River Smallmouth Bass | Tips to Find and Catch in Current

Bass Master Elite Series pro Bob Downey is no stranger to river bass fishing. Learning where river bass go and how they set up on structure and cover is a function of experience. But you can reduce the learning curve by leveraging your electronics. Downey takes to the Upper Mississippi River for a lesson in finding and catching river smallmouth in a pre-winter pattern. He uses his suite of fish finder and boat control tools to reveal some overlooked areas and lock his boat in place while he puts a handful of proven tactics to work on a big school of smallmouth.
ELECTRONICS (retail links)
• LIVE SONAR - Humminbird MEGA Live Transducer: Buy at Omnia Fishing omnia.direct/M... | Buy at Tackle Warehouse wired2.fish/3J...
• 360 SONAR - Humminbird MEGA 360 Imaging: Buy at Omnia Fishing omnia.direct/m... | Buy at Tackle Warehouse bit.ly/3zMbDBF
• FISH FINDER - Humminbird HELIX 12 MEGA SI+ G4N: Buy at Omnia Fishing omnia.direct/8... | Buy at Tackle Warehouse wired2.fish/HE...
• TROLLING MOTOR - Minn Kota Ultrex QUEST: Buy at Bass Pro Shops bit.ly/49npejB | Check out at Minn Kota bit.ly/3qFuMVt
Downey demonstrates how to use mapping and side imaging to identify prime fishing spots known as "sand drops." He explains why these dune-like underwater structures are hotspots for smallmouth activity, particularly during the fall season as the smallmouth stage for the winter. Once on the bow, 360 sonar is the perfect tool for drawing the unique current-induced structures around the boat and showing fish positioned them.
TACKLED USED (retail links)
TOPWATER SETUP
• TOPWATER - Rapala Skitter V, color - Pure Chrome: Buy at Omnia Fishing bit.ly/47b4N7I | Buy at Tackle Warehouse bit.ly/3QH6vIF
• ROD - St. Croix Legend Tournament Casting Rod, 7'2", Med-Hvy, Mod-Fast: Buy at Omnia Fishing bit.ly/40qOYHR | Buy at Tackle Warehouse bit.ly/44owpog
• REEL - Daiwa Tatula Elite Casting Reel, 7.1:1: Buy at Omnia Fishing bit.ly/3Qn3Z91 | Buy at Tackle Warehouse bit.ly/462nqtA
• LINE - Sufix 832 Braid, 30-pound: Buy at Omnia Fishing bit.ly/40jjROB | Buy at Tackle Warehouse bit.ly/3u7ErVO
OTHER TACKLE
• CRANKBAIT - Storm Arashi Vibe Lipless CrankBait, color - Black Silver Shad: Buy at Omnia Fishing bit.ly/462m3eq | Buy at Tackle Warehouse bit.ly/3QhbjD8
• CRAW - Rapala CrushCity Cleanup Craw, color - Green Pumpkin: Buy at Omnia Fishing bit.ly/3tS8j8C | Buy at Tackle Warehouse bit.ly/47Ohl6l
• HOOK - VMC RedLine Hybrid Worm Hook, 3/0: Buy at Omnia Fishing bit.ly/3QpIsfS | Buy at Tackle Warehouse bit.ly/3SqsKnt
• WEIGHT - VMC Tungsten Slide Weight: Buy at Tackle Warehouse bit.ly/3FJfQJJ
While many lures work, Downey often starts with a topwater lure to pinpoint active fish. He then shifts to a mix of subsurface presentations to catch additional fish from the school. Notably, lipless crankbaits and a Carolina rig catch scores of additional fish. He details his gear setup for each presentation.
BOAT SETUP
• BOAT - Bass Cat Eyra: Check out at Bass Cat wired2.fish/3P...
• MOTOR - Mercury Pro XS 250hp: Check out at Mercury Marine bit.ly/3PeIhVk
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[@davidtreichler8036]

Always great videos. Keep em coming.

[@Wired2Fish]

Thanks, will do!

[@FutureBassmaster4469]

Whoa, 1st comment on a wired to fish video, as I'm about to go hit the mighty Ohio River. Tight lines everyone 💯🎣👊

[@onepunch9203]

Good luck out there!
I'll be on my local river today too.
🎣😎👍🏼

[@Wired2Fish]

Good luck. We have some upcoming content with Bill Lowen, Ohio River man himself.