I fish a small (500acre) resevoir that is fed by a major river system.  As such, the bass are where the bait is and with the flow of the river through the resevoir the bait is constantly moving.  I am more familiar with resevoirs and lakes that do not have continual current to deal with.  I need any tips and tactics for locating bass and bait with consistency.  The primary forage base is gizzard shad and bluegill.  Some days i kill them, other days i can't get bit.  No consistency like i have with the more familiar static bodies of water.  any thoughts???

I have found over the years that river bass fishing and lake bass fishing are almost mutually exclusive.  There are areas that overlap, but for the most part, river fishing, with a continuous current, is different than lake fishing, without a current.   River bass will be stronger swimmers (wider body)  than a lake bass  and more aggressive and quicker, stronger.   The baits may be the same, but the how is different.  River fishing is quicker, aimed more at wood (fallen trees and stickups), where lake fishing is slower aimed at underwater/above water structure and grass beds.

In current, spinners, crank baits, on the inside of bends (in the eddies), the same only slower and add plastics

Just my opinion

The key is structure. Focus on spots that divert

the current; bottom contour which includes ditches,

ledges, humps and makeup transition. Rock piles,

boulders, mussel beds and vegetation are all possible

targets. Look for something different!

8-)

The primary difference is the current; the bass will be facing into it. Bass do not like anything sneaking up and surprising them from behind them, they spook easily.

Whatever you use, bring it to the face of the bass and give the bass a chance to strike it.

Otherwise bass are bass and will relate to lures that look like the forage they are targeting, whatever that may be.

WRB

The primary difference is the current; the bass will be facing into it. Bass do not like anything sneaking up and surprising them from behind them, they spook easily.

Whatever you use, bring it to the face of the bass and give the bass a chance to strike it.

Otherwise bass are bass and will relate to lures that look like the forage they are targeting, whatever that may be.

WRB

But there are also times when fishing against or across current will also work.