Smallmouth are very current oriented and the pros continue dialing into just how they are relating to it on the St. Lawrence River. Here, the current flows faster than anywhere else we go. Plus, the smallmouth are staging in deeper water. The best rundown on how it works came from Michael Icontelli. Take in this mini-seminar from the smallmouth expert.
“Primarily all these big bags are coming on a summertime pattern. What I mean by that are smallmouth being caught in deep water, from 20 to 40 feet, and they are relating to structure changes. For the most part I’m talking about humps and points that provide a change in the bottom. The fish are using that structure different every day. And the reason for that is wind and current. As the wind changes, the current changes.
I’ll give you an example. Day 1 there were calmer conditions. Most of the smallmouth on that deep structure were on the up current side. With slower current, they wanted to be on the up current side. On Day 2 there was a heavy southwest wind blowing 10-15 mph, and a west wind blowing straight down the river. It increased the current speed, and because of that, the smallmouth repositioned themselves on the leeward side, or the side with the least current. They are on deep structure, but the thing to keep in mind is they are constantly moving depending on the current.”
And there you have it. Words and wisdom you can relate to and use on your smallmouth fishing trips.