Summertime Smallmouth

[parachute_adams]

Now that many of the creeks are too warm for trout, how’s everyone’s bass season been? This is a time of year I really enjoy — you can fish some different rod weights, tie up some different flies, (although they were gobbling up slate drakes last night) and leave the waders behind and swap them out for a pair of Tevas and boardshorts. Yup, it’s like being a kid again. Bronzebacks are all the fun of trout with half the gear and half the pretense. Flows have been especially low lately on my home waters of Loyalsock Creek, but despite the low, clear water and spooky fish, I can usually go out and depend on landing at least a fish or two on even the worst days. Lest I sound like I know what I’m talking about, let me assure you: I don’t! So how’s everyone doing out there? Thoughts on the current state of the fishery? River vs creek smallies? Best of the season? (17” and HEAVY, caught well after dark) Preferred tactics? (I love swinging streamers down though a run, then targeting structure through the sections with a less defined current break) Favorite flies? (Pshh I’m not giving that away!). Hope everyone’s enjoying their summer!View attachment 1641252787

 

[tjsingle]

It's been solid for me, though I haven't chased them super consistently. My biggest was an 18-19" +/-. I had the intention of chasing them on the local creeks, but it's been super low lately that I have found myself taking my jon boat out on the local lakes instead.

 

[bdhoover77]

I’ve been hoping to get out on some of the rivers to chase SMB (Potomac, Susky, Juniata). Unfortunately for one reason or another something has come up each time I’ve had plans this summer. I’ve tied plenty of streamers and crayfish flies, so I’m ready to go if I get the chance.

 

[ROVERT]

My shoulder injury has kept me from getting out for them so far. I'll probably tackle a little wade fishing on the Susquehanna this week and will be getting the boat back out as soon as the doctor lifts my weight restriction.

 

[Andrwhite610]

I’ve been getting after them on the Susquehanna with conventional gear. My advice if your going to hit that river and want to find big fish is. Ignore the ledges, riffles, whitewater and deep holes. Target extremely shallow water along the bank in shade lines. Also shallow water in boulder gardens, backs fronts and sides of grass islands. Fish shallow….fish shallow. Also fish shallow. Think it’s too shallow? (It’s not). I use a 5” white zoom super fluke almost exclusively. I’m sure that’s easily replicated with a streamer.

 

[tjsingle]

I’ve been getting after them on the Susquehanna with conventional gear. My advice if your going to hit that river and want to find big fish is. Ignore the ledges, riffles, whitewater and deep holes. Target extremely shallow water along the bank in shade lines. Also shallow water in boulder gardens, backs fronts and sides of grass islands. Fish shallow….fish shallow. Also fish shallow. Think it’s too shallow? (It’s not). I use a 5” white zoom super fluke almost exclusively. I’m sure that’s easily replicated with a streamer.

Agree big time, same experience here.

 

[afishinado]

I’ve been getting after them on the Susquehanna with conventional gear. My advice if your going to hit that river and want to find big fish is. Ignore the ledges, riffles, whitewater and deep holes. Target extremely shallow water along the bank in shade lines. Also shallow water in boulder gardens, backs fronts and sides of grass islands. Fish shallow….fish shallow. Also fish shallow. Think it’s too shallow? (It’s not). I use a 5” white zoom super fluke almost exclusively. I’m sure that’s easily replicated with a streamer.

.....or a popper!

 

[Andrwhite610]

.....or a popper!

View attachment 1641252805

I’m sure that will do it. A big one! I think the bait isn’t too important. The bigs hit it so quick when it hits the water it could be a hot dog and work. I think they are hiding out and get very upset when something interrupts their nap.

 

[parachute_adams]

I’ve been getting after them on the Susquehanna with conventional gear. My advice if your going to hit that river and want to find big fish is. Ignore the ledges, riffles, whitewater and deep holes. Target extremely shallow water along the bank in shade lines. Also shallow water in boulder gardens, backs fronts and sides of grass islands. Fish shallow….fish shallow. Also fish shallow. Think it’s too shallow? (It’s not). I use a 5” white zoom super fluke almost exclusively. I’m sure that’s easily replicated with a streamer.

It is interesting that so many big fish aren't in the traditionally "fishy" places. Some of my favorite trout water is also walked through by 99% of the other anglers who are walking to the deeper run on the other side of the creek. Of course you have to get there before they do...

 

[nymphingmaniac]

high water and heat reduced my trips. Overall the numbers have been lower, but the number of mid- to high-teens bass has been very good. Only managed one float- weather and work schedule- so far. maybe about half a dozen or so wading trips. last night managed three 16 inches+ fish on top. I am hoping to get out more before August 25th

 

[parachute_adams]

high water and heat reduced my trips. Overall the numbers have been lower, but the number of mid- to high-teens bass has been very good. Only managed one float- weather and work schedule- so far. maybe about half a dozen or so wading trips. last night managed three 16 inches+ fish on top. I am hoping to get out more before August 25th

I'm no biologist, but the fact that I'm catching a lot more mid to high teen bass than juvenile bass (while fun) is definitely alarming. Same thing is happening with the striped bass fishery.

 

[nymphingmaniac]

I'm no biologist, but the fact that I'm catching a lot more mid to high teen bass than juvenile bass (while fun) is definitely alarming. Same thing is happening with the striped bass fishery.

I wouldn't overreact to my less than a dozen trips. perhaps I'm better at targeting big fish water and tactics

 

[poopdeck]

Knee injury has me unable to wade and getting in and out of my boat difficult. After a 5 week wait I finally get to see my knee doctor this Friday. Not really missing it though since SMB fishing on my home stretch of the Delaware has been terrible and getting worse the last 5 or 6 years. So bad that I don’t really miss not going out for them. Have been going flounder fishing instead since it’s easy to get in and out of a boat at a dock and it’s way easier walking on the beach.

I'm no biologist, but the fact that I'm catching a lot more mid to high teen bass than juvenile bass (while fun) is definitely alarming. Same thing is happening with the striped bass fishery.

I actually had a good striped bass spring for both numbers and size. So much so I injured my wrist and now have to rethink taking the boat out by myself for them.

The SMB on the Delaware river has been decimated. We started catching more 15” plus bass but not enough to make up for the loss of 10” and under bass.