Willamette SM Novice

Targaryen · 04-13-2008, 10:35 AM

Anyone care to offer a novice a few pointers on getting started prospecting for smallmouth on the Willamette in the Portland area? I'd like to explore the various areas with bank access. I know about the eastbank esplanade. Any others to recommend? I have a light spinning outfit. Kind of overwhelmed by the selection of softbaits, plugs, etc. in the stores and not sure where to start. Also not clear on what kinds of baits are most appropriate for particular types of water, time of year, and so on. Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, -Tim

ExBassGuide · 04-13-2008, 05:40 PM

one PM sent but some other please step up and help the fellow out (for shore spots or lures that work for you).
Thanks
Roger

Tar Heel · 04-13-2008, 05:46 PM

Creamfish posted a pic of a nice jig. I think there is bank access at Oak's PArk, and there are fish near there, as well as Clackamette Park. Altough I havent fished there, there looks to be some good habitat along the shore at George Rogers Park in Lake Oswego, and Willamette Park near town. It's pretty safe to say wherever you have some rocky shoreline and current, there will be bass.

Lil Buffalo · 04-13-2008, 06:21 PM

Has anyone tried Kelly Point Park? I fished there in October last year and only saw a steelhead jump. It looks like good structure, there is current and rocks right of the point. There is great bank access and actually some deep water.

boblag · 04-14-2008, 04:51 PM

All around Milwaukie and Oregon City there's a lot of good access. Also, the Columbia on Hayden Island and along Marine Drive. Check some of the old threads for more info. But the best way is to use Google Earth to find your own secret spots.
Probably one of the most common baits used in the Willy is a 4" Senko in green pumpkin. Try rigging it weedless and split-shotting it using just enough weight to get it near the bottom (or use it weightless). The internet should have some diagrams, etc. or the guys at Fisherman's can probably show you how.
I suggest spending 20 bucks and getting a medium or medium heavy IM6 graphite rod (6'6" to 7') with a fast action.