Techniques...Smallmouth...Slow Water

[littlej81]

What techniques do all of you find effective when fishing slow 3-6 foot sections of a river for smallmouth bass? I must admit I currently hate these sections of a river but of course they are unavoidable.

[AaronJasper]

Have you tried poppers and sliders thrown right up on the shore. When I used to guide a lot on the Housatonic for smallmouth, I used to catch a lot of fish in the slow stagnant water like you are describing with poppers and sliders. Some of the bass were quite large as well.

[VTflyfishing]

I like to use cone head buggers with more wire for weight and drag them across the bottom.

[littlej81]

Thanks Aaron. I will have to give the poppers a go.

VT...Are you using a fairly long leader? Generally I fish a leader that is around 12' for bass with my floating line. I have a t-200 sink-tip, but I rarely use it.

[VTflyfishing]

I like to use a shorter leader b/c the buggers are so heavy and bass are not leader shy or afraid of the floating line.