I have been fishing small rivers and creeks throughout Alabama for the last three years.  (Locust fork Mulberry fork hatchet and waxahatchee).  I use an aluminum stick steer boat to get to shallow areas.  I never go to the main bodies of water due to crowds.  I definitely catch slightly smaller fish but probably greater numbers.  My question is why do yall "serious" amateurs only stick to the large bodies of water?  Is it because of the accessibility, fish size, fish movement, ect.  I am just afraid I am doing something wrong because I might see one person every three trips.

In other words.... is nobody fishing these small areas because there are no good fish or is it they are hard to access?

Can't speak for Alabama, but a lot of small creeks in Florida seem to be pretty heavily wooded making it necessary to wade in order to properly fish the creek.  The issue with that is if you go in the wrong creek you might be swimming with gators.  Combined with having to hike to these locations, and that they tend to produce smaller fish despite the (sometimes) better numbers makes them lose their appeal to many in my opinion.

Thanks for the reply!  I agree with you,  I think its more the access than the lack of fish. I just needed confirmation of that.  I live near some of the best big bass lakes in the country, and if you are going to fish its just automatic that you buy a 21ft fiberglass boat with a 250 and go get in line at the ramp.  I just get weid looks around here when i drive past a major lake to get to a creek with a mud boat ramp!