Hello fellow anglers- I love fly fishing for trouters. As a NJ resident, though, I feel it incumbent upon me to learn how to fish our waters for smallmouth bass. I keep reading and hearing about how great the Delaware is for smallies. I was wondering if anyone could point me in the direction of good wading water for them. Also, any water other than the Delaware. Finally, if there are any technique tips, I'd love to know, as I've yet to hook one of these guys. Thanks.
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Smallies
- Thread starter rckrego
- Start date
Smallies are the best fighters pound for pound!!!!!!!! This is the time to start as they are just coming off their post spawn period of in activity. Try the delaware (anywhere above the fall line), the raritan (n/S branches), lamington, muscky and any smaller stream or river with a rocky bottom that feeds into those rivers. (one other hint any moving that is associated with the rail road and has a rocky gradient has smallies ......... read up on their history and you'll know why!) As for tools, I would highly recommend a mod to mod-fast 8 wt 8'9"-9' . Although you could also use 6-9wt. if need be. For more consistent results and larger fish.......... use saltwater size poppers (2-1/0), clousers and deceivers (6-2/0), size 4 or larger: muddlers (maribou and standard), zonkers, dahlberg divers, buggers, terrestials,nymphs and crayfish. Fish them in the same areas you'd find trout in a similar stream. However, if the bottom is silty............. keep it moving. The biggest trout fishermen make is using trout sized flies which get ignored by all but the young overly aggressive fish. Bass (LM/SM) like big flies and you need a strong rod to consistently and accurately throw and control big wind-resistant flies.
smittin
How many times can you get stuck in traffic ?
Where do you live?
I live in trenton and right out my door there is great small mouth fishing, I wade in on the Pa. Bank. PS. the river is high and off color right now for wading and is verry dangerous. If you don't know this river and it's bottom like the back of your hand stay out untill it's at a safer wading level too many people drown in the lower secton around here.
I live in trenton and right out my door there is great small mouth fishing, I wade in on the Pa. Bank. PS. the river is high and off color right now for wading and is verry dangerous. If you don't know this river and it's bottom like the back of your hand stay out untill it's at a safer wading level too many people drown in the lower secton around here.
davethetrout
New member
I fish all over the delaware river for monster smallies. I never use my 9 wt at all for fish under 10 lbs..my 5 wt works great for smallies,biggest this year is 5.5lbs. I throw crayfish imitations and streamers. Got some on topwater drys in the pools of slower water. Good Luck
Dave
http://www.njflyfishing.com/vBullet...g-forum/t4481-huge-smallies-today-4-16-a.html
Dave
http://www.njflyfishing.com/vBullet...g-forum/t4481-huge-smallies-today-4-16-a.html
Undertaker Don
Trout Whisperer
Not sure where you live --but i fish 75% of the time with Streamers in the S.B-as i target larger Trout --I have been catching lots of smallies -with out really trying ---They do fight well --but are no where as smart or weary as Trout ----
davethetrout said:
I agree that you can use a 5wt under some conditions, I actually have a 6 wt I use in clear water; under low water conditions; on smaller or protected streams and when throwing smaller sparse streamers or terrestials. I was taught, that you should generally match the rod/line wt to the size of the flies you are throwing, not the fish anticipate catching. I know many people disagree. However, having used a 6 wt for some time, throwing bass bugs, large wind resistant streamers and water soaked rabbit strips is infinitely easier with an 8 wt than a 6 wt! Much more distance and I am a pretty good double hauler. I suspect you are a good caster too to work a 5wt, but there is a reason that rods designed primarily for bass are gnerally mod-mod. fast, 8'9" to 9', 8/9 wt. when "Fly Rod & Reel" evaluated rods for bass fishing the top 33 were all 8 or 9wt rods. In fact harry murray, Bob clouser and lefty Kreh have all designed bass rods and all are 8wts. In Murry's "fly fishing for smallmouth" (GREAT BOOK!!!!) and in the "L.L. Bean: Fly Fishing for bass" they all reccomend an 8 wt as an allaround good rod. Just an opinion. Like I said, I generally use my 8wt and would only use that on the Big D, but I will use my 6wt under some conditions.:beer:
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davethetrout
New member
I absolutely agree with what you said about matching the fly to rod..and I am guilty of throwing way too big of flies but my 5 wt is all I can handle casting 100`s of times a day. That big rod of mine(9wt) just makes me miserable to cast all day long,but I do it ,especially on the saltwater! I only use my 5wt because I am so comfortable with it and it has treated me well. That said I guess this is just my .02!
Dave
Dave
Scott
Salmo salar Sebago finatic
Bull's Island was always a good spot for channel cats, at least until the ranger threw us out for fishing without a camping permit. I wonder if that's still a no-no. There's lots of good bass water in the D from Milford on down. Get a map, and do some exploring. Don't wade it if the water is high & muddy and you can't see where you're going.
There are some spots where there is serious and potentially deadly undertow, and a wrong step can take you right to the bottom and pin you there.
Gee, I remember reading a post about PFD's recently...
The SBR holds some nice smallies, again you have to do some exploring. Caught a 4# smallie in there a couple of years ago.
There are some spots where there is serious and potentially deadly undertow, and a wrong step can take you right to the bottom and pin you there.
Gee, I remember reading a post about PFD's recently...
The SBR holds some nice smallies, again you have to do some exploring. Caught a 4# smallie in there a couple of years ago.
catskilljohn
Just finished "Land of Little Rivers"!
I have fished the Bull's Island area,and yes,it is good. It actually is all good from Trenton to the Catskills! Just pick a place that is good for you to frequent,and learn the water. The big mistake people make fishing is diving in without looking for the best fish holding areas. The Delaware can be overwhelming if you wade,its a big sucker.Look for structure like boulders,logs,eddy's,etc.There are lots of fish in the river,but they all like the same thing,a place where they dont waste energy that also offers protection.
I also agree with the posters above that uses big flies,if you fish with trout sized flies,you will forever be hooking 6 inch fish,and lots of them. This can be fun if you brought a 00 weight rod,but gets old quick with a 8 weight! Strip big streamers and drag crawfish patterns on the bottom,and when you get into a big one in the current,hang on. CJ
I also agree with the posters above that uses big flies,if you fish with trout sized flies,you will forever be hooking 6 inch fish,and lots of them. This can be fun if you brought a 00 weight rod,but gets old quick with a 8 weight! Strip big streamers and drag crawfish patterns on the bottom,and when you get into a big one in the current,hang on. CJ
