Long time lurker and went to the Bass Fest 2025 at Susquehanna Fishing Tackle last weekend.  This really has me ready to fish (although it's way too cold for me right now).  But it also makes me want to learn more about where to find fish and how to get them in the boat.  I am located in the Harrisburg area and do alot of fishing in the Susquehanna.  Hoping to learn new sections of the Susquehanna this year (mainly fish at Goldsboro) and visit some of the local lakes as well.

Hi from the Sunshine State of Florida 

Welcome!

Welcome to Bass Resource!

Bill, welcome to the forum. 

Hello Bill and Welcome to Bass Resource ~

A-Jay

On 1/13/2025 at 9:36 AM, billm6767 said:

I am located in the Harrisburg area and do alot of fishing in the Susquehanna

 

On 1/13/2025 at 9:36 AM, billm6767 said:

But it also makes me want to learn more about where to find fish and how to get them in the boat

In the Susquehanna the fish are everywhere, finding them can be challenging or very easy depending on the day. I have a few favorite spots that have produced alot, next day theres nothing there.

Move around often, try to hit the key areas as much as possible (downed trees, boulders, edges of grass, and where CREEKS flow in. Also look out for a big group of 1' minnows or insect hatches along the bank. My best smallmouth day came from insects hatching on a very shallow bank.

But dont be afraid to just cast randomly everywhere and anywhere, it works better than it should.

 

As for getting them in the boat, a ned rig, paddle tail swimbait or grub on a jig, jerkbaits, crankbaits, and spinnerbaits pretty much guarantee something will bite.

On 1/13/2025 at 9:36 AM, billm6767 said:

visit some of the local lakes as well.

Prepare yourself, once you fish the river it ruins everything else. I do love fishing in ponds/lakes in PA, (some places are a few thousand acres and very deep) but most are within 10 to a few hundred acres and often less than 10-20' deep. Makes learning them very easy, and i dont have to travel far to find the next spot. Somehow in these smaller bodies of water the bass grow huge, ive seen numerous 5-10lbers get caught, and caught many of them too. But heres the issue, tons of pressure, way too overcrowded on nice days, pickerel everywhere, and often times the fishing is tough. Even though we have big bass, its often dinks. Quantity is also not the best, usually 1-10 fish ranging from 1-3lbs is considered amazing.....

 

Whereas the river is loaded, and then some. Fish are everywhere, 20-50 fish per day is common, and the sizes range from 1.5-4lbs but usually 2-3lbs. Best part? No pickerel.

Welcome aboard Bill…

Welcome aboard from a fellow Pa-er. I wanted to go to that show but life got in the way. I was there about a week prior and got out of there spending less (not much!) than $100. Not easy to do in that store for me, it has become a favorite of mine the last couple of years. 

Welcome aboard buddy! You are in my neck of the woods. I fish primarily from fort hunter down to bainbridge. I have gone to long level , up in the north branch and various other places. I have not fished the air port stretch or Goldsboro. City island up I do. What kind of boat do you have? 

Shoot me a message if you ever want to chat man. 

Welcome aboard, Bill! 🤙

I am running a 17 foot Crestliner with a 155/80 Mercury Jet.

^ nice ride @billm6767 and hello from Northern California! Welcome to Bass Resource and the Forums 

Welcome home!  We're glad you're here.