Fishing smallies after the rain

[grove83]

I'm new to small mouth bass fishing and I'm planning on getting on the water here soon.  My problem is my only day off that I can get out is suppose to be a day after rain/front comes through.  I've been told the smallies are really hitting hard on this body of water, small river/large creek.  With the water temps being around 50 some degrees what do you think is the best baits to use.  Thanks guys, and no I don't have tubes, am I still going to catch fish??

[JKarbo214]

I have had the best luck after a day of rain using darker colored jigs and darker colored topwater baits, my favorite being a slower black buzzbait (cavitron recommended)   With the muddy water, darker colors are going to be your best bet.  Good Luck!

[grove83]

Thanks!  I have a couple dark buzz baits and a popper or two.  I also have a dark colored frog that I might try to throw at them.  I was told that the smallies are suspended in about 4 ft. of water but haven't moved into the shallow water just yet.  I'll give it a try and let you know how I make out.  Do you think I should swim the jig or fish it slow off the bottom??

[JKarbo214]

I have never had much success swimming a jig and with the water temps still fairly cold, I would think you'd have more success jigging it on the bottom with a dark colored trailer.  Let me know how you make out.

[Northern Strain]

I was out yesterday, and the water was high after the snow melt and rain. I found them schooled up right in the seems between the fast and the slow water. I was throwing a rattle trap, and it had to be thrown up stream. I fished it both by throwing into the current and reeling into the slow water, and into the slow water then reeled it through the fast water, only got bit when i pulled it through the seam though.

[smashingsmallies]

I'm new here and good topic.  I dreaded high dirty water in my favorite creek for smallies until I stumbled across a realization.  As I'm paddling my kayak up stream in muddy high water, a nice smallie jumps out of the water from the side of me, hits my paddle and bounces off my boat into the water.  I had to check my pants from the startle it gave me.  Then, awhile later, the same thing happens, smally out of the water and just misses my paddle, startling me again--this time my jack russell launched into the water for the fish-darn dog.  Then again, as I'm going down stream and just about to get out, another smally launched out of the water and hit my paddle again!!!  Never had it happen before or after.  However, I'm a little slow, but I eventually pieced together that the smallies were at the surface in this higher muddy water and I just startled them, a kayak is quiet.  Next time it rained, I went back and went to poppers and bam! the smallies were willing to hit.  The previous trip I had the jumpers next to me I was fishing a black sluggo, super slow, and landed one largemouth-3 lbs and one nice 5lb smally.  That trip I landed 14 smallies and had a blast.  Good luck and fish on.

[River Rat316]

The key for me in Rivers after rain is finding clean water dumping in, this could be from a little drainage ditch, a culvert or whatever. Next time you are on the water check for areas where water would come in, look for washouts, culverts above the waterline, or just tiny little ditches. One of my best spots is just a tiny little ditch that holds no water under dry conditoins, but in the rain its got a steady small flow of water coming in. The key to this spot is the water is clean coming in (usually) it has a lot of drop before it hits the water and that helps aerate it. it is also fairly deep and not overly fast in this area so the fish ain't going to get washed out. I have had 40 and 50 fish days from this spot. I have other spots that are just as good, but they are in town culverts and are not nearly as fun to fish as this little hidden ditch dumping in!

[grove83]

Thanks guys, I went out expecting dirty water and the water was stinking clear!!!  Got a couple hits but I think they were just swatting at the bait.  Didn't get any in the boat, but fun none-the-less!!