Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2014 - 34

Wading for
Smallmouth Bass
by Jeff Woleslagle

photos by the author

It was a humid day in early July, and I was wading in a
stretch of river to a spot that had a submerged section
of an old bridge railing near the end of a pool. Keeping
my distance, I lobbed a live shiner across the current
toward the structure and immediately tied into an acrobatic 15-inch Smallmouth Bass. After releasing the fish, I
waded a little closer to the railing and sent another lively
minnow into the hole. The water was low and clear, and I
was stunned to watch one of the biggest Smallmouth Bass
I have ever seen rush out and engulf the bait. I set the
hook, and the bass surged for the railing. My drag was set
too tight and the battle ended quickly as my line snapped,
leaving me staring at the water in disbelief. After I
regained my composure, I caught two smaller bass before
working my way down to the next pool.
That is the magic of wading for Smallmouth Bass.
It doesn't require a boat, a lot of gear or the hassle of
arranging a float trip. On a hot summer day, there is
almost nothing better than putting on an old pair of
tennis shoes and losing yourself in the flow of the water.
All that is needed is a rod, a short vest or tackle bag and a
life jacket.
Pennsylvania is blessed with a wide range of
Smallmouth Bass waters both big and small that are
well suited to this type of fishing. Near my home, I
enjoy catch and release wade fishing in the Juniata and
Susquehanna rivers as well as Sherman Creek and Little
Juniata Creek, Perry County. There are many great waters

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * July/August 2014

across the Commonwealth and just about everyone in
the state has some good wading water nearby. I have
enjoyed some fantastic fishing by wading in sections
of creeks that are on the small side for floating in a
canoe or kayak and that are off the beaten path. These
sections only see an occasional angler and are often
well worth the effort to walk in and wade.
As a kid, we had a river lot along the Juniata River
near the town of Everett, and my family spent many
summer days wading from pool to pool on that
stretch of river. It was here that I refined my wading
techniques and learned where to target my efforts.
When wading you should focus your attention
on riffles above and below pools, as they will have
increased oxygen content this time of year, and the
bass often concentrate there to feed. Cast slightly
upstream and across the current, as fish will often be
holding where the current starts to break. I like
to fan cast to the riffles above a pool while keeping
my distance. Once I have covered that water, I will
work my way closer and fish the pool itself as well
as the tailwaters.
You should also cast to any obvious structure.
Often, Smallmouth Bass like to hold behind large
rocks in the main current where they quickly dart out
to nab a passing meal. Look for logs or other structure
in the water as well as undercut banks, gravel banks,
bridge pilings and brush piles.
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Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - July/August 2014

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