Navigating Early Spring Smallmouth Fishing After Heavy Rains: Tactics for Low Temperature Water with Light Tackle

When overnight rains swell the water levels, pushing temperatures down to around 50 degrees, it’s a familiar scenario for smallmouth fishing guides like myself in Western North Carolina. Here’s my approach to keeping the bites coming when others might pack it in.

First, let’s tackle the high water situation. As spring showers increase tributary flows, creating swift currents in main rivers like the French Broad, our focus shifts to spots where smallmouth bass can seek refuge from the flow. Eddies, down-river sides of shoals, covered banks with debris, and rock shelves become sanctuaries where bass can feed comfortably amidst the turbulence. Additionally, midstream current breaks, such as large boulders, mimic the protection offered by bank-side structures.

Once you’ve honed in on these prime fishing spots, the critical factor becomes water temperature. As temperatures inch past 50 degrees, spawning behavior becomes a key consideration. Fish begin moving from their wintering spots, fluctuating along the river. Despite temperature swings typically ranging between 45 and 60 degrees on the French Broad during this season, my focus remains on spawn zones that correlate with deeper wintering areas.

These zones often feature nearby shoals or shelves, providing depth transitions favored by smallmouth. Targeting these transition areas, where fish move between shallower beds and deeper water feeding grounds, can yield an angler success. Personally, I prefer sliding baits from shallower shoals into deeper waters, giving it a little pause and hang time to entice strikes.

Given the scenario of high water and low temperatures, fishing in these transition zones aligns with spawning fish behavior, regardless of whether they’re actively spawning in your area or not.

Regarding the 50-degree mark of our original scenario, it signals the onset of spawn temperatures for smallmouth bass, albeit still bordering on winter-style fishing conditions—meaning an angler needs to be slow and deliberate. During this period, I recommend starting with faster baits and transitioning to slower presentations if needed when the water is up. Here’s a bait tactic I follow:

– Begin with belly spun or jig-headed swim baits, retrieving them swiftly along the river edges within current breaks. Keitech swimbaits are a personal favorite, but ensure you have super glue handy for quick repairs. Quick strikes can rip these soft plastic boats apart quickly.
– If the fast approach fails, switch to twitch-style soft plastics, presenting them close to or on the bank and slowly sliding them into the water. Twitch, twitch, pause and look for the bite on the pause. In high water, bass tend to seek refuge, closely tucked against the bank in current breaks.
– if the fast doesn’t work, for a more finesse approach, opt for weedless rigs and slow down your presentation. Texas-rigged tubes or weighted ned rigs, worked meticulously along the bottom, can entice strikes from fish unwilling to eat a faster bait.

While fast-moving baits may initially trigger strikes, always have slower presentations ready as backup.

In summary, when faced with rising water levels and dropping temperatures, focus on hugging the banks, targeting eddies, and exploring pockets where current breaks occur. Don’t hesitate to spend time methodically working a single bank. It’s wise to carry a few rods rigged with those different presentations, helping dial in to the fish’s feeding preferences—whether they prefer a faster or slower pace. Keep a close eye on water temperature; slower presentations are favored in colder waters, while warmer temperatures may warrant a faster approach, especially during spawning periods.

If you’re eager to learn these techniques firsthand, feel free to reach out to me. Whether you’re flying solo or bringing along a group of friends, we offer guided trips that can accommodate you, friends and family. This year, consider our ‘weekend warrior’ package for two full days of angling adventure, complete with lunch, exploring some of the most picturesque waters in the valley for trophy smallmouth bass.

Contact me at Gavin@headwatersoutfitters.com or text directly to discuss available dates: 814-227-8876.