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Stream Fishing
Tips
Prespawn Smallies
Targeting prespawn Smallmouth on a river can
be the best time of the year depending on the weather and water levels. If
conditions are right you can expect to catch really big fish in March and April
along with the first week in May. You must first know where the smallies are
wintering at. As soon as the temps start warming the water to around 40 degrees
plus this can trigger the smallies into feeding that starts in March here in
Pennsylvania. If the rivers are high and muddy this will slow the action until
the water comes down and clears a little. If there is debris floating in the
water I don't fish slight stain to the water is best but you don't really want
chocolate milk colored water.
First thing you want to find is slow moving current in slack water that is
pretty deep say 5-10 feet with shallow water not far and some faster water also
close by. Start in the deeper water bringing your lure up into the shallow water
then start shallow and go deep into the slower current, letting the bait drift
from spot to spot on or near the bottom. I use a few different baits this time
of year my most effective bait has been a tube the second is
any minnow type jerkbait and the third a hair jig
I mostly use 1/8 or 1/16 oz baits. As far as colors of the bait I like green and
brown along with orange. Other baits can also work but these three have worked
the best for me. Again make sure you try to find a spot that can support bass in
the winter start there and work into the shallows any given day they can be deep
or shallow.
Gear Review
L.L. Bean Rapid River Vest
I bought this vest in early 2007 looking for a vest that can support an all day fishing trip on streams and rivers. This vest has more than enough room to hold all the gear that you would need in a 8 to 10 hour trip. The vest is very durable everything is working perfectly on this vest two and a half years later the color is faded a bit. The pounding I’ve put this vest through it is remarkable that it still has not ripped or the zippers are broken. I’ve been in all kind of weather rain, sleet, snow, and sunshine many many times. The back support that it gives really helps out when you have a full pack there is not much stress on your back with the waist support belt. Along with padding on the entire back of the pack the shoulder support is ok I’d prefer a little more padding but that is nit picking. On to the storage the back pack is medium size and can hold a good bit of stuff I can carry a rain coat, food, water bladder, first aid kit, headlamp, maps and a knife and still have some room. You have 2 pockets on your hip pack that are big enough to carry extra reel or spools but the only thing is they get wet if u get waist deep so waterproof them is a good idea with a water proof case. On your chest are six pockets for tackle and u can hold a lot six tackle boxes you should be able to get all you need in them. There are clips on the front to hang you hemos or clippers and a rod strap. Multiple inside pockets can hold a note book, tippets or anything else small you may want to carry. I would not trade this vest for any that I have seen at this time it is pretty much perfect.
