Originally posted by: Celliach on 2/27/2006 7:39:47 AM

Ever notice a weather difference on those days when you can't find them; overcast, cold front, low pressure system moving by, etc? It could be on those days they are moving into the deeper pockets.

Originally posted by: Mac Daddy on 2/26/2006 4:33:55 PM

Around entering streams, no problems. Bottom of spillways, no problem. River is 100 yards wide, fish about 20 miles of it. The whole river is structure. Find bait, find fish. Fish today in one of the above, great, tomorrow gone. Question is where are they likely to move too. River runs one to two knots and less, water is stained. River is mostly sunker trees, rocks. Water temp runs between 60 and 75 through the season. Any idea's ?

Originally posted by: papa_d on 2/27/2006 8:45:27 AM

The smallies I'm familure with here in Muskegon River; Tend to be "camera" shy. Usually under any kind of bright light conditions they will either stay as deep as possable; or kiss the banks under trees, bushes, ect. This is where I got all my past training as being "muskegon's" 31 Bushwacker!!! I don't need a flyrod to do either!!! <!--graemlin::eek:--> <!--graemlin::D-->

Originally posted by: Frogman2 on 2/27/2006 8:47:41 AM

I agree with CELLIACH, the deeper pockets, because that is where I find them under like situations. AND they seem to act a bit slower or a bit more causious. But they just seem to end up in 20 - 25' holes, so i just work them in there!

Originally posted by: Mac Daddy on 2/27/2006 11:16:24 AM

Could be they are hitting pockets I''m not finding with my depth finder, good reason for one of those new color units <!--graemlin:;)--> The river I fish is a lot like your's I failed to mention that in the fall the Bass start heading down river to the dam {resovoir} and then back up river in early summer late spring.the part of the river I fish is 15 miles above the dam so they do go a long way. <!--graemlin::eek:-->

Originally posted by: The Rod Tosser on 2/27/2006 3:46:01 PM

smallies tend to be home bodies once you locate them they willusaly use thatspotyear after year. there not like largemouth bass largmouth hate curent but smallies will use the curent to there advantage look for edies rapids rip rap banks
the damn area can be a hot area they also like rocks and boulders becuse they love to eat crayfish (crawfish (dads) what ever you want to call them . I would say try the rock areas . another thing to consider is that trees hold heat will be some of the first things to heat up in the springtime.

Originally posted by: Smalliecatcher on 2/27/2006 4:14:20 PM

I just have to give you what I have learned on the river system by me. All the answers above are right, Different things happen to these fish. Sometimes your looking for a deep hole but just look for some deeper water by where the fish were. It maybe only a foot or two deeper but that all they have. Sometimes they will be ahead of the structure in a feeding mood. Other times they will be in ambush in the the structure. and some times behind the structure. And yes current has alot to do with it too. Run offs,slow water,spring time water etc. The river I fish is only 3-10 feet deep the only time their in ten foot of water is in the winter and only sometimes. A river smallie don't need to have deep holes because of the current. I wished I was close to you I would come by you and we would find those fish. I really don't think those fish travel 12 miles to deep water. Research have showed that they move but not that far. There are a few people in the club here have fished with me and know that what I showed them is true. Look closer to where you caught them before. Denny

Originally posted by: Mac Daddy on 2/27/2006 6:29:29 PM

A big thank you to all of you these tips should make a differnce this season. Here fishy, fishy <!--graemlin:;)-->

Originally posted by: davesett2000 on 2/28/2006 12:04:28 PM

Definitely some good points above <!--graemlin::cool:-->

Here's are a few similar thoughts to ponder <!--graemlin:;)-->

If you have been catching fish on partly cloudy days, then can't find them on a crystal clear day, fish your baits even closer to cover (weeds, trees, rocks) as the constant bright light can make them more wary of predator birds / fish etc...

An influx of dirty water will put them tight to the banks, where they can feed on bugs getting washed off the plants etc......OR they may try to move upriver to find some cleaner water...if the river has any backwater areas, try those too on these days.

Probably the BIGGEST key is "what are their food sources doing"...and as you stated...find the bait, and the fish won't be far away.

Originally posted by: The Rod Tosser on 2/28/2006 5:45:27 PM

another thing to think about is seams
fast meats slow water or clear water meets staind

or colder water comming in from a stream some days you got to be tight to cover but always check the shady side first.

Originally posted by: ouachitabassangler on 3/2/2006 1:03:37 AM

Also think through the current situation even though stable. Imagine a cross section of a river. Let's say it's a perfect bowl bottom and sides. The middle core of it is like a pipe running down the middle. the highest current in the pipe. The ideal pipe is off bottom, below the surface, away from the banks. For simplicity lets say the middle half of the river is the pipe. The next slowest current is flowing around the pipe, below it, to the sides, above it. The slowest current hugs the bottom and the sides where friction of the bottom slows the current. That's the zone farthest from the fastesed core where all bass, including smallmouth, will try to stay. In particular, they will prefer to find irregularities along the bottom, especially boulders that break the lower current up more than regular smooth bottom. They will also prefer to resy to inside bends of the channel where current is least, the central fast core usually towards the outside bend. But come feeding time they move to the outside bends where current captures baitfish and flows them downstream. Wherever you find significant current breaks on the outside bend is where avtively feeding bass will lie in ambush, behind rocks, ledges, in holes, in submerged tree tops & brush washed down from upstream. When inactive they move back to quieter water. They are highly territorial except during spawn, so don't move far from one extreme to the other, simply crossing the river between feeding and resting, often spending their lives within a quarter mile stretch or less. It just takes too many precious calories to wander up or down a river since either way they will go back home daily dealing with current. They let the baitfish do the walking.

Jim