Creekin' for Smallies

[Captain Rhino]

A friend told me about a local creek with lots of smallmouth in it. Usually fishing in ponds, I mostly know how to fish for largemouth in stationary water. Does anyone have any tips for fishing smallies in shallow, moving creek waters? Any tips would be helpful.

Thanks,

Capt.

[roadwarrior]

Focus on current breaks, transition, boulders, ledges and holes.

Fish cross-stream or up-stream, bringing your lure to you with the current.

8-)

[Captain Rhino]

Should i be fishing the bottom? Or do you think topwater would be the better way to go?

[roadwarrior]

Both, but you will lose a lot of grubs or anything else you're fishing on the bottom

with an exposed hook. You might try a tube, T-rigged, weedless. You will still

hang-up, but not as much.

Topwater suggestions: Sammy, Spook, Chug Bug, Smithwick Floating Rogue and Floating Rapala. I think the Rapala X-Rap or Husky Jerk are other excellent choices, but you will probably lose them to the creek.

8-)

[bassnleo]

In addition ot what RW already said, super flukes or senko style baits rigged weightless are also good in streams.

[Captain Rhino]

In addition ot what RW already said, super flukes or senko style baits rigged weightless are also good in streams.

I have lots of senkos and other soft plastics, what size should I use though? I was thinking 4" would be good for this type of light tackle fishing.

[dacrawdaddy]

4" stick worm has been the best for me. Don't stick to topwater baits too long. If the bass are hitting on top you will know it pretty quick. A strike king bitsy flip jig rigged with a netbait tiny paca chunk (brown and green)is my #1 bait for stream smallies. I would also like to share a tactic that works great in the heat of summer. Retrieve a 3 or 4 inch grub very fast just above riffle areas, the speed seems to turn on otherwise inactive bass. Undercut banks will usually hold the biggest bass in a small stream so keep an eye out for them. One very important thing to keep in mind when fishing small streams is to wear camo clothing and to creep along like you're hunting instead of fishing, this will help prevent spooking the bigger bass which are more wary. Hope this helps.  

[riverfisher]

Top water, shallow cranks, flukes throw everything you got at'em and believe it or not my Uncle wacky rigs gummy worms and they are deadly. On the creek I fish (Schoharie Creek Upstate NY) in the deep pools it also has walleye, Ill slowroll small spinner baits for them but have hit them in the current on everything else iv thrown. Creek Smallies are alot of fun!!

[basspimple]

i use eakins jigs with an eakins craw with great success. the number one all time producer i believe is the 3 inch grub. rigged on an exposed jighead, its deadly.