Smallmouth Bass Fishing

by Juan Veruete, Kayak Fish PA, LLC

Oh yes, the good old days of grabbing a spinning rod, a pack of sinkers, and hooks to hit the cool clear waters of your local smallie creek. If you want to get back to your roots and simplify your life…at least “temporally” here’s a simple formula for getting there.

Foot wear

An old pair of sneakers can do just fine but often creek rocks are slick so you may need to look at other options. Many companies now make “river shoes” or “water sandals” that have lug bottoms and can do relatively well in gravel and small rock environments. If you will encounter very slippery bottom then you probably want to upgrade to a wading shoe or hip boots that have a felt bottom. Felt bottoms provide incredible traction on slick creeks. Add a wading staff and you are in business!

Rods and Reels

Chasing creek smallmouth bass often require down sizing baits so a medium power 6 - 6.5 foot rod is the ticket. Match that with a spinning or spin cast reel that can handle 6-8 pound test and you are ready to hit the water. I prefer spinning gear for creek smallies because that is usually the best tool for handling smaller baits.

Bait selection

Everyone has their favorite baits and you should always pack your favorites. Creek fishing though often requires finesse tactics. In particular, when the water is low, clear, and warm. Fish tend to get very wary under these conditions and a little lethargic. Smaller baits will increase you chances of success. Here are a few of my favorites.

1. 4 inch Berkley Power Worms rigged on a 1/8 or 1/16 oz jig head
2. 3″ Baby Stickworms and 4.25 ” Stickworm Jr.’s
3. Winco’s Creek Wacky Worm
4. Rebel Wee Craw or Teeny Craw crankbait
5. The Tiny Topedo by Headon

These baits will cover most situations you will encounter from the top of the water column to the bottom. The range of baits will also allow you to make preventions that will be effective in slow, medium, and faster current.

Gear Storage

There are tons of options for packing gear to the creek. You wont’ have much but having an organize tackle storage option will help you spend more time enjoying the fishing instead of digging through tackle. The classic fishing vest is always a great option. Another option are small soft sided tackle bags with over the solder straps and the ability to handle Plano 360 boxes. Last but not least, one of my favorites is the tackle fanny pack. They stay out of your way, carry enough gear for a day on the creek, and offer quick access to that gear.

Fishing Strategy

I grew up fishing limestone streams and tiny clear creeks for smallmouth bass. Creek smallmouth can be as weary as the illusive summer brook trout. Your best approach will be to fish moving upstream and make long casts. This will increase the odds of you making a good bait presentation before fish know your in their neighborhood.

I’ll typically do some creek fishing about every other week. It’s a great way to relax after work or for a few hours on a Saturday afternoon. You’ll also want to remember that small creeks do not always mean small fish. Several years ago I was fishing a creek that I could cross in about three bit hops and caught a 20.5 inch smallmouth bass. What a surprise and a memory! The moral of the story, don’t under estimate a creek. Always be ready for the smallmouth bass of a lifetime!