Strategies for Finding BIGGER River Smallmouth | Catch Analysis on the Susquehanna River

This video is an in-depth look at the river fishing strategies I employed while out on the Susquehanna for the first time. While this video does take place in Pennsylvania, all of the tips I shared can be applied on smaller bodies of water too. As always, fishing is constantly variable, but these were the patterns I found during my five days of fishing out east.
If you want me to clarify any points, let me know in the comments!
Baits Used in this Video
Buzzbait: scheels.sjv.io/vNE2bv
Suicide Shad: scheels.sjv.io/q4OgNY
Pro Swimmer: scheels.sjv.io/k0JRbL
Weedless Midwest Finesse Rig (Aka the Collin Special)
1/8 oz EWG Shorty Head: scheels.sjv.io/9gyVvQ
Plastic: scheels.sjv.io/DKRWDG
Book a Trip, Buy Baits, Support the Channel
linktr.ee/rive...
Follow me on IG!
/ rivermantv
Gear I Use:
Motor:
newportvessels...
My favorite fishing sun shirts:
amzn.to/3QnP1kP
Simms Jacket:
scheels.sjv.io/Y92yvr
Favorite spinning reels:
amzn.to/45Kj0rU
amzn.to/3P9pGsK
Favorite casting reels:
amzn.to/44JjyNx
amzn.to/3ZcMHja
Pliers:
amzn.to/3Ry21oF
Power Pole Micro:
amzn.to/42Y1D5l
Anchor Wizard:
amzn.to/3BqH1H5
Net:
amzn.to/3pnfZ0D
Rear Camera mount:
amzn.to/3op42qu
Cameras:
amzn.to/3PViF08
amzn.to/46bor3q
Microphone:
amzn.to/3EWqj4E
Insulated Water Bottle
amzn.to/3EVvAck
#riverfishing #riversmallmouth #kayakfishing #smallmouthbassfishing #kayakbassfishing #susquehannariver #hobiebos

[@JakeHarshman]

Solid video Bro! Well done!

[@RivermanTV-]

Appreciate the kind words from the homewater hammer 👊

[@bchunter53]

No screaming, no music, no tackle sales. Just amazing instruction on how to read a new river for smallmouth. Slow and easy. Great graphics. Can't beat a sunny summer day and that shallow, clear water! Thank you!

[@RivermanTV-]

Thanks for the kind words!

[@ri-jm5tn]

I’ve been a river smallie fisherman for over 50yrs , and I sure learned some things watching this video that I’ll put into practice immediately!

[@RivermanTV-]

It makes me happy knowing you got something out of it 👊

[@AddictedAngler]

This is the most informative and dead on information i have ever seen on youtube

[@RivermanTV-]

Rus is being nice today 😉👊

[@AddictedAngler]

@@RivermanTV- facts are facts , was informative video

[@scottd5789]

Nice video! Thanks for taking extra time for the voice over and diagrams. Subscribed.

[@RivermanTV-]

Appreciate your feedback!

[@bonthan8728]

Subscribed! I appreciate the voice over. The time taken to review and critique yourself is recognized. The labeled pinpoints to the specific spots are much easier to see than pointing to a general area and cruising up to the area after the catch for clarity is awesome.

[@RivermanTV-]

Thanks for the feedback! It's much appreciated 👊

[@jakeromberger7698]

Great video!!! I fish slightly up river from where you were at in this video and you are exactly right about shallow water. I couldn't even tell you how many huge bass I caught mid day in the middle of summer in shallow slow water chasing crayfish

[@RivermanTV-]

Yeah it is wild. They are so good at hiding that you can be looking at em and not even know it.

[@jakeromberger7698]

@RivermanTV during the summer you can sometimes hear or see the cray fish being chased in the shallow water and in those encounters a simple cast in that direction will almost guarantee you a good size bass

[@Deo-d6p]

Great smallie fishing and video! Always learn something new, thanks!!!

[@RivermanTV-]

Appreciate it! Happy to help 👊

[@alexandergeiser3854]

I've never fished that stretch right below Duncannon. I do know that's a pretty popular stretch for a lot of the Harrisburg guys.

[@rollingwatersadventures]

New to your channel. This video had great technical content. Good job and Thanks.

[@RivermanTV-]

Thanks for stopping by! I've got other technical videos in my 'informational' playlist if you're interested.

[@SteveOllice]

Great video! I really like how you break down your thought process. Great stretch of the Susky!

[@RivermanTV-]

Glad you enjoyed it, Steve! That is a really fun stretch of river. I just wish the water was about a foot higher when I did it. I've got another Susky video in the works and the water was higher that trip.

[@WaterWarriorFishing]

The analysis style >

[@mrman6395]

These videos are straight 🔥 Appreciate the time you put into them

[@RivermanTV-]

It does take more time than usual but it's worth it 👊

[@glenndaugherity6187]

Awesome video !! I don’t have a kayak but I wade a very good smallmouth river here in Illinois that I think you could put 3 of them side by side in that river your fishing there ! Great tips and appreciate your work putting out these productions 👍

[@RivermanTV-]

It's massive! I haven't fished anything in Illinois that even comes close. Thanks for your support! These videos do take more effort and thought so I really appreciate the feedback.

[@alexandergeiser3854]

I live less then 2 minutes from the Susquehanna and is where I do most of my fishing. It's full of fish if you just know how to catch them.

[@Sirperry86]

Best fisherman ever

[@collieer]

Love the way you broke down spots. I subbed

[@RivermanTV-]

Happy to have you along 👊

[@dersonmarce5765]

Nice catch bro

[@JaydanMueller]

Awesome video, awesome fish

[@primofishing789]

RivermanTV indeed! Love it!

[@RivermanTV-]

Just trying to earn some river cred

[@basskicking4532]

Good stuff man! That GoPro gets heated up quickly, it use to do it to me too, I changed some settings and it stopped getting too hot and/or stops on its own

[@RivermanTV-]

Thanks! Yeah, I learned to take the battery out when I run a power source. I haven't had any shut downs since making that change.

[@MarkPolsky]

Dude nice job! Love how you break it down! I am a New subscriber

[@RivermanTV-]

Thanks, Mark! Glad to have you along.

[@davidcloyd1296]

You produce some quality content.

[@RivermanTV-]

Thanks, the kind words mean a lot!

[@LoOutdoors]

So sick! Nice work man!

[@RivermanTV-]

Thank you!

[@semper_fi1]

Very informative. Thanks

[@LunkersWithLogan]

nice video, lots to learn in it

[@tedthilly1934]

Great video buddy

[@atbfishing2816]

New subscriber. Keep these videos coming!

[@RivermanTV-]

Glad to have you along! Will do.

[@codymittel3126]

Best smallys factory on the east!

[@RivermanTV-]

Without a doubt!

[@WaterWarriorFishing]

Awesome bro

[@RivermanTV-]

'preciate it, man!

[@jeremyowen1]

The river I fish is like 10% of the Susquehanna and I still struggle a bit. I'm new to river fishing and took to wading this summer, I got addicted. The thing that struck me the most was during my recent trip I was catching fish in some pretty gnarly class 3 white water. I mean directly in the stuff. I'm still trying to find the bigger fish though. My pb smallmouth probably isn't even 2lbs, but I know guys have pulled 4.5-4.9's out of here. The river spills directly into Lake St. Claire in Ontario, Canada with no dams/fish gates in the way and St. Claire has some smallmouth to say the least. I read an article recently that said in summer bigger fish tend to sit tight to cover in heavy current or on the edge of the seams and the smaller fish tend to be in the calmer eddies. Not really sure if there's any truth to that or not.

[@RivermanTV-]

I think that article is on to something. In the summer, I have caught a lot of quality fish that are super tight to very heavy current, without actually being in it. Normally, these are smaller spots that probably allow them to be the only fish hunting there. But, this positioning seems more likely when the sun is high and it is very hot out. Unfortunately, there's no hard and fast rule that is true all the time. There will be days when big ones are in slack pools even in the middle of the summer, but that positioning may change throughout the day. When you get into a bigger fish, make a note of everything you can remember. Hopefully in the future you can use that information to find more quality.

[@SC-stonerconstruction]

Hey love the videos. Im a fisherman from ohio, and im fishing near harrisburg this weekend on a work trip. Any pointers for good launch points where i don't need a shuttle. I have a peddle drive yak and hope to be able to go up and down stream with no issues

[@RivermanTV-]

I think most of the public launches in and around Harrisburg are good areas for going upstream on your own. I can't speak for the level or flow at the moment though.

[@mitchc5538]

Man looked like perfect conditions. My rivers have been flooded like all year

[@RivermanTV-]

It was a little low this year but still better than flooded. If we had a foot more of water, there would've been some really nice cover in play.

[@mitchc5538]

@@RivermanTV- yeah place looked awesome. Unfortunately it’s a 14 hour drive for me :(

[@RivermanTV-]

@@mitchc5538 It's about 11 for me but definitely it's definitely worth making a yearly trip.

[@therealkosmora229]

My eyes were staring at that B spot lol, surprised i was right

[@mandalorej9139]

Hey brother I’m from the Hudson valley I’m trying to plan a day to go up to the river for the first time can you tell me what bridge or town that is and where I can launch from

[@RivermanTV-]

This is a little upstream from Harrisburg. Find the "mini" statue of liberty on the map and work upstream. There are a few different launch options.

[@bigdaddyhubcaps]

Duncannon, PA

[@tp2273]

Riverfront Campground. John Cunningham is the man! He can give you all the info you need. It's at the confluence of the Juniata River with the Susquehanna River.

[@anthonystinson3981]

Have you ever tried the Susquehanna below Holtwood dam? I fish there a lot but lately I catch nothing but dinks almost every time

[@RivermanTV-]

I've never fished the Susky down that far but I can say that I've never caught much size directly below dam when I've fished them there. I've always caught more quality a couple hundred yards down if there is cover around or little islands.

[@seydoggy.fishing]

Thank you, thank you, thank you... for getting a net. 😂 I can stop imagining the worst with your hand and some hooks.

[@RivermanTV-]

I was hoping no one would notice haha. I didn't want to mess with current and treble hooks.

[@TheFishingMommy]

Great video! Weird question but-are there kayak shuttle services around? I’m from NY but coming up to fish solo, and not quite sure how to get back out when it’s time-saw your comment about not being able to paddle upstream in some places?

[@RivermanTV-]

I'm not really sure as I've never used one. I would try contacting a kayak rental service because they usually offer shuttling even if you don't rent from them. I'm pretty sure www.susquehannaoutfitters.com/ does trips and has shuttle options.

[@TheFishingMommy]

@@RivermanTV- thanks!! I’ll look into that place. So if you’re paddling solo on the Susky you can get back upstream to your launch without too much trouble?

[@RivermanTV-]

@@TheFishingMommy not in my experience. Some areas I can't even get upstream unless I run my motor at 100% and pedal at the same time.

[@TheFishingMommy]

@@RivermanTV- hmmmm. So you have to have a buddy? I’m just trying to figure out how to fish an upcoming tournament without two cars or a buddy. I don’t know how to get back to my launch at the end of the day.

[@RivermanTV-]

@@TheFishingMommy personally, without a motor or a buddy, I wouldn't plan on traveling upstream much. I'm sure it's possible in some areas but the only way to know that is through experience on that stretch. Most likely, there will be other anglers wherever you fish so you may try talking to someone about potentially shuttling.

[@kirbycalamari2299]

Eddy slackin' hard

[@RivermanTV-]

Buncha slacker snackers

[@jackritter4805]

If you don’t me asking where you fishing? Also what are some other kayakssble spots to fish on the Susquehanna without a pdl or trolling motor

[@RivermanTV-]

There's lot of great water between Shamokin and Harrisburg. Pretty much all of it is kayak friendly at the right water level but if you're paddling, you'd have to plan on floating between two spots. Going back upstream would be pretty much impossible in a lot of places unless you walked the kayak.

[@jackritter4805]

@@RivermanTV- yeah only have only vehicle so gonna have to paddle upstream or wade upstream

[@thechula7837]

What buzz bait / trailer are you using?

[@RivermanTV-]

Baits Used in this Video Buzzbait: scheels.sjv.io/vNE2bv Suicide Shad: scheels.sjv.io/q4OgNY Pro Swimmer: scheels.sjv.io/k0JRbL

[@waynesammyswingle6107]

Hey, is it intentional that the Susquehanna day one Hobie BOS is private? Not sure but it came in my notifications but when I tried to watch it said unavailable Private. Thanks

[@RivermanTV-]

It should be up and open now. I changed the time it was made public so that may have caused the issue.

[@Ryan-sf8nf]

7:25 more instinctual than setting a hook

[@mattruggie9194]

How long did that float take. TIA Matt

[@mattruggie9194]

Great video BTW!!

[@RivermanTV-]

Really depends on how much fishing you do along the way. I have a tendency to break spots down if they look good. It's an all day affair for me.

[@mattruggie9194]

@RivermanTV yeah I know that area well from jet boat but never did it as a float. I sit on areas also but my buddy likes to go go. I'd have to hear him bitch too much if it's a 9-10 hr deal lol.

[@RivermanTV-]

@@mattruggie9194 oh it can easily be a 9-10 deal if you want it to be haha

[@mattruggie9194]

@RivermanTV lol..great area for sure.

[@chrisb.1116]

That is a big river.

[@PhillyPHrank]

Great video. Can you edit certain landmarks out of the videos before posting them for the world to see.

[@chuckvinson1]

Why ?

[@PhillyPHrank]

@@chuckvinson1 That’s my favorite spot.