Swimmers and Streakers

As suggested by their attitude toward buzzbaits, river smallies readily rise as if from nowhere to attack free-swimming baits. Thus mid-water baits often outfish jigs or tubes during summer. While a 3- to 4-inch action-tail grub is always a good call, other choices include minnow-shaped swimming grubs and miniature swimbaits.

Two new baits that have been particularly deadly this year are Galida’s Grubz (galidasgrubz.com) and Tabu Tackle’s Tiny Tim Baby Swimbait (tabutackle.com). Another lure with a proven record for river smallmouth is a swim jig. Retrieved steadily either inches above bottom or just below the surface, a swim jig resembles fleeing prey and smallmouths pounce on it.

Select river swim jigs with a fine wire hook; a 1/4- or 3/8-ounce tapered head; thin, soft weedguard; sparse skirt; and a soft plastic action-tail trailer. The Swim Stalker from Bass Stalker is an excellent example. This past summer, my best swim jig was a crawfish-colored YUM Money Craw on a 3/16- or 1/4-ounce leadhead.

Make a long cast with the jig and begin the retrieve slowly. Gradually pick up the pace so the Craw is swimming well off bottom, then slow the retrieve and increase it again. The Money Craw closely imitates a panicked crawfish seeking sanctuary.

River bass love a good chase. If a bronzeback senses something is trying to escape, it instinctively pursues it; and, in clear water, you can watch the reactions of bass to your lure. “Streaking” is simply increasing the retrieve speed of a grub, small swimbait, or swim jig so bass chase it. You can’t crank too fast for a smallmouth to run it down, and often the faster the better, particularly in the heat of summer.

If a following fish approaches the boat but hasn’t committed to strike, pull the cord, immediately halting the retrieve, letting the lure fall toward bottom. This action often encourages the bass to engulf it.

A Versatile Crossover Bait

One of my summertime favorites is what I call a crossover lure. I’ve found that a soft jerkbait, fished on 15-pound braided line with a 12-pound-test mono leader, works for all three techniques—reaction bait, drift bait, and mid-water swimming bait—without switching rods. Rig Zoom’s Super Fluke, a YUM Houdini Shad, Case Salty Shad, Berkley Jerk Shad, or a similar bait on a 3/0 Mustad Impact Hook. With one rod and a bag or two of plastics, you can wander miles down a stream and catch loads of bass.

I drift a preyfish-colored soft jerkbait (often on a weighted hook) in the same runs and eddies as a stickworm, applying an occasional twitch to the lure. I also swim it underwater with a dog-walking sashay across flats with fast current. Switching to a bright color, I use a soft jerkbait in place of a buzzbait, reeling it fast enough to skim the surface in fast-water situations.

Small rivers bring out the best in smallmouth bass—colors are brighter, jumps are higher, and their aggressive nature is fully on display. At a river near you this summer, grab your boots or a small boat and a bit of tackle, and you’re in the front row for the best show in town.

*Darl Black, Cochranton, Pennsylvania, is a veteran outdoor writer and photographer and a former river guide. He contributes to both In-Fisherman and Bass Guide.