Whether you are fishing for Maine river smallmouth bass in the Penobscot or St. Croix Rivers or in any of the other accessible rivers and streams, you will find smallmouths almost everywhere.
Maine’s rivers were neglected and abused for years suffering from industrial waste. As mentioned in the article below, much of the shoreline is undeveloped due the previous pollution and stench associated with them but now they provide beautiful habitat for smallmouth bass.
Maine river smallmouth bass
In southern and western Maine, the Androscoggin offers fine fishing and great access. Check out the Durham and Brunswick portions, as well as the Rumford, Dixfield, and Canton sections.
In Central Maine, you can have great action on the Kennebec River from Waterville to south of Augusta. The Sebasticook from Pittsfield through Burnham and into Clinton and Benton also is fantastic.
If you are willing to go a little further north, the Penobscot and the Piscataquis hold great promise for any angler.
River fishing is similar to lake fishing but has its differences. Fish will still congregate around structure and depth changes, but even subtle changes in structure will hold fish. Also, in order to properly fish an area, you need to stay in position.
“If you don’t have an anchor, you are just scratching the surface of where you can fish,” says Davis.
A bow-mounted anchor is a necessity. Without it, you’ll drift past holding spots too fast, missing opportunities for fish. Anchoring with the bow into the current is the safest way to anchor in a river.
In large pools and deep bends, you will find the bass where the food is likely to be directed by the current, and oftentimes there will be a number of bass stacked up.
Fish the head of the pool where it begins to drop off and deepen. Fish will hold there waiting for food to drop in. In the slower, deeper water of the bend, look for riffles or other water turbulence indicating submerged structure. The tail of the pool will also hold more fish as they wait for food to wash by.
While canoeing, look for structures that you would find in a lake, such as fallen trees or points that jut out. Large boulders or man-made cribworks offer respite from the current for smallmouth bass.
Anglers should also look for changes in the river bottom when seeking holding spots for fish.
“Look for abrupt habitat changes — grasses to gravel, shallow to deep, mud to gravel, that’s where you will find multiple fish holding,” says Davis.
What to use when you are fishing is often a question. Most of these rivers are not particularly deep, so some sort of topwater lure is not only effective, but can be very exciting as fish explode to the surface attacking your lure. Original article here
Penobscot River smallmouth fishing
Anybody that has been up along Maine’s Atlantic coastline will notice the rocky shores. The rocky terrain extends inland and provides prime habitat for smallmouth bass. With the restoration of the rivers and streams from the decrease in pollution from the last century, now is a great time to explore Maine’s waterways for Maine river smallmouth bass.
Please click SHARE and share this on Facebook, Twitter or StumbleUpon!
