5 Things You Need To Know About Rivers

[@jamesschnell4919]

You could break this river fishing category into multiple vids, perhaps by fishing species (walleye, smallmouth, sturgeon, Hank the Tank carp/catfishing, etc.). Would be a nice mini-series!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Cool idea

[@willharris3843]

He’s a bass fisherman

[@marcolson4493]

Thank you, I fish the Willamette river in Salem Oregon. Great talk.

[@MattStefanFishing]

thank you!

[@williamgould2470]

Your videos are always timely, well-thought-out , and informative.. Keep up the good work and using a list of suggestions is a great idea.

[@MattStefanFishing]

thanks so much!

[@susandraker1644]

Very good river fishing video!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thank you very much!

[@patrickmahoney3479]

Great info. Even big impoundment have tributary feeder streams. FIND the current and you find the fish.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Very true!

[@steventakach8128]

So true , even here on the St Lawerence River or some small river, but much easier to start on a smaller river, another great video a wealth of Free Facts that could take years to figure out.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks 👍

[@jamescaspersamanthalintner4767]

So glad I found this channel, it's 🥇!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Welcome aboard!

[@ibanez2010]

Fishing the river has been super fun and easy lately. With the water so low, many fish are packing into the few remaining prime spots and they are gorging on shad. I have been catching every species possible on jerkbaits and spinnerbaits. I would absolutely love more river videos!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Ill put it on my list of videos!

[@Grimey_Fishing]

I'm really enjoying this "5 Things You Need to Know About..." series, Matt. Thanks for all of your insight!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@tomperry7345]

Great video on River fishing , I mostly fish the Kanawha river in West Virginia and this was a lot of useful information

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jimk4267]

Right on. I tell people put yourself in the strongest current in the area, then look downstream. Fish any object or break that is facing directly at you. Regarding current speed. Drew a Mississippi river "rat" 30+ years ago in an April event. The current was really ripping. He had me hold the boat with the outboard while he pitched at objects. Caught the heck out of them. Quite a lesson in the current can't be too strong. Definitely interested in your Battleborn set-up.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Battle Born are seriously game changers! If your looking at purchasing please use the link to Battle Born in my video description. That would attribute the sale to me. Thanks!

[@midwestfischerman]

Hey Matt, please make a video post on "Five Things You Need to Know About Bass Fishing on the Great Lakes."

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for the idea!

[@jwloutdoors3062]

Good video today river fishing can be hard even small rivers

[@MattStefanFishing]

You got that right!

[@mikegardiner3934]

great river tips Matt. I occasionally fish the chattahoochee river coming into Lanier.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Id love to fish that sometime!

[@mikegardiner3934]

@@MattStefanFishing yep, they also stock it with walleye, but not a lot ppl target them. i know they taste better than crappie, so one day i may try to target them. 🙂

[@Whatsinanameanyway13]

Great video, your last tip really hits home, not just batteries but all your equipment is taxed especially hard in high current situations. A few years ago I was fishing as a co-angler in a tournament on the Mississippi River and my boater's trolling motor was overheating & cutting out. Never fails to happen at the worst possible time, we were catching fish in fast moving water & getting pushed downstream at 3-4MPH when it cut out. We had to hurry & fire the big motor to keep from getting pushed into a riprap bank, and in a hurry I didn't have my rods strapped in. Got away from shore but speared a barge wake in a narrow spot near a bridge, and my crankbait rod slid down far enough I ended up with 2 treble hooks in my calf. The boat rode up over the wake and when we came down, both trebles ripped out & I spent the next 5 minutes trying to stop the bleeding. All this happened in about 30 seconds, point being fishing rivers puts an especially large toll on your equipment. My biggest takeaway on river fishing is that the river is always changing. Boats get stuck, logs & sandbars move over time, and water levels can change rapidly.

[@MattStefanFishing]

always changing!

[@shannonkirby9295]

Thank you for the tips, matt. I always stay where the current swings away from the bank. Where the current meets the backwater

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad to help!

[@BrianParkerson]

Excellent river fishing tips!! Please share more of your river largemouth knowledge! A sincere thanks to you! 👍

[@MattStefanFishing]

More to come!

[@friendlyfishingguy9556]

Thanks man. Will try it out.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Have fun

[@DerekRC]

Great tips. Really appreciate it. Subscribed as well.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for the sub!

[@jimmyjackson2361]

Thanks for the info. I fish the Cumberland River all the time.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Nice!

[@kylesnowdon8498]

Like many have already stated, another video or series of videos would be fantastic!! I'm fortunate that where i live there are tons of great Rivers to fish and some that hold potential state records. River fishing is where it's at Matt! Love he channel by the way. Your content is impeccable.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Sounds great!

[@lannyseals2084]

Thanks Matt! I fish alot of creeks and rivers and this sure will help out

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad to help!

[@MrDeputy83]

Susquehanna here I come! Great info Matt!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@mattgause9323]

Thanks for the advice on rivers, it really helped me out in a tournament this past weekend. The fish were in the bends of the river , with the most current

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad it helped!

[@mattgause9323]

@@MattStefanFishing congratulations on your finish. You're channel is one of the best out there keep up the great work

[@maxcole3930]

I've always fished lakes, ponds. Now sense I moved to SC I have Savannah river right up road plus couple other smaller rivers under an hours drive. I have fished Savannah few times & caught fish but I'm definitely not consistent & don't have any exsperiance river fishing

[@MattStefanFishing]

only one way to get better!

[@shannonkirby9295]

I live on the Coosa in Alabama. Let's go

[@MattStefanFishing]

I'm jealous!

[@huntergroves2426]

Awesome video Matt! My local body of water is the good ol' Ohio River. Quite possibly the toughest and most inconsistent bass fishery in the country. Everything that you just stated I have found to be absolute fact over the last 15-20 years. Just goes to show that these tips hold true no matter what type of river you're fishing. Keep it up man! I never miss a video!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for watching! One reason I love rivers is because the current puts them in the same places all over the country

[@alcav54]

Great info as usual. Small local River has a lake section but the current is variable and unpredictable depending on if they are generating or not.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Current flow definitely changes from day to day when dealing with dams

[@toddwinegar7365]

I am a kayak Fisherman, so therefore I am the battery, lol. Also I fish on my river here in TN (the nothfork and the southfork of the Holston) 95% or the time. Only time I dont fish the river is when its flooded and when its high during the winter sometimes, then I go to Cherokee and fish that lake. Great stuff here Matt. Only thing I would add to it is fishing the(what I call) taper ups! Now I don't know what the Wisconsin river is like, but My river and alot of rivers on the east coast are Ledge rivers. With Ledge rivers you basically can break the river down to simple terms, by knowing that the whole river is nothing more than a shoal that runs into a pool area of deeper water Then it just repeats that pattern. Some of these sections can be way longer than others. So in my opinion most of the time fish are either holding right on the ledge where the shoal starts(in the eddy) or they are holding on the front side of this, which is actually the back side of a deeper pool area(this is what I call the TAPER UP) Because that deep pool is starting to taper up and then flow over a ledge into a shoal. This is where they are really hard to sneak up on because they are in a position that allows them to see well and plus that current flowing up to them is bringing everything right to them. Anyways don't hear many people talking about the taper up, and lord knows I am not telling many people about it. But I don't know if y'alls river beds have the exact same kind of topography? But all Rivers are awesome. What you said about the current is spot on.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Great info! Thanks for sharing. The rivers around here don't have the ledges you guys have but it is similar with shallow gravel bars, mini rapids normally. Get through the gravel bar to the next deep hole and repeat, but the fish set up exactly the same way you described.

[@bobjohnston5527]

Our rivers are very deep here in Fredericton. Saint John River is about 40 feet deep. Nashwaak about 7 feet to 10 feet deep at the mouth of the Nashwaak. Farther you go up the Nashwaak river it starts to get shallow about 4 feet

[@MattStefanFishing]

sounds great!

[@bobjohnston5527]

@@MattStefanFishing It has a great smallmouth fisheries, musky, striped bass and sturgeon

[@camhester4251]

very good video i've been trying to bass fish in the cape fear river here in N.C. without success i'm lost in running water but now i know where to go thanks

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks!

[@dhjhawk]

Really great topic! Water levels have been low here in FL this summer as we enter the rainy season and I've caught most of my bass in the river portion of the lakes, especially in the current on the bends as you were saying.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing

[@HookLife]

Uh oh. You’ve gone and done it now. 😂 this video is going to need some follow ups. I think so many people have moving water by them and just don’t know how to fish it. I’m really hoping you can expand on this Matt. This would be super helpful for me and so many others. Slack water areas, what they look like and good baits to throw could be it’s own video Eddies, where they will be and what they look like and good baits to throw can be it’s own video. Channel swings, River bends, pinch points, where they will be, what they look like as what baits to throw can be it’s own video. How to approach as a bank or boat angler can be it’s own video. We appreciate you!!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Great ideas! I put them all on my list.

[@bootlegbassfishing1730]

Great video. I appreciate the knowledge you share with us.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad it was helpful!

[@B.A.Bassangler]

Keep up the river vids please! In PGH we have better rivers than lakes IMO. There are sections of the larger/slow Monongahela river that I think "fish it like a lake"...sounds like I might be wrong, please expound! lol, I should pay attention to your current video and put my laptop down...sounds like your addressing some of my questions, haha! I'll start it over!

[@MattStefanFishing]

as long as there is current flowing through a lake it will still position fish

[@brib_brib_brib_bri]

I need a video with tips on fishing the fox chain. I hate that place! :p

[@yakangler419]

I fish the Fox 2-3x a week in Fox River Grove. Very difficult to fish. Need good casting skills to skip docks and such

[@MattStefanFishing]

That place makes great anglers because of its stinginess

[@brib_brib_brib_bri]

@@MattStefanFishing My club, years ago, had at least one club tourney per year on the chain launching out of Grass Lake. The place was so stingy that they just halted having tournaments there. Last year the Illinois Bass Nation's AOY championship was there, and I was our club's AOY so I got to fish it, but I was competing against guys that fish it regularly...I did NOT do well....but neither did they. Stingy is the perfect word.

[@jamescaspersamanthalintner4767]

Randy B sent me ! Love it

[@MattStefanFishing]

Awesome!

[@suel1634]

Thank you so much for this. I've always done well fishing lakes and moved near the WI River last year and thought it was just me because I wasn't catching anything. They only info I get from locals is to fish for catfish, or Walleye in the spring or musky. So I've stucky to fishing the backwaters near us, but never catch more than 1 or 2 bass in a day, if I do catch them. I also mostly shore fish. Would love to see some river shore fishing tips!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Good idea. Thanks!

[@Andycarusetta]

That was very helpful thanks Matt. Can you do a piece on what rigs and baits to use in fast and slow current situations. Also how do you approach topwater river fishing for both bass species. Thanks

[@MattStefanFishing]

Good ideas! Thanks

[@johnrayner5599]

Great content Matt, really enjoyed thiis episode! A few of those tips i didn’t realize until you pointerd them out, next time on a river I will be much better off as an angler, thank you and good luck.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Everything_Unleashed]

I desperately need this video for ponds,I'm still young and learning,grew up with a backyard pond but moved before I had the chance to 'graduate' to the more advanced baits that wernt simple bobber hook type stuff,but now I have a pond again and I'm trying to get back into with some.new and better baits but find myself not being able to find a good starting point!I have realized ponds arnt as much of your thing but I still think it would be very useful!

[@MattStefanFishing]

ill put it on the list

[@williamgould2470]

Start with a small 1/8 ounce spinner bait. Yellow and white

[@kenneth9874]

Kinda late but I did a lot of pond fishing when younger and it helps to approach the pond stealthily and to avoid skylining yourself, smaller ponds were great places for small top water baits like the tiny torpedo and late in the evening a jitterbug or something similar, plastic worms are great in ponds as well, good luck!

[@jimliechty2983]

Regarding the fresh battery subject, it broke my heart to see Bradford's batterys wear out, in likely the biggest tournament of his career, and on likely the winning fish! ....a good lesson for controlling the controllables.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Absolutely agree

[@forrhs8430]

South Eastern Virginia Rivers that are affected by some tidal flow (Nottoway, Blackwater, Chowan), where the water is somewhat brackish....And the current changes with the amount of rain, along with the tides....SO what's the best thing to do? Fish eddies? Pinch points?

[@MattStefanFishing]

anywhere the current is deflected

[@ricks5606]

Great content as usual, thanks!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@yakangler419]

Thanks Matt- very helpful. I fish the Fox River here in upper Illinois and it’s very challenging due to horrible recreational boat traffic. The bottom is 2 feet of silt. Always wondered if using a jig in silt bottom is even worth it? Great channel!

[@MattStefanFishing]

very much so. Just use a light jig. Try the tightrop jig

[@yakangler419]

@@MattStefanFishing checked out tight rope jigs. Looks nice, just sold out. Thanks for the info though

[@MattStefanFishing]

@@yakangler419 that little guy walks right over scummy bottoms

[@MattStefanFishing]

@@yakangler419 that little guy walks right over scummy bottoms

[@jimliechty2983]

Good stuff Matt.... My best catch as a kid, was a dozen 16" largemouth, caught by accident because the only accessible area I chose to fish below a recently opened damn, happened to be in a big eddy. Because of a low largemouth population, I li caught a 12" bass in 4 or 5 trips! . ..the prior mentioned catch was a huge deal! At that time in the late 60's, the only info out there to learn from,was Field & Stream magazine!

[@MattStefanFishing]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing!

[@shawn_r_schultzfishing4883]

Unfortunately I am unable to tolerate the truck ride to the nearest river and then fish for any period of time (stupid back) so I'm stuck with the lake that's a mile away from home, but at least I can fish for awhile. But should they miraculously come up with a way to fix my back, I will revisit this, I used to love to fish the river.

[@MattStefanFishing]

That's a bummer

[@getstraight234]

Randy blauket should take some notes lol. Actually I love his channel too but I think that you a covering things I think more recreational anglers are wanting to know. I do like that Randy is more of a purist as am I, i think livescope shouldn't be aloud in tourneys. But anyway I love your channel and I love the content you put out it's like you're answering questions that I've had for the longest time and could never really find anyone on KZbin that was wanting to share their expertise on it I'm not saying I want someone just to hand me the answers but it would be nice to at least be pointed in the right direction so I thank you for your help

[@MattStefanFishing]

awesome thanks for sharing! Im just trying to help; people catch a few more fish

[@simplyscholar21]

I bank fish a tidal river system. In the spring and early summer I catch all my fish in the lower section where it's about a half mile wide, but another river empties in to it. During summer and late fall, I have my best luck up river further where it narrows a bit more, but essentially everything you said is correct. I get most of my fish on either side of the bank points, and rarely in the slack water in the middle of those points.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Thanks for sharing!

[@michaelleach5885]

Can u talk about tidal rivers? How to fish them? Thank u

[@MattStefanFishing]

Yes I can

[@joshuajadolon3591]

This is great insight. Would you fish a reservoir the same as a river?

[@MattStefanFishing]

Yep. You should have some current flow on reservoirs somewhere at almost all times.

[@williamradecki450]

Any additional tips for willow reservoir? Just got back , early morning bite then shut down . Thanks

[@MattStefanFishing]

Topwater ALL day!

[@williamradecki450]

@@MattStefanFishing do you offer any guide services or recommend anyone ?

[@sonnygreen9698]

I may have missed it but are you including tidal water in that rising and falling scenario?

[@MattStefanFishing]

no tidal water is a whole different beast

[@sonnygreen9698]

@@MattStefanFishing I thought so, I thought for a second that you might be including that and then I thought better of it 😂😂 That would be an interesting addition to river fishing also if your so inclined. Thanks Matt, really appreciate all your doing !!!

[@cy7723]

Awesome information Matt ! What are your thoughts on fishing a river when the water levels are up / high for smallmouths ? It seems like they hit better in my experiences

[@MattStefanFishing]

Hi and low water offer good fishing opportunities

[@steventakach8128]

Hi Matt , ??? Quick question, what is the best jig that will come through heavy weeds clean. Interested in your choice, I have tried about 15 brands??

[@MattStefanFishing]

I like the dirty jigs compact canturbury flipping jig.

[@michaelswepston]

Hey Matt, I live on a large reservoir and any current equals zero visibility. Do you think the largemouth utilize the river features in the dirty water, or do they move back to shallow cover as they do with the rising levels?

[@MattStefanFishing]

Id say they utilize the current but still are very shallow if its really muddy water.

[@michaelswepston]

@@MattStefanFishing Thank you Matt

[@justincrawford1325]

what weight swim jig should I use in my river? Its running pretty low this year.

[@MattStefanFishing]

3/8

[@garywest2250]

How was the kid fishing at first? Worst thing someone can do is fish/float with the current downstream as opposed to facing the boat in the current and casting upstream and bringing them down with the current. Fish face upstream and wait for their potential food to be brought by them in the current. I've been fishing the upper mississippi river since I was 10 years old. 22 years later, shit hasn't changed. I learned how to bass fish by trout fishing in creeks/rivers/streams etc. They set up the same way.

[@MattStefanFishing]

yep!

[@RiverBassTv]

Hey Matt great content! Question, what baits would you use to target those fish closer to the river channel when they pull off the bank? Trying to improve my river game. Most of my river channels are 12-26 feet deep.

[@MattStefanFishing]

Football jig or a carolina rig

[@RiverBassTv]

@@MattStefanFishing thanks Matt, so you would target the bottom and drag the channel?

[@RiverBassTv]

@@MattStefanFishing also would you cast up stream and drag down with the current or cast down steam and drag up against the current?

[@RIPPNLPS]

What’s your battery (ah) and trolling motor setup on your rig?

[@MattStefanFishing]

Lowrance ghost with 36 volt battle born lithiums

[@RIPPNLPS]

@@MattStefanFishing same troller. Thanks, Matt 👍🏼

[@rickvann3489]

To bad the Ohio River here south of Wheeling doesn't have crap in it. Eddy left long ago, and the bass fishing is sorry here but I like tough catch but hate tough fishing

[@MattStefanFishing]

thats a tough fishery