Smallmouth Bass Fishing

Sandbar Smallies

Few smallmouth bass fishing techniques compare to
those used when fishing for smallmouth bass in the
wild-river stretch of the Missouri River, in South Dakota;
where the smallies are as untamed as the river itself.

“Grab the net,” Dave Dringman shouted. “I’ve got the grandmother of all smallmouth on my line!”

I lowered the net into the water, positioning it to receive the 19-inch, four-pound-plus smallie. Under Dave’s guidance the fish swam into the net. Before I could lift it out of the water, however, let along congratulate him on his skill and expertise, the fish did a quick about face, spit the plug, and escaped to safety.

We were stunned. The three of us ---me, Dave, and Friend Wife--- stood there, simply staring at the swirling brown water that a second ago had been a trophy bronzeback. Among the half-dozen or so we’d tied into that morning of smallmouth bass fishing, this had been the largest.

“Ah, well,” Dave shrugged, with more aplomb than I could have mustered, “that’s why they call it fishing. If it were easy they’d call it catching.

“Besides which, she’ll be around next time I hit this spot.”

His cheery comment got us back on track, and we turned our attention, once again, to smallmouth bass fishing on this wild and scenic section of the Missouri River, upstream of Yankton, South Dakota.

For most of its length, the Mighty Mo is a dammed river. In fact, seven dams form a daisy chain of lakes, stretching from the Nebraska line all the way to North Dakota. These lakes, themselves, offer spectacular fishing for smallmouth bass and other species---including some of the best walleye fishing you’ll find anywhere.

However, there’s a 50 miles stretch above South Dakota’s Lewis & Clark Reservoir where the Missouri flows wild and free. Just as when Lewis & Clark made their journey of discovery, today’s river is filled with sawyers, and sandbars, and shifting currents. And smallmouth bass. Big bruisers, for river fish, averaging in the two to three pound range, with enough four and five pounders to keep things interesting for any smallmouth bass fishing trip.

Because of the river’s ever-changing character, we’d decided not to go it alone the first time. We’d heard even experienced boaters can have problems, due to shifting sandbars, unpredictable currents, and hidden obstructions. So we contacted Dave, who had been fishing these waters for decades, and really knew how to read the channels, recognize fish-holding water, and control boats in unexpectedly shifting cross-currents.

“Just about any sturdy boat will do for smallmouth bass fishing this part of the river,’ he explained as we drove to the launch site. “Bass boats are fine. So, too, are the deep-Vs commonly used on South Dakota waters. The absolute ideal, though, is a 16-foot Jon boat with a short shaft motor.

“Personally, I prefer a motor with a minimum of 25 horsepower for safety’s sake. But even a good running 10 horse will move a boat against the current.”

Basically, you need to concern yourself with a craft and motor that can handle the strong, criss-crossing currents found on this section of the Missouri. As Dave told us, you’re borrowing trouble, and gambling with your very life, if you launch a boat that’s incapable of meeting the river’s requirements.

Besides, if you can’t maneuver yourself into fish holding water and stay there, you won’t catch any smallies.

As we motored up to Jones Island, Dave filled us in on bass fishing lures and baits. “Most folks fishing this section prefer tube jigs, rigged Texas style; spider jigs; and small cranks and vibrating baits.” Naturally, which ones are most effective depend on water temperature, weather conditions, and other factors.

I tied on a vibrator, one of my favorite smallmouth bass fishing baits for unknown conditions. Friend Wife opted for a spider jig, while Dave fished a small, ¼-ounce crankbait. That way we’d have most conditions covered.

Dave much prefers a diving crankbait, because the versatility of the retrieve, along with the internal rattles, make it a winning combination when smallmouth bass fishing. It was obvious he knew of what he spoke, because on his third cast he hauled in a nice two-pound smallmouth. As he maneuvered the boat to the edge of another sandbar he revealed more bass fishing techniques, “depth control of the bait is very important. You have to use one that can work the edges, especially near sandbars like this one.”

The water was considerably shallower as we cruised a mere yard or so off the sandbar’s edge. “Here,” Dave instructed, “you want to use a shallow diver. Most fish hit the lure on the shelf formed by the sandbar, just at the current break.”

Taking his advice, I tied on a ¼ ounce crank, and within five minutes was pulling a 2½ pounder into the boat. Fighting both the rushing current and the fish made it feel at least three times that size. While that’s generally true for all river fishing, the Missouri multiplies the feeling several orders of magnitude.

That was a fairly typical fish for the river, though. The two dozen or so smallmouth we caught and released by day’s end averaged a few ounces up or down from that mark.

Next day we encountered totally different conditions. Clouds and wind had moved in overnight, and the forecast called for rain. This time we headed to a spot where we’d have some protection from the gale-force winds.

The water was murkier and muddier than the day before, and Dave recommended a spider jig. “Any color so long as it’s chartreuse,” he quipped. But he was serious. “On days like this, with a front moving in, the smallmouth really like that bait and color.”

He was right again. All three of us caught fish, rigged just as he’d suggested, including one I took just before quitting time that qualified me for South Dakota Trophy Angler status.

Eventually the pelting rain drove us off the water. But we’d had two incredible days smallmouth bass fishing the river the way it looked to early explorers. We caught a bunch of fish. And, best of all, perhaps, saw not one other boat the whole time.