Need help with Ohio River Bass fishing

[usnbass]

Alright my father is a disable veteran and lives close to Louisville. He loves bass fishing and I have been going up there and trying to bass fish with him on the Ohio River. I have been three times and caught one little 10 incher. Let me state I am a pretty good bass fisherman and can go to any lake and do well. Something about this river is killing me. I have researched how to fish where to fish and nothing works. I have fished backwaters, shallow wood, riprap, main river, points, flats, you name it I have tried it. I even tried fishing alittle deeper for some smallmouth to with no luck. I have down sized lures and thrown jigs, spinnerbaits, all sorts of squarebills, deep divers( did catch a gar), senko, tubes, drop shot. I am completely exhausted trying to figure this out. I faced the current and presented each lure to come down current to the fish. We have launched out of Brandenburg and Louisville and have fished up and around 18 mile island. Any help would be great. Also the water was 74.7(surface) today. If a good river rat would like to ride along with me and show me the ropes out there it would be great. My boat, my truck, my gas. You just have to meet me at the ramp. let me know guys. Thanks

[kevinb2035]

The river can be tough. Harrods creek usually produces for me. I've been catching some decent bass out of there flipping the past couple of weeks

[twise7]

All I can say is, welcome to the Ohio River. Some days I consider myself lucky to get a bite, some days I fill the boat. The last time the elite boys fished the river, KVD won it with a whopping 12 lbs. That should tell you everything you need to know about bass fishing the Ohio River.

[usnbass]

Thanks guys. I understand I am not going to get 20 lb sacks everytime I go out. I just think that one fish in three days is not very good. I have talked to people that have said fish the creeks and I have people tell me there is not a lot of current on the main river so fish there. I have kept a close eye on the hummingbird and not see and schools of bait anywhere. I did find a while in about 16 foot that had tons of fish in it, but never got a bite on it ( not sure if it was bass or not). I am not looking for anyones honey hole but are some areas better than normal? As the temps start dropping will the bass move in the creeks? Any marinas or docks produce?

[usnbass]

Also does anyone ever catch any smallmouth? I have heard they are there. It amazes me why the river is so tough. You would think they would thrive and grow quite large in there.

[kevinb2035]

I fished harrods creek this morning and came out with 3 keepers and missed a 4th. I caught all but 1, fishing a yum dinger weightless, Texas rigged. The biggest was about 2lbs. It can get really frustrating out there

[twise7]

Ya there's smallmouth in the river. Catch them in the current on main river. Try the main river shoreline just out of Harrods Creek, I've caught several there.

My favorite baits are Rapala SR 5 silver black back year round, right now a strike king 1.5 square bill (same color) should get hit, green pumpkin tubes and chigger craws, and black/blue jig.

[ronzo]

I have probably caught more smallmouth on the river this year than any other. If I fish the main river I always fish river bends. I almost always fish rock and if you can find a tree lap on it there will be fish on it. When I fish up in the creeks I still focus a lot on creek bends. To me river fishing is all about current or more so current breaks. Square bill cranks can be good all year as well as spinnerbaits but I catch a lot on jigs. Good hollow belly frog fishin should be here any time. River fishin is tough but can also be rewarding don't give up.

[Bassky]

key to fishing the creeks in the Big O is fish SHALLOW. Bass will be up on the banks or on the first drop. Downsize plastic, jigs and cb. Use darker colors, black, green pumpkin colors. Good Luck!!

[toomanycasts]

Current is king. Not so much in the creeks, but it is a factor. Today would be good on the main I would imagine. Look for the big obvious current breaks first an go from there. The best days are when you really have to stay on your trolling motor to hold the boat. Use heavier flipping baits and look for current seams. Shallow crankbaits and spinnerbaits in the seams work well also. I typically we a half ounce jig with noticeable current. Don't let the stained moving water discourage you. Those are the best days. Some times the current is less obvious and u need to look for areas where there's a bottle neck or current collects like at the end of a large channel swing or mouth of the creeks. A Shakey head is good on these days, but fish with power on strong current days. That's when the bigger fish bite regularly. Hope this helps

[usnbass]

Thanks everyone for all the help and tips. I went out yesterday and I guess the rain and current helped alittle caught 3 keepers including a 2.5 maybe even 3lb smallmouth. Caught them on a 1/4 frog hair jig black and blue. Is there a schedule for them drawing or moving water?

[ronzo]

The Ohio river seems to be the most jacked around body of water on the planet. Especially if you are in the cannelton pool. It hasn't been steady at all this year.