They can be very hard to locate when the current is very weak. In fact in really colored waters you probably have no other choice but to use really bright artificial colors. Fish associate with the current year-round but they are also affected by seasonal changes. Don’t fish here. Seek out convergent currents. There are countless lure types that work well in river settings but one I want you to consider are plastic tubes. It’s easy to stereotype certain fish and assume you know how they’ll behave in a river based off what you think they do in a lake. However, it goes beyond that. There are 7 species of Salmon in North American waterways and they are incredibly valued targets for fishermen. Fish face into the current. To mimic crayfish, go with a deep red, brown, or black color. Next, you have the “seam” which is the transition area between the fast main current and slower water off to the side. However, he and his friend killed it with some big bass mixed in. Georgia Power usually generates current overnight, but the recent heavy rainfall had the floodgates wide-open for much of the day. Now just because you are downsizing your baits DOES NOT mean downsize your weights. Fishing. In fact, the only fish I can think of that actively resists current on purpose are salmon and steelhead swimming upstream to spawn. This allows them to hang out and relax in slack water, waiting for an easy meal to pass by. Fishing tackle gets expensive, so I can certainly understand the frustration. This gives you direct contact with your bait without the rod tip absorbing any energy from the initial bite. If you’re used to fishing with regular round-shaped shaky heads, this combination may look a bit strange, but try to remember—you’re not going to catch fish if you can’t keep your bait where they live. These head shapes were very stable in the current and stayed in place much better than my previous round jighead. Fish these undercut banks by casting upstream and allowing the current to push your trout fishing bait under the bank. Current Trumps Everything Else. They’re very easy to execute and if you can slow down, think things through and develop a deliberate approach, you’ll be able to use the current to your advantage this year. Throughout my guiding career, teaching new anglers how to detect bites is, by far, the most difficult aspect. Seams are fish magnets. Many bites will actually occur in the eddy. Attack the bank as you pepper the sides of the river or stream with casts. Catfish, carp, and bass really like calmer sloughs off the main river. FreshwaterFishingAdvice is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. In clear running waters it is best to stick to darker more natural colors. You’ll need heavier weights to get your bait where it needs to go. There’s a really simple way to feel more bites, however. Remember, you are fighting against the forces of current here. Or have any other suggestions for getting lures down to the bottom in deep water and strong current? Most fishermen who spend most of their times on lakes look for the usual important factors like cover, water temperature, storms, water-depth, and season to pattern fish. Big fish will congregate in this deeper pocket along the seam of the main channel as it bends. Most canals have steep cement sides than bottom-out for a few dozen feet before inclining back up on the opposite side. Keep the index finger of your rod-hand—whichever hand you hold the rod with—on your tight fishing line any time you’re not reeling. Many anglers make the mistake of parking their boat right on the seam but that could be a mistake. Position your boat on one current seam and fish that seam until the bite stops. Most resident fish do their best to conserve as much energy as possible while simultaneously positioning themselves in locations where the current can pass food by. Sure some small fish may occasionally be caught from shore but big fish will be riding that river current seam tight. 5 tips to better deep water bass fishing. Once a big fish bites, you may need to ditch the anchor and chase it. This past weekend I was concentrating my efforts on a 30-foot deep river ledge that was absolutely loaded with bass. Fish will often stack on the downstream side of pillars. The pillars of bridges offer excellent current breaks. I like the Deeper PRO+ (link to Amazon where you can read reviews). At least is my experience and the experience of many fishermen. These river fish spend their whole lives constantly battling current and hunting in tougher conditions. Buoys, safety markers, and depth markers are constantly be adjusted to reflect changing water levels and conditions. Many anglers would assume smallmouth bass would be out in the main body of the river eating shad and crayfish among the boulders whereas largemouth bass would be back in the calm sloughs and backwater among lily pads. ... Due to the larger diameter the line tends to catch more of the wave impact as well as the wash of the current under the water. Check out my article on, If you are fishing in shallow water under 10 feet, you could also employ a Power-Pole shallow water anchoring system if your boat can accommodate one. And yet a 3rd level of precaution needs to be made. River maps are important but always trust river markers over maps 100% of the time. Maps can be outdated and may not reflect the current, ever-changing dynamics of a river.Â. It’s common knowledge that quality braid casts smoother and further than mono but braid is poorly resistant to abrasion and dings. This is by far the most important shortcut of … Every stream and river has 4 main parts. The river’s current carries and deposits so much debris and wood that your hooks are going to find these items inevitably. Since then, I've lived across the country and have really taken that passion for fishing to a new level. You can also use it to find fish in lakes, oceans, and while ice fishing.Â. Check out this video of Jonathan Newton catching a big smallmouth in a tailrace area. It’s tempting to think of them as huge, slick areas of water, but they’re often very subtle and difficult to see from the surface. Most fishing magnets are so small that many fishers may feel like they can’t … Pretty much any bait that works in lakes will also work in rivers and streams. Otherwise use 1/2 jigs in strong current or in the deep. Carp will find plenty of food to eat here as the current deposits everything in this location. We use these sinkers in shallow water applications, fishing for redfish, flounder, or even mangrove snapper. When fishing in rivers and stream system, the current dictates everything. Moving upstream is generally safer and less likely to spook the fish. In large rivers, this area would be the white-capping rapids. Reference no fewer than 2 maps the next time you’re on a new river. Keep in mind that areas with enough current to create rips are inherently dangerous places to wade. Like all things there is never any substitute for experience, but there are a few simple things you can look into to improve your surf fishing. This is obvious to many fishermen so I feel lazy for including it. We all check the tides before we go fishing so we all invest in the theory. This not only applies to current fishing, but all types of finesse fishing with spinning gear. They are being updated often and typically are a safe guideline to follow. At the heads of sloughs and islands (the upstream part), you’ll often find sandy points or spits of raised bottom that jut out. When fishing rips from the shore, it is best to start casting where the rip meets the shore. We like to be able to keep a bait on the bottom in a current, and sometimes we only need a half ounce or less. No matter the casting angle or the speed at which I worked the jighead, I couldn’t keep my bait in the strike zone long enough—until I made an important realization. As a result, bass were super-aggressive despite every reason why they shouldn’t have been. Current trumps all. While moving water can certainly position bass in predictable locations, effectively presenting your bait involves a lot of trial and error and continuous experimentation. Then re-position your boat on the other seam and fish that. If I were to cast perpendicularly to it, my bait would barely touch the bottom before the current got ahold of it. This is just scratching the surface on this important and somewhat controversial debate. Some less obvious features like river markers, floating buoys, vertical sticks, and even underwater sand humps can be enough to disrupt current flow and provide enough sanctuary for big fish to rest behind. By pointing my boat into the current, keeping my MotorGuide on a constant 6-speed setting and making casts up-river, I was able to precisely target small intricacies on the river ledge and present my bait naturally. On jig size: if you are in shallow or slow moving waters, 1/8 ounce jigs do best. Check out my article on upstream vs. downstream fishing to learn the proper way. There are current breaks though which hold fish. Weirs and irrigation pump grates can be good spots to locate fish. My main takeaway was the “3 Level Rule” of current fishing, which helps you choose the most productive areas of any river or stream based on the water movement. Simply go up-current from your bait, keep steady tension and more times than not, you’ll get your gear back. River maps are important but always trust river markers over maps 100% of the time. If fishing with lures like spinners, cast either straight across or downstream and guide your bait into the main current with your rod tip. Many fish like trout, bass, and catfish can be very aggressive because often they are competing with other fish for the same food items. I spent 4 hours piecing together the research for this on top of drawing from personal experience.Â. A great castable fish finder can be an awesome tool for locating fish and fishable spots from the bank, boat, or through the ice at night or during the day. In fact, you want to increase the heaviness of the weights you use. (Moon Phases, Seasons, Baits), link to Ice Fishing Holes: Diameter, Distance, Patterns, Target Fish. In stronger current, you’ll more likely see the big fish move to the calmer back sides of islands facing the current that is converging around them. Instead, use monofilament which will resist abrasions a lot better. The surface of water also reflects sunlight preventing us from seeing clearly what lies beneath the surface. During these two days of fishing, I not only caught a new personal-best spotted bass, but I also learned a lot about targeting bass in situations with current. Want access to our best fishing spots and tips, plus discounts to our online tackle store? Make your gear and mindset is up to the task. During the spring, fish move into shallower water for a period of time to spawn. You can often visually see seams on the surface of the water. The marker may show the passage is safe but if your gut is making you second-guess yourself, listen. Good luck. Don’t Be Afraid To Anchor. Crayfish and baitfish like shad, minnows, chubs, shiners, suckers, smelt, and speckled dace abound in just about every river and stream system. Weeds, logs, and tree fall-overs can be great spots to pitch baits as well. Many catfish fans get frustrated when they can't hook fish that bite. There are countless lure types that work well in river settings but one I want you to consider are plastic tubes. However, with preparation and experience, nearly anyone with an adequate-sized boat can safely navigate and successfully fish Missouri’s prized rivers for catfish. They didn’t roll or tumble and allowed me to take my time while carefully presenting my offering to the wary, post-frontal bass. The first thing that you should consider when the current keep pushing your bait is to increase your casting weight. For calm waters with no strong tides a 2oz or 3oz weight should be fine for feathering and maybe even bottom fishing. Even if you have no previous knowledge of what lives in a particular river, you can be assured it has crayfish and at least one of the above-mentioned baitfish. If you’re fishing exclusively for channel catfish or smaller catfish then 12 lb test fishing line is plenty. Drift Rig. Don’t fish with braid for river carp. Water plays tricks on our eyes making objects seem further away than they are. Spillways and weirs can be great spots for trout, catfish, and bass and provide both deep water and current breaks. Current eddies aren't always easy to see, making it important to visualize the current's effect on cover and structure. In the fall, baitfish move in shallow so bigger fish like catfish and bass follow them. Some of the biggest largemouth bass you’ll catch in a river can be found right in the strongest part of the main channel holding tightly to the least assuming river break available. This site is owned and operated by Eric Matechak. We’re always taught to keep our rod tips on the high-side when working a jig or weighted soft plastic, but a high rod tip can cause multiple issues in areas with current. It’s common knowledge that quality braid casts smoother and further than mono but braid is poorly resistant to abrasion and dings. originalDevice: deviceType:desktop, video of Jonathan Newton catching a big smallmouth. During the winter, big fish again return to deeper water along the channels and river bends where warmer water can be found. Whenever you turn your boat perpendicular to or away from the current, you give the current a lot more “boat” to hit, resulting in constant readjustments and poor casting angles. Select lures and patterns that mimic these baits and you’ll catch fish. Look for any current break you can find. For river fishing, I think you should consider a 2-anchor system. Islands are a great place to fish, especially small islands on a river. As I said, sandbars can shift quickly and trees can be washed into new places not previously identified. … This is because bait coming down the current is passing by much slower and many food items will actually be deposited in the calm eddies outside the main channel. Seams are a critical location to fish. A seam occurs when a current of flowing water meets calmer water just outside the main current. As current becomes less strong, fish can move out away from the current some. The sand drops and points associated with the front of islands and slough heads usually have a steep dropoff on the calm side of the point of sand. On every cast I could feel my shaky head rolling across rocks, which was not only unnatural, but also resulted in a bunch of hang-ups. In summer, fish often move into deeper water right along the seams of the main current where cooler, more oxygenated water is full of life and bait. You may catch a few fish doing this that otherwise may be spooked off when you park your boat over them. These areas also provide ample prey for large trout making it a prime location to fish for trout. The riffles of rivers tend to be where water is shallow and the current is strong. Finally, wax worms, maggots, nightcrawlers, and sand shrimp work just about anywhere. For better bait placement and casting distance, consider using a drift rig. This way you can let the current put proper action your lure and you could simply guide the lure with your rod tip into the main channel where the strike zone is. They will never be as accurate or trustworthy as the river markers will be. You’ll need to move it faster than the current. But you need to get your bait very close to the wood. Combining the two is a great way to enjoy a day on the river. It sounds harsh, but it’s the truth—especially when you throw a bunch of current in the mix. Couple a strong fish with a strong current and battling big river fish is an intense experience. If you are fishing a 1/2 ounce jig in a lake, you’ll want to go with a 1/4 ounce jig. You could keep swapping back and forth until the bite stops altogether or you simply tire of catching fish. When wading in a river, you could move up or down the stream with similar success. If you’re relying solely on your rod tip to detect bites, you won’t catch as many fish. Big fish will often hang around the tips of these points facing into the current from the calmer water. Most books and videos will recommend casting upstream since fish will be facing upstream and as your bait drifts or is reeled through the current, fish will view it naturally. The current world record catfish that weighed in at 143 lbs was caught on 30 lb test fishing line. Once I started casting up-current, I started catching a bunch of fish. The point where the stream’s main channel and the river’s main channel converge is prime feeding for big fish. Many canal fish will hang out in this inner calm zone. This is one of the very best at-depth water thermometers available capable of sensing down to 300 feet. It’s basically the study of water movement. Don’t even waste your time with the shallow, rocky water. One more spot that will hold fish is canal bends. Unless there is almost no current at all, you will need to reel your lure very fast to make the blades spin or to keep it off the bottom. For the most part, canals are featureless from a quick glance. For whatever reason, when many anglers fish with weighted soft plastic rigs, only two possibilities are often considered—a bullet-shaped Texas rig weight or a round jighead. Strong current can be tricky to handle and catch fish in. Wading downstream is more precarious but affords a fisherman the ability to make very short, precise casts and allow the fly to drift away in the current. Snags are going to happen before and after a hook-up so you’ll just have to accept and do your best to pull fish in quickly before they wrap themselves up in something. If you allow the current to drag your bait along, it can only lead to snags. Tube baits work really well for bass, walleye, pike, and crappie among other species in river systems. Tips for surf fishing strong currents Increase the casting weight. Sand shrimp is … And we all love lure shopping. Eddies, boulders, logs, river bends, and islands are obvious choices where fish will rest while being in a position to feed. If the current is especially heavy, don’t be afraid to put your rod tip right above the water’s surface. This leads to a major problem that results in a significant decrease in sensitivity—line bow. Typically you can expect to find fish either at the head of the island where the current divides around either side of the island or on the backside of the island resting in the calm water with the two divided currents converging once again. Downsize your baits for better success in rivers. For a complete breakdown of mono vs. braid vs. fluorocarbon fishing lines, check out the article I wrote on this topic. Big fish tend to hover in the center of the stream right along the main channel. Smaller fish tend to focus more on the side eddies with slightly shallower water off to the side. Bass, trout, and crappie like to hang very tight to wood in the water. Largely, fish are still consuming the same food. In current, it’s important to first motor well upstream of your intended final location. When this happens, don’t start snatching. When fishing large rivers, you need to locate the main current to fish. These are merely general rules and fish can and will break these occasionally. Seams & eddies will hold most fish. When the current is weaker, you’ll often times see big fish position at the island heads waiting for food to pass. In fact, you want to increase the heaviness of the weights you use. Please read the article I wrote on this topic which dives into the pros and cons of both approaches and how you can maximize your success. When fishing strong current, find current breaks and the defined seam and fish these as tight as you can. This is usually found dead center in the river. To learn how more about fishing rivers and streams without a boat, I wrote a comprehensive article on. Look for any feature or obstruction that disrupts the strong flow of current. Seek Out Current Breaks. This is something I think you really should do. Current River is open all year long and fishing can be good anytime of year. Big fish will be hanging tight to it often times right along the seam. You need to move right onto the edge of the current and fish. Do you have any other tips for finesse fishing in current?Â, site: sports | ptype: stories | pageType: stories | Fish are strong swimmers, but don’t want to be swimming against a current all day, or they would have to use a ton of energy which means they have to eat more. Use the current to your advantage and don’t be afraid to work a spot for a good, long while. If they aren’t right there with an open mouth, they will miss the chance to feed. In order to locate smallmouth bass and effectively catch them, you must first understand current and its intricacies. Even though by every measure known to lake fishermen, the conditions were poor for bass fishing, there had been a heavy rain the week before which stirred up sediment and algae in the water. When fishing with lures, I recommend casting from 12 o’clock (straight across the stream) to about 45-degrees downstream. Regardless of its weight, a round jighead is prone to tumbling with the current. I am an avid angler and outdoorsman. link to Will Salmon Bite at Night? I didn’t break any world records Saturday, but my partner and I had a very strong showing. This sounds technical but any decent fisho will already have some comprehension of it in one form or another. To learn how more about fishing rivers and streams without a boat, I wrote a comprehensive article on bank fishing you should check out. The key to fishing current lies with understanding basic hydrodynamic theory. Instead, position your boat in the current assuming it’s not too strong and cast a few times into the eddy and reel it through the seam. These can occur behind a big boulder or a small island. Simply pinch 1 to … The current will dictate fish location and activity level. In a bend, water will flow very fast around the outside edge of the bend but remain relatively calm on the inner part of the bend. Even if you have no previous knowledge of what lives in a particular river, you can be assured it has crayfish and at least one of the above-mentioned baitfish. When fishing small rivers and streams, locate the main current. To learn which baits to use, check out my recommended gear lists for carp, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, and northern pike. Now just because you are downsizing your baits DOES NOT mean downsize your weights. I do not think you should fish lures this way. If your line under tension rubs against a rock or snag, it will snap almost assuredly. For finding these fish, you then need to rely on water temperature as your guide. To perform this maneuver in rivers with medium+ current, you are going to want two quality 20-pound river anchors. They build up immense strength unmatched by lazy-water fish. ... River Trout Fishing Tips. If you’re fishing a collection of precise offshore locations, boat control … We’re always taught to keep our rod tips on the high-side when working … Always keep some maps as reference material, but always trust markers and buoys over any maps no matter how recently printed. They can even tell you the location of shipwrecks. Check out the. Tubes are often overlooked by many bass anglers but they represent two major bait types present in almost any river: crayfish and baitfish. Instead of losing your cool, cinching down your drag and trying to break your line, relax—you can probably get it back. Five tips to improve your surf fishing. I discuss this greater detail in tip #24 but for live bait, cut bait, and fly fishing, cast upstream and allow the current to naturally carry your bait to fish facing upstream. Focus through baits across the channel and reeling the bait through the seam and into the eddy. Bass are opportunistic feeders and make a concerted effort to use as little energy as possible when feeding—just like one of us sitting close to a restaurant buffet. Attach your anchor to your boat with a clip or carabiner. You’ll need heavier weights to get your bait where it needs to go. In rivers, shrink the bait but increase the weight. In muddier water you can use much brighter colors like orange and pinks. Discover How to Assess An Area For Feeding Snook. Even though this is great for people who love to fish, it is not always good for the fish because food isn’t always available. With a single anchor, your boat will not remain steady and could sway and twist as the current pushes against the boat. Throughout the winter months, even the biggest bass may not crush your bait so maintaining the ability to feel even the softest, most subtle bite is an absolute must. Big rivers can be vast with very limited areas where all fish are concentrated. Fishing in strong current and deep water takes a different approach than typically used in smaller waters. Catfish, bass, and pike will often lie in wait on these steep dropoffs where the water can go from mere inches down to 6-10 feet in depth very fast. If you are passing these locations by, you could be missing out. Moving water creates a conveyor belt of food, washing everything downstream to the fish without them having to travel for it. If you are fishing in shallow water under 10 feet, you could also employ a Power-Pole shallow water anchoring system if your boat can accommodate one. Also, use heavier weights to keep your bait stuck to the bottom. And if you know someone who fishes these types of areas, please TAG or SHARE this with them! After the tournament, I made this list of simple, yet very helpful lessons I’ve learned about fishing strong current in hopes it would help you as well. Current eddies aren’t always as obvious as one would think. Black and silver crankbaits, darker colored jigs and worms. Like we just discussed, casting into the current makes a lot of sense because of a bass’ preference to position itself facing into the current. Eddies form off to the side of seams and are often swirling pockets of slower, usually deepish water. Fishing in muddy and murky waters will yield better results with egg sacks and skein. The current at Wheeler during the Evan Williams Bourbon Dixie Duel was exceptionally strong and, at times, quite dangerous. For example, if the water is clear, then you'll want to use individual eggs and minnows. Backwater sloughs and eddies can be great places to fish. Find the main channel running through a slough. If you start getting nervous with how close your bait is to the wood, go just a little closer. If you never lose any lures, you won’t be able to go buy more. They have the main channel where the current is strongest. However, the summer months are the times when most people prefer to float. section: | slug: how-to-finesse-more-bass-in-strong-current | route: article_single | With a good pair of polarized sunglasses, you can see structure, topography, features, and fish you otherwise wouldn’t with the naked eye. Big fish will often hang around the tips of these points facing into the current from the calmer water. Instead, I recommend casting the bait at 45 degrees away from you and using your rod tip to guide the lure into the main stream and letting the current do your work for you. This may not seem as natural as casting it upstream, but your bait will stay in the strike zone longer and some fish will grab it. I grew up fishing for anything that swims but really cut my teeth fishing for trout, chain pickerel, bass, and bullheads in my teenage years. Even though by every measure known to lake fishermen, the conditions were poor for bass fishing, there had been a heavy rain the week before which stirred up sediment and algae in the water. Focus on the main current of the river to locate other subordinate features like the seams and slack-water eddies. If you are fishing with live or cut bait, cast your bait as close to the seam as possible and let it drift along. Check out the complete article I wrote discussing Power-Poles for shallow water anchoring. For a complete breakdown of mono vs. braid vs. fluorocarbon fishing lines, check out the. Here’s a trick that will save you time and stress. At the heads of sloughs and islands (the upstream part), you’ll often find sandy points or spits of raised bottom that jut out. BOTTOM BOUNCING One of the more common river fishing tips is that of using a Carolina Rig to bottom bounce a live bait (such as a crawfish or minnow) or soft plastic bait along with the current. 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