River smallys when river is 2-4 ft below normal level!

[ToledoEF]

The river I fish the maumee that feeds into lake erie  is very low right now! I think it has to do with the fact that in Indiana they have a portion dam'd off for bridge work! I think that and a lack of rain has really effected the bite! I was earlier slayin them. Now since the river is so low the bite has really suffered! Ill catch a couple and thats it! I was curious if anybody has any suggestions for fishing river when its super low! I know where some of the deeper points are, but it seems no matter what I throw I cant get em!

[SuskyDude]

Most guys are going to tell you find the deepest holes, blah, blah, blah.

I'm going to tell you to find the exact opposite. Get to the shallow fast water. Riffles and chutes not only provide food but something else that becomes scarce in a low warm river: dissloved oxygen.

Look for 1-2 feet of heavily riffled water. Often where a riffle dumps into a hole is the way to go. Some deeper water must be nearyby. If it looks "too fast", your in business. It could be a riffle the that's as wide as the river or a small chute between islands. Throw topwater.

This is probably the most exciting smallie fighing you can get. When you find the right riffles it's a complete circus. I've shown this pattern to a few guys that I fish with and they couldn't believe it.

Or, you could fish jigs in the deep holes....

[Dave T.]

I couldn't agree more with SuskyDude.

If you find some slightly slower pockets (like behind a boulder or slight drop off) in those fast runs... your in business.

[ToledoEF]

Most guys are going to tell you find the deepest holes, blah, blah, blah.

I'm going to tell you to find the exact opposite. Get to the shallow fast water. Riffles and chutes not only provide food but something else that becomes scarce in a low warm river: dissloved oxygen.

Look for 1-2 feet of heavily riffled water. Often where a riffle dumps into a hole is the way to go. Some deeper water must be nearyby. If it looks "too fast", your in business. It could be a riffle the that's as wide as the river or a small chute between islands. Throw topwater.

This is probably the most exciting smallie fighing you can get. When you find the right riffles it's a complete circus. I've shown this pattern to a few guys that I fish with and they couldn't believe it.

Or, you could fish jigs in the deep holes....

Ill give this a shot!

[smallieking]

SLOW DOWN! there micro craws on a light jighead. fish around current breaks. TARGET UNDERCUT ROCKS!!! smallies will go under em to keep out of the sun and since the water is constantly moving the shallow depths wont affect there activity much surprising. just be graceful and stealthy cuz these smallies will be very spooky and if they see you b4 they see the bait they will not bite.

[The Yankee Fist]

I couldn't agree more with SuskyDude.

If you find some slightly slower pockets (like behind a boulder or slight drop off) in those fast runs... your in business.

Ditto here. a jig floated naturally...letting the current take it and bouncing it along into these types of spots is deadly as well.

[Scorpio]

I agree with the Suskydude.  I fish for smallmouth as though I am fishing for trout when the water gets low.

[The Yankee Fist]

I agree with the Suskydude. I fish for smallmouth as though I am fishing for trout when the water gets low.

Ding! We have a winner! 8-)

[ToledoEF]

Well we just had a day long rain yesterday, gonna hit the river tomorrow I think it will be up a bit!

[SMfisher]

try night fishing with jitterbugs when the water is low and warm.

[ToledoEF]

Most guys are going to tell you find the deepest holes, blah, blah, blah.

I'm going to tell you to find the exact opposite. Get to the shallow fast water. Riffles and chutes not only provide food but something else that becomes scarce in a low warm river: dissloved oxygen.

Look for 1-2 feet of heavily riffled water. Often where a riffle dumps into a hole is the way to go. Some deeper water must be nearyby. If it looks "too fast", your in business. It could be a riffle the that's as wide as the river or a small chute between islands. Throw topwater.

This is probably the most exciting smallie fighing you can get. When you find the right riffles it's a complete circus. I've shown this pattern to a few guys that I fish with and they couldn't believe it.

Or, you could fish jigs in the deep holes....

Do you just let the topwater float over, or do you work it? Also what kind of retrieve slow or burn it?

[SuskyDude]

Most guys are going to tell you find the deepest holes, blah, blah, blah.

I'm going to tell you to find the exact opposite. Get to the shallow fast water. Riffles and chutes not only provide food but something else that becomes scarce in a low warm river: dissloved oxygen.

Look for 1-2 feet of heavily riffled water. Often where a riffle dumps into a hole is the way to go. Some deeper water must be nearyby. If it looks "too fast", your in business. It could be a riffle the that's as wide as the river or a small chute between islands. Throw topwater.

This is probably the most exciting smallie fighing you can get. When you find the right riffles it's a complete circus. I've shown this pattern to a few guys that I fish with and they couldn't believe it.

Or, you could fish jigs in the deep holes....

Do you just let the topwater float over, or do you work it? Also what kind of retrieve slow or burn it?

Fast and frantic!

Find a riffle, a spot in the river where it gets shallow and the water speeds up. Follow it to the end, where it starts to drop off from inches into a foot or two of water. The water should be moving very fast and should be very rippled. Cast across this and work your bait as the current sweeps it down....KABOOM! It might take you a little bit to find the sweet spot, but if they are there, you won't miss them.

I like to use poppers. Buzzbait will work, and are a little easier to use.

[iceintheveins]

I like areas of current with rocks or other objects that break the current. The heads of deep holes can be good too. Mornings and evenings fish much better as well. The topwater bite when it's cloudy or during low light can be viscious. I followed these tips on Colorado's Yampa River and couldn't keep the 1 - 3 pounders off. Once got four consecutive 2 plus pounders on four casts with a buzzbait this year.

[ToledoEF]

Most guys are going to tell you find the deepest holes, blah, blah, blah.

I'm going to tell you to find the exact opposite. Get to the shallow fast water. Riffles and chutes not only provide food but something else that becomes scarce in a low warm river: dissloved oxygen.

Look for 1-2 feet of heavily riffled water. Often where a riffle dumps into a hole is the way to go. Some deeper water must be nearyby. If it looks "too fast", your in business. It could be a riffle the that's as wide as the river or a small chute between islands. Throw topwater.

This is probably the most exciting smallie fighing you can get. When you find the right riffles it's a complete circus. I've shown this pattern to a few guys that I fish with and they couldn't believe it.

Or, you could fish jigs in the deep holes....

Do you just let the topwater float over, or do you work it? Also what kind of retrieve slow or burn it?

Fast and frantic!

Find a riffle, a spot in the river where it gets shallow and the water speeds up. Follow it to the end, where it starts to drop off from inches into a foot or two of water. The water should be moving very fast and should be very rippled. Cast across this and work your bait as the current sweeps it down....KABOOM! It might take you a little bit to find the sweet spot, but if they are there, you won't miss them.

I like to use poppers. Buzzbait will work, and are a little easier to use.

Thx for the advice, ill try that out when the waters goes down lol! We just got a lot of rain and the river is way up now!