Need Smallie Help

[Zupa da Bass]

It's been a number of years since I fished for Smallmouth in the Delaware and I would love to get out again and fish for them . I'd be fishing the Water Gap area from shore. I would love some pointers from you guys to put me in the right direction. I used Hellagramytes years ago but I can't seem to find them these days. Any info would help. Thanks

[Eskimo]

I was just at that park last week and didn't catch anything but Rock Bass.
It's possible I just suck and couldn't find a bass in a bucket, but I've always done well there in the past.

Something appears to have changed there. I didn't even see the juvenile Smallmouths in the shallows snapping at bugs like I have in past summers.

A while back, I read an article that the Smallmouths in the Delaware River were being affected by a disease called Columnaris. Perhaps this Columnaris Disease has signifigantly reduced the population of Smallmouths there. I don't know.

[Skunk City]

I catch them pretty frequently in the Passaic River on a variety of different baits. Start with a wacky rigged 4" Senko worm. Rapala Husky Jerk lures perform pretty well also. If you are fishing early morning, sunset, or after dark, try a floating jointed Rapala reeled at a slow yet steady pace. If all else fails, shiners on a hook and slip bobber should get the job done. Fish areas with gravel, rocks or boulders. Good luck.

[bunker dunker]

get an old srceen and stand down stream,make sure one end is on the bottom.have a fishing bud up stream of you a few feet turning over rocks.lift the screen up and take the helgamites of and use them.as the water heats up in the river they get very picky about what they eat but they will never turn down a helgramite..

[RWole]

Just did a float trip on the Big D three weeks ago near Belvadere. Got
hellagramites from hi-way sport. Smallies were caught but action
was not as hot as normally (which i have been hearing for a couple of weeks).
Also a few jumbo channel cats. Hellgies were $12 a dozen but well worth it.

[Zupa da Bass]

Thanks alot for the help. I'm gonna hit Hi Way Sport Shop for the Hellies and then give it hell.

[tycomps]

planning on hitting the big river sunday night and throwing wacky black senkos as skunk mentioned as well.