DelawareRiver.net

Madtom Ecology

Madtoms (stone catfish) are small catfish averaging 2-4“ in length and are part of the complex web of feeding relationships that occur in streams. Although small, they are often abundant in streams and rivers, and their populations represent a significant link in the food chain.

Like bigger catfish, madtoms are mostly nocturnal. During the day they hide under rocks and leafy debris. At night, they emerge and forage voraciously. They eat a variety of small, aquatic insects, including the nymphs of mayflies, dragonflies and damselflies. They also eat small crustaceans, including aquatic pill bugs and immature crawdads.

Smallmouth bass consider them a delicacy

A 2 year R&D Program

I spoke w/several experience smallmouth bass fishermen who have used live and artificial stone catfish as bait for smallmouth bass. They all raved as to the effectiveness of a real Madtom as bait for smallmouth bass. I received excellent advice on the coloring of these Stone catfish found  in the Delaware and Susquehanna rivers.

I made several RTV silicone molds and poured various colors. Using a belly weighted hook that presented these baits w/good hooking qualities and reduced snag performance was of the utmost importance. The 1^st year produced some nice fish but I was still not satisfied w/the silhouette and hooking system.  I changed to a light wire Mustad Ultra-point hook w/a 1/8oz. belly weight. The soft-bait silhouette was re-designed and with the help of a skilled CNC molds machinist and valuable input from an avid stone cattie fisherman, the 1^st 2-part mold was made. Getting the plastic formula just right to hand-pour the thin entrance to the tail section was tricky but was accomplished on the 2^nd CNC mold.w/some additional venting. A third minor adjustment was made and the final molds were completed.

Reports of good success by respected anglers using this new bait reached my desk in a very short period of time. I was finally able to get out of the shop and on the water to try them. Developing a consistent presentation pattern that interested the smallmouth bass community required a bit of time. I found a dead drift w/an occasional lift of 1-4 ft. off of the bottom to be effective as they fell back to the bottom. They can also be slowly reeled w/pauses to let them drop. Watching your line where it enters the water is most important since any sideways movement indicates a hit. I was surprise how lightly the bass hit them and moved very quickly, 4-6 feet to the left or right of the initial pick-up spot. Set the hook immediately-no matter how light the 1 tap hit usually is.

It is important to continuously check the sharpness of the Ultra-point hook A quick touch-up (in one direction with a smooth diamond file) usually returns them to an ultra sharp hook. The hook point should stick into your fingernail and not slide across if sharpened properly. Use even but light pressure towards the point of the hook with the diamond file. Fishing these baits w/a Texposed hook causes them to come in contact w/various rocky bottoms that smallmouth bass frequent and the stone catties live under on the bottom of the river and streams. You will also experience Sunfish, .Red-eyes and Walleyes hitting these baits.

Stone Cattie Soft-bait & Presentation System
(#SCPS)  |  $19.95

1-Susquehanna Cat – black w/amber /yellow belly
2-Delaware river Cat – green pumpkin w/ caramel belly
The kit consists of 2 complete rigs/4 extra- weighted hooks (1/8 oz.) and 12 soft-baits. Both colors may be mixed as 6 of each -per kit.

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Smallmouth bass consider the stone catfish (mad tom) a delicacy and feed on them when ever they are present. I’ve created an average size in two distinct models w/valued input from 2 anglers who know the value and rewards of fishing stone catties. The soft-bait is affixed to a special Mustad, black chrome, light wire hook w/a centered belly weight and hitchhiker coil keeper. It is recommended to rig the bait texposed. Rigged this way, the bait falls in a upright, circular swimming motion.

Key words: Stone catfish, Madtoms, River smallmouth bass soft baits

Written by: Al Winco (smallmouthaholic)
www.wincoscustomlures.com

Fishing Wacky Worms for smallmouth bass in the Delaware River

Author by: Al Winco (Smallmouthaholic)

www.wincoscustomlures.com

I find that wacky worms are especially productive during the summer and early fall period w/water temperatures in the 70’s. Lethargic smallmouth bass just can’t seem to resist them if they are presented w/a slow, horizontal fall w/an occasional twitch. They seem to favor certain sizes  and colors. I prefer the 4 ¼” size w/an “O” ring installed @ the rear of the egg sack for balance. My ‘wacky” Stick Worm Jr. is manufactured for fishing “wacky” style w/ either a  Owner #1-1/0 Mosquito or a #2 -  #4 Gamakatsu Octopus circle hook. Simply place the hook point into the worm, under the “O” ring and exposed on the other side. The “O” ring enables the worm to catch 3-5 bass before being replaced and the worms won’t fly-off into outer space when casting.

Fish them weightless as the salt & sand content in my custom wacky worms  causes them to sink for natural “wacky” action w/their soft and flexible movement.  An angler induced occasional twitch can certainly help to attract lethargic smallmouth. When river levels rise from their typical summer low flows, add a 1/32 – 1/16 oz crimp-on bull shot 6″-12” above the worm. I prefer to fish them w/out any weight that gives them a slow, tantalizing fall throughout the water column.

I don’t recommend fishing the wacky worms in fast currents.  They simply won’t get deep enough.  They work best when they are permitted to fall slowly on a horizontal plane in slack water and reverse current pools. Your boat should be stationary, anchored or very s-l-o-w-l-y drifting w/ the current. Give the boat an occasional upriver nudge w/the electric motor to momentarily stop the drift of the boat. Cast them up river and let them sink-naturally. Keep most of the slack out of your line and watch your line where it enters the water. An occasional twitch helps but be careful when you feel any resistance on the line. The smallmouth may spit them out if you continue to twitch them after the bass has  picked them up.

Most hits are subtle, 1 tap hits. Many times they just hold them and other times they will swim upriver w/them. Sunfish and rock bass w/give multiple taps on the worm in quick succession – sometimes ripping 2-5 feet of line out in a split second. Many anglers new to this style of fishing will set the hook and then think they missed a smallmouth bass. Bass usually give 1 or 2 taps, then slowly move up current when the take a wacky worm. These specialized wacky worms sink @ the rate of  1ft. every 2 seconds w/the salt and sand blended content of the worm .Count slowly to 9 and give them a light twitch when fishing in deeper holes w/depths greater then 4 feet. Count to 5 again and then lift your line carefully moving the worm approximately 1 foot. Alternating between a twitch and line lift will vary the presentation.

Persevere and give them an honest 45 minute work-out each time out on the river during slow-bite periods, or when the  bite has stopped completely. Be patient and you’ll soon be catching some quality river smallmouth bass as you master the Wacky worm technique in moving water.

A quality smallmouth bass from the Susquehanna caught w/the wacky Stickworm Jr. during a tough,slow bite!

During low water periods, the Delaware River can become extremely clear. I’ve been very successful using a special laminated Wacky Stick Worm Jr. I refer to as my-my” dead bite”-wacky worm .I believe it imitates the brook lamprey eel. Standard colors like watermelon and green pumpkin are the normal go-to baits but this laminated Green pumpkin/watermelon worm produces best in the ultra-clear water.

Here are before and after pictures of my “wacky” stick-worm jr.(with “O” rings pre-installed) after catching 6 smallmouth bass to 16″ in a river situation.

The used one is ready to be replaced, or broken by the 7th fish. This “O” ring, rigged stick worms can be expected to catch from 3-7 bass per worm before being replaced.

The red hook (middle picture) is an Owner #2 Mosquito (green pumpkin worm) and the other bronze hook(watermelon worm) is a #4 Gamakatsu Octopus circle.(watermelon worm). The weights pictured are “Water-Gremlin”, 1/32 oz bull shot crimp-on bullet weights. Give these Wacky Stick worm Jr.’s a try on your next river trip-the smallmouth love ‘em and you’ll save some $ on baits.
The” Wacky” Stick-worm Jr.(WSWJR. 4.25″) are available in 8 colors w/”O” rings installed

Walkin’-the-Dog Surface plug fishing

by Al Winco

www.wincoscustomlures.com

Walking-the-Dog is a top-water technique using a cigar shaped surface plug that moves side to side on the retrieve. It is a deadly technique for smallmouth and largemouth bass. Many anglers try the technique but become easily frustrated when the plug won’t go side to side w/a constant cadence. I became fascinated w/the technique 20 years ago and quickly found that all plugs are not created equal and many fail miserably in moving water. Here are some tips to help you master this technique.

How I walk the Dog

Standing in a stream, I work the spook type plugs with the rod tip @ the 10 of 12 or 10 after 12 position. Remember, walking the dog is performed on SLACK line. For every turn of the reel handle your lure should complete 2 to 4 complete left to right maneuvers. Simply, walk the lure …. left-right and then take up some of the slack. Repeat. Always cast slightly upstream and work you plug across the current and down. There comes a point working downstream where the lure WILL NOT walk due to current pull and the swing – which remove all of your slack line. When this happens and/or you wish to work a tail-out section of the river, simply raise your rod quickly, pulling up 5-7 feet of line and start walking with quick wrist flicks. DO NOT TURN THE REEL HANDLE. Repeat when the SLACK GOES OUT.

Practice in a Quiet Pond / Drifting a slow section in a boat/canoe

Go to a pond with NO wind or current and practice until you can co-ordinate 4, left to right walking maneuvers first and 1 reel turn next. In a lake situation, never try to walk the dog with a strong wind blowing from the side. It takes the slack out of your line and inhibits the side to side action. Drifting a slow section of a river in a canoe or boat is the easiest way to learn. Since you’re drifting with the current, you don’t have to reel the slack-up and can concentrate on your wrist movements to create an appealing, injured baitfish, side-to-side type of retrieve.

Water Temps/Retrieve Speeds/Tackle

I do best in water temps above 70 in rivers and streams. Spring–time water temperature of 62-64 degrees can provide fast and furious top-water action BEFORE the spawn. Usually a constant retrieve works best. Folks would be astonished if they witnessed my aggressive retrieves with a 4 1/2 -5″ spook-type plug and watched how savagely smallmouth bass attacked them during weather frontal periods of light winds and overcast conditions. I make up to 8 complete L to R maneuvers in a 5 second period when they are really turned on. That being said, there a many times when the fish want a more subtle retrieve with pauses between the left to right “walks.” I.M.O., when a bass hits your plug with their tail, they are either a small fish or the plug is being retrieved too quickly for their “mood- of- the day.” However, I have experienced many times when 4 deliberate left to right walks (in a 5 second period) followed by a 15 second pause was the “match that lit the fuse”!

A 6′- 6 ½’ Med. light spinning outfit w/8-10 lb test works best on these plugs in the 3-3/12″ size. I personally prefer 10 lb. Sufix Performance Braid for creeks/rivers) with a 8-10 lb. mono leader joined to the braided line w/a double uni-knot. The plug is joined to the monofilament line with a Palomar knot. Do not use a fluorocarbon leader w/top-water lures – it will inhibit the walking action with the sinking leader. Casting tackle is recommended for the 3 3/4′- 5″ models. Practice and perfect the technique and you’ll enjoy some of the most exciting and explosive smallmouth fishing of your life

The thrill of summer-time top-water smallmouth bass


Rattles / Tail feathers/Missed Strikes

Rattles will create attracting noise in plastic, hollow models. The pointed nose models are usually poor for creating a spitting, popping noise in wind and wave conditions. Under these conditions, it has been my experience that models with a nose cup do have the advantage of drawing the attention of aggressive smallmouth bass. I believe the addition of any tail feathers to create a target are not necessary and the feathers would interfere with the walking action. If you get just the smallest piece of weed on the tail hook, the walking action is greatly reduced. There are going to be times when fish miss or boil under the plug. When the bass are really turned on to the top-water W-T-D- bite, mutiple passes (attacks) are normal when they strike at a lure going side to side. That’s the nature of the beast -so to speak. When they boil or slash and miss you plug, keep your retrieve in motion and don’t stop the routine. If they didn’t feel the hooks on a previous pass, cast out again to the same rock or pool and another strike may result .I once hooked and landed 4 Smallmouth bass (from 16-18″) on 7 casts to the same 4×4 boulder in a 3 1/2′ deep, slow-moving riff in the Susquehanna River. I’ve also had some monstrous smallmouth bass come completely out of the water and miss the plug and refuse to give me another pass @ the plug. Frustrating but that’s the reality of top-water lure fishing.

Summer-time, top-water smallmouth bass

Smallmouth bass are funny and picky fish at times. It has been my experience during the summer months on the Susquehanna River, that smallmouth’s’ will respond better to a smaller (3-3 1/2″ ) W-T-D- type bait under stable weather conditions. They only seem to give the bait one shot and will not pursue them with multiple strikes. Now when you have an approaching weather front or thunderstorms with a falling barometer taking place, that’s the time to put away the small surface plugs and bring out the big guns. Now the bigger bass will aggressively attack plugs in the 4 1/2 – 5″ sizes that are splashing, popping and walking 6-12″ side to side in an aggressive manner. The strikes are absolutely vicious, heart-stopping attacks with multiple strikes the “norm” until hook-up. Many times I’ve purposely worked the plugs extra fast to entice multiple, savage strikes. All smallmouth bass anglers should have the thrill & excitement of experiencing this type of fishing.

My younger son Brian w/a Susquehanna “football” smallmouth bass

Custom Wooden W-T-D- plugs

I have manufactured my own type of wooden Walk-the-Dog plugs for the past 20 years. I became very frustrated with the available, commercial plastic models. Their inconsistent action and inability to attract strikes during windy conditions gave me the need to create my own type of W-T-D surface plugs. The special angle and depth of the nose cup is similar too but different then a popper. This creates more fish-attracting splashing sounds on the zigzag retrieve. They also have a fixed, internal tail weight and are balanced to sit on a precise angle in the water.(they do not stand straight up). I make 4 basic colors in 2 sizes- all have pear colored bellies.

These medium size plugs- 3-3 1/2” are the most popular w/anglers

,br />Key words: Top water plugs,Walkin’-the-dog, Smallmouth bass surface plugs

River surface plug fishing for smallmouth bass

Authored and written by: Al Winco

www.wincoscustomlures.com

Water temperatures in the 36-42 degree range are usually considered as the cold water, winter smallmouth fishing time on the Delaware river. Smallmouth bass move to their off- current, wintering holes and can be caught by the knowledgeable angler who is properly and safely prepared to fish during the cold air and water temperatures. Winter smallmouth bass anglers look for a 2-4 degree rise in water temps during winter warming trends that will get the bass looking and eating. An ice free river is mandatory for safe jet-boat navigation. Winter lure presentations are usually smaller then their warmer water cousins, as the smallmouth bass prefer a smaller meal during this cold water period. The cross-cut, rabbit hair jig, w/and w/out a trailer was considered the Gold Standard for many years and still is a fine producer for lethargic winter smallmouth bass. Three years ago, I created 2 specific, 3” soft-baits for the cold water period. The C.W. and W.W. Smallies delight Jigs. Originally, I intended the C.W. for cold water and the W.W. for warm water but they are both equally effective for winter bass. These soft-baits have12 externally rigged,3 color silicone strands that provide life-like action to the salt and scent impregnated jig-even when sitting still on the bottom. Bass usually hold onto these soft-baits,giving the angler time to set the hook. These 2 jigs were proto-typed and tested 3 years ago on a late winter, guided smallmouth trip w/Blaine Mengel of the Backwoods Angler Guide service. Air temperatures were 26 degrees @ the start of the trip and warmed to a balmy 41 degrees w/ 15-25 mph NW winds. Water temperature ranged from 38-40 degrees. I split the charter w/ another hard-core river smallmouth addict. We boated 29 smallmouth bass that day to 19” on the C.W. and W.W.Smallies delight Jigs These jigs are fished slowly across the bottom w/spinning tackle in weights of 1/8-1/4oz. Braided line w/a fluorocarbon leader works best for feeling the mush-mouth winter hit. I hold my rod still w/ tension, @ the 10 after 12 position when I feel any resistance during the retrieve. If I feel the mushy, tell-tale head-bob of the smallmouth bass munching on the jig, I’ll set the hook. These jigs are basically snag –free when use w/my new, weighted flutter heads. Here’s a pic of the kit I offer: (#FHCP) | 10@$30.00 Mustad Ultra-point (Black Chrome) 2/0 Swim-bait hooks w/Hitchiker coil keeper. Available in 1/16,3/32 , 1/8 ,1/4oz. jig weights Here’s the ultimate kit for reducing snags, using these popular 3″ soft-bait jigs for smallmouth bass in river, creeks and lake fishing. For cooling water temperatures, the proven design of the salt & scent impregnated C.W. and W.W. Smallies Delight 3″ soft-baits have earned a place in every serious anglers jig arsenal. The flutter heads slip through most difficult rocky bottom structure with 70% less snags then open hooked baits. The texposed, Mustad, Ultra-point swim bait hook provides positive hooksets-even for the cold-water, mush mouth bite of lethargic smallmouth bass. The hitchhiker coil keeper holds the head of the soft-bait firmly in place. The unique & durable attachment / placement of the multi-colored, silicone skirt strands provides life-like action to the jig-even in a stationary position. The kit includes 5 /W.W.S.D. and 5/ C.W.S.D. soft baits rigged on painted, 1/8 oz. flutter jig heads. The kit also includes 10 additional, un-rigged soft-bait replacement bodies- 5 of each style plus 2, un-rigged flutter jig heads. Available colors: #02 Black, #06 Green Pumpkin, #07 Watermelon, #24 Brown Pumpkin Fantasy, #32 Roadkill/camo and #33 Mudpie. I will gladly mix colors depending upon availability. An additional cold-water presentation was again proven in March of 2008 w/the “USUAL SUSPECTS” aboard the Backwoods Angler’s jet boat. I call these the C.W. Jig Worm Kit. The kit has various head designs, w/ and w/o dual wire rock guards for a stand-up presentation that have the approval of cold-water smallmouth bass. The baits range from 3to 3 ¾’ in length. These jig worms accounted for every big smallmouth over 14”caught that day including a real nice 20” er. C.W. Jig Worm Kit-#CWJWK 3/16-5/16 oz. heads w/ Mustad Ultra-Point & BLN Ultra-Point hooks PRICE: $25.00 per Kit Experienced anglers soon learn how finicky smallmouth bass can be. Fishing for small mouth bass gets tough after cold fronts and when the water temperatures decline into the 40’s . Smaller presentations appeal to smallmouth bass under these conditions. This kit contains high floating, smaller worms from 3-3 3/4”-all on true, stand-up jig heads that bass can easily see w/the worm raised off of the bottom. This is “shaky – head”, finesse fishing @ its finest which many fine smallmouth bass have agreed with. Simply slowly craw these jigs across the bottom w/pauses and/or add a “shake in place” to the retrieve. All jig heads are powered painted in black or green pumpkin and feature dual barbs to securely hold all types of soft plastics in place. This kit Includes * 3/ 3 ¼” Un-rigged creatures on 3/16 0z. stand-up football jigs w/Ultra-point hooks & dual wire rock guards * 4 complete Stand-up bullet jigs(2-3/16 & 2-5/16) w/8 ,hand-tied silicone layers on Mustad BLN Ultra-point hooks * 4 complete Stand-up bullet jigs(2-3/16 & 2-5/16) w/dual wire rock guards on Mustad BLN Ultra-point hooks * 4 complete 3/16 oz. Stand-up football jigs w/8 hand-tied silicone layers on Mustad BLN Ultra-point hooks. * 30 additional high-floating worms in 2 styles/lengths and three colors-watermelon, green pumpkin and black. For various, effective presentations, these worms can be easily trimmed from 3 3/4” down to 3” and anywhere in-between simply by cutting along the segment lines. Here’s a pic of these jigs underwater Cold water largemouth bass love these finesse baits! Dressing for cold weather and the wind chills associated w/ long distance jet-boat runs is recommended. Cold hands and fingers can ruin your day on the water. This system may seem like overkill but when my hands get cold and the finger tips start going numb, I warm them quickly. Holding onto a sub-freezing temp.reel seat will produce cold hands,no matter who you are. I used the heated muff 4x’s during the 1st hour on the water to warm both the left and right fingertips. The body warmer packs work the best I use these 1st- http://www.damartusa.com/pls/portal/site_framework.product?p_product_code=QQD264X Then put these on- http://www.flyfishingoutfitters.com/p/s/viewitem.aspx?pid=GLO-SIM-WIND-GLO I use two of these- http://heatreliefdepot.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=464 Inside one of these- http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=null-cat601725&id=0021064920009a&navCount=0&podId=0021064&parentId=cat601725&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=XJ&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601233&cmCat=netcon&cm_ven=netcon&cm_cat=Google&cm_pla=hand%20warmer%20deer%20muff&cm_ite=netcon&rid=0180101070502 I also use a Damart Balaclava under my Watch cap to keep my entire face/neck warm when running the river in the jet. Never put Damart double force items in the clothes drier. They will shrink to 1/3rd their size. They air dry very quickly. The Damart double force turtleneck sweater is awesome for warmth.I’ll carry 2 pair of the Damart liner gloves in the real cold weather so after 1 pair gets wet I can change over to the dry pair. Al Winco – Winco’s Custom www.wincoscustomlures.com wincolures@verizon.net