Pre-Spawn Bass Fishing - Right Around the Corner

[jifigz]

I've been out wading the edges of the Susquehanna near Wrightsville for roughly 4 hours this past week and have had no success. Maybe I just suck. I'm also new to smallie fishing. Was fishing a floating line with crayfish bouncing bottom in side eddies and soft pockets with no luck

I would say fish a baitfish pattern at this time of year instead of a crawdad. Also, walleye bite is usually strong right now, too, so a baitfish pattern also has the bonus walleye/musky advantage. I don't have much experience on the Susky but I have a lot of experience in the Juniata. Bass are going to stop relating to the obvious big eddies and current breaks more and more as temperatures climb. Soon they will be spread all over the dang place until they settle into the very predictable spawning locations in late May and early June.

 

[Schaefer406]

I would say fish a baitfish pattern at this time of year instead of a crawdad. Also, walleye bite is usually strong right now, too, so a baitfish pattern also has the bonus walleye/musky advantage. I don't have much experience on the Susky but I have a lot of experience in the Juniata. Bass are going to stop relating to the obvious big eddies and current breaks more and more as temperatures climb. Soon they will be spread all over the dang place until they settle into the very predictable spawning locations in late May and early June.

I have limited experience on the Susky but from what I have fished, the section between the York Haven dam and wrightsville seems to be not very productive a lot of times. However, last year I had a day where i pulled my PB (a 19" smallie) from a riffle close to shore. I just need to spend more time cracking the code. Will try baitfish patterns on my next outing!

 

[Silent Ocelot]

@Schaefer406, don't sweat the skunk. The Susky is a large intimidating river. You'll get em'. I'd attempt the Juniata instead if I were you but that is just my opinion.

 

[coyoterahn]

I've been out wading the edges of the Susquehanna near Wrightsville for roughly 4 hours this past week and have had no success. Maybe I just suck. I'm also new to smallie fishing. Was fishing a floating line with crayfish bouncing bottom in side eddies and soft pockets with no luck

As jifigz said, they’re going to be moving and spreading out as the water warms up. However, the water is still pretty cold. If you’re on the bottom, sometimes just letting it sit for a few minutes work. Also, the bite cane be quite subtle. You may only feel slight taps when they’re picking your bait up. Other times, they may be more aggressive on the take.
If you are fishing eddies, a rocky hard bottom is your best bet. If the eddie has a muddy bottom, not so good. You can tell that as you slowly pull your bait along the bottom.

Keep at it, you’ll get the hang of it. Good luck.

 

[Schaefer406]

@Schaefer406, don't sweat the skunk. The Susky is a large intimidating river. You'll get em'. I'd attempt the Juniata instead if I were you but that is just my opinion.

I'd love to hit the Juniata, I am just much closer to the Susky since its quite literally my backyard. I will have to experiment to find some good wading spots on the Juniata. If you wouldn't mind PMing me about the Juniata so I can ask some questions I would really appreciate it! Looking to find acceptable wading flow etc.

 

[Schaefer406]

As jifigz said, they’re going to be moving and spreading out as the water warms up. However, the water is still pretty cold. If you’re on the bottom, sometimes just letting it sit for a few minutes work. Also, the bite cane be quite subtle. You may only feel slight taps when they’re picking your bait up. Other times, they may be more aggressive on the take.
If you are fishing eddies, a rocky hard bottom is your best bet. If the eddie has a muddy bottom, not so good. You can tell that as you slowly pull your bait along the bottom.

Keep at it, you’ll get the hang of it. Good luck.

Thanks, my background is primarily fast paced trout fishing so I need to learn to be patient for smallmouth in this colder water. I'm also going to start experimenting with some Kayak lake fly fishing this summer which I am looking forward to!

 

[jifigz]

I'd love to hit the Juniata, I am just much closer to the Susky since its quite literally my backyard. I will have to experiment to find some good wading spots on the Juniata. If you wouldn't mind PMing me about the Juniata so I can ask some questions I would really appreciate it! Looking to find acceptable wading flow etc.

You are much less likely to find spots you can't wade on the Juniata over spots you can. It's an "easy" river, so to speak. My family owns a good sized property right on it, so I've had many years and many hours plying its waters at all times of the year.

 

[hooker-of-men]

Huh. I thought I was fishing for rainbows around the ice on a still half frozen lake... The water temp couldn't have even been 40. Surprise!

 

[hooker-of-men]

Same! I’ve tried the mr. Wiggly that’s all the rage right now but nothing beats the gurgler

I've mentioned elsewhere one here that I often use Fat Alberts tied big, size 2 or so, for stillwater bass. They produce well along lily pads / structure and under overhanging trees. Kinda the same idea as Mr. Wiggly, I guess - a mess of legs and some foam.

 

[barrybarry]

I've tried the Wrightsville area a few times lately. They're not in at the bank yet. Maybe this week or next. I often will fish spinning gear with a small beetle spin just to find out if the fish are there. Saves me from getting my FF gear out for nothing.

 

[bdhoover77]

I figured I would resurrect an existing threat rather than starting a new one. I have been thinking about taking a day off work soon to get out for some early trout fishing, but then I saw the extended forecast. The week of March 10th is looking warm, here in Maryland. I think it might be time to break out the smallmouth flies soon…

We are going on spring break the following week (March 17-24), and I’d like to get in some practice for saltwater fly fishing before we leave. If the water temps on my go-to river allows for some SMB streamer fishing, then it’s a no-brainer!

 

[Broodstock]

I figured I would resurrect an existing threat rather than starting a new one. I have been thinking about taking a day off work soon to get out for some early trout fishing, but then I saw the extended forecast. The week of March 10th is looking warm, here in Maryland. I think it might be time to break out the smallmouth flies soon…

We are going on spring break the following week (March 17-24), and I’d like to get in some practice for saltwater fly fishing before we leave. If the water temps on my go-to river allows for some SMB streamer fishing, then it’s a no-brainer!

This time of year I always ask myself - would I rather have a 20" brown or a 20" smallmouth. The smallmouth always win.

 

[bdhoover77]

This time of year I always ask myself - would I rather have a 20" brown or a 20" smallmouth. The smallmouth always win.

What water temperature do you like to start chasing smallmouth? I like fishing for them because I’m usually less likely to run into many other anglers and it’s fun throwing bigger flies than I tend to get to use for trout on my local streams.

 

[lars]

my mind has definitely been on the big girls moving into they're spawning sites. the river was pretty cold, like 38 degrees, but the level was good for wading. it's doubled in height the last few days which is typical for Spring and an inch of rain is predicted for Wednesday which will be good for shad fishing, not so great to be able to wade to smallies. smaller waters should be getting good.
i'd much rather be targeting big smallies then trout on opening day.

 

[jifigz]

Mid-March is an excellent time to catch big smallies. EXCELLENT!

 

[Broodstock]

What water temperature do you like to start chasing smallmouth? I like fishing for them because I’m usually less likely to run into many other anglers and it’s fun throwing bigger flies than I tend to get to use for trout on my local streams.

Well, this is a complex question. usually I like to see temps over 40 consistently for them to move out of wintering water. Over 48 gets things really going. 43-48 and they are active and eating, but once temps get over 50 they get more picky. A slow consistent rise through the 40s is ideal, but I find the main trigger is the longer photoperiods combined with good flows but not blown out. Typically I think that when we spring ahead the clock, the days are long enough. There was a good In-Fisherman article I can try to find it.

 

[bdhoover77]

Well, this is a complex question. usually I like to see temps over 40 consistently for them to move out of wintering water. Over 48 gets things really going. 43-48 and they are active and eating, but once temps get over 50 they get more picky. A slow consistent rise through the 40s is ideal, but I find the main trigger is the longer photoperiods combined with good flows but not blown out. Typically I think that when we spring ahead the clock, the days are long enough. There was a good In-Fisherman article I can try to find it.

What flies do you like for early season fishing?

 

[CRB]

46*-49* That is when I get the big smallmouth bass out of the Lake. Usually the end of April is when the temps are in the 50's.