columbia river

[inspector]

Hi, I'm new here. Been lurking around for a while. Does anyone fish the upper Columbia River? Around the Tri-Cities area. I can't catch fish in the summer time to save my life. I have tried shallow in the mornings, deep structure near current break lines etc. I have used tubes, senkos, grubs to no avail. I have tryed fishing around the channel markers, which I have caught fish on in the past. but, nothing. It is getting very frustrating. Thanks for any help.

Rick

[bassdaug]

Hi,  I fish the Columbia near the tri-cities and to tell you the truth, I can't keep the bass off my line this time of year!  I'm not sure if you are fishing from a boat or from the shore?  Anyhow, fish ANY rocky bottom with ANY change in shoreline or disruption of water flow.  Also, find an area where there are changes in depth.  

After location, get a white or brown 3" grub, tip it with a worm, and bounce it off bottom.  This will at least get you bites and fish!  If you don't get a bite after five to ten minutes...change locations.

Hope this helps.

[inspector]

Thanks for the info.  I fish from a boat, but haven't had time to go out recently. What depth water are you fishing?  I take my son out with me and feel kind of bad we can't catch anything.

[Glenn]

In the summer key on current breaks.  Anything that breaks current should catch your attention.  Bridge pilings are good place to start.  Across from Columbia park, there's a small boat lauch - fish that and the drop into deep water.  Marina's are good too, and any drop into deep water (20+ feet).  Forget about shallow water.

Tubes, spider jigs, and finesse worms really rule this time of year.  Topwater works early, but doesn't last long.

In September, you can start to factor in shallow water.  From mid-Sept to mid-Oct, they'll be shallow and feeding.  Use the above baits plus crankbaits, spinnerbaits, and jigs.

Good luck!