April showers may indeed bring May flowers. However, if you chase river smallmouth, you know that these showers bring ever changing conditions to the rivers. As water level and flow fluctuate, bass move daily. So, finding that large group of fish can make or break a day on the water.
Breaking down water is one of the most popular seminar topics I cover. And the frequency of high-flow muddy water in early spring tends to keep anglers one dimensional. With overnight temperatures falling into the low 30’s and daytime temps usually in the 50’s, many anglers stay with a finesse approach dragging tube jigs, Ned rigs and jig profiles in search of bass that were there just yesterday, and elsewhere today. Even in lower water temperatures, search baits are the key to locating fish quickly and allowing anglers to present a variety of presentations to that group of fish. Once active bass are located, anglers can add a variety of other presentations into the mix.
What exactly is a search bait? For me it is any bait that I can cover water quickly and effectively. It is important to be both subsurface and make bottom contact as we never really know what mode bass are in when the river levels are fluctuating. The three best baits for this are crankbaits, vibrating jigs and spinnerbaits. Each will allow anglers to fish a variety of water and a range of speeds from fast to slow. Each effectively offers vibration that allows bass to key in on them when visibility is not very good.
Crankbaits
While I prefer square bills for river fishing, it is not to imply that I do not have dozens of round bill crankbaits in my boat at all times. The key feature is the average depth that the lip is designed for. Bottom contact is critical to making this lure effective, but if anglers choose cranks with lips that dive considerably deeper than needed, the bait is more prone to gathering leaves and debris than fish.
Work the crankbait down to depth as quickly as possible and then slow the retrieve. Anglers will be able to feel the crankbait lightly bounce along the bottom and what I recommend is pausing the bait for a second or so, before starting it back up. Do not be surprised if strikes happen right when the crankbait begins moving after a short pause.
Make sure to cover as much water as possible. Fan casting works, but even more productive is locating casting targets before the next cast is even ready. The Susquehanna where I fish is loaded with rocks. Some that break the surface of the water, some that just break the flow. Target points in the pockets beside and down river are key areas, but the push water in front of them can be equally productive. Work the crankbait all the way back to the boat as bass may not be as tight to cover as we think.
Vibrating Jigs
Chatterbaits are extremely easy to use and are so effective. For those anglers who dislike treble hooks, this is the bait for you! I rarely throw a chatterbait without a trailer. Selecting a Craw or Minnow trailer is 100% up to the preference of the angler. However, for early spring the go to for the author are minnow trailers like the Razor Shad or Chatter Spike from Zman Fishing Products. Other trailers such as Lake Fork Magic Shad and Gary Yamamoto’s Zako work as well.
My advice for throwing chatterbaits is to simply cast and retrieve it, I do not want my clients to put a lot of additional motion into them. A good cast, close to cover and a retrieve that keeps the chatterbait just off the bottom is all that is required. Yes, it is just that simple. Give it a try.
Rod choice here is fairly important. Whether the outfit is spinning or casting, the key is a medium to medium-heavy rod. Rod weight is important for accurate casts and for a strong hookset to drive the forged hook home. The Original Chatterbait is fine, but anglers will notice a difference in the Zman Jackhammer. Another great choice for river smallmouth is the Mini Max. The Mini Max offers a compact version in the same weight as the full size Chatterbaits.
Spinnerbaits
Smaller frame spinnerbaits are among the easiest and most productive search baits for smallmouth bass. There are a number of companies who specialize in these, Nickols and Molix Spinnerbaits, just to name a few. But for the Susquehanna, the #1 spinnerbait is from Sick Custom Spinnerbaits. We have been using them for years and I have yet to find a better spinnerbait. Owner J.T. is a Juniata River native and has developed a wide range of skirt and blade combinations dialed into catching river smallmouth.
The greatest thing about spinnerbaits is the almost magic ability to come through some of the thickest cover. So, in highwater situations when bass are “tight” to cover, a spinnerbait will go where no lure can. The vibration of the blades clanging off branches, logs and rocks just trigger strikes.
Whether slow rolling spinnerbaits along the bottom, helicoptering them off deep bluffs or burning them subsurface to cover water, spinnerbaits will locate bass when few other lures can.
A short confession before wrapping this up. The title of this piece should really have been ‘Search and Rescue.’ Simply because search baits have rescued more of my fishing trips than I care to admit. I just felt that ‘Search and Destroy’ would be far more eye catching. In closing, recognize that a search bait does not always have to be your primary lure once bass are located. Getting strikes, even short strikes on these lures is all that is needed to help anglers locate bass quickly.
Be sure to add a few of these to your next spring smallmouth adventure.
Author Chris Gorsuch is a licensed charter guide in the state of Pennsylvania. He started the Reel River Adventures guide service in ‘07 and spends 225-250 days on the water annually. His home base is on the Susquehanna River where he operates 20’ jetboats.You can follow his daily fishing reports on Facebook ‘Reel River Adventures-RRA’ & Instagram @Chris_Gorsuch
