River Fishing for Largemouth Bass - Summer (Location)

River fishing is a growing section of the bass fishing world, yet not much has been written about targeting largemouth bass in rivers.  Traditionally, largemouth bass were seen as fish that you catch in reservoirs and lakes, but rivers can be some of the most productive waters around (if you can find the bass.)  So how do you target largemouth bass in a river?  Here is a detailed breakdown for catching largemouth bass in the river.

We will start with Summer.  One of the most confusing times for those who seek River Largemouths.  This first article is about where to find the fish.  We will break it down further and discuss what presentations, lures, etc., later, [River Fishing for Largemouth Bass - Summer (Presentation)] but lets cover the location of the summer largemouth bass first.  So...here we go...

SUMMER

Location

First step in catching river largemouths in the summer is figuring out where the fish are holding up.  In lakes, you will most often find largemouth bass deep in cooler water or hanging out in the shade of thick cover during the summer.  Well, fishing is similar in the river, but you have other factors to consider.  Current, cover, and color, are the three big "Cs" to consider when chasing river largemouth.  (Did you like that alliteration there?) Haha, but really.  In the summer (or most times of the years) these are the three big things I focus on when targeting largemouth bass in a river.

Current

You will find more active fish in areas with more current, but you will often find the bigger largemouths hanging out in pools and dead-water areas.  You need to pay special attention to the flow or the river.  Unlike other river bass, largemouth bass typically avoid strong current.  This does not mean that they will avoid current altogether.  In fact, in the dog-days of summer, when the water heats up, largemouth will often find areas of the river with a little bit more current than usual.

Current does a few things in the summer. First, it keeps the water moving, acting like a fan pushing air for us, helping to keep the water a little bit cooler.  Second, it keeps oxygen in the water.  Moving water equals oxygenated water, oxygenated water equals bass.  Third, it brings food to the bass so they don't have to do as much chasing.  But...you do not want too strong of a current, or the bass will have to work too hard to stay put.  Finding cover for the bass to hide behind in the current is key in the summer.

Focus on stretches of river with mild to moderate current.  Stay in the main river areas.  These typically have better flow and deeper water than the small tributaries.  Keep your eyes open for areas just out of the main current, where the flow slows down a little bit or even turns and goes the opposite direction.  Disruptions in the current can also attract baitfish and bass.  Bends in the river, log jams, and sand or gravel bars, can all effect the current and make for prime largemouth hunting ground.  Be aware of this, as largemouth bass will hide behind these current breaks in areas with mild, moderate, or even strong current flows.  Areas with current that have good cover and/or access to deeper water are also productive. 

Cover

Cover is an important part of river fishing.  Just like in a lake or reservoir, cover provides shade from the sun, a hiding place from which to launch their attack, and protection from predators.  Cover, along with structure,  in rivers goes beyond that though, it also provides a very important current break for the river largemouth.  This allows the bass to stay in or near the current, with its wonderful cooler, oxygenated water, without expending much of its energy.  Maximizing the potential food at a minimum energy exertion.  

Good cover in the summer can vary from river system to river system.  Cover can be lily pads (which provide shade but little current break) in slower currents, native river grasses or even hydrilla (which provide good shade and decent current break) in mild to moderate currents, or solid objects such as rocks, boulders, or fallen trees (which provide good current break) in stronger currents.  A mixture of grasses and solid cover is often the best.

Target areas that have good amounts of cover near to mild or moderate currents.  Focus on areas that have a mixture of "hard" (trees, boulders) and "soft" (grasses) cover.  Use the current to your advantage.  If using a floating, suspending, or slow sinking lure, cast upstream from the cover, and let the current bring your bait to the backside of the cover.  This is what the fish are wanting!  If you are using a heavy jig or lure that sinks rapidly, start by casting upstream from the cover and bouncing it to the cover.  If you don't get bit this way, cast directly behind the cover and let it fall on the fish's head.

Color

The color of the water is important in the summer.  With summertime comes summer rains.  Often heavy thunderstorms can dump a ton of water into the river is a short amount of time.  This changes the flow of the river, raises the water level, changes the temperature, and changes the color of the water.  Bass are creatures of habit, they don't usually like change.  A change in water color is usually bad for largemouth fishing.

Heavy rains increase run-off, dumping more sediment and stirring junk up at the bottom.  This usually muddies the water.  A little bit of color from light rains is not always bad, but a large color change or darkening of the water is usually bad for bass fishing.  If the water is muddier than normal, focus on areas that are a little bit cleaner.  If you have a confluence of two rivers or creaks, often times the water flowing in from one will be cleaner.  Where these two waters meet will create a defined color change line.  Fish the clean side of this line!  This will often be the most productive water by far.  I like to throw shad colored crankbaits and flukes in these areas.

Light rains, or anything else that slightly raise the water levels or increase the flow and don't change the water color, can be a benefit to river largemouth fishing.  As water levels rise or the current begins to move faster, sediment that is on the bottom can begin to stir a little bit, setting the food chain into action.  These times are very productive times to fish.

When it comes to color, focus on fishing areas that are the same color as the water is normally.  If your river is usually a crystal clear spring fed river, stick to the clear water.  If your river is a "old water" river and is usually stained or murky, then find those areas.  That is where you will have the best luck.

Continue to River Fishing for Largemouth Bass - Summer (Presentation)

Related Articles:
River Fishing for Largemouth Bass - Summer to Fall Transition