Smallmouth in brackish waters

[BassChump]

I went on a camping trip on the Umpqua river in Oregon last weekend in search of smallmouth. This was the first time I've fished for smallies and I had a blast. Even the dinks were fun to catch. I just fished from the bank but on the way back I stopped at tidewaters and tossed a spiner (black Panther Martin) and my buddy was tossing live worms. We both caught fish.

Just down the road is a boat ramp so I'm thinking of taking my boat next time.

Is there anything I should know about fishing for smallies in tidal waters? This area is less than a mile from where the tides no longer effect the river and about 20 miles or so from the mouth of the river in Reedsport Oregon.

Anyway, I'm just looking for some advice on what to look for and what to throw? This time of year I'm assuming I'll be looking for deeper water??????

Water temps are warm, probably in the mid-70's.

[Dan:]

I've never heard of smallmouth in brackish water. I'd be interested to read any responses as well.

[BassChump]

Well, where I fished was just barely in tidal waters. Just below where the freshwater meets the tidal waters so it probably doesn't have much salt in it at all but yes, it was definately brackish waters.

I do catch LM in brackish waters all the time in a local river near me so I figured there must be smallmouth in the lower Umpqua as well.

We caught 3 in about 20 minutes so maybe I'm onto something. lol.

[Tin]

Some get very far south in the Connecticut River. I fish the same way for them as I always do on tidal rivers. I focus on rock jetties and break walls first thing in the morning with topwaters, and grass beds during low tide, bridge pillings if the bait is there, and drop-offs in front of marinas during the day. I will usually stay away from creeks such unless the water is really rushing in.

I like shallow diving bandit cranks, silver/white tubes, the drop-shot, spooks and poppers. River fishing = junk fishing most of the time.

[BassChump]

Gee, as it turns out, there are a lot of bass in brackish waters. At least there were for me today. My brother and I were fishing tidewaters and it was a blast. We lost count at 50. We were bringing them in all day on anything we threw.

I tied on an old bent up, rusty spinner bait that had the skirt missing. Nothing at all was on the hook so I stuck an old, torn up, dirty florescent green grub on there. My brother said that if I catch something on that piece of crap, he would eat a bug. Funny thing......... he had to eat 2 bugs. lol.

It was a great day. I found out there are SM to be found in brackish water, we caught tons of them, the weather was awesome and the boat ran perfectly.

It was a fun time for all.

So now we know.