Central Pennsylvania Fishing

This past weekend I spent four days in a row fishing for smallmouth bass in a local creek. This year is really no different than any other year that I’ve fished the creek. It did get me thinking, however, how difficult it can be to locate and catch small stream or creek smallmouth bass in the early spring before the spawn. Yes, the waters are smaller but the conditions are tougher. The smallmouth in them are extremely sensitive to changes water levels and temperatures. As we all know, there is no other time in the year that these variables can swing from one extreme to another like in March and April in the northeastern United States.

I’ve broken the article down into “situations” that you may encounter during early spring and how you might address these situations. This is not meant to be an expansive article covering every possible nuance of a situation. It’s more of a “quick tips” to help you quickly adjust to changing conditions. Some of it may seem a little unorthodox but it is based on thirty plus years of chasing smallies in these types of waters with some pretty good success.

Situation 1: Cold Water

Cold water is common during March and April. It can be caused by extended cold weather, spring rains, higher volume of cold water springs, or melting ice.

Key Locations

Cold water fish in creeks usually go deeper. Deep is definitely a relative term highly dependent on the specific creek. In many creeks that I fish, four feet of depth would be considered a deep hole. focus on the mid to upper section of the hole as long as the water is deep. Remember, this is spring and the fish will want to be in a position to feed before the spawn. Thats why they will be situated toward the head of a hole rather than the tail end. I have particular luck fishing the upper sections of long slow moving holes this time of year. If you can locate of few of these spots, they will be your honey holes. Deep channels are also a key location.

key Structure

If you can combine any of the deep water spots mentioned above with chunk rock, boulders, or wood, you are in business! Pinpoint current breaks caused by this structure.

Lures

Choice of specific lure here is really a personal preference but i would recommend that you have a fast moving bait and a slow bait at the ready. Typically I’ll fish first with a fast moving crankbait or lipless crankbait. My favorite for this time of year is the rattle trap. I have caught more spring time smallies on this crank than any other in my arsenal. A suspending stick bait can also be deadly this time of year. Once I’ve blanketed the section of the hole with my crankbait, I follow up with a slower moving bait like a tube bait or senko type bait. I use the slower moving bait to pick apart the smaller “spots” on my spot. For example; specific current breaks, an eddie, boulder, wood, or a nice looking channel. Like I said, these lures are my personal preference. I have a lot of confidence in these baits. Covering the bases with a fast moving bait and a lure that could be fished S-L-O-W is critical in spring. The “one..two punch” will allow you to catch smallies even in those tough conditions that mother nature throws at us in earl spring.

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