I have grown up on the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. Although I have navigated through these waters numerous times, it has all been done catfishing.

Here this past year me and a friend have tried our hand at bass fishing these heavy current muddy waters. So far our focus has been on backwaters and creeks in the areas.

If we would take a positive on our outings thus far it is that we are catching fish. The negative(if you wish to look at it this way) is that they are all stripers and white bass. Now these are fun and we do not complain when we haul one of these in on the end of our lines, they are not our target.

So you river fishing experts, if you would, please share some helpful tactics that are to be put into play when fishing rivers.

Sounds like you have the right idea. Backwaters are the key to a strong Largemouth populations. I fish the Alabama River which is way south but the concepts are still the same from what I understand. The only difference being Winter if you're area ices over

Ok I really don't know what stage the bass are in for you but I'll try to give you a starting point with your backwater fishing.

Starting in Winter - bass are positioned in the deepest or mouth of the backwater. They are in huge concentrations and easy to catch.

As Spring comes and the water warms that begin making their way toward the backs of the backwater. I imagine that wood will be the primary cover for you at this time and the bass will use it to ambush prey. Flipping and spinnerbaits are great now. Just keep following them back until they spawn.

After they spawn they will follow the same route back to the mouth of the back water and get on teh same cover. Except if you have grass which will hold them until the summer heat pushes them out.

In the summer they will be stacked up around backwater mouths and in eddy pockets in the current. fall duplicates spring in a sense.

Most fish will be shallow most of the year because of high oxygen levels and dirty water so prey will normally guide the bass's location. River fishing isn't too hard. If things gets tough a worm can be your best friend. Try also not to fish too slow. These fish are normally less pressured and more aggressive because they are used to current pushing prey past them fast. Good luck buddy  ;D

Mottfia  

How about frog fishing on these backwaters and creeks?

I fish the Alabama river as well. Creek mouths are the key. I have found that casting crankbaits into the the creek mouths and working into the main river to be the most productive method, especially when water is flowing out of the creek.  Another thing I like to look for are areas where there are two different shades of water. We like to call it "chocolate water." After a rain you will usually find muddy water flowing out of a creek mixing with lighter and cleaner water from the main river. We usually do well in these areas.

Also be sure explore bends in the river that create an area where the current dies or slows considerably. I have found a lot of fish in the areas between faster moving waters and slower waters.  Another thing I pay attention to is the "texture" of the water. Whenever you see a disturbance around an area or flow that is inconsistent with the surrounding area, this is an indication of something under the water like a bowl, a log, stump, or hump. Make sure you work these areas thoroughly.

Here in Alabama. The power company has a hotline where you can find out when they run the dams. You may want to see if your area does the same as we have more success when water is flowing and cool lake water is being pumped into the river.

Unless we fish the canal, the river is very stained. Here are a few things we have the most success with...

--Mag II and Ol' monster worms iun watermelon and green pumpkin

--Drop shot worms in same color

--Shad color cranks... my favorite is LC RC 2.5 DD  MS American Shad

--Chartreuse/ white spinnerbaits

YES! Frog fishing can be awesome on rivers. It also produces great fish. You can fish it in grass, stumps, cyprus trees ( my favorite) and just about anything else. The trick to know when to throw it is simple. When the frogs come out, throw them.

They are best in fall but can be great in summer too. Where you're from, summer is probably like our falls. Not too hot and not too cold. Don't be afraid to throw them in current too. I was flipping a limestone wall while practicing for a tournament. On my thrid flip a slam into a three pound spotted bass. When a lipped the hawg, I noticed a huge frog sitting in his throat still alive. This was in heavy current  

Great advice Fishinfiend. Anyone starting out fishing rivers would find it useful. What part of the river do you fish? and also..Dropshot? PM me about how you target fish using that.

Mottfia

What is the current like in the Alabama?

fishinfiend-The "chocolate water" you talk about has been something we have always looked for when catfishing after heavy rains. The fresh water running out of the creeks seemed to attract baitfish and that led to cats being there. Had never thrown a lure in this situation though.

Mottfia-I sure hope your fall isn't like our summers, as we have had temps in the upper 90's with an index of over 100 for about a week now >, but I am going to have to tie on one of my Spro frogs the next time I head out.

Mottfia--pm sent

Illinois-- the current fluctuates widely on the river. Some days it can be almost no current at all or it can be moving so fast that you can barely stay in place with a 101lb thrust trolling motor(after heavy rains). The days with no current are usually the worst days.

One of the things I find interesting about river fishing is that it is always changing. Brushpiles or laydowns that you count on for several fish may be gone after a good storm or new brushpiles and laydowns can can appear in spots where you never caught a fish. In addition, ledges and slopes may erode from increased velocity in current.

Find the chocolate water, find the bait, catch the fish.  8-)