Fan Casting Tactics for River Smallmouth

On this trip I provide two illustrations:
1. A mapping out of what thunderstorm runoff provides us in terms of excellent power fishing opportunities.
2. A fan casting strategy to figure out where most of the fish are holding in the ledge trench structure: top (tight to the current seam), middle (the deepest part) or bottom (the taper-up where the current accelerates again)

[@steveknipp1220]

The most informative channel that I know of,hands down! I'm super thankful Jeff,and appreciate everything you do , I believe that there is way more involved behind the scenes than a lot of people don't see,it's very much appreciated,thanks man.

[@TheLittleStuff]

I appreciate you saying that Steve. I taught kayak fishing one on one for ten years. It was part paddling class, part pattern development instruction. That experience helped me understand what’s important to teach.

[@aaronbilansky374]

I just wanted to say thank you for sharing your vast knowledge. I just started fishing again. I live in Pottsville and have always loved the susquehanna, Growing up my Father and Grandfather would take me fishing there. When I got older I did a lot of fly fishing until I had kids of my own. You and Jake have really helping me get back into the swing of things. Just wanted to show a little appreciation.

[@TheLittleStuff]

Right on Aaron. Are you fishing the Schuylkill at all?

[@aaronbilansky374]

@@TheLittleStuff I have a little right between Port Clinton and Cabela's. I just picked up my 1st Yak. Have yet to take it out. Hope to get that running when we get back from vacation in late August.

[@jasonvenesky2438]

I can’t believe I haven’t seen another angler nor heard boats in your last couple videos. Another great presentation

[@TheLittleStuff]

I fish week days if at all possible.

[@johnwhite993]

Some beautiful fish Jeff. Thanks for the drawing out instead of just pointing and say go here go there. Your going to have to add lumberjack to your resume. Jeff Little the fishing lumberjack. 😂😂

[@TheLittleStuff]

I think that pointing it out, then illustrating really locks down the concept. Thanks for watching!

[@johnwhite993]

@@TheLittleStuff it sure does. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@riverrat988]

School is always in session. You never stop teaching. 👍

[@TheLittleStuff]

I got a few lessons filmed today.

[@bugsdad3625]

Great stuff Jeff!! Love the illustrations.

[@TheLittleStuff]

I’m glad it’s helpful to you. I’ll keep illustrating!

[@topolos123]

Thank you Jeff for sharing your knowledge and experience. I've been trying to fish the Catawba and I'm used to pond/lake fishing. I have learned some, but videos like this really teach me a lot how to breakdown a river to find the fish. Thank you for that! Also the clear water dead stick versus muddy water and flash/boom was revolutionary for me. The Catawba is mostly stained water so now maybe I'll go for something in the middle of those two profiles. Thanks for your knowledge Jeff! You da man. Also torqueedos are cool.

[@TheLittleStuff]

The stealth blade jackhammer is somewhere in the middle of that “progression of aggression”.

[@topolos123]

@@TheLittleStuff I'll give it a shot! Thanks for the recommendation!

[@bradleygarman3436]

Jeff thank you for another very informative video, I hope I can meet you sometime & possibly fishing on the susquehanna with you. I used to fish the Susquehanna down by Columbia in Lancaster County but that was years ago we mainly fished for walleye.

[@TheLittleStuff]

My biggest walleye from the Susquehanna watershed was actually about 1/2 mile up into the Juniata. Over 8 lbs on the Boca Grip. Hit a spinnerbait. Early November.

[@harkleroadster]

Great lesson! Thank you👍

[@TheLittleStuff]

Thank you for watching and commenting!

[@fishntools]

Awesome, looks like the Northumberland junction with Penn Creek? Appreciate the great explanation!

[@TheLittleStuff]

That’s it!

[@davewesternky]

Not even two minutes into the video he grabs the chatterbait! lmao!

[@TheLittleStuff]

I needed more noise in that mud!

[@davewesternky]

@@TheLittleStuff I know but it’s hilarious how we have preconceived notions of the bait(s) we’re gonna catch them on and and in just a few minutes it’s out the window.

[@garyhott9232]

Very informative, thank you! The illustrations are a great add. Recently purchased a SS127 with a 403 on it, question...does the 403 have the power to handle going upstream on that river?

[@TheLittleStuff]

It does in certain situations, but the 1103 gets you up stronger current. Glad you like the illustrations.

[@ruckerferguson6107]

love all the river videos. was wondering where in virgina can I get a torpeedo and have someone install it. I just retired and wanted to start doing river trips during the week. thanks

[@TheLittleStuff]

Where in Virginia?

[@TheLittleStuff]

Innovative Sportsman is in Mount Airy, MD and provides reasonably priced installation and a free rock guard.

[@ruckerferguson6107]

@@TheLittleStuff Roanoke

[@whoopbass9608]

Another very informative video. You mentioned a black buzzbait, do you prefer a gold or silver blade?

[@TheLittleStuff]

Gold blade black skirt makes sense.

[@johnbeall940]

When you say "deadsticking in the middle", do you mean mean the bait doesnt move at all like you showed in your Deadstick video, or since we're deadsticking in the "middle", do you mean dead-drifting your bait from the top of a ledge to the bottom like food flowing through naturally?

[@TheLittleStuff]

Deadstick does not mean tumbling in current.

[@brendanlee8287]

Jeff have you ever used the drop shot in the river. It seems to me it would work in pools behind ledges

[@TheLittleStuff]

I have in winter. Did a double hair jig and drop shot combo. They ate the hair jig more.

[@georgetollefsen994]

Jeff I never heard you mention your spinning reels, what do you use? You got those sweet new spinning rods! What reels did you put on? Great stuff!

[@TheLittleStuff]

I use a lot of Daiwa, but don’t have a brand of spinning reel that I am loyal to or will only use that brand. There’s some Lew’s, Abu, Pfleuger, Penn and others. Not a Shimano guy. Those bust my knuckles open. There isn’t enough clearance for the middle knuckle, and if the anti reverse fails on hookset, the roller swings back at 217 mph and splays open my knuckle so I get to see bone. It’s happened twice badly. Always on a Shimano.

[@georgetollefsen994]

@@TheLittleStuff cool , I use what ever has the best drag. I use Shimano though, I like the Sadona , has great drag. Never had a problem with my knuckles with them. Great video and informative stuff from ICAST👍

[@colinkelly279]

Another video full of rock solid information for catching smallies. As an aside, doesn't that drive you nuts having your glasses floating above your face like that?

[@TheLittleStuff]

I got a new pair at ICAST. The folks at Hobie Eyewear helped me find a pair that fit my face. I love the Leupold lenses, but that frame did like to ride up. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bmaxlJtpad99bqM

[@colinkelly279]

@@TheLittleStuff I am a prisoner of prescription sunglasses and Costa seems to be the only company I can get to do em right. Bought a set of Smith Optics and the script was WAY off. Wish I could do over the counter, especially with the cost of prescription Costas, but I'm trapped.

[@brendanlee8287]

Jeff What is a good summer time rain jacket that is comfortable on the kayak

[@TheLittleStuff]

I use the NRS Champion rain jacket year ‘round. The wrist gaskets make it!

[@brendanlee8287]

Great thanks

[@markschade9436]

Which boat is this?

[@TheLittleStuff]

Innovative Sportsman Osprey 1436