DO NOT "Walk The Dog" // Do I really want to share this with you?!

This was such a fun, happy day. I figured out something that I had not figured out in decades of fishing for river smallmouth. This "subtle power fishing presentation" uses a bait that I usually reserve for catching Chesapeake striped bass, not Susquehanna river smallmouth! The 7 inch ‪@ZManFishingProducts‬ Scented Jerk ShadZ is a bait that moves big fish! But I am not fishing it in a traditional manner. In fact some might think that it's a rather boring presentation. But once you see that big fish wake come rocketing out of 8 inches of water, you'll not be bored! This video shows the "long answer", not the immediate gratification quick and dirty answer. It shows the progression of how I came to find success with an unusual presentation of a large soft plastic in shallow, clear water. Those who watch until the end will soak up all the nuances of the rigging and presentation details that bring complete success with this super effective big river smallmouth presentation. Learn it. Use it. Comment which other fisheries you think that this would be effective in.
Rationale for being in the "Top Ten Videos" Playlist:
This one received some votes by viewers, but more than any other reason, it's in the top ten because it captured the most joyful thing I experience while fishing: discovery! I discovered, or figured out a way to catch them with an unconventional and super effective tactic. This day, this video spawned a whole list of different videos exploring different ways to catch them on a 7 inch Z-Man Scented Jerk Shad, a bait that is completely underutilized for black bass, as most bass anglers believe it to be too big. It collapses well, resulting in very high hook up percentage. As the thumbnail denotes, I almost decided to be "selfish" and not share this super effective presentation with others. But that's what I do - I learn stuff, then turn right around and teach it. No secrets.

[@jasonvenesky2438]

These longer videos are incredible- akin to fishing along with you as you progress into and through patterns instead of the sound bite versions. Outstanding content!

[@TheLittleStuff]

Thanks Jason. I’ve certainly trimmed a lot of “thought process” footage out of some recent videos so my audience retention numbers stay up. I guess that casualty of bowing to the algorithm is one that can heal and restore with the number of 3%ers becoming 5%ers. I’ll keep calling them 3%ers though! I guess it comes back to making what I would want to watch and not worrying about the algorithm.

[@paulvaneyk2463]

Thanks for all your advice and shared experience. Shout out to the Grande & Thames rivers in Ontario.

[@TheLittleStuff]

Right on Paul!

[@Phillyfisherman]

Getting ready for my next river trip on a content binge from one of the best. Thank you Jeff again for your passion to teach and sharing your success and knowledge.

[@TheLittleStuff]

Enjoy your time on the water!

[@hellbendernut]

This day for you is 1reason why I quit tournament fishing....I wanted to experiment with lures .presentations ..and locations. ... This method of fishing a fluke is something I haven't seen...and can't wait to try it in many different scenarios... Your videos are excellent.

[@TheLittleStuff]

Thanks. I have tried it in a variety of conditions since this day and have found that it works best in low clear conditions, particularly in shallow water.

[@hellbendernut]

I watched the entire video... fantastic!!

[@TheLittleStuff]

Thanks for the watch time. There were a few other “follow up” videos to this one. If you go back to early last fall in my video timeline, you can see them.

[@timothythompson6549]

About time to be doing this again!

[@stevegrinde4200]

Fantastic!!!

[@TheLittleStuff]

Thank you Steve!

[@scottfrey2710]

Tuned in again to see what more I could learn from you about river fishing, Jeff! But... it turns out the hook set up you used at the end was the exact same thing I have been using for Pickeral at the Pocono lakes I usually fish! Only difference is I use the pearl white minnow with a paddle tail so it makes more commotion ripped across the top! Once they hit, I just drop the rod tip to the water and let them have it. Then slowly reel in the slack until I feel them, set the hook, and its " Game On! " .. But thanks to you, I know my Pickeral technique will work on the " Susky " for bass! THANKS!! :-)

[@TheLittleStuff]

I think that’s the right way to do it, but I still prematurely snap set it out of habit.

[@Ebowe2002]

This video goes over EXACTLY my predicament this past season. When the smallies are hitting flukes on the river it’s a crazy bite. Problems, shredding baits and constant re-rigging. Their effectiveness is undeniable. Enter the scented jerk shad. I’ve experimented quite a bit, with EXACTLY your terminal. Chinlocks, grip pins and nose hooked. (Even used plastic hole punches to keep from flinging off AND used large swivels to add some weight) What I kept banging my head on was trying to fish it like I did a fluke. Trying to get it to fall and then dart it. Doesn’t work with a floating bait. 🤦🏻‍♂️ I did have good success with chinlocks, but again, that was more on the fall then then a “darting” action. Had the same “cork screw” problem you did as well. What you did that I never thought of? Fish it like a top water!! Use the elastech to your advantage! Don’t fight the float! Kill it when the fish hit it or swirl on it. Can’t wait to try it. Half the fun of fishing is finding something new that works. Great job solving a problem I couldn’t!

[@TheLittleStuff]

Yep. That straight, nose up retrieve gets them. You get to focus on them rocketing towards it, then you kill it, then your line draws taught. It’s so incredibly satisfying!

[@georgetollefsen994]

Thanks for your video’s, as I said I will be 62 and grew up on the south branch of the Raritan River in NJ and I am still learning stuff from you . Thanks brother! Side bar, I also grew up on a farm.

[@TheLittleStuff]

Thanks for the views George!

[@daveohmer9700]

The evil scientist laugh is freaking awesome!

[@TheLittleStuff]

I knew that it was special from that first big fish.

[@harkleroadster]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@tbecker403]

I power-fish the Z-man paddle tails, often. I’ve never heard of anyone doing a fast retrieve on a fluke style bait, much less in an almost topwater presentation. Can’t wait to try it.

[@TheLittleStuff]

There is something about that subtle fast presentation

[@zoommaster7253]

Watching this and watching how you break it down back and forth is priceless. Good stuff. I’ll comment more at end

[@TheLittleStuff]

Thanks bud. Turning the camera at where I just caught a fish, zooming in and discussing it seems to be high value teaching footage.

[@PatapscoMike]

Great content, as always. Thanks for helping educate people on the grasses in our local rivers!

[@TheLittleStuff]

Thanks bud!

[@robertstroud15]

Thanks for sharing! Can't wait to try that this week in TN!

[@TheLittleStuff]

Johnny, there are a few more follow up videos Monday through Wednesday this week. I explore deeper into where this pattern works the best and mix in similar presentations with the same bait in areas other than shallow laminar flow upstream of a grass bed or ledge rock.

[@daveohmer9700]

Thank you Jeff!

[@TheLittleStuff]

You’re welcome Dave!

[@dirkwhite9008]

Great video Jeff. Have you experimented with putting a split ring and a barrel swivel in the front? To eliminate the line twist. Or put a barrel swivel up the line a little ways.

[@TheLittleStuff]

Not yet. I’m focusing on the right retrieve and straight rigging of the soft plastic to prevent it.

[@flyslinger2]

I’m a retention dude. Always frustrated that the video ends. Great work as always.

[@TheLittleStuff]

Thanks for the full watch Mark! This one will pay off for sure. It’s been a month since I filmed and figured out this one. Yesterday I used the Do-It Mold that I used to make my own 1/8 oz version of the ChinLockZ that I show in the video right after this one. I modified the 1/4 and 3/8 slots. They might make this presentation work in higher flow at places lower in the water column. Still exploring and trying to expand this presentation.

[@stevebaker8138]

The process of you guys getting to the end result is so fun to watch!!! I will be giving this a shot on the mighty (lol) Cuyahoga River

[@TheLittleStuff]

Good luck! I think that this presentation works best in shallow laminar flow areas. I also feel like it’s utility is diminishing with the dropping water temperature. Remember it next summer!

[@seydoggy.fishing]

This is a technique I learned from another channel, The Nature of Fishing. He just briefly covered doing this with a Senko if fall. I don't use it a lot, but when I can't get them to bite, but want to cover water it's the best of both worlds.

[@johnwhite993]

Talk about a bad day… first Marty doubts you 🤣😂, you lose your hat and then break a rod. Whew. Never doubt the professor. 😁

[@TheLittleStuff]

Rods come and go. This was a great day! This pattern is awesome! Unfortunately it’s going dormant as the water temp drops. We might have a few more warming trends that can spark it back up. It’s one to remember next summer! Now swimming it below the surface might continue to be a thing through fall.

[@johnwhite993]

@@TheLittleStuff it was a super nice day for sure. Big nice smallies y’all caught. A day fo remember

[@riverrat988]

Made it to the end Enjoyed every minute of it. Always learn something. Great job Jeff

[@TheLittleStuff]

Thanks for watching until the end!

[@riverrat988]

@@TheLittleStuff Always

[@jwserfass]

Wow! This video just answered a question that was keeping me up, (now I can't sleep because I'm so excited to try this technique!). I was getting a decent topwater bite tonight (Kings River, Arkansas) with a Super Spook, but the best / funnest bite I had came when I wasnt walking the dog. I was quickly reeling it in the last 20 ft or so, in about a foot of water, went out of nowhere a wake came screaming from the center of the river and crushed my spook that was kind of skimming the surface in about 10" of water. Right after setting the hook, another smallie came screaming in and they started fighting for it! I think the one I landed was the smaller of the two but she was still 16". The rest of the night I was trying to think of a moving top water without the commotion of a prop bait, etc. Then I watched this.

[@TheLittleStuff]

When you commit to the straight retrieve, you end up hitting more spots over the course of a day. The shallow water you describe is the right place to do this! Nice going Jonah!

[@johndrx165]

Good vid and nice fish!

[@TheLittleStuff]

Thanks John!

[@SteveOllice]

Great vid Jeff! I watched till the end. I caught a 40+ red drum this fall using a Zman 7 inch scented jerk shad for the first time. I wasn't fishing like you were! Under a popping cork.

[@TheLittleStuff]

It’s a very versatile bait for sure!

[@seantaylor6953]

Great video Jeff, love the trial and error. Seems like great technique for working flats when bass are spread out. Maybe expand it to reeling stickbaits and then letting them freefall, not like bass are getting great look while reeling it fast across the surface. Keep up great educational videos.

[@TheLittleStuff]

Thanks Sean. I’ve got more of the trial and error coming next with underspins. Straight reeling stickbaits might work when there isn’t so much grass breaking loose.

[@reelnationfishing]

i love this content! I cant wait till i get my yak...for now im beating the bank in search of these amazing fish and its a blast even on the tough days, only so much water you can cover from the bank.

[@TheLittleStuff]

What kayak are you getting? Thank you for the views and comment.

[@reelnationfishing]

@@TheLittleStuff I'll have to wait till spring now, I'm up in Ontario. Definitely a peddle kayak, I feel it will be the most efficient for me. The old town PDLs look great from the research I've done. Open to suggestions.

[@daveohmer9700]

I need to try this on the upper Allegheny one of these weekends.

[@TheLittleStuff]

Years ago, I fished the section of the Allegheny where it starts in Pennsylvania before it loops up into NY. It was boggy on both sides, and wherever we found rock, we found smallmouth. Usually it was an outside bend where a farmer dumped rocks he cleared from a plowed field. I guess that region and the characteristic of the upper upper Allegheny is a highland marsh surrounded river.

[@timothythompson6549]

I'm glad the lighter weight worked out better for you. That just gives you a wider window of retrieve speeds that will keep it on top.

[@TheLittleStuff]

I explore the subsurface retrieve in the next trip, the video that releases today.

[@jholl7339]

Interesting concept. Ironically, I've been getting SMALLER with my baits for Smallies, too. Go figure!

[@TheLittleStuff]

I did that recently too with the underspin. That worked better fished slowly over deeper water. That video is coming.

[@nathanWV94]

I have missed so many bites with that weedless wacky hook that I have just cut the weed guards off of them. If you ever get to Florida, this technique also worked well with snook on the flats.

[@TheLittleStuff]

Good to know! I’ll have to try it down there. It’s a great way to cover water fast! Put something in front of a lot more fish over the course of a day.

[@triciaangelini3276]

Awesome info, thank you! Sometimes there can be micro cracks in the rod, from bumping them, or hitting them into something. Over time it will cause a failure. Nothing you did, just happens unfortunately.

[@TheLittleStuff]

That rod has caught multiple striper over 40 inches, so many largemouth and smallmouth. It didn’t owe me anything.

[@ThomasMichaelSeaboldt]

Jeff, I've been apprehensive as to using the bigger baits like this, but I'm gonna branch out and give this a go in various iterations. I guess I'll need to mess with Rods/Rod Blanks to find the sweet spot, which of course is going to vary by the River/Waterway.

[@TheLittleStuff]

Thomas, I kept fishing this in ALL SCENARIOS the next few trips, just so I could fully explore its utility. It works best in shallow laminar flow areas just upstream from something. That something could be a grass island (highest big fish percentage target), upstream of a ledge, root ball or gentle riffle. Laminar flow is slow steady non-turbulent current over a flat bottom, usually less than 3 feet deep. They mess with this bait on the surface and show themselves. That’s the fun part!

[@hellbendernut]

Years and years ago there was a bait called a "double buzz hawg" (buzzbait)..very similar to your buzz bait...

[@TheLittleStuff]

Is it still made?

[@hellbendernut]

@@TheLittleStuff I do not think so .. haven't seen one in 30 years.

[@meyouknow1226]

I use the zman streaks with a 3/0 wide gap as a top water when they miss the plopper. Good video

[@TheLittleStuff]

The StreakZ were good, but I can’t find them anywhere. I think that they were discontinued. Maybe not? I’ve switched over to the Scented Jerk ShadZ.

[@meyouknow1226]

I fish them different than you were. I use them weightless an speed them on Top in a twich an then slow em down . Jakes had em last time I was there.

[@sp00kyd0g]

Fished zoom super flukes and the magnum super flukes years ago like you were doing. Throw it out and real it straight back. Found it worked best late spring into early summer on my home waters. I also like to burn a small profile spinnerbait in the shallow water area’s. The War Eagle fineness probably one of my favorites.

[@TheLittleStuff]

That straight retrieve lets us see the swipes and swirls that tell us it’s time to kill it and wait for the line to draw taught. I think that the ElaZtech makes for better hookup percentage than traditional soft plastic oversized soft plastic jerkbaits. It’s a “ski bait” to me, not a “jerk bait”!

[@zoommaster7253]

This has so many nuggets need to watch again. What size and brand hook? Thanks for your time and teaching. Can’t wait to try. Ordering my 7inch today

[@TheLittleStuff]

Bubble gum and pearl did best. The hooks are: Z-Man ChinLockZ in 1/8 oz, Mustad KVD Grip Pin Hook in 2/0 or 3/0, fine wire if you can find them!

[@joekocher2604]

Great video as always! Ive only ever fished the susquahanna once and they were hitting on the small twister tails, thats all they would take. I cant wait to try your technique. I am on the fence with a kayak to fish the rivers and I think you have me hooked on the inflatable. Have you tried them on the smaller lakes? I live about an hour from the susquahanna and have some small lakes locally that I fish.

[@TheLittleStuff]

Joe, the inflatables are good on bigger flat water. Bigger waves will wash through, so you need to tether your tools with the YakAttack tether.

[@joekocher2604]

@The Little Stuff thanks, in your opinion what kayak would you choose both pond/ lake and river?

[@jacobbell9116]

Hey Jeff. Great video. This is definitely something I need to get better at. I just throw the ole' reliable lures and don't spend as much time as I should experimenting with something new. What size EWG hook were you rigging the jerk shadz with when you rigged it on the side?

[@TheLittleStuff]

Jacob, it was either 2/0 or 3/0, fine wire. Mustad KVD Grip Pin Hook.

[@keviningram6416]

Great information Jeff. I'll be buying some more Z MAN baits very soon. Do you make the Chin lock hooks or do you buy these? If so, who carries these ? Thanks for the great info 👍😀

[@TheLittleStuff]

You can buy the Chin LockZ. The right one is 1/8 oz. I also used the weightless Mustad KVD Grip Pin Hook, size 2/0 or 3/0, fine wire if you can find them. In the next video I show how I use the Do-It Mold “SWM Jig” to put a 1/8 oz weight on the shank of that grip pin hook. It worked great!

[@Jaedad]

You can use a swivel on the leader to keep from line twist

[@TheLittleStuff]

I’ve done that in the past with the traditional twitch pause twitch retrieve.

[@HookLife]

I fish a fluke a lot. Most of my wind knots on spinning reels come when I am retrieving a bait and there is slack in the line. This happens to me only with flukes

[@TheLittleStuff]

I think that I said in one of the videos that “Maybe the walk the dog action is more for our entertainment than actually enticing the fish to eat it” Problem solved!

[@Hennedup123]

Not fighting a lot of grass here but the leaves littering the water is a issue. Definitely give it a try

[@TheLittleStuff]

Leaves are the same kind of deal. The swimming version I show in tomorrows video would work on the leaf issue.

[@jeffreyriddle4645]

Who in da heel....doesnt watch the whole video??? Ya gotta get ALL DA JUICE! So on the grip pin hook...that doesnt have a keel weight does it?? I know how ya feel on broken rods. Broke 2 in the same week, 1 my fault 2nd set the hook and yeah, it broke. Favorite and a St.Croix. grrrrr. Both are under warranty. Tight lines!

[@TheLittleStuff]

I had to pour the weight onto the grip pin hook, but the ChinLockZ will work.

[@raydalton1110]

Great video, I watched whole thing. I appreciate you taking the extra time to teach and show us. I think it represents a delious treat the bigger smallmouth have only had the chance to find a few times in their life. A small snake swimming across water. And if a juicy food item like that is hard to come by then a lure like that would do well. I have done this alot in past with largemouth they love it. I used a floating worm and just burn it on top then when I see the V I stop it and they nail it. As for you're channel, getting 6k subs in a year of hard work is above average considering the fishing genre is huge with so many channels. 1rod1reel got lucky and got into youtube amd the start of the heyday, but his content only thing people will learn is to be over dramatic and scream. I think your doing great Jeff and once you reach into 20 to 30k subs it grows faster causd it reachs more people. I would add more stuff like family trips and also possibly share exact spots you go to from time to time. KZbin channels are weird, if the viewers believe someone is being selvious it turns them off but if your able to show some spots it frees people minds to like you even more. Anyone can find the honey holes with time on the water, but people are lazy. But sharing a few specific spots people tend to want to sub more and follow. Thats a secret 1rod knows he burns so many spots. Also a random video of family trip or catch and cook or camping its weird how that helps a channel grow. Also do a few crazy trips, like a remote fly in canada or a mexico lake largemouth trip. Anyways keep up the good work, I espeically like all these Susqehanna river videos, these smallies are awesome.

[@TheLittleStuff]

Ray, thanks for the encouragement. That presentation actually gets the smallmouth actively chasing bigger minnows. I believe that the subtle noise wakes them up. The 6K took years, not a year. I prefer to teach patterns, not places, but there is one “spot burn”, only because some local thought that they owned the river and called their friend the Conservation Officer to come chase us off and ticket us. You gotta watch it to figure it out, but it’s a spot burn, probably the only one I’ll ever intentionally do. The access is Eagles Landing on the Chickahominy Lake/River in Virginia. kzbin.info/www/bejne/qn-5g2Vjp9qrfcU

[@TheLittleStuff]

My kids rarely fish with me any more. 😔. But I did a lot of “family trip” videos years ago. Here is one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYPEeKydoZ6mrck

[@TheLittleStuff]

This is an awesome “catch n cook” video with Chuck Earls. I’ve done videos showing how to turn blue catfish into jerky and another catch n cook of a Lake Erie steelhead, again with Chuck Earls. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqWslKljaqqap68

[@TheLittleStuff]

Ray, this is a camping video, specifically a three day river float trip camping trip in which we were almost wiped out in our sleep by an unscheduled dam release. Fun adventure! kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHW2fXugfc56Z5o

[@raydalton1110]

@@TheLittleStuff I'm gonna watch it today, I always like seeing Karens and male Karens "Ken" going nuts lol. I understand thanks for explaining, I think there is so much youtube competition nowadays that it takes a orginial idea now to make the big bucks and alot of subs. Like "post 10" draining drain pipes or "cart narcs" trolling people for not returning their shopping karts. The cart narcs is so funny if you havent seen it lol.

[@Mdkayakangler]

Local guy in Maryland that only really fish’s local reservoirs in lakes like rocky gorge do you think this rig will work in that setting ? Definitely planning on try the moving water next year thanks for sharing

[@TheLittleStuff]

I have not tried it on reservoirs. If there are open water shad chasers, it might work on those fish that seem to pop up anywhere over deep water. That isn’t typical for our Maryland reservoirs. Spotted bass on reservoirs down south? Absolutely! Honestly, I hold more faith in what I am currently playing with - the underspin.

[@Mdkayakangler]

@@TheLittleStuff the under spin makes sense I have been playing with those lately but the waters I normally fish are highly pressured hoping things get better after this rain is over thanks again

[@TherealBrandonHatcher]

Superglue the hook to tge plastic

[@TheLittleStuff]

That grip pin does a good job keeping it in place.

[@GabooNx]

We have a guy in our club wack smb on the Susquehanna using this method. It has a time and a place and it can definitely pull those big small jaws! I caught a near PB on smb posted on blotchy bass, yesterday using another deadly tactic..

[@ryanpoling5223]

Theres always a guy after seeing a new cool way to catch fish, say oh hey we already know about this, and you are that guy. Cmon man stop the lies and troll, I bet you didnt watch whole video lol. Dont be jealous and prideful.

[@TheLittleStuff]

Glad you got in on the Blotchy Bass Bonanza! I forced this presentation on ALL waters in the next few trips (which are the next few episodes). It did not excel in turbulent water. It did not excel over deep water. It continued to excel in shallow smooth laminar flow just upstream from SOMETHING- a grass bed, ledge, log, etc.

[@andrewwatson754]

Why the snell knot on scale up choice 16:03? Hook up% , presentation angle°, something else? Choice of knot seems to be hook based is it something about weight-direct-glock style-bend? Out of guesses

[@TheLittleStuff]

Protects the knot. I just like it.

[@johnwhite993]

When and where are you going to be in Alabama? How can anybody be mad at our favorite fisherman on KZbin? Sounds like some jealousy to me 😂😅🤣

[@TheLittleStuff]

Buck’s Island on Neely Henry is one of my Torqeedo dealers. I’m training them on how to do a Hobie Pro Angler installation.