Pacemaker Fishing Forum

It's been about 3 weeks since I was on the river and it was time.  From Facebook and George's call the other day, I knew the river is on!  Started work early and was on the river fishing at 2:45.  I went to an area that is really good in spring when river levels create some prime feeding/resting areas, with one area having 2 chutes of faster water bringing food down into a smaller area where I can stand in water and fish. Keep that in mind 😉

Smaller swim baits in a darker green are a staple for me but I was a little lazy and wanted to get fishing so I kept on the random 4" lighter color one rigged and also put my trusty brown and orange KVD 1.5 square bill crankbait. Left chatterbait and finesse craw on to start. 

First stop gave me 3 smallies pretty quickly throwing that swimbait in a slightly calmer area between 2 faster riffle areas.  All went about 13" and with at least one looking like it had eggs. Got a few more hits with nothing moved to the next area.  Beached the kayak on a little grass island/sand bar and started throwing the swim bait directly in one of the 2 faster current chutes and picked up a few more 13-13.5" smallies


Fish were actively feeding as it was either weight or a solid tick and they grabbed it.  Tried letting the finesse craw drift with movement but no takers. Went back to throwing the swim bait and got a solid weight on the rod.  Couldn't tell at first if it was the current or fish itself but when it came to the top it was all fish.  Took my time and got the ALMOST 19.5" landed that went 3# 10 oz on scale. 


Threw out the crankbait and.got a small one and then the tallest 17" I have caught.


Ended up with 10 total and all fish were fat and sassy with more than one having eggs.  Solid 2 hours with first 19"+ smallie of the year