Tricks For High Water Autumn Delaware River Smallmouth Bass
Not sure about you, but I almost forgot how to locate river smallmouth during high flows in the fall. Our water levels have been so low the last few years in PA, and patterns are so different when low, clear water is the rule. Not so this season! And I write that with an exclamation point because anyone who knows me, knows how much I love these conditions......water is up and stained some, and quality smallies are very prodictable. Makes things easier, plain and simple!
Here are a few quick tips for locating smallmouth on the Delaware River when water levels remain high and water begins to cool:
1. Like people, smallies like stability, and they seek out security. Up and down water can offer a challenging set of conditions, as we have been seeing this fall. Our best fishing has come either a few days after a crest (highest rise on the river after a rain or runoff event) when water is still falling but beginning to level out on the USGS Real Time gauge charts, OR just after the water begins to rise and becomes lightly stained. It's still pretty stable, but changing, so they'll become aggressive. To be secure, smallmouth week out areas where they can prey on forage, rest from heavy current and still have some sort of secure cover or structure. Rocky or boulder-laden flats, concrete, creek washouts or points, creek mouths and below islands and big ledges .are some of the obvious haunts.
2. Be willing and prepared to use your trolling motor. Early in the fall, bass will be in current. Slowing down a drift can mean at least double your take in fish as opposed to quickly drifting through an area and taking only the most active fish. Charge your Interstate Batteries fully, start drifts above your "sweet spots', or best areas where bass will be feeding. Here is a clip that nice illustrates what type of battery you'll want for this application.
3. Use a moving lure (Spinnerbaits, crankbait or jerk bait) first, then as water slows or deepens, try a tube, grub or other soft plastic offering.
4. As many know, my first choice in the fall during higher flows is a spinnerbait. , Slow-roll spinnerbaits, especially as the lure gets closer to the boat. Water depth alwans increases some at the boat and slowly retreiving a spinnerbait as it gets closer to the boat allows any bass trailing the lure a few secomds longer to eye up the lure, plus it covers more of the water column as it falls deeper.
5. During higher flows, bass will be more shoreline oriented, and as water falls and clears, they relax off shoreline cover and begin spreading out. Clear water means wary smallies in the D during the fall cool-down. Go with spinnerbaits with smaller willow blades as water clears. Down-size traps and cranks too.
6. If you find baitfish, you'll likely be into smallies. Migrating juvenile shad fry are a top choice, but if high flows have pushed them downstream, smallies will be forced to eat something else.
Here is a clip from a recent Backwoods Angler TV episode.....my 3 top lures for rising water.
There are just a few tips to increase autumn success. Please let me know your results this fall. Follow me on Twitter and Facebook and post comments!
Good fishin!
Blaine
Here are a few quick tips for locating smallmouth on the Delaware River when water levels remain high and water begins to cool:
1. Like people, smallies like stability, and they seek out security. Up and down water can offer a challenging set of conditions, as we have been seeing this fall. Our best fishing has come either a few days after a crest (highest rise on the river after a rain or runoff event) when water is still falling but beginning to level out on the USGS Real Time gauge charts, OR just after the water begins to rise and becomes lightly stained. It's still pretty stable, but changing, so they'll become aggressive. To be secure, smallmouth week out areas where they can prey on forage, rest from heavy current and still have some sort of secure cover or structure. Rocky or boulder-laden flats, concrete, creek washouts or points, creek mouths and below islands and big ledges .are some of the obvious haunts.
2. Be willing and prepared to use your trolling motor. Early in the fall, bass will be in current. Slowing down a drift can mean at least double your take in fish as opposed to quickly drifting through an area and taking only the most active fish. Charge your Interstate Batteries fully, start drifts above your "sweet spots', or best areas where bass will be feeding. Here is a clip that nice illustrates what type of battery you'll want for this application.
3. Use a moving lure (Spinnerbaits, crankbait or jerk bait) first, then as water slows or deepens, try a tube, grub or other soft plastic offering.
4. As many know, my first choice in the fall during higher flows is a spinnerbait. , Slow-roll spinnerbaits, especially as the lure gets closer to the boat. Water depth alwans increases some at the boat and slowly retreiving a spinnerbait as it gets closer to the boat allows any bass trailing the lure a few secomds longer to eye up the lure, plus it covers more of the water column as it falls deeper.
5. During higher flows, bass will be more shoreline oriented, and as water falls and clears, they relax off shoreline cover and begin spreading out. Clear water means wary smallies in the D during the fall cool-down. Go with spinnerbaits with smaller willow blades as water clears. Down-size traps and cranks too.
6. If you find baitfish, you'll likely be into smallies. Migrating juvenile shad fry are a top choice, but if high flows have pushed them downstream, smallies will be forced to eat something else.
Here is a clip from a recent Backwoods Angler TV episode.....my 3 top lures for rising water.
There are just a few tips to increase autumn success. Please let me know your results this fall. Follow me on Twitter and Facebook and post comments!
Good fishin!
Blaine
Posted by Blaine Mengel at 10/15/2011 8:31 AM 
Categories: Bass Fishing
Tags: Delaware River fall fishing spinnerbait High water bass fishing Backwoods Angler Tv Facebook
Categories: Bass Fishing
Tags: Delaware River fall fishing spinnerbait High water bass fishing Backwoods Angler Tv Facebook
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