all

[HesterIsGod]

Smalies in shallow rivers tend to be spookier so i'd go with lighter line and finesse baits. But if they dont get any fishing pressure ignore that and go with more aggresive baits. Just remember, fish in small shallow rivers take a long time to grow, so handle them carefully and always catch and release.

Good luck

[Mobydick]

From what you said, it sounds like your fishing a body of water like the one I regularly fish. I 100% agree with TubeBaitKing about light line and finesse lures. I found that tubes, wooly hawgtails, and 4 inch lizards work well in the summer. A lot of times you can catch them on just a 2 inch chunk of any worm. About this time of the year where I am at, I am using My homemade bucktail jigs, jerkbaits      ( both hard and soft), traps and crankbaits. I have noticed that the smallies in large streams are very fragile, I always release them as soon as I can. Have fun!

[AnglerNFuego]

I fish a stream near my house and have been catching them on Storm Wiggle Wart crawdad near the deep pockets.  In the shallow area jerkbaits and tubes.

[fishnaddiction]

i fish for smallies all the time in small creeks  my best bait would be a tube on a jighead and throw it to bolders and undercut rocks      in more open water  try a fluke    also a 5in powerworm works pretty good season round   powerbeast is a good spring and early summer pattern  for any others just PM  me   i have a pile of ideas that might work for you i just need to know about some of the cover in your area    

[NJBassDevil3254]

3-5" Case Plastics Soft Jerkbait. We have 75 fish days on the river with these things. Just nose hook them and start jerking. Best in June and July!

[maxke01]

RW whats the best way to rig a fat ika?

[Joel W]

Early spring I like throwing a #8 X Rap in real shallow water, once I move out to water deeper then 6-8 ft I switch over to #10 X Rap.