Ohio River Smallies -Etta

When you think smallmouth do you consider the Ohio River? If not, you may be missing some fine angling for Mr. Bronzeback right in your backyard. This, according to a number of Ohio River experts.

As April runs into May the days are getting longer, the sun is getting warmer, and the fish are beginning to stir from their winter haunts. The migration to the shallows begins as the water temperature moves up the scale and begins to show temperatures in the mid 40-degree range. By April the water temperature, assuming a normal weather pattern this spring, should be at least 50 degrees. This will bring the smallies shallow.

Favorite spring haunts for smallmouth are rocky areas in the main river and its tributaries, including small cuts along the bank of the main river. These spots will be the first staging areas for the fish as they head for the creeks or other tributaries to begin their spring gorge that ends in the spawn.

Most seasoned river smallmouth anglers begin by checking depths of 10- to 15 feet and then, if necessary, moving shallower until they find fish. These anglers always thoroughly fish any current break they find, regardless of whether it is in the main river or up in one of the creeks.

They also fish nearly every creek mouth in the pool. At each will be a crescent-shaped hump on the downstream side of the mouth in the main river. The current washing in from the creek and entering the main flow of the river builds this structure. These humps are prime holding spots for all gamefish; smallies are no exception.

The most common, and effective, lure for smallmouth bass during any season is a jig. The simple fact is that a jig will catch bronzebacks day in and day out regardless of the season. You will not go wrong tying on a jig.

Jigs come in so many shapes, sizes, styles, and colors they can not be itemized here. Suffice it to say that a hair jig is hard to beat. Some of the best are being made in Tennessee by Punisher Jigs, (www.punisherjigs.com), from synthetic craft hair.

Many anglers opt for rattles of some sort in or on the jig. According to knowledgeable smallmouth anglers such as Cobby Hayes and Bob Coan, both of whom are Billy Westmoreland protégés, the rattle plays to the smallmouth’s natural curiosity. (Attracting smallmouth by banging two rocks together is a favorite game of scuba divers.)

A second lure choice for this stage of the movement is a Fluke. Use it weightless if at all possible. If absolutely necessary use a small split shot on the line. Attach it snug against the top of the hook. Use as little weight as possible and never use a weight that has a keel on it; round weights only. (This will reduce line twist.)

Rig your Fluke using either an offset worm hook with the point of the hook just barely protruding out the back, or with a circle hook through the nose. A circle hook will make the rig nearly snag proof. Retrieve it in a series of twitches, “walk the dog” style. Most anglers like to see a wake on top of the water as the lure is being retrieved.

Some of the very best Flukes are being made by Driftwood Lures of Frankfort, Kentucky, (www.driftwoodlures).

Do not pass over the topwater plugs in your box. Walking sticks, poppers, and prop baits are legendary for their ability to provoke vicious strikes. Vary your retrieve; sometimes the fish like it slow and easy but at other times you cannot make too much noise.

Equipment is largely a matter of preference, but it is interesting to note that most good smallmouth anglers opt for open-face spinning equipment. They point out that it is easier to get a straight drop on the lures, and jigs, with these outfits, and that spinning reels handle lighter lines more efficiently.

Lines of four, six, and eight-pound test are popular with these anglers. They believe that, in most cases, such lines allow for a more natural action from your lure and are well suited to the clear waters that smallies seem to prefer.

There are times, unfortunately, when the bite will be slow. Under these conditions most anglers opt for smaller baits. That may be a mistake, however. Try upsizing; just because they are called smallmouths does not mean that they cannot handle big lures. In many cases they will attack large baits while they ignore small ones. Give them something different.

Spend some time fishing for smallies this spring on the river. You just might be surprised. Not all the big ones are down south!