Lower Columbia River Smallies

[rangerbassin]

I went out this weekend to try for smallies on the Columbia around the St Helens area down to where the Willamette dumps in and totally struck out. Ive been catching a lot of small ones in the Multnomah channel and decided to see if the big boys were out on the main river. I was keying in on rocks on outside channel bends where the current was flowing the strongest. I was using crankbaits, jerkbaits, dropshotting grubs, and spider jigs. Fishing anywhere from 4 ft to 20ft deep. Did not even catch a dink. Any input you guys could provide on what I could try different would be appreciated. Im not looking for specific spot info, just trying to figure out what I might be doing wrong, as that particular stretch of river looked really good. :help:

[bassin]

PM sent

[rangerbassin]

Well im going to give the lower Columbia another try today. Conditions look perfect with no wind and the tide going out this afternoon. Hopefully they will start biting on the Columbia the way theyve been chewing on the upper Willamette.

[bassin]

So how did you do?

[rangerbassin]

Not good at all. It started pouring down rain, and the wind pretty much blew me right off the river. I got soaked, didnt catch a thing, and limped home. All in all it was a great day:yay: . Im just curious to know if anyone has ever done very good on the main river below Bonneville. Im not looking for anyone to share spots, Id just like to know if Im wasting my time trying to make this stretch produce. Its just that its a lot closer than some other places with me living in Astoria. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks

[bassin]

I have weight in 22lbs for 5 fish in the lower River. Tides and Location are important more so than on lakes or behind the Dams. Send me a PM and we can talk about what you did and where you should be trying. Time of year depth etc.

[QH's Paw]

Its just that its a lot closer than some other places with me living in Astoria. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks
RB, just curious have you tried closer to home? Blind slough/Brownsmead produces alot of warmwater fish. A club that I belong to had a fish in there a few years back in March. There weren't alot of fish caught but I do remember a couple nice LMB. All of our fishing was from the bank. Of course, this time of year, there are loads of waterfowlers hunting that area. Good luck in your search.