Chasing River Smallmouth: A Summer Adventure
Rivers may not boast the width of large lakes, but what they lack in girth, they more than make up for in volume, variety, and vitality. Teeming with a multitude of species—panfish, walleyes, pike, sturgeon, and more—rivers offer year-round fishing potential. But few pairings in freshwater angling are more iconic than rivers and smallmouth bass. These bronzeback brawlers and flowing water are as natural a duo as peanut butter and jelly. Their presence is a near guarantee, even when conditions aren’t ideal.
A New Section, A New Adventure
Excitement buzzes from the get-go as Al and Dan venture into unfamiliar waters. This particular river stretch has a reputation for healthy smallmouth populations, and the duo is eager to test it for themselves. After a grueling winter—marked by record snowfalls and heavy spring rains—the Midwest is finally beginning to dry out, making rivers across the region fishable once again.
With water levels slowly returning to normal, the fish are on the move, and the stage is set for an unforgettable day of river fishing. 
Action Starts Fast: Spinnerbaits and Prop Baits Shine
Barely settled in, Al and Dan start connecting with fish—some smaller, feisty ones right away, showing aggressive behavior as they rush out from heavy cover to hit topwaters. Their spinnerbaits draw even more powerful strikes in current, with fish using laydowns, rocks, and seams as ambush points.
Dan hooks into a better fish with a spinnerbait, showcasing how river current amplifies the already formidable fight of smallmouth bass. Al soon follows up with another hard-pulling river smallie, this time taken near a laydown.
“Rivers are target-rich environments,” Dan observes, “You’ve got to fish with two eyes—one on the water and one on your partner’s cast. You don’t want to miss a key piece of structure.”
From spinnerbaits to prop baits, each lure is carefully chosen for its effectiveness in the dynamic flow of a river.
Spot-Lock: The Modern-Day Anchor
Fishing moving water efficiently demands the right tools, and the Minn Kota Spot-Lock trolling motor proves essential. Holding position in swift current allows Al and Dan to thoroughly pick apart high-percentage areas.
“Fishing current like this without Spot-Lock? I don’t know how we ever did it,” Al notes, grateful for the boat’s precise positioning. Combined with shallow water anchors and Zero Lines SD cards, which help outline riverbanks even without depth contours, they’re able to stay locked on target-rich zones and maximize every cast.
River Smallmouth Biology and Behavior
Not all smallmouth bass are created equal. In smaller systems, a three-pounder is a trophy, but in larger rivers like the one being fished, five-pound fish are realistic targets. The general rule: the bigger the river, the greater the likelihood of encountering big fish.
Smallmouth bass are drawn to current, particularly in the wake of high-water events. Prolonged flooding pushes fish out of the main channel and into shallower zones, eventually concentrating them near current sources like creeks, dams, and backwater cuts. These “fish magnets” hold large numbers of bass and make for consistent action once located.
Legendary Lures and Shaded Secrets
While topwaters and spinnerbaits are the go-to lures today, Al offers a special shoutout to one of his favorite, though harder-to-find, river baits: the Skitter Prop. A modern version of the classic Tiny Torpedo, it’s a killer in shallow, moving water. The subtle, sputtering action of the prop bait triggers explosive strikes, especially from fish holding near shaded banks or submerged wood.
These shaded zones aren’t just aesthetically pleasing—they’re fish magnets. Fish tuck tight to cover in these areas, where light penetration is low and ambush opportunities abound. As Al explains, “The shaded areas draw the more active fish out just a little more. They feel more secure and aggressive.”
Shade, Structure, and the Smallmouth Connection
As the day continued on the river, one subtle yet powerful factor repeatedly proved its value: shade. Often overlooked by anglers, shade plays a crucial role in determining where fish hold, especially during daylight hours. Whether it’s on a riverbank, behind laydowns, or near overhanging vegetation, shaded areas offer ambush points and comfort for smallmouth bass—and they consistently hold more active fish.
Al emphasized this lesson with a nod to his experiences in the canyon reservoirs of California, where even deep-water species relate to shaded cover. And right on cue, a massive smallmouth surged from the tail-out of a run, hammering a bait and reinforcing just how vital this factor can be.
Baits That Deliver—And Keep Delivering
Throughout the day, Al and Dan caught smallmouth on a variety of lures, but some consistently stood out. The Storm 360GT Searchbait proved particularly effective in the latter part of the outing. It’s a versatile lure that’s virtually foolproof—swim it, pop it, jig it, or drag it through current. Regardless of the presentation, the bass couldn’t resist.
Still, nothing quite compares to the thrill of a topwater bite. Dan exclaimed, “There’s nothing better than that,” as aggressive bronzebacks exploded on surface baits like the Skitter Prop. These moments are pure adrenaline, the kind of strikes that get etched into a fisherman’s memory forever.
A key takeaway? Don’t underestimate seasonal cues. One example is the dragonfly hatch—often coinciding with explosive topwater action in late spring. When you start seeing dragonflies in the air, it’s time to tie on a surface bait and get ready.
Gear That Makes It Happen
Great gear doesn’t guarantee fish, but it sure makes the experience smoother and more successful. Al shared one of his favorite setups for river smallmouth: a St. Croix Legend Tournament Series 6’8″ medium power, extra-fast action rod paired with a Daiwa Zillion baitcasting reel and 14-lb Sufix monofilament. This combo provides the precision, sensitivity, and power needed for accurate casts and explosive hooksets—especially important when targeting current-oriented fish.
If you’re looking for a rod-and-reel combo that will last a lifetime and bring smiles for years to come, this is it.
A Day to Remember—In More Ways Than One
Beyond the incredible fishing, the episode concluded with a deeply personal and spiritual reflection from Dan. Sharing a life-altering mountain biking accident, he recalled a moment where he felt his life was quite literally saved by divine intervention. The experience, emotional and vivid, led him to believe in angels, and served as a powerful reminder of the unseen protection and inner warnings we sometimes feel.
Quoting Dr. Charles Stanley, Dan likened the human conscience to a God-given radar system—an early warning system that monitors our thoughts and guides us toward what’s right, or away from danger. Whether you attribute it to faith or intuition, that inner voice is worth listening to.
What rivers lack in width, they most certainly make up for in the amount of water that passes through them.
And they have a vast carrying capacity as home to a wide variety of fish species – panfish, walleyes, saugers, white bass, pike, musky, sturgeon — the list goes on.
Let’s not forget bass, in this case, smallmouth bass, which goes hand in hand with rivers of all sizes like peanut butter and jelly.
Yes, rivers and smallies are the perfect combination because it seems like no matter the conditions, you can always find some productive water to fish on a river.
Al and Dan Lindner hit a Midwestern river in mid-summer to chase smallmouth bass, absolutely one of the most fun freshwater fish that swims.
From topwater to spinnerbaits, swimming boot-tails, and other soft plastics, aggressive river-run smallmouths are often willing to take what’s offered to them. The biggest challenge is often finding where they are located — or relocated — near boulders, rock piles, laydowns, current breaks, and seams.
River fishing for smallmouth bass can be an exhilarating experience. In this article, we will explore the excitement and challenges of fishing for smallmouth bass in rivers. We will discuss the behavior of smallmouth bass in river systems, the best baits and techniques to use, and the importance of being properly rigged up for river fishing. So, let’s dive in and discover the secrets of river run smallmouth bass fishing!
The Thrill of River Fishing
In the video, we see the hosts, Al and Dan, catching some impressive smallmouth bass in a river. Al mentions that river fishing can be absolutely phenomenal, especially for smallmouth bass. Smallmouth bass are known to love fast-moving water, such as rivers and creeks. These fish are often found in abundance in smaller rivers, where anglers can catch 50 to 100 smallmouth bass in a day. In larger rivers, like the one Al and Dan are fishing in, there is a chance of catching five-pound smallmouth bass or even bigger. The rule of thumb is that the bigger the river, the more big fish you can expect to find.
One of the advantages of smallmouth bass fishing in rivers is that they bite all year long. Unlike other species that may be more active during certain seasons, smallmouth bass can be targeted and caught in rivers throughout the year. This makes them an easy and reliable target for anglers.
Factors Affecting River Fishing
Al explains that the recent winter and spring weather conditions have had a significant impact on the river fishing. They experienced heavy snowfall followed by torrential downpours, resulting in high water levels in the rivers. When the water is too high, it becomes difficult to fish effectively. However, once the water settles and clarity improves, it becomes an ideal time to fish.
During periods of high water, smallmouth bass tend to migrate towards sources of current. They move out of the main channel, come into shallow areas, and eventually make their way towards areas of current flow. In big rivers, smaller rivers and creeks that flow into them become hotspots for smallmouth bass. These fish gather around the mouths of these smaller water bodies, creating a fish magnet effect. Anywhere there is current coming in, there are fish to be caught.
Rigging Up for River Fishing
Al emphasizes the importance of being properly rigged up for river fishing. He mentions a few key items that every angler should have. First and foremost, a trolling motor with spot lock is essential. It allows anglers to stay in position and fish effectively in the river’s current. Additionally, having a towel and a shallow water anchor is crucial to prevent drifting and missing out on potential fish.
Al also recommends using a Zero Lines SD card, which provides an outline of the river shoreline. While it may not have depth contours, it still enhances the fishing experience by providing valuable information about the river’s structure.
Best Baits for River Small mouth Bass
Al and Dan discuss their favorite baits for river smallmouth bass fishing. One bait that Al highly recommends is the Skitter Prop, a prop bait that has been used for smallmouth bass fishing in rivers for many years. It is a legendary bait that is known to be extremely effective in shallow water rivers. Al describes it as a “killer” bait that every angler should have in their bag of tricks.
Another bait that Al and Dan have been using is the Storm GT, a versatile bait that can be fished in various ways. Al mentions that he loves this bait because there is no wrong way to fish it. Whether you pop it, jig it, or swim it, it is always effective. They have had great success with this bait throughout the day.
The Importance of Shade
Al highlights the significance of fishing in shaded areas in rivers. He explains that shaded areas tend to attract more active fish, as they provide cover and relief from the sun. Anglers should pay attention to shaded banks and structures, as they are often overlooked by other anglers. Al mentions that shade is always a big plus in fishing and should not be underestimated.
The Role of Angels and Conscience
Towards the end of the video, Al and Dan have a heartfelt conversation about their belief in angels. Al shares a personal story about a mountain biking accident where he believes he was saved by divine intervention. He expresses his belief in angels and the importance of listening to one’s conscience, which he describes as a gift from God. Al encourages viewers to be sensitive to their inner alarm and to heed its warnings, as it can prevent serious consequences.
Conclusion
River fishing for smallmouth bass is an exciting and rewarding experience. Smallmouth bass thrive in river systems, and anglers can expect to catch a good number of fish, including some impressive sizes. Being properly rigged up with essential equipment such as a trolling motor with spot lock and a shallow water anchor is crucial for success in river fishing. The Skitter Prop and Storm GT are highly recommended baits for targeting smallmouth bass in rivers. Anglers should also pay attention to shaded areas, as they tend to attract more active fish.
In addition to the fishing tips, Al and Dan have a heartfelt conversation about their belief in angels and the importance of listening to one’s conscience. Al shares a personal story about a mountain biking accident where he believes he was saved by divine intervention. He encourages viewers to be sensitive to their inner alarm and to heed its warnings. With the right equipment, baits, and knowledge of fish behavior, anglers can have a successful day on the water.
