Phillip Gentry
The experience of floating down a scenic river offers an unequalled fishing experience. Each new turn in the river brings a whole new scenario, each bend holds the promise of that secret honey hole loaded with fish. While some may point out that riverine fish species don’t grow to the sizes that can be found in still water ponds and reservoirs, a lifetime of living life in the fast lane tends to make fish feistier and fight harder. Also gone are the crowds, the commotion, and competition from other anglers in still waters. Float fishing is a passage back in time.
How to Float a River
For float fishing these moving waters, just about any portable watercraft from john boats to canoes and kayaks fits the bill. Because creeks and rivers can have swift currents in places, it’s advisable to use a stable craft with a fairly wide beam to prevent tip-overs.
Sit-on-top fishing kayaks are becoming more and more popular on rivers these days, especially the kayaks built with features favorable to anglers such as rod holders, bait wells, and dry storage areas for extra tackle.
Just because you are on a remote stretch of river does not means boating rules don’t apply. Make sure you have a life preserver for each occupant, and it’s advisable to wear it even if the law doesn’t require it to be worn. Whistles or other sounding devices are also a good idea in case you need to be located from a distance. Make sure you file a float plan and check in and out so someone knows where you are.
Some larger rivers and creeks may have government-maintained boat ramps for put in and take out points. The beauty of small portable boats is that they can be launched and landed at almost any public access point such as bridges and public right-of ways. Two anglers are almost a necessity as float trips are a one-way venture and two land vehicles are required unless the angler employs the services of a river outfitter to provide return transportation.
What Lures are Best for Float Fishing
The important thing in choosing what types of lures to best tempt river fish is to match the size of the bait with the available food. Any bait which offers vibration, flash or smell is also a good choice as river fish rely on these senses in rivers and creeks.
Artificial baits are usually preferred over live bait, since storage is sometimes a problem in a small boat or kayak. Start off with smaller baits than you would use in larger, more open water with no current. Learn to read seams in the current and present your offerings in chute areas where the current necks down and predators wait in slack water to dart out and attack prey.
Deep, slow, moving areas, particularly with tree debris in them are also good areas to look for larger fish such as catfish and largemouth bass.
One favorite tactic is to look for a log jam anywhere where the current eddies along the bank. These eddy areas will collect debris, providing overhead cover for fish to hide in. For this situation, break out the heavy pitching tackle and a soft plastic “creature bait” such as a worm or crawfish.
A Texas rigged soft plastic can be used to punch through the overhead mass and dangle the bait. The bite typically comes as the bait is falling through the debris. High test fluorocarbon or braid is preferred to resist the abrasion inherent with fishing heavy wood cover.
Since trolling motors will have little value, both because of the burden of transporting them and their ability at holding in current, use a 50-foot length of rope to use to hold the boat in position. This is done by tying off to a stump, deadfall, or overhanging limb and let out enough rope to reach your fishing spot.
One tie-up usually has the potential to reach 3 or 4 good spots. Start fishing the spots furthest upstream and you can use the rope to let the boat float down to the next spot, then move on down the river and tie up again.
A day on the river does wonders for peace-of-mind, especially when the weather is hot and the big lakes are at their most crowded. Regardless of fishing success, stopping along the way to cool off and enjoying the scenery and serenity is its own reward.
