There’s something special about summertime creek fishing that keeps a man coming back. Whether it’s the peace and tranquility, the life in the water all around you, or the allure of hard-fighting smallmouth bass, creek fishing has a special spot in the hearts of bass anglers.
If I had to choose one type of fishing for the rest of my life, it would be wet wading a shallow creek, reading the riffles and current seams for wary, lean, mean, jumping machines that are smallmouth bass. When I was in college near the capitol region of New York, we had many little creeks which led into bigger rivers, like the Hudson, that were teeming with bronzebacks. Especially on light tackle, they put up one hell of a fight. Here’s a little bit about what makes wading a creek for smallies so enjoyable, and how to target them in the summertime.
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The Appeal of Creek Fishing for Bronzebacks
Smallmouth bass in creeks and streams aren’t like their lake-dwelling cousins. Generally, these fish are smaller, but more competitive and much more aggressive toward lures. Constant current keeps them strong and alert, and their strikes are fast and furious. Their demeanor makes for some of the most exciting freshwater fishing you can find in the summer heat. July and August are prime time to get on these fish; the bass are feeding, and the creeks are alive.
Creek fishing for summer smallmouth does not necessarily require a boat or a kayak. Whether you’re in northern Vermont or Western New York, many small creeks and rivers are easily accessible by foot with nothing more than a pair of waders (or water shoes), which makes this type of fishing enjoyable and approachable for anglers of all ages and abilities.
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Where to Look
You can use Google Maps, Navionics, or any other satellite map software to locate creeks in your area. There are hundreds of them scattered throughout the Northeast, so they’re easy to find. Look for spots with access points to park your vehicle, where you can walk down to the creek or hike in without getting in anyone else’s way.
When I walk up on a creek, I’m scouting each stretch that I plan to fish before casting a line. I’m constantly looking for structures like submerged rocks, fallen logs, and undercut banks. Smallmouth love to use ambush points, and they tend to sit just out of the current waiting to strike. Deep pools just below riffles are classic holding spots, especially on hot days when fish are trying to stay cool. The tail-outs of these pools are staging areas where smallmouth will stack up to feed in more comfortable water on hot summer days.
Also, don’t overlook shallow runs early or late in the day. In low light, smallmouth will cruise skinny water to hunt for drifting minnows and crawfish.
Reading the Water
One thing about creek smallmouth: they don’t like to waste energy. They position themselves where they can get an easy meal without fighting the current. When you find the current seams — those lines where fast water meets slower eddies — you’ll find hungry smallmouth in return. Cast upstream, let your bait drift naturally, and work it back slow and steady, always maintaining bottom contact.
These smallmouth can be extremely spooky in shallow water. If you spook a fish, give it some time to regroup; cast somewhere else and come back to it. In small creeks, fish can be wary. But if you wait a few minutes, change your angle, and try again, patience usually pays off.
Tackle & Gear for Summer Smallmouth
For river smallies, I like to keep it simple and light. A medium-light spinning rod with a 2500-size reel and 10-pound-test braided line with an 8-pound-test fluorocarbon leader is my go-to setup. It provides enough backbone to handle a two-pound bass in the current but keeps your presentation subtle and sensitive. Any lighter tackle and you won’t have control over the smallmouth, as well as any other fish you may encounter, like walleye, pike, or musky.
As for lures, soft plastics are what I use the most. Small tube baits in green pumpkin or smoke patterns, rigged on a 1/8-ounce jighead, will work just about anywhere. I love the Strike King Bitsy Tubes as they are extremely durable and withstand the abuse from multiple hooked fish and contact with rocks.
Small crankbaits, especially craw-patterned ones like the Rebel Teeny Craw, are killers around rock piles and areas with faster current. Bump them against cover like boulders and downed timber to draw reaction strikes from small jaws that are hunkered down in structure.
Often the most overlooked bait, a curly-tail grub like a Zoom Fat Albert is a staple for creek smallmouth. It resembles a variety of darters and chubs that live along the bottom and has tantalizing action in moving water.
The summer topwater bite can also be electric. Toss around a small popper or walk-the-dog style lure at dawn or dusk, and hang on. During low light conditions, these bass turn to eating bigger creatures like frogs and mice, and floating poppers and spooks imitate those prey items wonderfully.
Ethical Creek Angling
Creek bass aren’t infinite. In many places, smallmouth populations are fragile due to limited habitat. I practice catch and release on almost all creek smallmouth. They’re too fun to catch only once, and the more of them we release, the more we can catch for years to come. Pinch your barbs, handle them gently, and let them swim away strong. These shallow-dwelling smallmouth grow a lot slower than the smallmouth we catch in lakes and reservoirs. An average creek smallmouth doesn’t exceed 2 pounds or so, and those fish can live to be 18 to 20 years old, so it’s important to handle them with care.
Additionally, respect the surrounding land. Most of the best creeks run through private or public land that’s shared by other outdoor enthusiasts. Don’t leave trash and don’t trespass.
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There’s nothing quite like watching a creek smallie dart out from a rock pile and hammer your bait. It’s the kind of fishing that keeps you connected; to the water, the seasons, and your own roots. You don’t need a big boat or expensive gear — just a rod, some tackle, and a good pair of wading boots to enjoy yourself on these little ribbons of water. This is the type of fishing that keeps you grounded, so enjoy it as much as possible while you can.
If the summer heat’s got you down, find a shady stretch of a creek or stream, and be prepared to tangle with some fun-size, hard-hitting bronzebacks.
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