St.Lawrence river
- Still Chasing
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St.Lawrence river
I just started to fish the St. Lawrence for smallmouth bass. I am using a dropshot and tube dragging approach but I find the current which seems to be 1.5 to 2 mph difficult to content with. Am I using the right approaches? What depth and structure should I be focusing on. The water surface temperature is 65 degrees. Please help. Thank you.
- BobbyJordan
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Re: St.Lawrence river
Stick with it. You are using the right techniques. A couple of tips:
- don't shy away from the current the smallies are right in it, or on some kind of break (rocks, etc)
- fluorocarbon is a must. I use 10# braid mainline with a 4 foot flouro leader tied with a uni-uni knot
- keep contact with the bottom - use heavier weight if needed.
- don't expect an obvious strike when they bite. It can be subtle, often spongy feeling or a small tick. Don't be shy on hooksets! Worst case you swing and and there is nothing there.
- depth can be a anywhere between a few feet and 30 ft deep. Look for rock or sand areas with some sparse weed.
Good luck and keep us posted.
- don't shy away from the current the smallies are right in it, or on some kind of break (rocks, etc)
- fluorocarbon is a must. I use 10# braid mainline with a 4 foot flouro leader tied with a uni-uni knot
- keep contact with the bottom - use heavier weight if needed.
- don't expect an obvious strike when they bite. It can be subtle, often spongy feeling or a small tick. Don't be shy on hooksets! Worst case you swing and and there is nothing there.
- depth can be a anywhere between a few feet and 30 ft deep. Look for rock or sand areas with some sparse weed.
Good luck and keep us posted.
- mb_fishing
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Re: St.Lawrence river
Still Chasing - I had the same question back in July and got quite a few great responses and dialogue. Check out "Advice - Fishing fast current on the St. Lawrence" posted by mb_fishing on Monday July 7th. Quite a bit there from a seasoned crew.
One thing I have learned to slow the current down is using your trolling motor into the current to cut your drift down - not constant but periodically. Also, fishing a drop shot vertically is next to impossible so be prepared to drag the unit with 50-75ft of line out. The key is to make sure you are in contact with the bottom. If you don't feel it bouncing either let more line out or using the trolling motor to slow things down a touch.
Good luck!
One thing I have learned to slow the current down is using your trolling motor into the current to cut your drift down - not constant but periodically. Also, fishing a drop shot vertically is next to impossible so be prepared to drag the unit with 50-75ft of line out. The key is to make sure you are in contact with the bottom. If you don't feel it bouncing either let more line out or using the trolling motor to slow things down a touch.
Good luck!
- Still Chasing
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Re: St.Lawrence river
Thank you mb_fishing.
- springbok196
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Re: St.Lawrence river
Don't let the wrath of the goby discourage you i got a double header 2 weeks ago goby on top hook and smally on the bottom i would post pictures if site would let me
- ShawnD
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Re: St.Lawrence river
springbok196 wrote:Don't let the wrath of the goby discourage you i got a double header 2 weeks ago goby on top hook and smally on the bottom i would post pictures if site would let me
Upload the pictures to photobucket then link them into the reply box.
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- cprince
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Re: St.Lawrence river
Google+ also works for this!ShawnD wrote:springbok196 wrote:Don't let the wrath of the goby discourage you i got a double header 2 weeks ago goby on top hook and smally on the bottom i would post pictures if site would let me
Upload the pictures to photobucket then link them into the reply box.
Craig
- springbok196
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Re: St.Lawrence river
Thanks a bunch
- springbok196
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- ShawnD
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Re: St.Lawrence river

There's a small square that says "IMG"
When you copy paste the code into the forum you'll post your picture instead of a link.
Not the "IMGThumb"
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- cprince
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Re: St.Lawrence river
NICE chunk springbok196!