River Fishing

[Gotta-go-Fishin]

I have recently moved to North Central Alabama. I have a small river about a mile or less from my house. I have gone once to walk the banks and check it out, but didn't catch anything. I tried to find some river bends, but no luck. My questions are.... what type of locations would I look for, since I am a reservoir fisherman, and how would I go about finding out if there are smallmouth in the river? Also, if you have any recommendations on baits to try that would be helpful.

[NateFollmer]

This time of year, smallies love anything gold (especially if there's carp around). Gold rattle traps or spinnerbaits would be the ticket. Don't have any bling? Try something black!

If their spawning (should be by now in Alabama) find rocky flats, especially around islands. Anything that breaks the current on these flats are key. If you still can find some prespawn fish, look at the beginning and ends of deeper pools. Smallies seem to shutdown more than LMB during spawn, so it may be a tough fish right now. Just keep on it and you'll find 'em.

[grimlin]

This time of year, smallies love anything gold (especially if there's carp around). Gold rattle traps or spinnerbaits would be the ticket. Don't have any bling? Try something black!

If their spawning (should be by now in Alabama) find rocky flats, especially around islands. Anything that breaks the current on these flats are key. If you still can find some prespawn fish, look at the beginning and ends of deeper pools. Smallies seem to shutdown more than LMB during spawn, so it may be a tough fish right now. Just keep on it and you'll find 'em.

I agree here.I rig a solid black trick stick.Vary the weight on it.Usually I go weightless if I can get away with it.3" tubes are also deadly this way.

My biggest technique has been throwing the bait up against the current and let it drift down.Keep that line tight or you will miss a bunch of bites.

[Crestliner2008]

How wide and deep is this river? Will definitely play a part in the presentation you should be using. To start off with, a great search bait is a 3" curly tail grub on a 1/8 oz. plain jig head. If the water is too small, downsize to a 2" grub on a 1/16 oz. jig.

Cast quartering upstream and reel just enough to keep slack out of the line. This will locate the best areas of the river you are fishing, real fast. Once located, try a suspending jerkbait (i.e.: Husky Jerk or X-Rap) or Senkos rigged wacky or Texas style. In-line spinners can also be deadly at this time of the year as well - if the snags are not too bad.

[Gotta-go-Fishin]

This is a small river that is the boundary between two counties. It is about one really good cast wide with depths from 1 to 6 feet.

How wide and deep is this river? Will definitely play a part in the presentation you should be using. To start off with, a great search bait is a 3" curly tail grub on a 1/8 oz. plain jig head. If the water is too small, downsize to a 2" grub on a 1/16 oz. jig.

Cast quartering upstream and reel just enough to keep slack out of the line. This will locate the best areas of the river you are fishing, real fast. Once located, try a suspending jerkbait (i.e.: Husky Jerk or X-Rap) or Senkos rigged wacky or Texas style. In-line spinners can also be deadly at this time of the year as well - if the snags are not too bad.

[Gotta-go-Fishin]

This is a small river that is the boundary between two counties. It is about one really good cast wide with depths from 1 to 6 feet.

[Crestliner2008]

Then I'd say downsize to the 2" version for your search bait. Forget the inline spinners. Stock up on 3" & 4" Senkos. You'll take your share.

[Gotta-go-Fishin]

Thanks for ALL the input. I hope I can find smallies, not even sure they live there. But, I'll find out.

Thanks again.

Then I'd say downsize to the 2" version for your search bait. Forget the inline spinners. Stock up on 3" & 4" Senkos. You'll take your share.

[lou304]

Thanks for ALL the input. I hope I can find smallies, not even sure they live there. But, I'll find out.

Thanks again.

Just my 2 cents but i'd check with my local bait shop( if there is one) to see if there is anything in the river before I wasted my time. I'm just sayin!..............................

[Gavin]

Cover the water top, middle, & bottom..and go find some fish...There will be a pattern but it might take several riffles & pools to figure it out. Think about how the fish are relating to current, depth, and structure (rock, wood, gravel bottom, mud bottom, etc.)

I usually start on top with a buzzbait, or a walk the dog plug....no takers...try a fluke, spinnerbait, or crankbait depending on water clarity. If all else fails swim a curly tail, or drag some plastics or a jig on the bottom. Cheers.

[Hyrule Bass]

google the name of the river to see if there are fish in there, and what type

[libass]

I would suggest trying basic 1/8 ou. jigheads with small curly tail trailers. It is a simple presentation that works! I suggest using 4lb. or 6lb. line and basic colors( white, yellow, black)

[Pete-K]

I would suggest trying basic 1/8 ou. jigheads with small curly tail trailers. It is a simple presentation that works! I suggest using 4lb. or 6lb. line and basic colors( white, yellow, black)

Good advice, Used to fish a creek here about 15 miles from the Tn river. Its unreal how many big small mouths were that far up this creek. We would wade fish it in the spring and summer. And fishing 2 miles of it between the roads ( Leave a truck at both) 2 of us would average 50 + fish per day.

Using 1/8th head and grubs. But most good fish came on a jointed minnow about 3" long these shallow running jointed minnows were killer baits for small waters like this..

Each time we would see a hole coming up we would cast to the lower end and come back through it. At times you would have one on for each of us and see more trying to take the bait away. Fun fishing for sure. Wish I was able to do this these days..

Pete

[pitchin fool]

Everyone has pretty much nailed it and I hope that there is some smallie action for you in there. When you do locate them and you want the big one, remember that the big ones love a jig and pig. I fish many rivers for smallies and 90% of my big girls have came on a jig. You may not catch as many, but you'll catch the bigguns!!!