Juniata River fishing tips, first week in August

Summer time smallmouth bass on the Juniata River

The summer weather is finally here! The water is warm and the smallmouth bass are on the feed! I spent last weekend staked out in my kayak on the Juniata River under a bridge catching one smallmouth after another. I think summer fishing and big number days are here. Barring any seriously rising water, this first week in August could shape up to be one of the best weeks for fishing so far this summer. These tips will not only help you on the Juniata River but any flowing river that holds the hard fighting river smallie!

Here are my bait pics for this comming week

• “Senko” style baits like the Yum Dinger etc. should be very productive this week if the water clarity stays at 3 feet or more of visibility where your fishing on the river. The clearer the better for this bait. Pumpkin, green pumpkin and other natural colors should work well in the clearing river water. You can fish the bait texposed or wacky rig the bait. don’t be afraid to drop down to smaller size baits like the 3″ sizes if the bites are few and far between. Last week the smaller baits definitely worked better for me.
• Top water baits like Pop R’s, Tiny Torpedoes, and Zara Spooks should work well in the early morning or if we get some cloud cover. Again, clear water is the key. The clearer the water, typically the better the top water bite.
• Your favorite 4″ or 6 ” worm rigged on a 1/8 oz. jig head will be worth a try. The bait will be excellent in and around the emerging grass area’s on the river. You can drop it down into holes in the grass or fish it though the thicker submerged grass. When it gets hung up on the weeds, just give your rod a “snap”. ..and be ready. This usually is what triggers a smallie to take a whack at the bait. Here’s a great tip for you. Position yourself directly down stream from the weed bed you want to fish. you’re bait will slide down through the grass and get hung up a lost less.
• A soft jerkbait may be the best bait this time of year. 3″-5″ Jerk-Shads, Houdini Shads, or Slug-gos should be the ticket! Vary your retrieves speed and cadence until you find what the fish want. Remember, sometimes they just like it “dead stick” drifted with the current.

Locating August river smallmouth bass

Summer means fish will be spread out all over the river foraging for crayfish, minnows, madtoms, and other edible tidbits. Anywhere you throw a bait, there’s a chance to catch a fish! On summer mornings fish will typically be up shallow so almost any of the baits listed will work. As the sun rises in the sky, fish will fall back into deeper runs or pools with medium to medium fast current. If the water temperatures are climbing, they may also seek refuge in the riffles at the head of pools. When they are holding in deeper spots weighted baits like tubes or worms fished on a jig head are the way to go. When they are holding in shallower area’s senko style baits and  soft jerbaits will usually be the best choice.

Well, there you have it. One mans opinion on what will and will not be working in the comming weeks. Man, did I go out on a limb here or what? Have a great first week in August and enjoy the good fishing that awaits us! Also, feel free to let me know how these tips work out for you!