Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2022 - 49

level to rise and get muddy, the situation is completely
different. Faster muddy water does concentrate the
fish more, but you must fish the correct spots, or you
will come up empty handed. Fish move to the banks
and cover to get out of the major current. Target
rock and wood structure along the banks or areas of
current breaks in the main channels. Use lures that
Spinnerbaits are a staple on the Susquehanna River.
Grass islands are numerous in the Susquehanna River
and offer shallow water kayak anglers a great place to
slow down and focus on targeting around this habitat. A
soft body fluke is a great lure to throw into clear water
on the edges of the grass or in front or behind islands. A
nose hooked fluke is best for the shallowest areas while
a weighted extra wide gap is preferred for deeper and
faster waters. Flukes are also a good lure to cast into
shady areas where bass are hiding from the sun in the
afternoons. Smallmouth Bass will seek shady areas and
provide a direct target for anglers. Shady areas under
trees are prime spots and concentrate fish to increase
your chances. This is where your skipping skills come
in handy, so skip the fluke as far under the branches as
possible. If you can, get it
right up to the bank.
High temperatures mean
that the water cannot hold
as much dissolved oxygen,
and bass will seek areas
where the oxygen levels
are higher. Targeting faster,
turbulent water around
ledges and chutes, which
hold more oxygen, will help
you find the bigger bass.
Throw your lures along the
ledge or eddy lines. Flukes,
swimbaits, spinnerbaits,
stickbaits, and almost any
type of water column or
bottom bait can work well
in this situation.
When a hard summer
rain hits, causing the water
get attention in muddy water; noisy lures or high
vibration lures are best. Do not rule out topwater
lures, but most fish will be hugging the bottom tightly.
I prefer bladed jigs with a big trailer to get the most
bites. Throw lures as tight to the shore and cover as
possible. Bladed jigs produce a tremendous amount
of vibration, which helps the bass locate the lure in
muddy conditions. Noisy, big bladed spinnerbaits
are also an excellent choice in dark water. Choose
a color that is most visible in brown water; white/
chartreuse and black are good options. Crankbaits
and rattletraps are great lure choices for search baits,
because both make a lot of noise and can bounce off
the bottom. Finally, jigs with large-sized soft plastic
trailers are terrific to work around the structure where
fish are holding.
Summertime bass anglers must be prepared to fish
a variety of conditions for hungry bass. For example,
kayak anglers come from all over the country during
late summer for the national kayak bass fishing
tournaments held here. In 2020, conditions were low
and clear. In 2021, the opposite occurred, and it was
muddy. Opposite techniques were used, but the river
showed it is a great fishery, and large Smallmouth Bass
were caught despite the difference in conditions. Late
summer is an excellent time to get out on the river and
target Smallmouth Bass, especially from a kayak.
Susquehanna River summertime lures (from left to right): nose hooked fluke, plopper, bladed jig
with trailer, and a lipless crankbait.
May/June 2022
49

Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - May/June 2022

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