Lots To Learn About River Fishing

[darbwa]

A friend and I are heading to the Buffalo for our first time for a 2-day trip. We are fired up for the trip and we are consuming all the info we can to increase our chances for a successful fishing trip. This forum has already provided a wealth of knowledge that will certainly help us to enjoy our time on the river. However, I believe I am at a disadvantage compared to most people on this forum in that I am a casual (at best) largemouth - and sometimes white - bass fisherman. I have little experience fishing rivers and have caught only a few smallies.

While I have read a lot about lure selection on this forum, I can't help but wonder if what I have read is applicable to the conditions that we will see next Thursday and Friday on the Buffalo. I am particularly interested in people's take on what type of line to use (not only weight rating but also brand and type). I feel like line selection is more important in rivers than in lakes. No?

We are planning to float from Grinder's Ferry (Hwy 65) to Dillard's Ferry (Hwy 14). Any other info at all that you think would be helpful is greatly appreciated. Like I said, this is our first trip to the area and we are making our decisions based on what we read on the net and what I read over the weekend in my newly purchased "Buffalo River Handbook".

I am very happy to be a part of this forum. Thanks to everyone in advance.

Ryan Darby

Tulsa, OK

[Zack Hoyt]

Ford, Chevy, Dodge....opinions, opinions......lol

I use a 6lb Trilene XL on a 6.5' BnM Crappie Rod. It is very good for pulling the fish out of the brush and also for keeping form loosing lures in the rocks. As far as baits, I have had alot of luck on a Yum Finesse Tube 2in with smaller white jighead. Motor oil neon color. Also use the 3.5" Vibra king Tube in a pumpkin seed or dark red color with a 3/16oz jig head inside the tube.

Ken Smiths book is top of the line. Tons of great info in there.

[Yakfly]

You'll get a million opinions

But I use Trilene XL, 6lb, with a 6 foot leader at the end of my line of 4lb Vanish flourocarbon (6lb will work as well).

I feel that flourocarbon at the end is more abrasion resistant and less visible to the fish.

I like the castability and price of the nylon Trilene XL over flouro, thus don't spool up the whole reel with flouro.

[creek wader]

I started out using small lures, 1/32 and 1/16 oz. On a ultralight with 4 lb test. Lost a lot of lures and a few nice fish.

Went to 6 lb. test and had good luck with it. It's a good all around size line.

Lately, I've moved up to larger lures and a bigger combo. So, I mainly use flourocarbon or a co-poly 8 lb test. Haven't lost any fish using it, and it saves a lot of lures.

My thinking is, use the largest line that your reel can cast the lure, effectively. Don't worry about the fish seeing the line. Their not trout, line doesn't spook them as much.

That's just my opinion, though. ... wader

[smallmouthjoe]

Early this summer I made the switch to superline and it's great. I use 4/10 Fireline Crystal and either a 8 or 10 pound Vanish leader. The sensitivity is incredible and I get better hook sets. I would hate to go back.

[Al Agnew]

Line--it's more important to match your line to your rod and reel and the lures you will be using. There is NO reason to use anything less than 6 pound mono, co-poly, or fluoro for Ozark smallmouth. As creek wader said, going down to 4 pound will eventually lose you some nice fish.

I use 8 pound co-poly (McCoys Mean Green) on light baitcasting tackle, and braided line (2/10, 4/15, or 6/20 Power Pro) on spinning. I'm not TOTALLY convinced that smallmouth in clear water pay NO attention to the line, but I catch plenty of fish on the braid without a leader, and I like braid on spinning tackle because it gives you almost no problem with line twist.

Expect the Buffalo to be quite clear (and low). It will be more important to make fairly long casts and to be stealthy and quiet than it will be to use the "right" line.

[Gavin]

I used to use 4/15 powerpro with a 7' 8lb leader on my spin rods, but I recently switched to 6lb suffix braid in yellow and I like it a lot better than power pro. No line twist, very thin, and it casts a mile. Add the leader with a triple surgeons knot. I rarely use mono anymore...the two exceptions...My bait caster, and for spin fishing when the air temperature is below freezing. Cheers.

[eric1978]

After taking Al's advice, I made the switch from flouro to 4/15 power pro. Casts a mile and STRONG. I've fished it a few times in semi-clear water and a couple times in very clear water and the fish didn't seem to mind it. I casted at a couple fish I spotted and I can tell you they were much more interested in the lure than they were the line. In super-clear water like the Buffalo, I'd be more worried about the fish seeing me than seeing the line, and you can generally cast the braided line farther since you're using a smaller diameter. Also a consideration, if you are fishing faster lures like topwater, spinnerbaits, crankbaits or even jerkbaits or flukes, I don't think the visibility of the line is really that critical, since these are reaction baits and the fish aren't getting that great a look at anything. If I were fishing super-clear water in the winter with slower presentations like tubes and jigs, I'd be more inclined to worry about line visibility and would go with flouro or co-poly, or at least use a leader. I used to obsess over line visibility in clear streams and for a long time used line that was simply too light, and as a result lost my fair share of good fish. Whatever line you choose, go with something that can get in an angry beast whose burying his face in all the rocks and logs he can get to. I'd personally rather get a few less strikes because of heavier line than lose a few more good fish due to lighter line. You never miss what you never had, and it's always the good fish that breaks you off.

[chub minnow]

Ditto on the braided line - no twist, no lost lures, awesome sensitivity. Tip it with 6-8# leader if the water is really clear. Seems to me that the braid does spook some fish if you are fishing a really slow bait (trick worm, shakey head etc.).

[hoglaw]

I keep meaning to switch to braid on my smallmouth gear. For the most part, I use berkley XT in low vis green for all my river stuff. The buffalo isn't the place to go ultralight. Aside from breaking off fish, you can't set a hook if you don't have the gear to back it up. I'm the kind of guy who rocks the canoe on every hookset, so I don't play around with the light stuff. I use a 6'6 G Loomis baitcast rod with medium power and extra fast action. I'm looking to cross eyes, not to finesse these guys.