Youghiogheny River Smallmouth

[hokiehunter373]

Heading to Western MD this weekend with the family and should have a couple hours to get some lines wet in the Yough for the first time this year.  Weather doesn't look like it's going to be ideal but that's life.  I'd likely be fishing near Friendsville, just wading through the river.  Any tips for what the fish are doing/biting right now?  A few techniques I was considering are a tube, wacky rig, swimbait, and jerkbait.  Maybe t-rig a lizard or brush hog or throw the whopper plopper around.  Anything you'd remove or prepare for instead?  Thanks in advance!

[hokiehunter373]

And the Ned rig of course 

[hokiehunter373]

Anyone with experience fishing rocky bottom rivers in the mountains during late May early June?

[TheBasslayer]

Sorry, in Michigan there aren't really any rocky streams where I am. I am a beginner Smallmouth Angler, but I would use Tubes, Ned Rigs, and also a Small Jerkbait. Good luck!

[Kev-mo]

I don't know anything about that particular river.... but most of the rivers i fish are rocky.

 

I would find out what river conditions will be and where the fish are with the spawn. Topwater, moving baits (squarebill, spinnerbait, jerkbait) and then bottom baits (jig, ned etc.) are what i use regardless of the river. River conditions then dictate what i start with and the fish tell me what to continue with.

[hokiehunter373]

7 minutes ago, Kev-mo said:

I don't know anything about that particular river.... but most of the rivers i fish are rocky.

 

I would find out what river conditions will be and where the fish are with the spawn. Topwater, moving baits (squarebill, spinnerbait, jerkbait) and then bottom baits (jig, ned etc.) are what i use regardless of the river. River conditions then dictate what i start with and the fish tell me what to continue with.

Supposed to get an inch of rain Friday and another 1/4 on Saturday so I'm guessing clarity will be low and water will be high.  Plus temps are going to sink.  Not ideal.  They should have started to spawn about a week or two ago from what I've seen.  Looks like the water temp in the river yesterday started at 60 and moved all the way up to 72.  After this rain/cold spell I'm guessing I'll be looking at upper 50s to mid 60s.  I had luck with the squarebill last year in this spot but that was middle of the summer.  

[GaryH]

7 hours ago, hokiehunter373 said:

Anyone with experience fishing rocky bottom rivers in the mountains during late May early June?

Rebel wee craw. Works great on the Juniata. Rocky bottom Pa mountain river. 

[flyfisher]

If they are pre spawn i would go moving baits that make a lot of vibration given the high muddy water. If that doesn't produce then I would be looking for current breaks and fishing tight to cover.  Around here the smallies generally don't relate to wood cover much except in high muddy conditions but then they are dead tight against it most times.  These areas could be potential spawning spots too.

 

Here in central VA the primary fish have already spawned and moved on and the areas that are most productive to me are tail end of pools and current seams close to spawning areas.  I am fishing with a fly rod so my choices are different but basically anything that you can get in front of them that looks natural, they will eat it.  Topwater has also been hot for me but I don't know as much for conventional gear.

[Kev-mo]

20 hours ago, hokiehunter373 said:

Supposed to get an inch of rain Friday and another 1/4 on Saturday so I'm guessing clarity will be low and water will be high.  Plus temps are going to sink.  Not ideal.  They should have started to spawn about a week or two ago from what I've seen.  Looks like the water temp in the river yesterday started at 60 and moved all the way up to 72.  After this rain/cold spell I'm guessing I'll be looking at upper 50s to mid 60s.  I had luck with the squarebill last year in this spot but that was middle of the summer.  

Hmm, so that river flows north? Not that it makes a difference but that's what it looks on the map. Also what's up with the usgs gauge for friendsville jumping up and down? Is that from sewage plant effluent or the dam release?

 

I would imagine most of your fish have spawned based on your latitude and what's happening by me.

Higher water, less visibility=spinnerbait, swim jig, jig on the bottom and of course a square bill all fished in current seams and those slack water areas if the water is high enough to push the fish to shore. Since you had success with a square bill start with that! Doesn't matter the season, i fish one all year round.

[hokiehunter373]

52 minutes ago, Kev-mo said:

Hmm, so that river flows north? Not that it makes a difference but that's what it looks on the map. Also what's up with the usgs gauge for friendsville jumping up and down? Is that from sewage plant effluent or the dam release?

 

I would imagine most of your fish have spawned based on your latitude and what's happening by me.

Higher water, less visibility=spinnerbait, swim jig, jig on the bottom and of course a square bill all fished in current seams and those slack water areas if the water is high enough to push the fish to shore. Since you had success with a square bill start with that! Doesn't matter the season, i fish one all year round.

Yup, river flows North.  Gauge fluctuation is from the dam release.  Looks like they'll do those Monday and Tuesday between 10am-1pm but I'm guessing the Friday rain will add one before then as well.  Looks like you're correct on the spawning.  DNRs weekly report yesterday said smallmouth in the Deep Creek Lake have already spawned so I'm assuming they have in the river as well.

 

I love fishing the squarebill.  Might have to bounce a crawfish colored one around for a while.  Last year I was using a bluegill color and it was getting hit on impact basically.  

 

Thanks for the response.

[Kev-mo]

You're welcome. Hit on impact..... maybe try topwater. Enjoy!

[rtwvumtneer6]

On 5/25/2021 at 4:07 PM, hokiehunter373 said:

whopper plopper

Buzz a speed craw on top on a light Texas rig.  Similar idea, just a little more subtle.