mountainsharkway Posted July 24, 2022 Posted July 24, 2022 I am tasked with taking my buddy fishing in Blacksburg, VA where he lives. I know its a smallmouth river but I was wondering how to fish it and where to go. I have heard of people wading it. Just any thoughts on the situation will be helpful thanks for reading. Quote
newriverfisherman1953 Posted July 24, 2022 Posted July 24, 2022 Wading is dangerous. Wear a life jacket. Several places to go: McCoy, Bell Springs, Radford, and Giles Co. 1 1 Quote
PaulVE64 Posted July 24, 2022 Posted July 24, 2022 Read as many threads in this forum as you possibly can. 1 Quote
Sphynx Posted July 25, 2022 Posted July 25, 2022 Good advice so far, how experienced are you with smallmouth in general? Are you just looking for lure recommendations, or are you looking for the full breakdown of catching smallmouth on a river? Either way the stickied threads in this subforum are a freaking gold mine, if you have the time it's well worth reading them. Quote
newapti5 Posted July 25, 2022 Posted July 25, 2022 On 7/23/2022 at 10:24 PM, newriverfisherman1953 said: Wading is dangerous. Wear a life jacket. Several places to go: McCoy, Bell Springs, Radford, and Giles Co. It depends, especially on how deep and treacherous the water is. Here, wade fishing shallow creeks in summer time is so fun. Quote
newriverfisherman1953 Posted July 25, 2022 Posted July 25, 2022 7 hours ago, newapti5 said: It depends, especially on how deep and treacherous the water is. Here, wade fishing shallow creeks in summer time is so fun. Wading the New River is dangerous. The flow is controlled by Claytor Lake Dam, and fluctuates daily. As a volunteer rescue squad member, I have been on several rescue and recovery calls in the river. Wading is fun, and is a great way to fish. In the New River, my advice is to wear a life jacket. 2 Quote
mountainsharkway Posted July 25, 2022 Author Posted July 25, 2022 20 hours ago, Sphynx said: Good advice so far, how experienced are you with smallmouth in general? Are you just looking for lure recommendations, or are you looking for the full breakdown of catching smallmouth on a river? Either way the stickied threads in this subforum are a freaking gold mine, if you have the time it's well worth reading them. I have fished for smallies in creeks most of my life. I don't think id have too much trouble figuring them out I just need to find them and do it safely. These threads though are pretty nice to have. I wish I had just joined a lot sooner instead of just peeking on here once in a blue moon. Quote
Sphynx Posted July 26, 2022 Posted July 26, 2022 4 hours ago, mountainsharkway said: I have fished for smallies in creeks most of my life. I don't think id have too much trouble figuring them out I just need to find them and do it safely. These threads though are pretty nice to have. I wish I had just joined a lot sooner instead of just peeking on here once in a blue moon. Hard bottom, current breaks, and drop offs, particularly on a point if you can get one, for lures, I'd probably take lipless cranks, paddletails, tubes and jigs, poppers and walking baits this time of year. Quote
Jma1087 Posted August 8, 2022 Posted August 8, 2022 I’ve recently started river fishing for smallmouth and been having a ton of luck using 1/4-3/8oz jigs. I’m a big fan of the 1/4oz Strike King Bitsy Bug Jig followed by a craw trailer. As for colors I use either green pumpkin or black. Most of my catches come from near the bank under cover or from deeper pockets in the river. I also like to cast around any larger boulders or stumps that are sticking out and break the current. 1 Quote
Texas Flood Posted August 12, 2022 Posted August 12, 2022 Lately Ive been having the best luck with a whopper plopper and a jerkbait. Quote
JWall14 Posted August 21, 2022 Posted August 21, 2022 New river can be tough. It’s big water tho so big ones can be found. Try different depths and current speeds to see what they like. Quote
PaulVE64 Posted August 21, 2022 Posted August 21, 2022 River smallies are the best. Bring a spook and a whopper plopper. Swim jigs, soft plastic flukes, tube jigs and senkos/yum dingers. Green pumpkin, white, black. Oh - and some black maribou jigs 1 Quote
Super User AlabamaSpothunter Posted August 21, 2022 Super User Posted August 21, 2022 Whenever I fish a new place, my first technique is to be humble, act like a total novice, and go talk to the people who are already fishing the area. Most fisherman are all too willing to help out and share what they are biting on and such, especially so if you approach them as somebody who is humble wanting to learn. People here can give you general advice, but nothing will top real time action reports from the body of water you're fishing. Quote
mountainsharkway Posted August 23, 2022 Author Posted August 23, 2022 On 8/21/2022 at 12:05 PM, AlabamaSpothunter said: Whenever I fish a new place, my first technique is to be humble, act like a total novice, and go talk to the people who are already fishing the area. Most fisherman are all too willing to help out and share what they are biting on and such, especially so if you approach them as somebody who is humble wanting to learn. People here can give you general advice, but nothing will top real time action reports from the body of water you're fishing. I guess I should leave the NRX at home (I wish) lol Quote
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