Winter is over for Juniata River SMALLMOUTH

My buddy Jake ‪@JakeHarshman‬ and I enjoyed a productive afternoon on the Juniata River in Pennsylvania, fishing for smallmouth. He stuck with power fishing presentations like spinnerbaits, ‪@ZManFishingProducts‬ Jackhammers and crank baits, while I caught 95.75 inches of big smallmouth on the same hand tied finesse hair jig with Z-Man Bat WingZ trailer. My set of bigs was anchored by a 4 lb 11 oz, 20.75 incher. Jake provided an early look at his ‪@HumminbirdTV‬ Mega360 and MegaLive electronics set up on his ‪@innovativesportsman4679‬ Osprey 1436. I also got a quick walk through of an ‪@alumaryderboats6297‬ that was being tested for product design improvements.
Pattern Summary: They are still in winter holes, but they have pushed to the heads and tails of those areas. The high flow kept them under predictable still foam pockets in those "heads and tails" of winter pool areas. I caught all of mine on the jig, and Jake successfully force fed them power fishing presentations.

[@johnbenton8877]

My luck I would fall in. I wish my dad was still alive. He would love your video. Thank you

[@charliespade723]

Thank you for being informational and not just all about making another dumb video first time seeing any of your videos and recognized jakes truck and I saw him at the millerstown park a few weeks back on a Sunday afternoon

[@TheLittleStuff]

Thanks for watching Charlie.

[@johnwhite993]

Jake and his foot pics😂😂😂😂. Great fish Jeff and Jake. Enjoyed the ride along

[@brendanlee8287]

Jeff thanks for the great video. It’s awesome to get on the water and read the water as you describe. Thanks for your time putting this together.

[@guyfoscone3193]

Both rigs are awesome...I agree with Jake...its too cold so everyone stay home! 🤣

[@TheLittleStuff]

I just can’t. Frozen River is about all that stops me.

[@robswoodsandcustomsawmilli9940]

Caught alot of bass and big bass this winter. Utilizing alot of your techniques. Really appreciate the videos.

[@TheLittleStuff]

Glad you had a good winter too Rob!

[@GRASSNBASS]

I’d say you guys smoked them for March 1st! Those were some beautiful smallmouth! I agree with you Jeff, winter is definitely over🤙🏻

[@TheLittleStuff]

Time to get out and catch em!

[@shawnbrown6729]

Thanks for the video. This is my favorite river to fish for smallmouth. I generally shy away with the water that high but you've clearly shown the fish are eating, I will definitely take note. Thanks for sharing

[@TheLittleStuff]

Higher water concentrates them. It’s a challenge holding position, but worth the effort (and expense of the motor)

[@riverrat92]

Awesome video! Great info. And monster Smallies! Jakes electronic setup would be great on the flats for stripers!

[@TheLittleStuff]

I have some striper trips coming up soon!

[@georgetollefsen994]

Great job Jeff ! Very nice work ! Good day thanks for sharing.

[@ryanmccord1873]

Looking forward to this one!

[@ThomasMichaelSeaboldt]

Excellent Video, Great Catches, even Greater Tips.

[@TheLittleStuff]

Glad they helped you.

[@jasonvenesky2438]

Some of the best drawings and explanations yet. I tried my new boat out in that area, but really didn’t get to fish it. It was probably running about the same. Great stuff!

[@TheLittleStuff]

Thanks Jason.

[@guyfoscone3193]

I just caught 13 on a spinnerbait at Long Level. Haven't got the batwings to work yet...but the water is too high now. Great info and fish catches!!!

[@TheLittleStuff]

I have days here and there that I get a few on moving baits in winter. Jake caught a bunch power fishing.

[@tmkayakfishing8236]

Thanks for your efforts. I love watching.

[@TheLittleStuff]

It was a fun afternoon!

[@tonyrudolph6908]

Hands down, your my most favorite fisherman too watch, if you need knowledge these videos will show 🤙🤙 keep up the great work an excited too see the next fishen video

[@TheLittleStuff]

Might be a few weeks. I have a big dealer run starting now: VA, WV, OH, KY.

[@tonyrudolph6908]

@@TheLittleStuff work comes first, yes sir. When you get back, the bite will be what you wear waiting for 👊👊 I'll be waiting patiencently

[@davidbrown-55]

Great fish! Nice try, snowing like crazy now. I hate it

[@TheLittleStuff]

Doesn’t matter. Length of daylight dictates that they are becoming active.

[@timothythompson6549]

That snagged a limb feeling is usually a really big fish. Even when you hook them they don't always fight right away. I wonder if they even realize they're hooked?

[@TheLittleStuff]

I was so close to that big when I set the hook. That muddy water helped!

[@brendanlee8287]

I was on the water with a heavy caddis fly hatch last Friday as I saw in your video.

[@TheLittleStuff]

The bugs keep em going all winter. They are such easy nibbles of protein.

[@Mdkayakangler]

Just what I needed !

[@TheLittleStuff]

Glad you watched it!

[@robswoodsandcustomsawmilli9940]

Thanks!

[@TheLittleStuff]

Thank you Rob! Hope you’ve been catching them!

[@cafereggio9-xj1cr]

So much gear, still time to prank your buddy! Smallmouth crazy. It's time to crack 10k!

[@jeffreyriddle4645]

Yeah I agree with Jake.. it suks till may.

[@meyouknow1226]

Good deal! Their definitely moving up on Shenandoah to pre spawn places water was 51

[@MAF71]

Thank you again Jeff for sharing ! Lots of good advice . How heavy did you go with your finesse jig if you don’t mind me asking.

[@TheLittleStuff]

I don’t know what it is. I modified a Do-It Mold to that specific shape and it’s a weirdo one of a kind head. Maybe 3/16th?

[@MAF71]

Thanks Jeff. I did see that video in the tackle craft section. Lots of good info in those also 👍

[@robswoodsandcustomsawmilli9940]

Looks like a good one.

[@TheLittleStuff]

Some timely illustrations for end of winter.

[@robswoodsandcustomsawmilli9940]

Looks like you got the Bear out of his cave.

[@moneyworksllc]

Hi Jeff... last year you fished a skirted punch rig a lot in place of the jig, can you share thoughts on finesse jig versus punch rig?

[@TheLittleStuff]

That rig is still a favorite IF I don’t need a compact profile.

[@bradybolyard8474]

Those were some awesome catches. What boat ramp was that? It Remind me of my younger days.

[@georgetollefsen994]

Thanks! Get some coffee 👍

[@TheLittleStuff]

George, thank you so much! I’m looking forward to making more videos like this soon.

[@ppfoten211]

Was Jake slow rolling the spinner bait or hopping the chatterbait on the bottom, or swimming them on his retrieves?

[@TheLittleStuff]

I think that bottom collision was part of his presentation.

[@johnbeall940]

Loved this video Jeff. No question you make the best river smallie videos out there! BTW: do you still use the clacker disc on your finesse jig, or do you just rely on the jighead to make the noise?

[@TheLittleStuff]

Thanks John. I just let the lead head smack rocks. My “better than a jig” rig uses the disc.

[@dondimarzio1731]

Love your videos! What pound test braid and leader are you fishing the jig on?

[@TheLittleStuff]

20 lb braid, 12 lb fluorocarbon leader.

[@chucksmith5737]

I'm curious what kind of scent you use?

[@TheLittleStuff]

Liquid Mayhem

[@aaronbilansky374]

How is the flow there in general? I was thinking of hitting up the Juniata later this week. still no motor lol

[@TheLittleStuff]

That was rather high. Not totally safe.

[@TWC6724]

What scent was that you put on your jig?

[@TheLittleStuff]

Liquid Mayhem.

[@TWC6724]

Oh that’s right. I’ve asked that in the past. I’m getting old sorry 🥴