The susky was running 8.5’ on the Harrisburg gauge. 50 degree temps. Water clarity was 8-10 inches. 
 

I started off my day focusing on the current seams where the creeks met the river. I threw chatter baits, ned rig, jerkbait and drop shot. To no avail. I switched to a crank bait and started working my way up into the creeks. 
 

cranking as fast as I could against the current started producing. The current was pretty swift and the creeks were not down to much. This was very very early for this pattern.  I had a solid day but, wish I would have figured it out sooner. 
 

Way to go, Buddy! Feel good about cracking the code. 

@ol'crickety oh I do! It’s part of the fun. Just wish sometimes it wouldn’t take so long.

50 minutes ago, Susky River Rat said:

Just wish sometimes it wouldn’t take so long.

 

As Gollum might say, "The fishies be tricksy!"

Nice fish! Definitely looks near flooded , we had a fully washer yesterday as well that murked things up 

Pre spawn bite was in full swing today. Lots of action. Quit counting after twenty or so. Fish were stacked up on shallow windswept flats. Wind was gusting over thirty mph. One lure that caught the most for me is a hack that I came up with a few years ago. Dark Sleepers were great producers but eventually would get their tails bit off so six bucks (eight now) out the window. After throwing a few away the thought occurred to me to add a tail spinner in place of the paddle tail. Worked like a charm and became a staple in my arsenal. I got away from it after a while but have recently reminded myself how effective it can be. The 1/4 oz. size with a spinner has a lot of loft to it so is perfect in shallow areas. This one was unblemished just a few days ago. I'd say it's been chewed on a bit.

@TnRiver46 I was up a creek. The river was about 10ft from flood stage but, I don’t go out on it much more higher than what that was. Most people don’t go out on it at all the level it was at when I was there.

 

@The Bassman I was planning on them being just outside the creeks not up them yet. About a month ahead of normal. That’s a neat little rig glad you are crushing it.

53 minutes ago, The Bassman said:

Pre spawn bite was in full swing today. Lots of action. Quit counting after twenty or so. Fish were stacked up on shallow windswept flats. Wind was gusting over thirty mph. One lure that caught the most for me is a hack that I came up with a few years ago. Dark Sleepers were great producers but eventually would get their tails bit off so six bucks (eight now) out the window. After throwing a few away the thought occurred to me to add a tail spinner in place of the paddle tail. Worked like a charm and became a staple in my arsenal. I got away from it after a while but have recently reminded myself how effective it can be. The 1/4 oz. size with a spinner has a lot of loft to it so is perfect in shallow areas. This one was unblemished just a few days ago. I'd say it's been chewed on a bit.

Just realized I clicked on the wrong thread. Thanks for the comment Darnold.

@Susky River Rat Your making me jealous. Good work. I have got about five more weeks until I can get a taste of some smallie action. 

@Dwight Hottle, you could always stop halfway to Erie and fish smallies any time of year. I could use a lesson with those rapala 12s and smithwick DD

@Dwight Hottle thanks buddy! This time of year can be feast or famine for me.