Please Help

[Capt. G]

Hey guys, just started fishing the river and need a little help. My cousin and I are new to river and bass fishing, we have been out a few times with no luck at all. We can find the fish (according to the fish finder) but we can get anything to bite. I've been using a few crankbaits, spinners, and plastic shad, minnows, and worms. Im starting to think its something we are doing wrong but I dont know what, maybe our rigs.... presentation.... I dont know.

What works, what doesnt work?

Any help or advice would be great.

Thanks,

Greg

[sdrcda]

The river is pretty tough right now. It is really high and I'd say you aren't the only one not catching fish. I have had luck on small swim baits down there but I'm guessing it isn't worth fishing until it drops.

[Capt. G]

Thanks for the info. I have a few swimbaits, what type of string would you recommend for the river?

[sdrcda]

oh i would just go with 12 to 17 lb mono. nothing fancy but i am probably not the best guy to ask. the only time i catch hybrids down there is early (february/march).

[skinny waters]

Capt,

what part of the river are you fishing?

Just got back from the river this morning fished 5 hours between me and my partner we had 12 keepers, best 5 were 14 lbs. Most were caught on jigs, two off spinnerbaits. This time of year it's best to try to find a current break, either a creek or eddy. If you can get into a creek the first 100 yards is probably best. (of course that's not a rule)

You can catch fish on just about anything you are comfortable using we fish brushogs, sweet beavers and buzzbaits alot. If I had to choose a color it would be green.

[Capt. G]

Hi Skinny,

We usually fish between the dam and catrock, there is a creek by camp bagnell that we like to fish in so we can get out of the current. We are new at this and Im sure we are making all kinds of little mistakes.

We are using 12-20lb. braided green line with a swivel on to our lures. We have all kinds of lures and plastic baits between the 2 of us, we just cant seem to get them to bite on anything. I've been doing as much reading and research that I can to try learn what works and what doesnt. I dont know when to fish on top or when to fish the bottom or what to use on top or the bottom.

Thanks for all the help,

Greg

[skinny waters]

That's a good part of the river to catch some quality fish. I don't think the braid is that big of a deal I normally use mono and some florocarbon, although it might be if the water is really clear.

I fish some tourney's down the river and if the river is up in the 12 to 14' range usually a few boat will run to the dam. The rip rap banks up by the dam can be great for largemouth when they are running water. It doesn't take much of a current break to hold fish, any slack water up by the bank can hold fish. That's the good thing about the river most of the time it's a shallow water deal.

If I was just looking for fish in a new part of the river I would tie on a white spinnerbait and a brown or greenpumpkin jig and cover water till something eats one or the other. The topwater bite on the river can be good all day.

[Capt. G]

Thanks for the info and advice, I cant wait to get back out there and try it again. I'll let you guys know if I come up with anything.