BY JUAN VERUETE


RUGGED BEAUTY INVITES


OVERNIGHTERS. PHOTO: JUAN VERUTE


ROCKY BASS MEETS


HIS APOLLO CREED. PHOTO: JUAN VERUTE


SCOUTING ON THE


SUSQUEHANNA. PHOTO: JUAN VERUTE


N


o fish deserves more respect and admira- tion than the northeast smallmouth bass. It is the Rocky Balboa of fish. Strong short bursts of speed strain tackle and powerful head-shaking leaps put you eye to eye. They’ll shake a bait loose and fling it back in defiance. It’s a tough bass for a rugged region. Here, small lakes are almost limitless in number. The river and creek smallmouth fishing is the best in the country. Those looking for a solitary experience can easily find rivers that run through remote valleys, where the only sound is the paddle slicing through the water. Many creeks run low in the summer and fall, putting much of the best smallmouth water off limits even to jet boats. Then, the kayak angler has exclusive access.


Kayak fishing in the northeast is not for the faint of heart. High muddy water, cold water and cold fronts are part of the game. Early spring brings some warmer days and great fishing for pre-spawn smallmouth, as well as extreme swings in temperatures and high flows. Snow is not uncommon in April. Spring begrudgingly gives way to the lush greens of summer in June. Smallmouth take advantage of the low, clear water to feed on abundant crayfish. In September, the nights and water cool and fish begin to feed with urgency.


Crawfish imitations are sure-fire. These crustaceans are the primary food source on most rivers and many lakes. Winco’s Custom Lures Predator Craw is a favorite. Rig it on their in- credibly snag resistant flutter head. Heck, the name of the bait alone strikes fear into the hearts of bass. Drag it deliberately across bottom structure with intermittent long pauses.


BASS BATTLEWAGON


This rough region of small water demands a com- pact kayak such as the Wilderness Systems Ride 115. It offers rock-solid stability, out of this world maximum weight capacity, room for enough gear for an overnight trip and the maneuverability needed to navigate rivers from small to large. And like Rocky, it can take a punch.


FAVORITE


BASS FISHERIES


The Susquehanna River: This kayak angler’s dream is famous for its trophy smallies.


The Allegheny River: The region’s best-kept secret is sometimes hard to access in the upper reaches. An impromptu parking spot and a scenic drag through the woods can get you on some nice smallmouth bass.


DON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT


A short stakeout pole such as the River Stick from Palmetto Kayak Fishing. Stuck through a scupper, it grabs and holds in the shallow rocky rivers.


Juan Veruete is a licensed fishing guide and ACA certified kayak instructor who teaches skills and strategies through his business Kayak Fish PA, LLC. The Temple Fork Outfitter and KayakBassFishing.com pro staffer counts 40 years of fishing experience.


www.kayakanglermag.com… 29


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