My "rigged to fish" kayak on the Juniata River, Pennsylvania
I loaded the kayak and hit the road headed to the Juniata River early a.m. …4:00 a.m. to be exact! I don’t even get up that early to go to work! The weather has made fishing a little challenging this year but I feel like the big number days are just around the corner. I paddled up river about 1 mile. I only had to get out of my kayak at two spots. One had a shallow ledge and the other had a rapid shoot that despite my best efforts, I couldn’t muster enough speed to punch through. It was fun trying though!
I hit a “big fish spot” first, but it only yielded 5 smallmouth bass with the biggest being 15 inches. I moved to another area of the river were the water was clearer and BINGO… The action was fast. I landed between 15 and 20 smallmouth. No big boys today but it was nice to not have to work so darn hard for bites!
Times fished
6:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. (most productive time)
Weather Conditions
- Mostly Sunny with passing thunderstorms
- air temperatures ranged from 63 degrees in the morning to 76 degrees during my afternoon trip
Water Conditions
- 1 foot visibility (morning area)
- 4 feet visibility (afternoon area)
- water temperatures around 70-75 degrees.
- water levels were normal for this time of year in both spots.
Baits Used
- Yum Dinger, 4 inch
- BPS Stick-O, 3 inch
- Shallow crankbait
- 4 inch power worm, rigged on 1/8 oz. jig head
The BPS Stick-O and the 4 inch power worm by far produced the most fish. The Yum Dinger produced several fish. The crankbait produced one fish.
Comments and Patterns
My morning spot was really muddy but I wanted to fish that area because it has produced several really big bass for me this year. I fished there for 5 yours and landed 5 fish. I tossed the crankbait in more open rocky areas and shallow current breaks. I threw the Power Worm rigged on a 1/8 oz. jig head in weed choked or deeper spots. The fishing was slow but it was worth a shot at another big fish!
My afternoon spot was considerably clearer. This opened up more choices in terms of baits. The fish were on the feed big time but they definitely wanted a smaller presentation. I threw some bigger baits at first with decent success. I was seeing a lot of fish but they were not hitting my baits. I rummaged through my kayak crate looking for the solution. I decided to try a three inch stick-o and that’s when the fishing got fast and furious! In 3.5 hours of fishing, I landed over 15 smallmouth. Most of which were caught in the last hour and a half when I finally put the pieces together. I wacky rigged the 3 inch bait with a circle hook. The biggest smallmouth measured about 16 inches. Usually I say “big baits catch big fish” but in this situation the smaller bait produced more fish and the bigger fish of the trip as well. No giants today but I feel like the big number days of summer are just around the corner on the Juniata River!
I have been fishing the Juniata for years from Bedford to Graceville and have found the fish to plentiful and usually hungry… A little on the smallish size, but it is always a pleasure to fish.
Jack, I like that stretch of the river as well. I’ve fished it many times in the past and have done some multi day trips there. There are definitely good numbers but as you said, their usually a little on the small side..on average. Fun anyway though!! thanks for commenting!