4 Essential Tips For Finding Bass In the River

Join Bassmaster Elite Series pro and midwestern river rat Bob Downey as he delivers a full breakdown on how to find bass in a river. Discover the key elements to look for when seeking out productive spots along riverbanks.
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IDENTIFYING SPAWNING AREAS
Downey emphasizes the importance of map study in his river fishing strategy. By pinpointing key spawning zones on a river system, anglers can locate ideal areas where bass thrive. Both LakeMaster mapping and satellite imagery are extremely helpful in locating this areas with efficiency. Whether it's expansive backwaters or main channels, understanding these spawning habitats lays the foundation for a successful fishing expedition.
NAVIGATING CLEAN WATER ECOSYSTEMS
In a river, finding clean water is like striking gold. Downey shares insights into identifying clean ecosystems within river systems, where bass populations flourish. From backwaters to feeder creeks, understanding these clean water havens enhances your chances of finding quality bass year-round.
MAXIMIZING CURRENT ADVANTAGES
Current is a vital factor in bass behavior on river systems. Downey discusses how to leverage current to your advantage, whether targeting smallmouth or largemouth bass. From heavy currents favored by smallmouth to subtle flows ideal for largemouth, understanding current dynamics is crucial for river anglers.
PRESERVING THE PRESENCE OF BAIT
Bait presence is a telltale sign of potential bass activity. Bob shares tips on identifying baitfish behavior using sight, sound, and even electronics. Understanding the bait's movement and habitat preferences guides anglers to productive fishing areas on the river.
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[@CarolinaReaperr]

This is an excellent video, an absolute gem when it comes to curation of information. Thank you very much!! I almost exclusively fish River systems as I find it much more fun and you have far less people around then when you fish a main body lake that’s crawling with pleasure boaters and other anglers. People are literally just scared to go up the river because they don’t know where the channel is or they are scared they’re going to run into some sort of debris, but more than likely those situations will never happen but it’s just enough to keep people off of the river, and that means the fishing is good. The more accessible your spot is the less bass will be there.

[@charlieharem3139]

More content on this area please! It's great to see specifics on an area to help dial in. Getting out for half a day a couple days a month along with being fairly new to rivers and this area makes for some sporadic results. Great info!!

[@riverrat988]

Awesome video

[@timdavis3532]

I really appreciate the video. Thanks

[@brucehoffman7063]

Wow Bob that’s some great techniques thx! Haven’t been taught that much about how to locate bass. That’s where I fish in lakes, but don’t venture far down the lake, just a few big creeks I like and have success, actually I caught my PB smallmouth in the last creek 8.4 lbs. but my PB largemouth came at the far back of creek 7.1 lb. You right I don’t need to move anywhere! LOL thx again Bob you da man on my u tube from now on! Keep the faith! The Bass like faith I think. 👍🥸🙏

[@DevinHoyt]

1990s well ya gotta find what they want and need right now
2024 just have your electronics find the fish for you
🤡
Wheres seth feider he'll keep his electronics outa it!

[@ethancarr9183]

Seth feider has 2 livescopes and a 22” screen pal

[@DevinHoyt]

@@ethancarr9183 but he rarely uses them to find fish he has stated many times, pal. He uses them for depth finding and what's at the bottom or finding grass beds or lines under water log jams ECT... I get what your saying tho everyone has fish finders but not everyone relys on them like a lot of the 'anglers' do

[@guywithagoprofishingshow3011]

I KNEW when I got the notification , it was gonna be the #hammer @BobDowney..My #fishermansinstinct told me so!! #bassfishing #big #river#systems @wired2fish🎣🎣🎣