I've recently been super bummed about the lack of success I've had river fishing here in AZ. water temp is 87 and I've only been able to get em near strong running current and they are all dinks about .75lb or 1 pound, fishing the seams of the current. I've flipped, I've thrown in to the "super bassy" areas on the bank with laydowns/overhanging trees using flukes, beaver baits, senko's, and I know i'm covering the water correctly, I'm just only finding fish in those strong current areas. In the spring and into early summer I was having 12+ fish days with most fishing going 1.5 to 2 pounds. 

 

Anyone know what I can do differently to increase my catch rates?

My first thought would be to offer bigger baits, i.e. 8 to 12" worms t rigged, or a 1/2 oz jig with a sizable trailer.

 

Most bigger bass are looking for an easy meal, vs having to chase one down. The smaller bass are much quicker than larger bass are and will usually grab a bait first. Big bass also hang out in the best spots, so look for places where they can easily ambush prey and cast your bigger bait into those spots. And fish them slow.

High water temps mean lower oxygen levels in the water. That is the reason you are picking up fish in heavy current, those areas are more oxygenated than slower moving or still water. If you are getting dinks then you are close, the dinks will be in the heavier flow and they will be the first to hit the bait. The larger fish are usually in a pool immediately after a fast water section. So what you want to look for is the shallow riffles, that is where the most oxygenated water is going to be. Fish the "push water" first, that is the area right above a riffle where the water is just starting to pick up speed. Bigger fish will sometimes move there to feed, if that fails to produce then fish the pool immediately after the riffle.

2 hours ago, Hammer 4 said:

My first thought would be to offer bigger baits, i.e. 8 to 12" worms t rigged, or a 1/2 oz jig with a sizable trailer.

 

Most bigger bass are looking for an easy meal, vs having to chase one down. The smaller bass are much quicker than larger bass are and will usually grab a bait first. Big bass also hang out in the best spots, so look for places where they can easily ambush prey and cast your bigger bait into those spots. And fish them slow.

 

Good Advice you would be surprised the small bass that grab 5" sluggos and senkos. Don't worry throwing bigger baits when its bigger bass thats the target, current is your friend, throw to the edge of it or where it passes any type of cover.      Dave

12 hours ago, 2marshall8 said:

I've recently been super bummed about the lack of success I've had river fishing here in AZ. water temp is 87 and I've only been able to get em near strong running current and they are all dinks about .75lb or 1 pound, fishing the seams of the current. I've flipped, I've thrown in to the "super bassy" areas on the bank with laydowns/overhanging trees using flukes, beaver baits, senko's, and I know i'm covering the water correctly, I'm just only finding fish in those strong current areas. In the spring and into early summer I was having 12+ fish days with most fishing going 1.5 to 2 pounds. 

 

Anyone know what I can do differently to increase my catch rates?

What water are you fishing?

6 hours ago, smalljaw67 said:

High water temps mean lower oxygen levels in the water. That is the reason you are picking up fish in heavy current, those areas are more oxygenated than slower moving or still water. If you are getting dinks then you are close, the dinks will be in the heavier flow and they will be the first to hit the bait. The larger fish are usually in a pool immediately after a fast water section. So what you want to look for is the shallow riffles, that is where the most oxygenated water is going to be. Fish the "push water" first, that is the area right above a riffle where the water is just starting to pick up speed. Bigger fish will sometimes move there to feed, if that fails to produce then fish the pool immediately after the riffle.

Right on.  Oxygen is prereq. for finding fish...Sometimes the fish in my area don't respond as well to reaction baits.  Ive caught so many good fish on a DS right behind someone throwin a SB or lipless.

From what I'm hearing I'm thinking we should have fished the deeper areas around current with slower finesse style baits. This gives me a starting place, thanks everyone.

 One of the best places I found are deeper ripples . Are you targeting smallmouths or largemouths ? Small Mouths like to get in the deeper ripples but largemouths tend to stay out of the current .

slow down and downsize or upsize, deep water, shade, and current are key.