Spillways can be delicate ecosystems, and it’s important to preserve them for future generations. Be patient and persistent, and you’re sure to hook a few bass from the spillway waters. Consider changing up your offering until you find what works for these fish.

Be Patientīass can be cautious at times, so don’t be impatient and expect a bite right away. Let your hook sink and then retrieve it at a steady pace, making sure to vary your retrieval speed to entice any nearby fish. Try to get your hook close to any areas where bass might be hiding. It’s essential to cast accurately in spillways as the water can be fast-moving and unpredictable. Jigs and soft plastics can also be effective particularly when fishing around drop-offs or other structures. Bank anglers will normally use a spinnerbait or crankbait to cover a lot of water and trigger aggressive strikes. Choose the Right GearĪ medium to heavy action rod and reel combo with a 10-20 pound test line is suitable for bass fishing in spillways (see here for more thoughts on line strength for different fish). Bass like to ambush their prey from these spots, so they make excellent areas to fish. Look for areas with pockets of calm water, eddies, and drop-offs. Here’s a guide to spillway fishing for many different bass species: Scout the Spillwayīefore you start fishing, take some time to explore the spillway and look for potential spots where bass might be lurking. The turbulent water and abundant food supply in spillways make them an ideal habitat for many bass species. White bass, largemouth bass, and smallmouth bass fishing in spillways can be an exciting and rewarding experience for anglers of all levels. The turbulent water created by the spillway can also create pockets of slack water where fish can rest and conserve energy making them more attentive to your offering. Fish such as bass, walleye, and trout are known to prefer well-oxygenated water, and spillways can provide just that. Oxygenated water is another big reason to try spillway fishing. Anglers who fish in spillways often have a higher chance of catching more fish than they might find in other locations. This concentration of food makes spillways a prime location for largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and many other fish to congregate. The turbulent water of a spillway can dislodge insects and other aquatic creatures, which are then carried downstream, providing an abundant food source for largemouth bass and other fish in the area. As water flows through the spillway, it creates turbulent and oxygen-rich water conditions that attract a variety of fish. One of the biggest advantages of spillway fishing is the high concentration of fish that can be found in these areas.

Earman river spillway fishing