|
|
Posts: 6
Location: Roanoke, Virignia | I am relatively new to muskie fishing, and would apprieciate some tips on fishing small rivers for muskie. I catch one from time to time (usually one or two a year), but trial and error is not a very fast way to learn. Most of the articles, tips, etc. that I can find deal with lake fishing, and aren't much help in the situations I am faced with.
I live in the Blue Ridge region of Virginia. The rivers I fish are rapid and rocky, and I fish them by canoe. Primary forage species would be fall fish, carp, horyhead sucker, sunfish and smallmouth bass. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 346
| In the current issue of Esox Angler is an article specifically about fishing small rivers. Definately worth buying.
MJB |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1310
Location: Washington, PA | I fish a lot of small rivers in PA and WV. For starters, you will find fish in the deeper holes all year long. Focus on any fallen timber, bolders, or anything that will break the current and provide cover.
Good baits for me are 1. Sucker pattern swhim whizz, 2. Spinnerbaits for the lay down timber 3. gliders.
Start fishing the deep pools, but don't over look the shallower (3-4ft) runs in the river, you'd be suprised the amount of fish scattered over these areas also. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 6
Location: Roanoke, Virignia |
Thanks for your post, I really apprieciate the specifics.
You inspired a side question, however. All the muskies I have found in my rivers have been in large deep eddies or pools away from the current. Your reply seems to indicate that there are muskies in the rapid/riffle areas as well. What can you tell me about locations and tactics for those areas?
Thanks in advance. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 6
Location: Roanoke, Virignia | Thanks for your post, I really apprieciate the specifics.
You inspired a side question, however. All the muskies I have found in my rivers have been in large deep eddies or pools away from the current. Your reply seems to indicate that there are muskies in the rapid/riffle areas as well. What can you tell me about locations and tactics for those areas?
Thanks in advance. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 158
Location: Eagan, MN | Back in college I used to fish a small river. It's structure is basically riffle-hole-run-riffle-hole-run.... A deep hole might be 8'. Anyway, keep checking out any slack water area you can find, especially during rising water levels, but don't underestimate the amount of current muskies can be found in. I caught many muskies burning crankbaits right across shallow runs directly downstream from riffles. I'm talking about 2'-3' of water w/ pretty fair current. If you find a muskie out there I think it will most likely be actively feeding. So basically, pick apart the slack water areas, but don't forget to quickly work through the shallower areas w/ current. There is alot of forage in these areas and active muskies don't mind cruising out there periodically for a meal. As for baits, throw whatever you want in slack water, but stick to faster moving search baits in the runs. You can't go wrong with a Topper Stopper as an all around lure. Are you using muskie tackle? If you are picking up muskies as bonus fish while fishing smallmouth you probably aren't throwing a bait big enough to consistently get a muskies attention. Give them something to home in on. Consider leaving the canoe at home and wading if feasible. Good luck. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 626
Location: ashtabula ohio | tommyv said it well. any current breaks are worth throwing at and they are always in deep pools or holes. outside turns are my most productive spots. especially when they hold dead wood or piles of debris{current breaks} remember it is best to cast upstream and reel back with the current as this is the most natural presentation as they are usually facing in the current to ambush prey...but this has been proven wrong many times for me, as i have caught fish casting up or downstream. i think the main thing is not spooking the fish as you enter your favorite hole or a prime looking spot. good luck. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1310
Location: Washington, PA | mcgray, the way I learned the small rivers I fish, is basically to do a float trip. Take a day, do a large stretch of river. Cast at anything deep enough to run a lure through. As said earlier, you will find actively feeding muskies up in the shallow runs chasing suckers, chubs, smallmouth, etc. For your average couple hour outings I would work the deep pools, like I said, there are fish in these spots all year long. Topwaters are very effective baits on small rivers also. I forgot to mention that. But the main point is muskie fishing is muskie fishing wether a river or lake. So, the best way is too take the time to learn the water, and just keep casting. That's how you will effectively learn what makes the fish tick on your river. Certain weather patterns will drive big fish shallow on rivers also. I've seen this happen quite a few times. One of these patterns is coming this week with the warming trend. HMMMMMMM......can't wait for tomorrow! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 6
Location: Roanoke, Virignia | Thanks for the good info. I don't have any surface lures, but I would buy one or two if I knew what to get. Any sugesstions?
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 626
Location: ashtabula ohio | prolly a topraider if you can find one... double prop baits like a heddon torpedo or wounded spook. buzzbait. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 1237
Location: South Portsmouth, KY | hi. a copper bladed white skirt lunker lure will do the trick. it is a bass sized buzzbait but it is real effictive on muskie. You can also pick up a few bonus bass on it also.good fishin! |
|
| |
|
Posts: 571
Location: Williamstown, WV | hey,
little rivers and streams (creeks in wv) are ALL I fish. All you have to do is match what the forage fish is in your creek and get that type lure. and personally i've caught more muskies on medium sized musky baits...like 4-6 inch baits. The AC Shiners are a great bait for streams, but they fall apart after a couple good fish. Also look at crane baits, as this bait was first made for streams and creeks in wv. your muskies (from my experience) will be in the holes of the creek and on drop offs. good luck man and if you want to hook up sometime shoot me an email
[email protected]
shawn |
|
| |
|
| Ray Hensley of Widowmaker fame is West Virginia native and my choice for someone to talk to about fishin down thar. He makes the Deadhead lure and cathes some nice fish from his home state. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 73
Location: Hazard KY | I have fished the new river and the clinch in Va. and havedone fairly good. I noticed that the fish like minnow type lures and glider jerks. I have seen a few fish below claytor lake in the weeds but for most part they are on trees or shoals.
I would be happy to talk to you some time or call Ray at widow maker he will set you up with some gliders and tell you how to use them.
Chris Haley
www.kentuckymuskie.com
606-436-6501 |
|
| |
|
Posts: 724
Location: Southern W.Va. | I too fish small river and streams for musky here in southern W.Va. Most have some current and by far the most inportant thing fot me to look for in current breaks. A rock, a log , a root wad thats washed in the water, anything that breaks up the flow of water and creats a holding station. Treat the fish like trout, they seem to like being around some current but not right in it. I do move some fish in calmer sections of the rivers and streams that I fish but receive more action at the head and the tail ends of pools. Once moved 6 different fish in a 75yd. lenght of strean near my house in 20 minutes of fishing. the first 75 yds. below a good size (40yd. long) riffle. All fish were holding behind rocks and log on the outside bend of a turn at the head of a pool that was 200yds. long.
Mauser |
|
| |
|
Posts: 75
Location: ft wayne, IN | Fish shalow and deep depending on location and use gliders, small 6 inch or less cranks and minnow baits for greatest success. The occaisional plastic can bring 'em on as well on those tougher days. They absolutely love sitting along the edge of a raging current and will be face forward into it, and generally will be very active fish. Fishing after a rain can be a big bonus. I have caught 12 muskies of every size in a few hours in a spillway before.....  |
|
| |
